| Author |
Message |
    
Zonie
New member
Username: Zonie
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2015
| | Posted on Monday, November 30, 2015 - 12:52 am: | 
|
Hi Folks, I'm new here. I am interested in getting a CB for my vehicle. I've had plenty of crappy ones in the old days, but now I want a good one with SSB.
There is a lot out there about the Philippine built Grant XL/Cobra 148. Unmodded Grant's seem to go for between $40 and $100 on ebay. With the 148's, it's hard to tell whether they are new Chinese or older ones without seeing units or getting a photo of the plate.
The reviews all say they have the cleanest receive. I get that, but what about this unit makes it so good? Quality of components? Circuit design? Magic? :D.
If I find one, is it too good to put in my truck?
I'm not a licensed Ham, yet, so 10-meter conversion isn't something I am planning for this radio at this time.
Peaking and tuning it is something I plan to do, as well as match the Antenna, something I never did in the past. |
Crazybob
Junior Member
Username: Crazybob
Post Number: 12
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 01, 2015 - 7:26 am: |
|
I use a Cobra 148f & a Grant export model,& not only do I get loud & clear modulation, but excellent receive with the best noise blanker I've ever used! ...I've been a CB'er for over 50 years! |
Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 897
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 01, 2015 - 6:48 pm: |
|
Hi Chris and welcome to Copper!
Most of what can be given on most radios is personal like.
The radios like the 148 are bigger radios and take up real estate in a cab or car front seat. The newer ones often aren't as good as the older ones and need extensive tuning. Even then it may not take the hammering and bouncing of a truck.
A lot of the guys I know are going for the Bearcat 980 SSB. It's smaller, generally a tough radio, is stable on SSB and when lightly tuned and coupled with a KL 200P or 300P amp becomes a competent player that often needs no power mic. Couple it to a good mobile antenna like a Wilson 5000 and away you go. There are some good Tech articles on this site about mobile and base antennas.
73 Pressman
|
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2252
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2015 - 4:51 pm: |
|
best way to tell between the older 148 and newer ones are the NEWER ones have front mics =NO GOOD
the older ones have side mics these are good ones
as pressman said alot are going for the 980 good lil radio but it is different from radios of past still good rig though
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
|
Old_ham
New member
Username: Old_ham
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2015
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2015 - 5:55 pm: |
|
I need a schematic for a Palomar Elite 450 HD amplifier. I cannot find one on the internet. |
Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 898
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2015 - 5:24 pm: |
|
Howdy Jerry!
Where all have you looked, I'd like to help you look but not look in same places.
73 Pressman
|
Zonie
New member
Username: Zonie
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2015
| | Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2015 - 9:15 pm: |
|
Thanks, Guys. I just missed one at the Hamfest this morning by minutes, but Picked up a 2002 vintage Galaxy 959 pretty cheap, so I will start playing with that. It was also on the top of my list.
Also got a K40 and Dual SWR/Watt Meter so I can peak and tune it, But I suspect it may already be given the venue and the seller.
Been studying for the test so hope to take it in Jan after blowing it off for nearly 30 years... |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2343
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 06, 2015 - 12:53 pm: |
|
The Cobra 148 has a dual conversion receiver. The lesser radios do not.
What is the difference? With a single conversion receiver, it is subject to 'images' from frequencies removed by the frequency of the I.F. In layman's terms, they suck.
A dual conversion receiver is much tighter, and not subject to image troubles. Also, with the added mixing and I.F. stage, usually another amp is in there somewhere, and a dual conversion receiver ends up having better sensitivity.
Unfortunately, to cut costs or simplify the design and reduce parts count, I seems like the majority of CB radios have single conversion receivers. If that is all you know, fine. But when you switch to a CB radio with a dual (or triple!) conversion receiver, you will never want to go back.
This also brings up another point- Most of the CB "techs" (I use the term very loosely) do not possess the equipment or the expertise to properly tune a double or triple conversion receiver, and will ultimately harm the performance. You cannot tune a multiple conversion receiver by "ear" or with a simple RF generator. All you can do is make it worse. So, if you end up looking for a CB radio with a better receiver, I suggest buying NEW. A used one almost certainly had someone fiddling inside it at some point, and you won't ever see just how good that double conversion receiver really can be.
I hear it all the time, "I bought this [dual conversion receiver] radio from (swap meet, friend, etc.) and it doesn't work any better than my old radio did!!". Case in point. Put the same op in front of a dual (or triple) conversion receiver rig that has not been defiled, and watch the eyes open wide in amazement.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
|
Zonie
New member
Username: Zonie
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2015
| | Posted on Friday, January 08, 2016 - 12:20 am: |
|
Thanks Tech833. That's good info. It appears my Galaxy DX959 isn't working. No Modulation, and no swing at all on SSB. Hears pretty good.
I picked up an ICOM 706MkIIG from a lifelong friend, will probably play with that for now. Not a whole lot of activity on 11-meter around my area anyway.
Not sure what I want to do with the malfunctioning Galaxy. If it's a blown final, 1969's are not cheap, and there seem to be a lot of suspect ones out there. |
|
