| Author |
Message |
    
Deptuydog
New member
Username: Deptuydog
Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 1:40 am: | 
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does anyone know if you could use a po3-o7800 power mic with turbo echo on a magnum 257? copper sales this mic and it says you can use it on a magnum 357 but it doesn't mention a 257. I get reports of low modulation even when i use my texas star 667v with my radio. copper tuned the radio and i have the mic open up for full modulation. Radio and amp has great carrier just low modulation. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5960
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 8:23 am: |
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Deputydog,
Yes, it will work as the Mic Wiring on the Magnum 257 is the same as the Magnum 357.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Jellybean
Member
Username: Jellybean
Post Number: 57
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 3:11 pm: |
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Deptuydog, have you been inside the stock mic and adjusted the pot and turned the mic up? I noticed you said you have the mic open up for full modulation, but I wasn't sure if meant the radio's mic gain or the inside the mic itself. |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 604
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 4:26 pm: |
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Jelly bean is correct, the stock mic is the best sounding power mic available for the 257.
I would not have changed mine, were it a little bigger. |
Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666
Post Number: 344
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 4:57 pm: |
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dont feel bad the mod on my 257 is low also
i have the mic gain open
ant the mic maxed out
i thaught the 257 with the blue display
was supposed to be a talker
anyone else have this problem
jon |
Gijoe
Member
Username: Gijoe
Post Number: 88
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 10:08 am: |
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Yep...
Had the problem since I got it. Buying this radio was a big mistake. IMO This radio is way over rated. I have done the mods in the mike and in the radio and it didn't make much of an improvement. I have a Uniden 76 and a Usaco that out talks the Mag 257. I made a post several months ago about this. Mag may of had a bad run of radios that have gotten past quality control. |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 114
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 10:54 am: |
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Well guys, I have a 257 and I will guarantee that no Uniden 76 or any other CB radio will out talk my Mag 257. If it is low on mod then you either turned dead key up too high or turned the wrong pot. With a one watt dead key it swings 30 watts or more. I'm not one bit sorry I bought one and it sure as heck out talks my Uniden PC76XL and it has the final and driver changed and several other parts, but it still does not out talk the Mag 257.
Semper Fi!!!
Harve
Unit199
CEF210 |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 614
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 1:29 pm: |
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"10 4" |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 616
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 1:44 pm: |
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I had two "converts" in the shack yesterday. We worked on radios and played around trying to make contacts.
One had his Cobra 148 HTL. Nobody could hear his radio even off my antenna,
We would put the 257 up there and I would have several distant contacts.
He got discusted and left. Somehow it was all my fault. LOL |
Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666
Post Number: 346
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 5:44 pm: |
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mine i had sent back to rf limited
they did a full tuneup on it
it still is not wort anything modulation wise
i have a brand new astatic 575-m6 on it
i have to run everything wide open
mabey i got a dud |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 618
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 7:01 pm: |
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When RF Limited does a "Tune Up" they return everything back to origionsl, factory specifications.
Or, maybe you did get a dud. Sorry man.
Mine ran like that until Lon (Tech808) worked his "majic" on it. |
Gijoe
Member
Username: Gijoe
Post Number: 89
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 10:28 pm: |
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Unit199,
Don't take this the wrong way, but, I can care a less about your "guarantee". I'm just stating what the on air reports have proven numerous times. I would switch between three differant radios using the same coax and antenna with the same results each and every time. The 257 had the lowest audio and less punch than my Uniden, and the Uasco having a very slight edge over the 257. The 257 was tuned both by a meter and on air reports for signal and audio strength and clarity. I have never denied the fact that my other two radios are heavily moded. Maybe you got lucky and got a good 257. In my opinion, I feel that my 257 is a piece of junk and it is over rated. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5996
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2005 - 11:10 pm: |
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Gijoe,
It all depends on how you use them and your station setup and what you have had done to them.
So far we have had Great results with ours and have had Excellent reports on Audio Strength and Clarity from Eveyone we have talked with on the CEF Weekly Nets and locally.
I tuned Crackerjacks for him and he also has had Excellent results/reports with Audio and Clarity after the tune up/alignment I did for him.
You are always going to find people who love a radio and those who hate it.
I am sorry to hear that you do not like yours.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Deptuydog
New member
Username: Deptuydog
Post Number: 6
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 1:23 am: |
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thanks for all the imput on the mic on the 257,i have turned up the mic on the inside and also run the mic gain wide open.everyone i talk to says i have a good signal just low but very clear modulation.I had copper tune the radio when i purchased it, howevere it talk for a little while on the bench but before i had a chance to install it into my pickup, the modulation stop working.Everything else worked fine just no modulation. Sent it back to copper they fixed it and return it to me.Everything still measure the same as it did before i sent it back so i installed it in my pickup it works fine just low modulation.Mine too swings to thirty-two watts with a 2 watt dead key. What little i have used it on sideband it seems to tune very easy and modulation is better there. Thanks again for all your imput, iam glad i joined this forum,very informtive. |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 115
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 6:57 am: |
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Gijoe, I have been around this radio game for over 40 years and I am smart enough to know that
a Uniden PC76XL will not out talk the Mag 257
Mag 257.My PC76XL has the final and driver changed along with capacitors and resistors. It talks good but not like my Mag 257. If you don't like the radio, that's ok, but junk the radio is not.
Maybe it needs to go to someone that knows what they are doing.(No offense intended). I have done several of these radios and I have not had anyone say anything bad about the radio.
Semper Fi!!!
---------------------------------------------
If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!!!!!
---------------------------------------------Harve
Unit199
CEF210 |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 622
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 9:22 am: |
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Tech808: Lon: If you remember, I thought mine was a lemon as well. I even tried to get rid of it (Keith in Atlanta was helping me unload it).
But after you worked on it. I became a convert.
I don't think that what Copper is calling a "tune up" measures up to what you did to it. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5999
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 1:13 pm: |
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Crackerjack,
When the Copper Tech does a "tune-up" he has to set the radio to Factory specs so as to NOT Void your Factory or the Copper Warranty.
When I worked on your old style Magnum 257, I was able to do / adjust some things that the Copper Tech is not allowed to do.
I moderately peaked & tweaked & adjusted it to give your radio maximum performance.
I did not remove,clip,alter,modify or replace any of the stock part's.
I did the same thing on Moderator136's HR2510 and he is also very pleased with the audio and performance.
I was very happy to make contact with you on the Sunday CEF Nets, where I was able to actually hear it & talk with you on the air.
When we talked you were dead on frequency and your modulation was crystal clear and loud.
I am glad to hear that you are happy with it and that you are pleased with it's performance. 
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN  |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 623
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 1:39 pm: |
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Tech808: Lon. I know, and please (everybody) understand that I was in NO WAY being critical of the Copper's Techs -they are doing what you are paying them to do -insure that the radio is operating to OPTIMUM original specification. They did a good job on fixing mine.
Lon's tweak/peak took my radio to the reasonable capabilities of the radio. He actually was conservative in his adjustments, and it works better this way.
For example, my minimum dead key is around 1/4 watt and the maximum is probably less than he could have set it (right at 30W PEP) but we elected not to go any higher -actually less than original performance, I think. But there is a method to this madness -it improves the performance overall.
What I did get back, was a radio that is clear and loud in receive AM/SSB and transmits clear and loud with GREAT modulation.
I get good long distance, barefoot contacts with a $37.00 Skylab vertical at 30 feet.
Pleased? LOL.... I am "COLORFUL" ..Tickled pink, and my friends are green with envy!
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Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666
Post Number: 347
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 3:20 pm: |
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oh well i guess ill just get rid of it |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 627
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 3:49 pm: |
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Jon.. I would really hate to see that. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 642
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 5:45 pm: |
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Jon666, didn't you get rid of a Magnum S-9 after about a week?
I put my original mic back on mine and turned it up. I'm told I'm about as loud as my 95T!
mikefromms |
Chad
Intermediate Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 306
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 9:27 pm: |
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told 'ya mike 
Copper needs a FT category NOT FS!!! So guys like me that would like to get rid of a radio and gain another 257 could help gus like Jon out!
I won't hold my breath
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6014
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 10:14 pm: |
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Chad,
That is what the Internet Auction Sites are for.
And it also avoids someone from buying a piece of equipment from another forum member and not liking it or having it blow up and then trying to post that the person was a crook or it was a piece of Junk.
Just my thought's,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Gijoe
Member
Username: Gijoe
Post Number: 90
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 06, 2005 - 11:00 pm: |
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Unit199,
Don't misunderstand me. I'm talking about my radios and only my radios. I know the 257 should perform better than a Uniden 76 by leaps and bounds, but in my case that's not true. Obviously there is something wrong with mine, and am quite disappointed in the performance. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 643
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 11:25 am: |
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I tuned up my own 257 and jacked the mic gain up on the original mic and it smokes for me. But that's my case...everyone has bad experiences with something. May the force be with you and happy cbing, Gijoe, whatever happens to work best for you.
Mikefromms |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 641
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 5:37 pm: |
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Mike: I thought my RCI 2959 was a simple conversion. I think the Blue Face Magnum 257 is the simplest user maintenance system I have yet sween.
Lon dod mine (Free) because of my failing eyesight and we are old "Shipmates". I was not real confident with it until I got it back from him.
Lon, sorry about the "Old" remark. LOL
Now that I have added a 4" lighted analog, and well calibrated meter to it, it is ONE GREAT radio. |
Brewdirect
Intermediate Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 108
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 7:11 pm: |
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The Magnum 257 is a great radio - BUT it is not a LOUD "AM" radio. It has very clean, strong, modulation.
The stock mike is good but an add on power mike will give more gain from farther away IMO.
If you want more swing and AM audio you can do a resistor / diode mod to increase audio (non blue face models).
The older yellow face models tend to be louder than than the blue face models from what I've heard.
These radios are known for being excellent on SSB. IF YOU LIKE TALKING SSB the MAG 257 is a GREAT RADIO!!
If you are looking for a LOUD AM radio that also has SSB I would not recommend the 257. I would recommend a Connex, Superstar, Galaxy or S9.
I've messed around with the Magnum 257 and I have turned up modulation to max, added a power mike and even used a mobile max with modulation peaked and have never had the magnum out talk any of my LOUD cobra's on AM.
In truth my Cobras are overmodulated and are splatter machines, but on AM even with the 10 less watts they will outtalk my modified Magnum 257 locally. Skip is hard to tell the difference, but locally when on AM my cobras are much louder.
That's not to say the my Magnum isn't good on AM. After adding a D104 and doing the diode /resistor modification my Magnum is an excellent AM radio and I have gotten great reports. But it is not a screamer.
MAGNUM INFO AND MODS - MAG 257 MODS AND INFO |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 647
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 8:04 pm: |
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Brew:
Mine is Yellow Faced and the AM is loud. So that may be true, but I have never used a blue faced one. |
Brewdirect
Intermediate Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 109
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 8:44 pm: |
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Crackjack...I guess the term LOUD is relative.
I've owned a lot of radios...my mag 257 is louder than a lot of them BUT a tuned General Lee for example is gonna be a lot louder on AM than any Mag 257.
All I'm saying is that if you are looking to have that BIG audio sound on AM there are better radios than the Mag 257.
AND that's not to say either that there isn't a Mag 257 out there that has been modded and has a power mike and CAN out talk S9 for example....all I'm saying is that in general the Mag 257's aren't as loud on AM as a number of the other exports. |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 651
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 9:55 pm: |
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"I guess the term LOUD is relative. "
I guess so, Itend to look at things in a more scientific manner. I can turn it up. LOL
I also think that the atributes of the speaker may play a part in the sound, because the audio responses are the same but the speakers are nit equal in attributes.
I use a good quality remote speaker -that makes a huge improvement in any radio. |
Brewdirect
Intermediate Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 110
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 11:09 pm: |
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Crackerjack..are you talking about the sound coming out of the mag 257 speaker???
Generally when people refer to how LOUD a radio is they are talking about audio modulation on the transmit side. Not the internal speaker for receive audio.
When these guys are talking about adding power mikes to make their radio louder, they are trying to boost modulation for transmit to make their signal stronger and louder over the air to the other people receiving their signal.
The mag 257 internal speaker is fine..what I was saying is that the modulation audio is not as loud as some of my other radios. |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 652
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 5:09 am: |
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Man, you had me confused. I never noticed any lack of "beef" in AM transmit. I get good reports on the AM net, even long haul DX.
My 257 modulates better than any radio I have ever seen, after Lon's tune up. I will admit that it was peuney before that.
Now, this is the Yellow Faced unit -some people claim that there is a difference and there is no speech processor. I don't know about that.
100% is one thing, this radio does that now, but the modulation is also very clean -even when you put it on a scope, there is no bleed over and just clean high modulation to carrier levels. I don't see how it could get any better.
I run the radio at about 1/2w dead key, amp or no amp, I seldom think to turn it up. I talk to people on the highway at 7-10 miles and notice that I have it all the way down and forgot to turn it up when I went AM/np amp..
They always tell me that I am loud and clear, of course that is on a 30' mast and a Skylab GP.
But still, this radio transmit the strongest AM of any radio I have owned.
How Loud, is Loud? What more could a guy want? |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 116
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 6:56 am: |
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I have a Cobra2000GTL, 148GTL, 29LTD and the 148 & 29LTD are old style. Oh, I also have a 142. I also have GrantXL, 76XL, Galaxy 2547, Galaxy88, RCI2950, DeltaForce and numerous others and of course my infamous MAGNUM 257. I must have the only one that is louder than the above listed radios. I forgot to mention my two Uniden HR2510's. I am told all the time talking DX how loud and good I sound. I will stay with my little puny Mag 257 and not be able to modulate out of town.
Semper Fi!!!
Harve
Unit199
CEF210
|
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 644
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 5:25 pm: |
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Crackerjack, where did you get the big meter for the Magnum 257? I am interested. Would you believe I'm wanting the 257 back in the house as my base?
Mikefromms--a big Magnum fan. |
Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666
Post Number: 348
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 6:48 pm: |
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got if fixed
had a bad patchcord
and also i turned up the mod inside the radio
it talks great now
thanks to all
jon |
Chad
Intermediate Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 311
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 7:18 pm: |
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Mike, I use an astatic 600 3 face meter but it's only transmit, not receive. |
Kennjen
New member
Username: Kennjen
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 3:13 pm: |
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I've been a ROM with a cobra 29. Sounds like 257 is a great radio. I'm thinking HARD about buying a 257 now.
A question for Lon :
Is there any way I can get a 257 with a Peak & Tweak you've done with Cracker's ?
I'd rather pay for this out of the gate than to pay for regular tune by copper AND THEN get another tweaking again.... And of course, I'll save on shipping the radio back and forth.
Let me know if this is some thing I can arrange or if you have any other suggestion for getting the same result....
Thanks Much.
Ken.
|
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6045
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 6:08 pm: |
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Kennjen,
WELCOME TO THE COPPER FORUM!
The work I did on Crackerjack's radio was on the Older Model 257.
When you place you order ask for the OPTION: Modify for 11 meter and Tune Up.
Or Click on the Option Box if you order over the internet.
You will be very pleased with the performance after the Copper Tech is finished with it.
There are a few improvement's and upgraded component's on the  257 that the older 257's do not have.
Hope this help's
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
PS. Now we need to have you join our CEF Radio Club so when you get it you will be able to talk to all os us. |
Kennjen
New member
Username: Kennjen
Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 8:42 pm: |
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Thanks for quick reply !
I think I'll just take your word for it and order it with the normal "modify for ~~ & tuneup".
However, what I was asking in the last post was if I can get a tweak that is beyond normal "Copper" modify & tuneup...
I'm thinking about joining the CEF club. I see some members in NY and NJ. I wonder if I'll be able to communicate with any of them with my new 257 in my truck. Either way, It'll be fun to find out.
P.S. I'm in NY, 2 blocks from NJ ... |
Wd259
New member
Username: Wd259
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 2:11 am: |
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Does anyone have a clearly detailed mic wiring for the Magnum 257 newer model including the up down switch?
Thanks, Dave |
Bigjay1974
New member
Username: Bigjay1974
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2012
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 12:33 pm: |
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Having trouble with my Magnum 257HP. At times the modulation seems to go out and the next time I key the mic it goes back to normal. Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas what it could be? I thought it may be a short in the microphone. Thank you in advance for everyone's time. |
