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Message |
    
Charlie Green (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 2004 - 1:34 pm: | 
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Can anybody suggest a web site that shows a list of various radios that are now available or were recently available and the range of frequencies that they can be modified to access (transmit and receive)? Not really interested in the DC to daylight general coverage Ham transceivers, rather would like to know about those that are sold as 10/11 meters
I am interested in 25 MHz through 30 Mhz but really would like to know how broadbanded the recent radios really are. I thought I remembered an RCI that could be pushed down to 25 MHz and up to 30 MHz but cannot find any trace of it now.
Thanks |
That ELCO Guy (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 2004 - 3:05 pm: |
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Unfortunately as they come from the factory no.
You see 11 meters or CB is a 'Type Accepted' rado where as a 10 meter radio is a Ham Radio. With the exception of certain technical requirements as to band width etc Ham Radios are not required to be type accepted in the same manner as a CB radio. The inclusion of a 10 meter radio as a part of an 11 meter radio in the same package from the factory is contradictory in nature. The FCC would not approve any such radio.
IF you want both in one unit you are going to have to purchase a 10 meter radio and expand the frequency coverage via modifications
That Elco Guy
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Crafter
Senior Member
Username: Crafter
Post Number: 1020
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 2004 - 4:57 pm: |
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Look at the RCI 2950DX model 12-10m. It will do it. There a good price too. |
Highlander
Advanced Member
Username: Highlander
Post Number: 662
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 02, 2004 - 7:15 pm: |
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Just make sure you buy from a dealer that will either do the 11 meter mod for you, or guarantee that they will ship you the "e-key" module so you can do the mod. No module, no 11 meters, no way, no dice. Some ham dealers will not do either, you will be stuck with Ham only freqs. Not a fun thing. |
Charley Green (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2004 - 7:44 am: |
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Thanks to all for the input.
Crafter:
Could you add a little more regarding the availability of the RCI 2950-DX? Can you provide a link (where expandability is discussed)?
Highlander:
Can you expand a little upon the "e-key module" that you mention? Is this a separate hardware item that must be added. Is there a website on which this "module" is discussed?
Thanks again to all.
Regards, CG |
Charley Green (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2004 - 9:21 am: |
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Hello again,
Can someone provide information regarding the RCI 2995 DX? For example, what is the extended frequency range after modification?
I have been reading some of the discussion regarding the requirements for power supplies in "archived threads" (and yes, I understand that "base station transceivers" have "built-in" power supplies and only need to be plugged into a 110 V, 60 cycle outlet) and I think there is another issue to discuss regarding higher powered tranceivers - that would be the electrical power supply from your breaker box. To get full power to the power supply, I would need an adequately sized breaker (with appropriate gage of wire to the radio room). The RCI site says that the current used by the RCI 2995 DX is 300 amps. This could be a no-brainer for techs but I gotta ask - what size breaker should I have the electrician install in the breaker box (the radio WILL have its own circuit from the breaker box)?
Thanks in advance for your information and opinion. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1729
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2004 - 10:48 am: |
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the 29XX radios should go from about 24.9 to 30 MHZ a power supply good enough to run a 100 watt radio should run at least 15 amps at 13 volts DC.
The rangers are not bad radios EXCEPT on fm .
Now REMEMBER stay off 24.900 to 25.000 and 28.000-29.700 MHZ UNLESS you hold a general class ham license or a old tech + thet are monitored by the local hams and the fcc .... 28.035 - 28.095 is being watched closely.... other wise its a freedband dream radio. |
Charlie Green (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2004 - 3:58 pm: |
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Bruce,
Thanks for the response. I stay in the 26.0 - 26.5 and 27.5 - 28.99 ranges so far but thanks for the heads-up re the FCC. I have found out lately that there is some interesting activity in the 25.5 - 26.0 range also, explaining my interest.
Sounds like the 2995 DX would fill the bill as far as frequencies are concerned. I would not be able to use more power as the neighbors are too close (and I like them). I have a solid state Palomar 400 amplifier gathering dust because it is just too much for my area (moving to Texas in the next few years though).
I have a President 2510 (with chipswitch) and an RCI 2950 and I have (with the right conditions) had QSO's as far as the land of Ozz. Power is sometimes nice but 150 Watts is more than plenty for now. Just interested in the newer radios and trying to keep current.
By the way, I notice that the 2995 DX is a rack size unit. Where do I look to obtain a used smallish (NOT 5 feet tall, more like 3 feet tall) rack to mount the new gear? I have a couple of VERY nice ($$$) power supplies (220 V input) that I got from the industrial surplus market that are also rack mount. I have looked on the Internet but can't find one for a reasonable price.
Regards, CG |
Chad
New member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 05, 2004 - 9:57 am: |
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Find out where your local university "recycles" their "scrap" items, they can bve found in droves there. Radio stations doing remodels will have them in the dumpster. I usually keep 3-4 around the house empty and refinished, I GAVE them away when moving to not have to move/store them. I'll go junk hunting soon. If I find more I will gather and post. My favorites which I have been finding lately have a hood on the top to gain access. Granted it's not as easy as turning it around but nice for a quick check when you don't want to spin the rack. |
Charley Green (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Friday, November 05, 2004 - 12:24 pm: |
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Hi Chad,
Thanks for the information. I certainly will look into local sources. I happen to presently be in a major remodeling project for my radio room and I would like to get all the cabling sorted out and the equipment arranged in a logical order and just basically straighten out 25 years of "just put it anywhere" operation. I am having the electrician run new circuts and I will have 5 outlets on each wall (including 2 new 220 V. outlets for the power supplies). The equipment racks make a lot of sense to me. I even have acquired some rack fans at a Hamfest. One must be careful not to put too much weight on a small "footprint" (the power supplies weigh 65 pounds each and I don't want the floor caving in) so I can't use very tall racks.
I am still looking for some opinions on the requirements for sizing the circuit breakers and the required wire gage. I suppose the electrician will be able to guide me in that decision.
Your ideas are appreciated.
Regards, CG |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 486
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 05, 2004 - 1:12 pm: |
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Charlie Green if you do a search for the RCI 2995DX using the search option to the left. I'm sure you'll find all of the information you need on the Ranger radios. They are very popular radios and there is allot of information that has already been posted on modifications and concerning power and bandwidth expansion on the forum.
I was very interested in the same radio and performed a search and read somewhere that it can be modified to go from 20-30 MHz. I do not know if that information is accurate, but the radio does come stock covering the entire 10 and 12-meter bands. I'm not a radio technician so I couldn't advise you any further other than saying to try using the search method and see what you can find. It's a very useful tool, and again I believe I saw where someone explained how he modified his radio to cover everything inside the 10-15-meter range.
But honestly if I were going to spend about $600.00 on a radio it would either be on the Icom IC-718, or the Kenwood FT-840. Both have variable power that can do up to 100 watts PEP SSB and can cover everything from 10-160 meters. Both have a smaller foot print and either can be found for under $600.00 new.
Just my opinion
Bob
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Chad
New member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 7
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 05, 2004 - 3:03 pm: |
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Charley,
I put 200+ pound racks on floor all the time and have never had a problem. If you are concerned you can sit the rack on wood "spanners" to distribute the weight, or, you can reinforce the joists under the room in that area.
As for power, 5 20A circuits per wall is probably overkill. But, expansion is always key  As for sizing 12GA should be fine per 20A. I use 10Ga per 20A for safety but many have said it's wasted money. How large are the 220V suppies?
Next question would be how the panel is wired, Are you coming off the original house box or are you going to pull the meter and lug up there?
Grounding, What a topic! There are many articles on the internet about proper grounding. I reccommend knowing your local code then visiting your local big radio station and speaking with their chief engineer. It's always good to speak with someone who has the plant under an AM tower. I worked under AM and grounding was key! We had everything star grounded to the engineering room with copper buss strap. All things in the rooms then grounded to the buss strap. This strap also tied to the grounding system in the transmitter shack. Yes there were two ground points but everything worked fine and I had minimal lightning damage even though I had a 500' stick on very flat land. That thing got hit EVERY time!
Good luck, let us know how the electrical comes out, that serious of a service can be expensive for one room. I did 80A in my room and have never had a problem, I rebuild and test the largest of PA amps in there (5000+ watts) and have little sag. This includes running the A/C to compensate for 5000+ watts of heat generated. You would love my dummy load! A hot water heater, water pump, and radiator/fans outside!
If I only had 3 phase I could repair the big Crown 10000 watters! But the crest 10001's are big enough!
http://www.crestaudio.com/products/proseries/pro10001.cfm
Gotta love the power!
Chad |
Charlie Green (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, November 08, 2004 - 1:53 pm: |
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Hello All,
Thanks to everybody for the responses. I think I have settled on what I want now.
My Kenwood is "opened up" for all frequencies and it is 100 watts TX. I guess I should look around for a used Kenwood Ft-840.
Thanks again everybody. |
Theozz
New member
Username: Theozz
Post Number: 7
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 08, 2004 - 11:47 pm: |
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i'm sure the ft-840 your talking about is a yaesu ft-840 not kenwood......the ft-840 is a good hf rig, but if your a ham and want even better coverage take a look at the icom 706's it cover's hf and 2 meter and 6 meter |
