| Author |
Message |
    
Im4jc
Intermediate Member
Username: Im4jc
Post Number: 243
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 9:32 pm: | 
|
Wow Pat. I haven't been around for a couple of years, but I just came back to see if anyone has any reports on how the SSB sounds on the 2970N2 now that it uses mosfets (since some are saying that mofsets in other radios aren't sounding very good on ssb), and I can't believe my eyes. Magnum's biggest fan has switched allegiance.
Holy smokes, now I've seen it all, lol. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 4484
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 6:47 pm: |
|
 ....no, didn't really switch allegiances-i always KNEW my 706mk2g is better on SSB, & my grant XL is better on AM AND SSB. i think the switch to chinese production caused quality control to suffer. drastically. later SSB radios aren't the same as older ones, and the mosfet types....well, yup, something isn't right on SSB! not just magnums, but MOST mosfet SSB radios. i can almost ALWAYS pick out a mosfet radio on SSB. they ALL have a tell-tale 'wobble' to them. no matter HOW tiny, it IS there. and some of the transistor radios built in china have poor shielding that inserts rf into SSB signals. the standard response is ALWAYS 'send it back'. i ripped the box....'send it back'. AHHHHHHHH!!!
as for the 2970n2, my neighbor sold his on the internet & bought a chipswitched 2510 and dx500. he is MUCH happier on 10, 11 & 12! |
Im4jc
Intermediate Member
Username: Im4jc
Post Number: 244
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 8:53 pm: |
|
I see. Thanks for the first-hand info Pat. I've heard the same thing about the mosfet radios, no matter what the brand, on sideband.
I really miss my 2970DX for SSB. I've been running (cough), a Galaxy DX 93T, and it is simply terrible for SSB.
Anyhow, I guess that makes up my mind about the 2970N2.
How's your 706mk2g on AM? |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1393
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2009 - 6:31 pm: |
|
what about 2950/2980wx/2995dx what transisters are
in these
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
|
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 4485
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2009 - 10:26 pm: |
|
the icom is 'fair' on AM. less noise on receive on my xl & ar3500, though the 706 is SLIGHTLY more sensitive, every receive situation is different. definitely does NOT sound like a CB, and the 706 does NOT agree with any amp LESS then a comp 4 pill, a 6 would be better, because initial keyup on AM gives a 100w spike that will destroy a ts dx500 sooner rather then later. don't quite see full output from a dx1600, about 900PEP ain't bad though. a class 'B' 4 pill has held up & drives a 16 just as good as the 2 watt xl through a 5 to a 16  . SSB is....great . |
Sitm
Intermediate Member
Username: Sitm
Post Number: 235
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 11:43 am: |
|
Thanks guys, I find this post to be very good information when considering a future purchase. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1394
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 6:12 pm: |
|
i think the mosfets radios dont handle tweaking them
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
|
505
Junior Member
Username: 505
Post Number: 12
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 7:40 pm: |
|
HOLD ON THERE. NOT TO FAST THE WAY A RADIO IS WORKED ON WILL DETERMINE ITS SOUND,MOFSETS HAVE BEEN USED FOR 20 YEARS WITH GOOD SOUND ON SSB THE 2970N2 SOUND PERFECT WHEN TURNED PERFECTLY |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 16551
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 8:15 pm: |
|
I agree 100% as MOSFET's have been used in the production / manufactur of Ham & Commerical radio equipment for many year's before coming into the CB/Export radio market with GREAT result's and increase in power and reliability to the end user.
Lon
CEF#808~HAM#001/N9CEF
CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
|
Radioreddz
Member
Username: Radioreddz
Post Number: 81
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 6:28 pm: |
|
iv'e heard over the years from guys with miss-tuned RCI radios that they have a wobble. i really see no diference in a well tuned 2970,2970DX or 2970N2 on transmit. i myself perfer the 2970 over the other two, because i like the receive mod that can be done to them to take out a lot of the white noise with out screwing up the sensitivity of the radio.i don't think it can be done to the DX or N2 series 2970's because of the new surface mount components for some reason, it gets to techy for me. but there is a mod that really works that is in a book that you can buy off of internet auction sites called unleash mods for the 2950 but this mod also works with the 2970 and belive me it really quiets the receive. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1398
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 4:45 pm: |
|
the mosfets have been in use many years with great results.however this was in ham radios
and the hams i know dont go inside them
and try phony swing mods and disabling the amc
just for big swing on am.however on cb take
the same mosfet into a overtuned radio it will
weorrble.my point is this if ya get a mosfet
radio and say copper does the mod dont try
to get more out of it.ive heard many radios
with mosfets that sound just as clean as anything.these werent these werent peak out
then ive heard some that sounded horrible and
these were the ones that ended up at a cb shop
tring to get that big swing
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
|
Im4jc
Intermediate Member
Username: Im4jc
Post Number: 245
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 3:31 pm: |
|
Hmmm. So what most of you seem so be saying is that if I get 2970N2 and have it tuned properly, that there will be no perceivable warble to the one listening to me?
Actually, what I'm hearing is that in THEORY, the mosfets should sound fine in the 2970N2 because they sound fine in ham radios, but has anyone here, other than Pat, actually heard a properly tuned 2970N2 on sideband during extended use?
I really don't want to shell out the dough for something that doesn't sound as good on sideband as the previous generation 2970's.
Thanks. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1400
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 5:01 pm: |
|
i know of three.1 base,and 2 used in mobiles.
all three i know personally.2 of the 2970n2 were
bought,and tuned from copper,other one wasnt.
the 2 that were from coppers sound just as clean
as anything.other wasnt.it sounded ok but he
was overdriving it mic gain up too high.as soon
as he turned down the mic gain to 12oclock sound
good.these TO ME run more like a true ham radio
the ham radios ive seen they only can turn the mic gain up half way.past that the alc gets pegged and they will sound warrble/distorted.
so yes a properly tuned 2970n2 should sound good
if ya get one thru coppers have them do the tune and expand and that its.if ya do get warble just turn down mic gain.my magnum s-45 has mosfets and i get outstanding reports with stock mic
and mic gain at 50%more times then not warble is caused from 1 of 2 things
1]overtuned radios clipped,disabled amc
2]micgain up too high
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
|
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 4491
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 8:59 pm: |
|
this thread started from a 'why i gave up on magnum' post on another thread. which actually stems from what is a perceived quality-control issue with magnum. it evolved into my dislike of current mosfet-powered radios. which is based upon my dislike of most, now closer to 'almost all' export radios. AM is forgiving enough to allow most radios to sound 'good' if adjusted 'close enough'. ssb on the other hand isn't so forgiving. while MANY of the new mosfet-powered SSB radios DO have a distinctive 'sound', they are OK on AM. the distinctive sound on ssb is more audible on some radios then others, and even can be seen on a scope when checking rf power & modulation. rf injected into the signal due to poor circuit design? actually, there is NO specific circuit design for mosfet powered cb's/export rigs. they just 'substituted' mosfets for transistors and added what is required to make a mosfet function. i can't find it, but i've been looking on the net for the article that explains this....actually from an article on predriver failures in the ic746pro, it goes into mosfet 'problems' & translates to cb's/exports perfectly. amateur radios using mosfets are designed around the mosfet, not just substituting one into the place of a transistor. poor quality design, lack of modernization, poor quality control, etc may exacerbate any xmit issues in mosfet powered cb's. i just traded for a mosfet S9-80. it has AT LEAST a half-dozen issues with operation, not the least of which is SSB xmit. it sounds awful. AM is actually decent. this radio was not touched and was bought from a respected distributor & still has the 'do not remove' stickers on it. had i bought it new & got the reports this one gets, it would've been back on a ups truck so fast your head would spin. |
Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 34
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 21, 2009 - 11:01 am: |
|
I have a 2970N2 and it works very well on 10 meters. I have made 25 contacts so far and have had nothing but good reports. I bought my radio from copper and had them to the expand align and tune option. That was it for me, I don't waste my time opening it up and voiding my factory warranty to try to get more out of it.
As for the audio sounding warble/distorted it is probally operator error or the great golden screwdriver tech. I run my radio with the mic gain wide open and the rf power wide open on ssb for full output and I have had great reports. I use an Astatic 636L microphone. I have found this microphone work great on all my radios(New style Magnum 257,Lincoln,and Hr2510) and to believe it I have a Astatic 575M6 and Astatic 1104C that are now collecting dust.
Just my thoughts and experience with the Ranger 2970N2
73's
Cef#1011
Ham#294
From the Great Lakes State
|
Timberwolf455
Junior Member
Username: Timberwolf455
Post Number: 20
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, October 10, 2009 - 7:03 pm: |
|
i have one of the 2970N2s i bought new,when i got it it was doing 325 watts and after about 20 min. of getting long winded it got way to hot,i backed it down to 250 watts and it does great now am and ssb,i talk ssb mostly,i have a Icom 728 for a base and my neighbor has a hard time telling the diff. in the two on ssb,i run a 2018 extreme on the 2970 and have used it on 10 meters and everyone says it sounds great |
Nvdoug
Junior Member
Username: Nvdoug
Post Number: 31
Registered: 2-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 3:24 pm: |
|
Question's for the 2970n2 users..
I am planning on buying one through Copper and have them Tune & Align it.
#1 As a base station, would my Astron vs-50m pwr supply be enough?
#2 After Tune & Align, RF PWR turned all the way down, what can I expect to see for pwr output?
#3 Astatic Silver Eagle work good with it ?
Thanks
Doug
Northern Nevada
CEF#1019
|
Nvdoug
Junior Member
Username: Nvdoug
Post Number: 32
Registered: 2-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 2:26 am: |
|
I rec my RCI 2970N2 from Copper. Hooked it up to a Astron vs-50m pwr supply with a PogoStik antenna w/new rg213 (match is a hair under 1.1 on PCD600 mtr). (Tune & Align done before shipped)
RF PWR down all the way .. MIC GAIN 50% first report was that the modulation was scratchy w/good signal. Tried Silver Eagle report was worse...
With squelch up to kill static, I hear a constant lite-high-pitch sound. Key the mic to TX and the sound goes away.
I will adjust the mic gain when I get my better half out in town to give a reliable report.
Any insight to the high pitched sound ??
Thanks
Doug
Northern Nevada
CEF#1019
|
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1596
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 7:34 pm: |
|
1]what type mic ya currently using....stock
2]what mode
3]if am mode whats your dead key
if using am mode ya may wanna set dead key
around 20 watts minumin
need more info
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
|
Nvdoug
Junior Member
Username: Nvdoug
Post Number: 33
Registered: 2-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 11:48 pm: |
|
Sorry for the lack of info..
1] was stock, now Aststic SilverEagle
2]am mode
3]RF PWR down to min., dead key 20 watts
The previous post was kinda premature.. As with my beloved better1/2 in the pick-up in town. Her report was that the static was not that bad & my modulation was real good as with other reports as well.
Still a concern is the high pitched whine that I hear. I have a call in to the Tech @ Copper. Just waitin for his call/back.
I have a Imax 2000 w/GPK enroute. Cant wait to pull down that old Shakespeare PogoStick and try out the Imax...
Doug
Northern Nevada
CEF#1019
|
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1597
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2010 - 9:16 pm: |
|
well i dont know why ya got static now. usually
if ya got carrier too low that could happen.
but 20 watt should be fine.could try increasing it for kicks and giggles.the high pitch whine
is this on all frequencys?electrical noise maybe?
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
|
Nvdoug
Junior Member
Username: Nvdoug
Post Number: 34
Registered: 2-2009
| | Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 3:25 am: |
|
Hi Dale, Thanks for checkin in here.
Received a call/back and was told that the faint high pitch whine was characteristic of the radio.. Something to do with the pwr supply in the unit?? Can't quite remember what the Tech said.. He also said give the unit time to "break-in". The whine goes away when I key the mic to talk.
Glad to say I talked all over the USA today & all reports were GREAT !!! W/RF pwr set @ 0 - 50%
The static that comes thru on my TX I believe is a non-issue. I received that info from my 1st contact.. I will have to get on the other end of the unit & have my better1/2 talk to me so I can get a better definition of the static that was mentioned...
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL REPLYS
Best Regards
Doug
Northern Nevada
CEF#1019
|
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1598
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 7:56 pm: |
|
having your better half talk on it with you listening on other end then ya get a better
idea for yourself
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
|
Charliebrown
Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 69
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 9:25 pm: |
|
More than likely the radio has a fan in it. when you key down the fan changes speed and that changes the pitch. That is the only sound that I have heard from my RCI 2995 dx. I think the 2970n2 has a fan as well. Most radios that has a built in amp has a fan. If I am right, perhaps this help. |
Nvdoug
Junior Member
Username: Nvdoug
Post Number: 35
Registered: 2-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 11:04 pm: |
|
I am getting OUTSTANDING REPORTS about the way the 2970n2 sounds... Thats all I can ask for...
Problems with both my 17+yr old 2950's are troublesome..
1} one radio "cracked & popped & smelt burnt". The radio freq. counter went out but the light to the freq. display still lights up. I was told that the "processor" went out and that is common with that old of a radio. I was told that someone might be able to repair it or reccomend someone if I posted this info..
2} The other 2950 now has no pwr output on am.. BUT has pwr to TX on SSB? This problem just started yesterday..
TIME FOR NEW RADIOS? or ARE THESE REPAIRABLE?
Doug
Northern Nevada
CEF#1019
|
Train_man
Member
Username: Train_man
Post Number: 73
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 3:03 pm: |
|
Anything can be repaired, depends on how deep your pockets are. |
Nvdoug
Junior Member
Username: Nvdoug
Post Number: 36
Registered: 2-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 10:10 pm: |
|
Can a Tech or someone explain to me where the AM Voltage Regulator is on the old RCI2950. I would like to remove it out of the radio that the processor blew and use it to replace the one that blew in my other 2950..
Thanks
Doug
Northern Nevada
CEF#1019
|
Easy1
New member
Username: Easy1
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2015
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 - 6:08 am: |
|
Does anyone have a picture were the Q59 is on the 2970dx smt board , I can find it on the schematics, but can't trace it down on the board ,purchased and giant magnifying glass 3hrs in , or is the board an available to purchase somewhere, radio out of warranty , no tx in any mode but good receive, I miss thru hole boards all ready, Thank you in advance |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2195
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 22, 2015 - 8:36 am: |
|
google cbtricks.com they have pics .may help
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
|
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 441
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 23, 2015 - 11:56 pm: |
|
Get the RCI address here from Copper. Tell them you want the RCI SERVICE MANUAL. It will cover the 2950dx, 2970dx, 2970n2, 2995dx. It not only will show you the location of each part but the front an back trace's on the board where the part's go. Then you will find a complete part's list. It will also show you how to service and tune your radio properly. I bought mine year's ago. The manual does not cost much but it is worth every penny. Most handy book you would ever want. |
