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Message |
    
747
Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 81
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 10:02 pm: | 
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My roommate is looking for a mobile CB radio.. He's picky about sticking to the LEGAL 40 CB TYPE ACCEPTED radios, 40 channel, with or without sideband..
He doesn't want to spend a dime on tweaking or anything else - he wants the best sounding radio he can find out of the box.. AND has to be a current production available off the shelf radio..
He's currently looking at:
Uniden PC68/78 Elite
Midland 79-290
Midland 77250-CXL
Midland 77-120ESP
Ranger TR-696FD1
Texas Ranger TR-396F
Not even considering a Cobra...(for obvious reasons)..
Any others anyone can add to the list? Comments on the ones I just mentioned? |
Kid_vicious
Intermediate Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 379
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 11:24 pm: |
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the magnum s-3 for strictly AM
the magnum s-9 for SSB and AM.
these radios are made to sound great right out of the box.
do a search on this forum and you'll see what i mean.
matt |
Shakey
New member
Username: Shakey
Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 12:26 am: |
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the uniden 78's are good radios....my opinion |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 270
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 2:31 am: |
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My experience is that the Galaxy DX-959 or most any Uniden (older modles) are out of the box best performers,
I am partial to the Galaxy because I gave had two that were great radios and have years of factory designed and installed improvements/features already in them. |
Road_warrior
Intermediate Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 473
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 8:36 am: |
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Midlands ARE NOT very good out of box.
I can tell you that much anyhow.
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375
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Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 284
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 8:49 am: |
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Yeah I would sugest the S9 but if you want type accepted go with Uniden or the Galaxy 949 or 959. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5512
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 9:07 am: |
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747,
My personal choices would be,
AM Only Radio's,
#1 ~  COBRA 20 XTR
This little AM Radio has received better audio reports than any mobile radio we have used and also Better Audio reports than any base we have with the Factory/ Stock CA-73 Hand Mic that comes with it. 
Ok I know you said no Cobras but this little radio walks the Dog over every other radio listed below and leave's them in the DUST on AM.
Add a Wilson 500 or 1000 with it and nothing can touch it for performance.
No bells and whistles just the BEST Little AM Radio on the Market that we have found in the last 20 years at a very reasonable price.
#2 ~ Uniden PC78XL or PC78LTW (Great AM Radio's)
#3 ~ Uniden PC68XL
#4 ~ Texas Ranger TR121CP (Great Little no frills AM Radio)
AM/SSB Radios,
#1 ~ Texas Ranger TR-966 or Galaxy DX959
#2 ~ Texas Ranger TR396F
#3 ~ Texas Ranger TR296 Gold
All of the radios above meet your guidlines of:
LEGAL 40 CB TYPE ACCEPTED radios, 40 channel
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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747
Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 82
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 9:37 am: |
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Excellent info everyone!
Hmmm.. I must admit that little Cobra radio looks good - then again looks never meant much - look at the Cherokee CM-10 - it looked nice, but it was a horrible piece of junk (or at least the one I had was).
So, Tech808, with NO TWEAKING it sounds good? Unmodded, no swing adjustments or anything? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5513
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 9:53 am: |
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747,
NOPE, right out of the box never touched anything.
Yes, it looks good and we like the Real Full sized hand mic and no dinky little control knobs.
Check out the 1st Sargants Review on it.
COBRA 20 XTR
I really hate to say it but we tried it against the S-3, S-45, PC78, Magnum 257, Galaxy Saturn Turbo, Lincoln, Ranger 696F SSB Base, Ranger 2970DX, Ranger 2995DX, Voyage VR9000 and EVERY SINGLE Report came back the the Modulation was CLear and LOUD and everyone picked it over the others for Modulation and Clarity.
NO MODS, NO SWING ADJUSTMENTS, NO PEAKING, NO TUNING just Factory out of the box.
It dead keyed 3 watts and swung a WHOPPING 4 watts. 
Oh and it works great with a little KL-40 or KL-60 and you have to do NOTHING to the radio.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
747
Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 83
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 11:45 am: |
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Hmmmm...
Ok Ok Ok, I have to ask - would I get the same results out of a Galaxy 959 with the KL-40 or KL-60? Would it sound good and not need to be adjusted at all to work with those amps? (this is for my own PERSONAL use now - not the roommate's LOL!!) |
747
Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 84
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 12:09 pm: |
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Lon,
I've got to ask - technically - and internally - is this radio anything more than a Cobra 19 (whatever the latest reincarnation is of it) with a blue lighted faceplate? Or have they actually changed the innards? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5514
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 12:33 pm: |
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747,
1st Question above,
If the 949 or 959 had a dead key of 2-1/2 to 3 watts then it would be ok. I have used the KL-40, KL-60, KL-300p and KL-500 with the 959 with no problems before.
Guess it just depends on what features you want or will use in a radio.
2nd Question,
Sorry, I cannot answer that as I/we have never owned or used or worked on a Cobra 19 before.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
747
Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 85
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 1:31 pm: |
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Anyone else know? I owned a Cobra 19 a long time ago - loved how small it was. |
Muddierduck
New member
Username: Muddierduck
Post Number: 5
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 3:06 pm: |
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Nothing wrong with a cobra 19, if you got a good antenna.
I had one that I used for a back up, and had a wilson 5000 antenna talked just as good and had just as much recieve as any radio i had.
You can buy a 5000.00 dollar radio, and a 10.00 antenna and still not be able to talk to anybody.
Buy a 10.00 radio and Wilson 5000 and talk to anyone. |
Lazylizard
Junior Member
Username: Lazylizard
Post Number: 36
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 5:03 pm: |
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Don't laugh, but the Uniden Pro510XL walks the dog for $39 at Walmart. |
Brewdirect
Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 79
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 5:12 pm: |
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I actually was surprised by the cobra 19 DX III
My buddy had one...wasn't great...receive and static are the main problems.
But I found the mod pot and turned it up - the little radio sounded like a big base radio with a desk mike...no kidding.
The modulation was awesome...and this was the stock mic.
After turning up the modulation deadkey was 3W swinging 12W. |
Redwolf_145
Junior Member
Username: Redwolf_145
Post Number: 28
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 5:32 pm: |
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I Still Have a pro 510xl They work good... i have a friend that has a pro510xl and A lil Fiberglass antena and it was or 15 miles away with no juice or anything doen to it... Works good for a starter |
Kid_vicious
Intermediate Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 383
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 6:20 pm: |
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sorry, just noticed that my suggestions were not type accepted cb radios. guess i should read more carfully.
matt |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 273
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 6:23 pm: |
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I have personally gad 3 510xl, all 3 worked "best AM" once the modulation was peaked. The newer modles come out of the box modulating well.
We use them with a KL-40 in our vehicles "in the field". That radio (now) out of the box with an Astatic D-104 handheld sounds like a $159 radio. See my profile. LOL
On that set up, there are no switches to play with. The only choice is "Amp On / Amp Off" pr "2-Swing Watts / 40 Watts"..
And believe me, we seldom use the amps.
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 558
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 10:44 pm: |
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I can't see how any mobile can outdo the Magnum 257 on am. I put mine up against any mobile with the same wattage and microphone.
mikefromms |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 277
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 1:11 am: |
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Well, he did say "CB" and "out of the box".
That said, I am a Magnum 257 guy myself. There is no other feature for the dollar radio on the market, that compares. |
747
Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 86
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 6:45 am: |
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Yes, I said CEEEE BEEEE - Not export, not modified HAM...
I myself have a Magnum 357DX - but I am not selling it the roommate.. Nor is he wanting a modified ham radio.. He wants basics.. not more bang for the back.. |
Rob5mike
Intermediate Member
Username: Rob5mike
Post Number: 156
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 10:00 am: |
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I would suggest the 959. Works good out of the box and when you show him what SSB is all about he will have it and then when the mopower bug bites him he will have a radio with variable power and wont have to get in it to turn the dead key up or down and then when he really gets bit by the radio bug he will be able to sell it for a decent price and buy a lincoln or S9 or something along those lines. |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 283
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 12:54 pm: |
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Actualy the 959 will meet his needs unless he gets a HAM ticket, Even then it can be expanded.
The 959 is feature rich out of the box. Good quality coax and a decent antenna -and He will want a KL 200 in the near future. Actually a KL 40/60/100 will do the trick. |
Muddierduck
New member
Username: Muddierduck
Post Number: 7
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 2:47 pm: |
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Isn't the 959 just a 40 channel AM,SSB radio? Don't you have to add channels to it? I am not putting the radio down or nothing. But if it were me and I was wanting just a CB, and not sure what I wanted, AM, SSB, etc. Also not sure if I wanted to invest alot of money or not. Then I would just go and buy a cheap uniden pro 510 XL and play it for a while to see if this is what I wanted or not. Then if I decided that I liked it then you aren't out a whole lot of money at first.
Like I said before: You can take a 10.00 radio with a high dollar antenna and out talk a 500.00 dollar radio with a crappy antenna. |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 285
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 4:49 pm: |
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This is true, you could pay near $50.00 and get a Uniden Pro 510xl and get your money's worth (there are NO OTHER low dollar radios on the market to match the 510/520 radios for performanc,
You will never have to add anything to the dx 959, unless you wish to get onto the Freeband Frequencies. There are NO legal channels to add to the Galaxy. You don't "Have to" break the law.
For the same money, you would be better off buying a Magnum 257, but using it is not as easy as would be the Galaxy or the Uniden. |
Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 297
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 8:47 am: |
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I found the very first made Cobra 19 model at a yard sale. Cleaned it up and looks brand new. This radio is only 23 channels and is loud as heck. Much louder than my Connex or Galaxy. Put a D 104 on it and you cant tell it from a big radio. |
747
Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 87
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 8:34 pm: |
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I'll be darned - after all this what does he do? He buys a 2950 (original model - new, old stock!) at a local radio shop!!
Go figure! |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 291
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 11:01 pm: |
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Good choice, not even a CB. LOL |
Scrapiron63
Advanced Member
Username: Scrapiron63
Post Number: 829
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 11:31 am: |
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Good choice and he saved himself money in the long run. If he had bought one of those cheap AM only radios, pretty soon he would find out about sideband, a little more power, more channels, freq counters and other features. He just jumped ahead several steps and skipped lots of expense. |
Muddierduck
New member
Username: Muddierduck
Post Number: 8
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 12:01 pm: |
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On the other hand if doesn't like this hobby, if it is not what he thought it would be, then he is out more than he would have been with a cheap AM  |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 293
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 2:05 pm: |
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And if he is your friend, he may sell it it you cheap! ;?) |
747
Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 88
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 8:48 pm: |
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I went to the place where he found it and they had another, but it was a Mirage 2950 .. used but mint condition (virgin radio for that matter - never been opened!), was used in the back room for the owner's personal radio..
After haggling with him for a little while I finally conned him into selling it to me for a reasonable price.. Now I have to bring it to my local tech, "******", and have him work his magic on it!
I'll keep it as a spare in case I have issues with my Magnum 357dx.. |
