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Kennjen
New member
Username: Kennjen

Post Number: 8
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 8:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well. I just installed my mag 257. Few challenges.... If any one has comments, I'll be very glad to hear them. (Me=noob)

1) I got a 11 M conversion by copper. Well, I get channels with "A" next to the number. What are they ?

2) I mentiond this else where...but, I can't see the LCD. I have the 257 mounted on the trans mound with spearker to the drivers side. I wish I can adjust the LCD.

3) I get much much more noise than the cobra 29. Only thing I've changed is the ground going to the body instead of the battery.

Much appreciated you guys.

CEF 598
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 6113
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 8:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kennjen,

Click on the Link Below for more information on the Band's and Operation / Changing Band's and it is also covered in your owner's manual.

The letter "A" is the Band that you are on.

Magnum 257 Review

As for the Display you will need to locate your radio where you will be able to see the LCD Display.

What kind of Noise are you getting?

If it changed when you changed the Ground then go back to the battery as your body may not be properly grounded to the frame.

The MAGNUM FILTER CORD also help's to eliminate Noise. Click on the LINK below to learn more about them.

MAGNUM FILTER CORD » Review

For the Magnum 257 you would need the PLF-10M Power Cord w/Filter


Hope this help's,

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN

PS:

The Only way to learn is to Ask Question's as there is "No One who know's Everything about Anything", and the Copper Forum and it's member's are here to help when and where we can.
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Brewdirect
Intermediate Member
Username: Brewdirect

Post Number: 116
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 3:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You should get A - J I believe....use the upper middle button to change frequency band...E is the CB band.

Secondly....the LCD is just the way it is, I have mine mounted the same way and have to lean over to see it, but it works fine.

Lastly - THE Mag 257 gets a lot more receive noise than any of my other radios....one of the reasons I prefer it as a base rather than a mobile. It especially picks up a lot of higher pitched electrical noise.

Using the NB/ANL on the radio works great though..push the function button in once...then push in the upper left button to turn on the ANL.

Best of luck, I was talking on my mine last night.
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Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack

Post Number: 667
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 6:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Like 19A?, that is the unused frequency between 19 and 20, there are some unused freques in the 11 meter band, that did not follow the 10khz jump -they appear as "A" channels on radios like the 257, or the RCI 2950...

CB Radios that cannot be continuously tuned, cannot just "go there", unless they have a 10khz akide installed. So that channel is unusable unless you are talking to someone who has the ability to use it as well.
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Kennjen
New member
Username: Kennjen

Post Number: 9
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 11:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks guys.... I worked on the issues a bit more today. Here is what I found out.

1)
Apparently, these are called "A channels". Just as you said Cracker, they are unused portions of the CB radio frequency.

2)
I can see the LCD now. It turns out that LCD doesn't have the viewing angle I need only during the night. I can see fine during the day. SOLUTION : I installed a small light next to the display I got from an automotive shop. But this solution isn't elegant. So, I may move the radio to just forward of my knee instead. Hope my wiring doesn't have to be done again. I also doesn't like the fact that I may knee my radio, if I ever get in to an accident. (knock on wood)

3) I'm gonna put the ground back to the Battery instead of the body and see what happens. If that don't work...I may have to try the filter.

Lastly, I seem to be picking up more stations than with my old cobra.... Which makes sense. If the RX is more sensitive than larger noise too right ? I've read other reviews however, and Brew maybe right. Noise issue with 257 have been mentioned else where... So, if that holds true, I may have to just live with it.


Well, thanks guys for the comments. It was much help.

P.S.
Lon. You really help every one out, including me. You really better the CB community. Pat yourself on the back !
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Kennjen
Junior Member
Username: Kennjen

Post Number: 10
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 1:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh I almost forgot...

the noise I'm getting is a grainy buzzing sound. I also get whirring sound when my engine rev's above 2K RPM.

Would the magnum noise filter be effective for some thing like this ?
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob

Post Number: 1985
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 6:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When all the auto manufacturers went to FM radios in there cars they stopped putting noise filters on all the electric motors and the alternators,which amounted to putting a .3 mfd cap on the circuit right at the connection point of the devise.In the '60s and '70s everybody used metal studs for connecting devise to power,now everyone uses snap clips and you actually have to cut into wiring to attach filter.The filters look like little metal cans with an ear welded on side with a mounting hole for ground and a cardboard cap at one end with a wire 3 inches long coming out of center,they may or maynot have a loop stud connector on this wire to attach to the pos lead at motor or alternator connection.These were connected to motors,generators,alternators,relays and switches anything that would generate electromagnetic interference to the AM reciever,FM does not pick this up so no more filters.Go to auto parts store or inquire here to see if you can get them,heck Lon,Tech 808,may be able to set you up.Bigbob
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Dd18
Junior Member
Username: Dd18

Post Number: 39
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 6:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Use the "low" option to keep the hi pitch noises way down.
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Tomcatinva
Member
Username: Tomcatinva

Post Number: 62
Registered: 11-2003


Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 12:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

KennJen,
I think I answered this in another post, but just incase you haven't seen that on yet... I had the same noise in my Acura with my Mag257 and I bought that filter from Copper and the noise was gone. Gotta Love it when things work right!!
The only other noise that I have heard from the radio is when I hooked up an extrenal speaker but I think it was the speaker so I took it off of the radio, it got in my way anyhow...
TomCat in VA CEF217
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Kennjen
Junior Member
Username: Kennjen

Post Number: 13
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 12:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks TOM.

I just crafted my own noise supressor with a capacitor. But, if that don't work, I'll be sure to try the Filter from magnum !

Thanks.

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