| Author |
Message |
    
Jmgl23
| | Posted on Saturday, April 27, 2002 - 7:06 am: | 
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Hello all, I am new to this "advanced" radio thing... Anyhow, I bought a DX949 from Copper, and heard "some" negatives from some of you in comparing this radio with the 10 Meter Radios... I can Post my actual question to Galaxy Tech-Support and then i will post their response in it's entirety...
My question to Galaxy Tech:
>>>> I have just purchased a DX949 radio... After i have
made this purchase a few people in the CB Radio retail
business have told me some disturbing things... That
the 949 and 959 are no where near the quality of the
DX 33,44,55,77,99 etc... They say the 949,959 are not
really Galaxy radios in comparison to the 10 meter
versions... I was advised to return the 949, and buy
a DX77, and get it modified to use 11 meter, and that
it would have the traditional Galaxy premium sound...
I am disturbed at this position, and thought I was
getting a true geniune Galaxy product... I was
considering a Texas Ranger 966, or a Uniden PC68XL
before this... I am wondering if I overpaid, and need
some detailed clarification... I have heard nothing
but good about your product from my dad who has driven
truck for 26yrs... Please tell me the difference
between my radio the 949 and the 10 meter higher
priced radios you sell, and why the percieved
difference in quality from so many people in the know?
Please take the time to provide details...Thanks
>>>>
"The quality of the DX949/959 is actually better than the any of our
current 10 meter mobile radios. The receiver sensitivity is better and
the DX949/959 radios are less likely to break down under a heavy
vibration environment. The components used in the design of the
DX949/959, especially the modulation area are exactly the same as the
10
meter radios so it does have the traditional Galaxy premium sound...
The
main difference between the DX949 and the 10 meter mobiles is obviously
the reduced power and the use of only 40 channels which is strictly
regulated by the FCC. If you are looking for a radio to operate in both
the 10 and 11 meter bands then the DX949 would not be the radio of
choice. I hope this clears up any misconceptions you have been hearing." |
Biged
| | Posted on Sunday, April 28, 2002 - 8:38 pm: |
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You know as well as I do that they are going to tell you what you want to hear. Personel experience is the key to finding out how good a product really is. Try the radio for yourself, if you like it and have good luck with it, great, if not, you know better to buy another one...Eddie |
Warlock
| | Posted on Sunday, April 28, 2002 - 10:14 pm: |
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The 949 is an excellent 40ch ssb radio. You can't beat the features for the price. It can modulate as well as any of the Galaxy line if tuned correctly.
If you want to expand into other frequencies other than the 40ch CB band, it would make more sense to purchase an export version of Galaxy (77,88) as they are designed to do so.
Otherwise you got a nice 40ch ssb rig for a fair price. |
Jmgl23
| | Posted on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 3:13 pm: |
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Thanks guys for the info... I also have found that almost all of the Texas Ranger Mobiles are the same for the most part internally... The reason I got the Galaxy is because it has the variable power out knob on the front... Also, it has the 2 year warranty... Where as if you get "any" 10 Meter radio, and mod it to allow CB, you void the Warr... I obviously don't have the expertise you guys have so any problems I would have would amount to sending it out for repair... Albeit a risky situation in it self... BTW BigEd, have you owned or opened up a 949/959? I doubt Galaxy would "bold face" lie... Obviously their email was not a traditional tap-dance... He stated several facts, that if researched by an experienced tech, could be verified... In turn their business would suffer... Considering the reputation they have, in this case I believe he was being for the most part honest... But, you ARE right in the respect that some folks tell you what you want to hear... I figured since I am doing all of this typing, I would tell you my plans... You already know about the DX949, I'm adding a X200 w/b bias, and SSB, and already have a Wilson 1000 roof mount on a new xtra cab full size chevy... Quite honestly, I have had the radio a week, and have talked about 12 miles at 10pm so far I'm impressed with stock radio... Wife has 2001 Corolla, Uniden 510, and Little Wil... We primarily have done this for traveling, but I have gotten the fever you all talk so much about!!! ___ (Now for a base unit hehe)
What do you guys think about the SuperStar 3900 on Copper for $119??? I was thinking about selling the 949 and getting it, but I think I am ok with what I have... Considering the warranty issue, and stuff... Not to mention, not as many features as 949... I heard RCI was putting used boards in the 3900s??? Can you all confirm or deny this? ... All this from a newbee whew!!! |
Colt
| | Posted on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 5:47 pm: |
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23,
I'm sure the Galaxy rep was giving you the straight dope concerning the comparison. Actually, if he were going to lie, it would make more sense to tell you the 10m models are better since Galaxy would make more on the higher priced models. I own a 959 which I have had since last December, and have no complaints with it. In fact, I am very impressed with the reciever with regards to noise and sensitivity. Selectivity has been good also. I had my 959 modded (power, carrier, receiver improvements. Did channeling myself) and the technician who did the mods said that the 959/949 have excellent main boards compared to most RCI radios on the market today. I did upgrade to a President Lincoln for a number of reasons, but dissatisfaction with the quality of the 959 was not one of them. I just wanted to upgrade to 10m and was impressed with the reputation of the Lincoln, as well as the features(mine has been Chipswitched). I did grow wery weary of the task of finding upper and lower frequencies on the 959 using the toggle switches, a normal drawback with an 11m radio. Had I known about the shortcomings of the channeling with the 959, I would have went 10m to start with, but those shortcomings are not quality issues.
Bottom line, if the channeling drawbacks are not a problem to you, I think you'll be very satisfied with the 949. About the only "quality" complaint I would have with it is the so-called "Galaxy Noise Filter", which, in my opinion, doesn't do squat to help anything. In fact, my experience has been that it only makes signals sound worse. But, no biggie. Just leave it turned off.
One thing I've found out on this board is there a lot of opinions that are 180 degrees apart. When reading the opinions, digest with a grain of salt and read between the lines. Plus, get other opinions from other sources on the web. A lot of folks will be glad to tell you that this or that is junk when they really don't know what they are talking about, or, they are biased based on the equipment they own themselves, or they like to jump on the "x is junk" bandwagon or they just like to act like authorities on all matters radio. These folks don't really want to help, they just want to he listened to as authorities. (Not pointing any fingers, now  )
73s |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 4:23 pm: |
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Here it comes folks!!! Next step is "just a cheap base antenna" so he can hook it up to the mobile radio and get out farther. Then it'll be a power supply so he can run the mobile inside where it's more comfortable with that new antenna. Crap, gonna have to buy another 75ft of coax. Then, it will be those grunting words, "must...get...antenna...higher" and go to death defying acts of putting oneself 60ft above ground, in the wind, without a harness in the name of the elusive "distance". Ah, but then to be stepped on by someone being an jerk and we smell that KLV 550 so we can outpower that sorry bastard!!
Aw my friend, welcome to the addiction.
I say keep that Galaxy for sure. It's a good radio with sideband. |
Warlock
| | Posted on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 9:10 pm: |
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The 3900 has used the same board for nearly 10yrs. Same board as most Galaxies, the 3600-14b. Nothing wrong at all with the 3900, great radio. |
Jmgl23
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 4:49 pm: |
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To Colt, Warlock, Alsworld, Biged:
I am very pleased to see that you guys take pride in your hobby... I am also VERY happy with the responses some of you have taken the time to post... Thank you truly, as you are right; this seems to be a dog eat dog "sport". Thanks for all of your honesty, and your time... You will see me at times on this list and some others, but not posting so much... I need to take this all in first!!! ... "23" |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 8:28 pm: |
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Alsworld,
You're exactly right.It starts as a innocent little radio in the mobile and just grows bigger and bigger.The stuff gets bigger and the toys get more expensive,but its all in fun and its agreat hobby for me.
Snowman404 |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 10:51 am: |
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Snowman404,
I am so guilty of what I described above LOL! I've dropped some cash within the past 5 months and only about $300 more and I'll be set. Okay, who am I really kidding with that statement It is a fun hobby for sure. At least Coppers is on the receiving end of much my purchases. 73's |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Sunday, May 12, 2002 - 7:35 pm: |
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Alsworld,
I know exactly what you mean.Tommorrow I'll be ordering another radio from Copper.Like you say it will surely be my last radio.he,he,he!!!!!
Snowman404 |
Brad
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 6:17 pm: |
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I just bought my second dx949(the 1st one got stolen) and i think it's got a lot of bang for the buck. with a d104-m6b on it it modulates with the best of them. I drive 80 miles back and forth to work (all freeway) and when i talk to a driver i always hear ,boy, i wish i had a big radio,that pretty much says it all. brad. |
Gremlin
| | Posted on Monday, August 12, 2002 - 7:45 pm: |
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Alsworld,
Snowman404 is right it started out with a borrowed radio(Cobra 29 LTD Classic), modified it, got a 959 to call my own. Found good deal on base antenna, put it up, took it down got it higher,put the 29 in the house, wasn't satisfied borrowed a base keyed up one time now I'M HOOKED, REALED IN, NETTED AND PUT IN THE LIVE BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now its like a drug all I want is bigger and better
Gremlin |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 9:00 pm: |
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Gremlin,
That sounds like a pretty good base station you got there.You shoud just buy that great base station.As long as radios are being made we will all keep spending money and there is never the perfect radio.Oh well I'm glad I dont spend *alot* on radio equipment.
Snowman404
P.S. alot=$900,000,000,000,000, |
Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 12:12 am: |
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lol you guys crack me up |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 8:50 pm: |
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Taz,
I've tried hollerin at ya when the skip is rolling in but very seldom I ever hear any one out west.If you ever get a chance,me and Gremlin monitor channel 23 on regular forty.We've been getting alot of dx from the northeast the last few days.
Snowman404
ps:I'm the one Gremlin borrowed the base from |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 9:23 pm: |
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Gremlin,
aw man it's so true. Bigger, faster, taller, more powerful, hehehe it can drive you crazy! I recently got my ham ticket and my wife is scared as hell. LOL! I still want more CB equipment but oh that ham stuff is spendy and of course I want it too (along with a new motorcycle, boat as well. Thank Gawd my current motorcycle and boat still perform well). Enjoy it my friend, all radio really is a fun hobby.
Hey Taz, what you talking about??? I only want your tower, your base station, your KLV....hehehe...man Taz you sure do got a nice setup. You'll break them parents wallets if you get your ticket! ha ha Still the 22nd? |
Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 10:47 pm: |
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I HAVENT GOT ANY CONDITIONS HERE IN MONTHS! NOTHING! NOT EVEN ANY CHANNEL 6ERS! SKIP ON 11 METERS IS SHUT DOWN IN PHOENIX! hehe |
Scrapiron63
| | Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 10:08 am: |
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The skip has been strange here in Arkansas, nothing hardly in daytime except a little spanish, but it comes in strong about dark, stays in 2 or 3 hours. I listened on 38 LSB a couple nights ago, some guy in Australia was booming in, he was talking to the west coast and East coast. So many were hollowing at him, it was kinda a mess, but he was louder on me than any of the others. |
Gremlin
| | Posted on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 5:59 pm: |
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Yeah snowman got me in to all this. I was just happy as could be with my lil ol cobra 19, then he had to sho me somethin then it was all she wrote |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 8:01 pm: |
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I didn't hold a gun to your head did I.(Dont answer that).Naw,I'm glad I gotcha into the C.B. world.Now you can be in the dog house with the rest of us.With the antron on top of it!!!!
Snowman 404 |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 7:20 pm: |
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Gremlin,
just wait until the winter. The sun sets early so more people turn on the radio. Then usually the condidtions are right for skip and the next thing you know you got people from all over the country talking to you. I remember this spring when the skip just stopped. One day of nothing. Most of the locals I talked to all said later (just like myself), "I thought something was wrong with my radio", he he he we all went through the same mental state:
verify antenna is still there
SWR check
everything is hooked up (scratching the head)
then someone decides to transmit and we all are talking barefoot at great distances wondering what has happenned in the world. It only lasted a day but summer has been that way alot here.
Set it up for the winter and CB will be good. Last winter, here anyway, the skip would roll til about 9 pm then it would fade away and the locals all got to talk to each other. It's good fun and mobiles work inside just fine with a power supply. But then there's that nice big base station with all the bells and whistles calling your name....... he he
Alsworld |
Gremlin
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 9:08 pm: |
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Alsworld,
so far I'm just plum tickled pink with the set up I got. Barefooted I talked to Va. a bunch and to Hawii. But then all of a sudden nothin I thought i done something wrong but I talked wiht snowman and he said it aint nothin unusual.
Gremlin
p.s. if you ever get a chance howler at us on ch. 23 |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 11:14 pm: |
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Gremlin,
for sure I'll be giving you guys a shout down that way occasionally. I'll make sure I listen to 23 and see if we can hook up. Me and KarateButcher hooked up Sunday, he's in California, I'm in Florida. It's great making contact with other forum members. I only hope the "short" skip allows it.
Scrapiron63, what channel do you monitor? AM or SSB?
Alsworld
799 North West Florida |
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