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Message |
    
Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 13
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 1:51 pm: | 
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I have a few questions about the Magnum 257.
First is the radio worth getting? I am a Ranger 2950 and President Lincoln/Hr 2510 kinda guy. I use an Astatic 636L microphone on both and they work very well. I still feel the need to find out more about the Magnum 257 blue face radio that Copper is selling. I have read many posts in the forum and many of you say this very good radio. I don't know anyone who owns one so your input would be very helpful.
My second question is can you use a mic like the Astatic 636L on this radio? I have the microphone adapters for my 2950 and Lincoln/Hr 2510 radios since my mic is only a standard cobra 4 pin. Does copper sell a microphone adapter for the 257?
My third question is about modding this radio. I have seen in the posts that this radio is very easy to mod for 11 meter operation and improved audio and power output. When I buy a radio from Copper I usually have the copper tech do the alignment to it, but if the radio is fairly easy to mod I would rather save my money. The only problem I have is I don't have the equipment to alter the radios frequency if I find it out of alignment from the factory. In that since I would probally want the copper tech alignment done. Feel free to give me your thoughts. |
Tech565
Moderator
Username: Tech565
Post Number: 174
Registered: 7-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 3:49 pm: |
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I used the older mag 257 an it was an awesome radio! for the price an size, that little radio packs a mean punch. When I used it on 10m, everyone thought I was runnin a high dollar hf rig. You can use a power mic but the stock mic works wonders. That is all I used on it. As for the alignment, if you don't have the proper equipment, I would let Coppers do all of that. All i know is, they are a very nice rig an if you get one, you WILL NOT be disappointed! jsut my .02
Tech565
Net and Asst. Net controller
CVC#38
Ham#243
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4993
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 5:30 pm: |
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AGREE the 257 is one nice radio
On 6 since 66
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Starface
Senior Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 2377
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 8:11 pm: |
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I'll 3rd that it is a nice radio
George/KI4NBE/Starface
CEF Ø476/CVC ØØ14/CEF HAM Ø181
CEF Southeast Net Controller
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2753
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 12:58 pm: |
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If you demand premium sidebander performance, if sideband is your thing. If you like the Lincoln you will probably enjoy the 257 also. The 257 is just about one of the only ssb radios comparable to the Lincoln.
I don't think you can use the Astatic mic on the 257 without some bigtime modifications. The 257 stock mic is a power mic and has channel buttons on it. It is not just some cheapo mic they put on the radio to be replaced, it is a good mic. I know how it is, once you are used to a mic that suits you it is hard to let go of it! No adaptor that I have ever heard of for this model.
I know many radios are easy to mod just about anyone can do it. If you buy this radio new from copper it is in your best interest to let Copper do the alighnment/conversion so you do not risk voiding the warranty. It is money well spent and you will be glad you did if anything goes wrong.
Kenny
CEF491
Reading the mail around Indianapolis Indiana!
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Jimb654
Junior Member
Username: Jimb654
Post Number: 11
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 2:54 am: |
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Great radio and very easy to convert. No power mic needed ! I'm on my 3rd one and they have all been fine from the factory (bought at Coppers). 40-50 watts pep. By the way they sell an adapter at Coppers, I have one and have run a D104 m6 on them with no trouble. Hope this helps, Jim |
Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 16
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 11:09 am: |
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Jimb654
So you didn't get the Copper align and tune option when you bought yours? Also could you point out which mic adapter you are using. I have a standard cobra 4 pin converting to a Ranger 6 pin for my 2970N2. I think that one would work if I did some rewiring to the microphone I would use.
Thanks, Mike
Mike
Cef#1011
KD8HBS
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 4519
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 4:56 pm: |
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had the blue mosfet 257. did the mod myself & found no need for an alignment-rcv & xmit matched my 706mk2g close enough. the stock mic FAR outperformed any noise cancelling type/636 etc mic i tried. the road devil i tried was 50-50, and real touchy to keep the rig sounding like the top end HF rig MANY thought it was. receive-wise, at the base, it was EXCELLENT. in the mobile....well, that's why it's gone. it was HORRENDOUS. there were very very few spots here on LI where the rcv was quiet enough to hear WEAK signals. during BIG e skip events, i preferred to listen to 30 over 9 noise on my grant xl on cb rather then 10 over 9 white noise on the 257. unless somebody was SMOKING on 10m, if i was moving, i found it hard to copy them. real sorry that its noise-blanking capabilities.....don't. as i said though, for a base-i think it would be GREAT!
also had a chipswitched 2510. it's rcv was probably neck & neck with the 257. we KNOW the 2510 is NO slouch in the rcv dept, so to say the 257 was right there with it says something! on xmit....on AM, hands down....the 257 is BETTER. on SSB, 30 watts vs 60? well, the 2510 with a road devil on it out talked the 257 1/2 the time. again, says something for the 257. the 257 has better DX audio, the 2510 is a mellower, more studio type audio, even with the road devil on it. on SSB. on AM, the 257 flat out SMOKES the 2510.
there is just 1 idiosynchrosy with the 257 xmit that annoys me when i LISTEN to them. many have a SLIGHT wobble on SSB xmit. because i listen for it, i hear it. i know others who never noticed it, til i brought it to their attention. they now notice it on many mosfet powered cb's. it is something that 2 magnum repair people have confirmed, and apparently can resolve.
i didn't get rid of my 257 because of the xmit, but because it was nearly impossible to hear weak signals while driving. if you plan on using it as a base, i think it is a better talking radio then the president. plus, you can get the 257 brand new for quite possibly less then what a used president goes for. |
Jimb654
Junior Member
Username: Jimb654
Post Number: 12
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 07, 2009 - 4:27 am: |
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Mscott1212- Mike I got my mic adapter from Coppers, just give them a call. It adapted a cobra/ranger 4 pin to the magnum 6 pin. Also I did the conversion and it(they)seem fine. Jim |
Golden_screw_driver
Intermediate Member
Username: Golden_screw_driver
Post Number: 103
Registered: 2-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 07, 2009 - 12:02 pm: |
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my wife run's one in her truck and love's the hell out of it and we are big RCI people. Her last one was the first gen 2950. Out the box the mag 257 has more punch than the 2950 and more wattage. The audio on that lil radio is.... just LOUD. And as for SSB PERFECT. My only complant is the mic is a lil smaller than i am used to, but it is a power mic built in. She runs it turned down into a 667v and a wilson 5000 roof mount and takes out bases from her work 20+ mile away. Well worth every penny and some.
421 GOLDEN SCREW DRIVER
CEF#0995
NORTH-EAST
CEF NET CONTROLLER
Channel 13 / 27.115 AM/LSB
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Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 11:16 am: |
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I finally got a Magnum 257 and I am very glad I did. What a nice radio in such a small case. This radio is very easy to operate in my mobile and it works great. The blue face is easy to see day or night. The stock mic is a larger size than what most say they have. The channel up and down buttons are just below the speak into portion or the mic. I was very glad to see this bigger microphone in the box when I opened it up.
I will be trying an Astatic 636L mic once I get the 4 to 6 adapter from Copper. I am happy with the stock mics performance but I want to try the Astatic anyway. This radio is a great buy for the money.
Mike
Cef#1011
From the Great Lakes State
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1477
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 2:49 pm: |
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the 636 will greatly reduce the audio in the 257
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Big_m
Member
Username: Big_m
Post Number: 64
Registered: 9-2007
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 10:20 am: |
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Dale is correct. The 636 is for noise cancelling. Which lowers and not boost the modulation in any radio. So many people have got this backwards. |
Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 28
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 8:28 pm: |
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This is what I am hoping for. My radio has plenty of audio and with the 636 I should be able to have the mod on the radio all the way up. I like noise canceling because I don't want any thing but my voice being transmitted on the air, especially on ssb.
I will try it out and if it works for me I will be happy. I am not a big fan of modulated mics anyhow.
Mike
Cef#1011
From the Great Lakes State
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1490
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2009 - 10:42 am: |
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well i can understand what ya mean with background noise.i gotta delta and omega
and the mike on them is standard size but works
exactly the same as the 257.i tried every mike
i have and the stock mic seemed best.my tug8 d104
came in at a very close 2nd.my mic is set at 3/4 of the up.and the mic gain on radio is 1/2 way up
i get very good audio reports
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 4:28 pm: |
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I got the 636L on the radio and I have had great audio reports. For some reason the 636L just works great for me on any radio I use it on. ON my 257 I have the mic gain fully opened and I am getting 100% modulation. I am very happy with the 257 and the 636L is a good match for my voice with this radio.
Mike
Cef#1011
From the Great Lakes State
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1492
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 8:49 pm: |
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glad it works good for ya
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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