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Longarcher
New member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 12:38 am: | 
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I've got a Magnum 257 on order, but they're backordered right now.
Just curious about other radios with the same capabilities that would be comparable, performance and price wise... let's say up to a 250 price tag?
Thanks!
Rich
CEF# TBD
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Bert
Member
Username: Bert
Post Number: 88
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 7:20 am: |
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How about the Ranger Superstar 158EDX? Does all the same as the Magnum and more...... 10 and 12 metres if you're a licensed amateur and 11 metres as well.
Only disadvantage I can see would be if you had really confined space in say a mobile; the Ranger is slightly larger. Other than that, if I had my choice, I'd be going with the Ranger.
Don't forget probably the best sounding and featured SSB export style radio out there, and for a few dollars here or there, the Ranger 2950DX.
Good luck! |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2453
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 2:16 pm: |
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The RCI 2950 would be my next choice. I think the 257 is worth waiting for though. Unless you can get your hands on a Connex 4800DXL or perhaps a President Lincoln.
KEEP IT REAL!
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
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Longarcher
New member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 5:32 pm: |
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Well I'll see what happens this week, if my order gets filled or not. There is a used 4800DXL on the Copper main site w/broken freq counter for same price as a 257.... ?
Rich
CEF# TBD
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Longarcher
New member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 5:52 pm: |
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How about the OmegaForce S45?
Rich
CEF# TBD
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Train_man
Junior Member
Username: Train_man
Post Number: 15
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2008 - 2:20 am: |
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Why buy a broken radio?
I'd get a new RCI 2950DX/2970DX, both far better radios than the 257.If you can find a Lincoln, I'd grab it.
My 0.02.
Move along. Nothing to see here.........
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4584
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2008 - 2:45 pm: |
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I had a lincoln .... added chipswitch, channelguard and rf stage mod ..... nice radio but not GREAT .... work my 1st CEF 12 meter contact on it and my 1st 10 meter one too. I had $400+ bucks in it and even with the chipswitch you still dont have tones for repeaters ....
I had a 2950 and 2950DX and a 5054dx Ok as SSB radios fair on am USELESS for FM all are gone .... SOLD long ago.
Now guess which radio is still here and used on 10 meters even though it sufferes from the same fault ..... my 257 and a few HTX-10s .......
For under $200 the 257 is hard to beat ..... why spend $100 more on a radio that dosnt do anything more?
On 6 since 66
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Bert
Member
Username: Bert
Post Number: 90
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 7:01 am: |
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Bruce makes some good points. However, it doesn't answer Longarcher's questions. He has a 257 on order, but it's backordered. He sounds like he wants another radio now rather than wait....... |
Train_man
Junior Member
Username: Train_man
Post Number: 18
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 11:47 am: |
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Personally, I didn't care for the 257. I would buy the 2950 over the 257 only because the Lincoln is getting harder to find.
Move along. Nothing to see here.........
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Longarcher
Junior Member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 13
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 6:18 pm: |
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All is well now, I was notified today that the radio will be shipped tomorrow or Friday.
I was just unaware that the 257 had been on a 6 month backorder... guess I ordered at the right time
Based on feedback, cost and people's opinions, I think the 257 will be a good entry level set.
Thanks to all who posted good alternatives and advice!
Rich
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 15107
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 6:26 pm: |
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Longarcher/Rich,
I think you will be Very Happy with your Magnum 257 as it is one "GREAT" little radio with plenty of features. 
Hope to talk with you soon on the air with it. 
Lon~Tech808
CEF#808/HAM#001/CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4585
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 6:32 pm: |
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AMENT .......
On 6 since 66
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Big_m
New member
Username: Big_m
Post Number: 5
Registered: 9-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 8:11 pm: |
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What makes Magnum 257 so great? It don't look all that! |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 4120
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 9:56 pm: |
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since longarchers' 257 is already on the way, this is for big_m....i never though i'd own such a radio, but, 50 watts of power in a small package is its best feaure. SSB audio ain't bad, receive is pretty sensitive-though it can be hashy while mobile in certain environments, and, it has 50 watts of power in a small package. did i say that? i have yet to find anything that will replace my grant xl in my skip talking 11 meter mobile. yet i wanted 10 meters while driving....just in case. the ranger 6900 or superstar 158 would have gotten me 12 meters as well, but since i am not going to remove the xl, the 'other' radio needed to be on an antenna switch. the 257 is not permanently mounted and just lays on my front seat. when i need to carry a passenger, i can disconnect the 257 & it easily fits in the glovebox. i have made every single 10 meter mobile E skip contact i have attempted with the 257-without the aid of any amplifier on just my predator antenna, along with all of my CQ's that were responded to. i think it was a very good investment. if it wasn't for the 'size' issue, i could have 10 meter access via 1 of my ar3500's, or chipswitched hr2510, along with 11 & 12, and i am POSITIVE the 2510 & 3500's receivers as well as that of the 6900 & 158 would be 'quieter' then that of the 257 while mobile-but that is because of my suburban NYC locale & endless electrical interference possibilities. in a base situation, my 257 was extremely quiet-not the best, but acceptable even to me. it would not serve MY particular purpose in a base or as my only mobile rig, but surely others would not be as picky. it is the least expensive, smallest, 50 watt, good talking, 10/11 meter radio out there. maybe not 'great', but it IS worth taking a look at. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4590
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 10:14 pm: |
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The MAG-257 is based on the Radioshack HTX-10 radio which they built for Radioshack. The MAG-257 is much improved since the HTX-10 was built for HAM ONLY it CANNOT be expanded.
It is a time proven radio with good sounding AM/FM/SSB easy to use a great moble and trouble free .....
I have used HTX-10's since the mid 90's and STILL use them..... And have a MAG-257 also so I have directly compaired them.
When 10 meters is hot you will see HUNDERDS of them on that band many more than 10 years old.
All this in a radio under $200
On 6 since 66
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Longarcher
Junior Member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 15
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 8:52 pm: |
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From all the reviews, comments and reading the specs of the radio itself, I figured it would be a great place to start with amateur radio.
I'm pretty familiar with CB radio, having been heavily involved in that from the'70s and '80s. That's the nice thing, electronic principles don't change... the process of making them all work together has: digital, VLSI, surface mount components and all... but it's still the same at heart.
Rich
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Caledonia
Member
Username: Caledonia
Post Number: 71
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 9:50 pm: |
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I think the 257 is a very nice radio for the money. |
Hyperno_1979
Advanced Member
Username: Hyperno_1979
Post Number: 549
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 9:19 pm: |
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It's just a shame that Magnum no longer market the 357. It's still available but under a different name. At the risk of repeating repeating repeating myself....lol. I think the 357 is close to if not he best 10/11m mobile/base i have ever used. Same as the 257 but 150 whiskies. Would be a toss up between the 357 and my  2970DX.
CEFFFCEF
Bob
CEF703/CVC26
269 Hunter Valley
NOT allowed to hold a passport....
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Mikefromms
Senior Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 1006
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 6:35 pm: |
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won't go wrong with the Mag 256 or Omega Force. Fine, fine, professional sounding and receiving radios.
Mikefromms a ham |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1274
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 4:33 pm: |
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i gotta omegaforce great radio.im sure the 257
is also a good radio.if ya want 12 meters id say
get either a 2950 or 158.if ya only want 10/11
meters definately get ANY magnum radio
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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