| Author |
Message |
    
Bert
New member
Username: Bert
Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 11:36 pm: | 
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Any comments or opinions(first hand} on this radio?
I've owned one for almost a year now. It's been peaked a little and been converted for additional transmit/receive.
I use a handheld D104-M6B microphone.
I've had great luck with it. Have always received good audio reports and have used it to talk a lot of DX. One of many different radios I use. One of my favourites.
My only complaint is slight drifting off frequency until it's really warmed up. Also, couldn't get it to slide 5khz up or down. Other than that, I think it's a nice radio in that price range. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2128
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 12:52 am: |
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should i TOUCH this one....
while it is neither a clone of a REAL cobra 148f-gtl, nor an mb8719, it's fairly close. its xmit mods much the same as the mb8719 radios, BUT you CAN tell the difference in them & real 148's once the 696 starts swinging near 20 watts, which also leaves them open to rfi troubles, particularly when used at a base. clipping the mod limiter isn't recommended on these radios as they do react poorly, better off leaving it alone & settling for a bit less PEP. freqs do mod differently, & end up lower at the bottom as well as the top, keeping it away from that ole 10 meter mess. can't remember off the top of my head, but while opening the clarifier is easier then on mb8719's, they only slide about 6 kc total, without an addition of another jumper & a choke. drifting usually isn't a problem til you really open up the slide. never tried a 2999 mod to the receiver of these radios, in fact, never looked to see if it's even possible, nor have i ever tried a channel guard in one. i have found, that while it's receiver is one of the better ones, close in sensitivity to the 148/xl, it is a bit noisier.
though it uses the SAME board as the galaxy 949, 959, 2547, it utilizes different components.....for the better.
hardly a knock on the radio, it IS a fine performer, 2nd only to the REAL mb8719 radios. i DO own one, brand new in the box, awaiting a rainy day  |
Bert
New member
Username: Bert
Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 8:21 am: |
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Thanks for your comments Pat.
My mod limiter isn't clipped and you're right, it slides about 6kc in total. It takes mine about 30 minutes to warm up and stop the little drifting it does.
What about the texas ranger tr296fdx? (I think I got that right}. I've seen the odd one on eBay once in a while. Looks like same radio, but I'm wondering if there might be some difference.... |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2132
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 12:57 pm: |
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the texas ranger 296 versions are EXACTLY the same as the 148/xl/lt's.... |
Bert
Junior Member
Username: Bert
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 4:07 pm: |
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Interesting...
The 296s, including the TR296FDX I referred to would be a desirable radio, for anyone who appreciates the quality of the original 148/xl/lt?
I didn't realize the difference between the 296s and the 696s. Thanks |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2136
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 7:56 pm: |
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the differences are minimal, in 1 place they did some things to appease FCC rules, & in others, while attempting to appease 'BIG RADIO' types, they opened up a bit of a can of worms-in that it SHOWS lots of swing, but not neccessarily 'clean' swing. 148/xl/lt/sherman/296/radio shack clones are MY #1 choice, but with a bit of restraint, the 696 base & mobile are VERY GOOD radios in their own right! |
Bert
Junior Member
Username: Bert
Post Number: 12
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 9:05 pm: |
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Sherman eh?
There's some General Shermans for sale around now. Price is right too.
The seller claims they are comparable to the old 148, when RCI built them. 'Should pick one up while they're available.
Good info, thanks for your opinions.....
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Bert
Junior Member
Username: Bert
Post Number: 41
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 4:22 pm: |
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I have another question about this radio. I opened up the radio and found a chip with the following written on it: RANGER
RCI 8719-97
737
Is this similar to the MB8719 that I hear referred to here so often? Is this the chip you would expect to find in this radio Pat?
Thanks
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2293
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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the rci version is just that, rci's copy of the original mb8719, & it mods just the same. the mmb8719 doesn't do all the mods, but is useable. the mb8734 is not modifiable & must be swapped for an mb8719. |
Bert
Junior Member
Username: Bert
Post Number: 42
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 7:24 pm: |
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Thanks Pat........ This is interesting stuff. |
Wayne
Junior Member
Username: Wayne
Post Number: 47
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 12:03 am: |
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Can the TR696 be made to go 40 above 40 and 40 below and can a 12 kc clarifier be put in this radio |
