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Sinker
New member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 9
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 9:20 am: | 
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1. - I saw a Galaxy Saturn Turbo on Copper for a little over $600.00 but seems like the Magnum S-9 although a mobile unit has more features and power for half the price.
I am looking for something that I can grow into as my experience grows and that can maybe get out over some of these locals who run big amps and when I key up they do and say squash - jerks. I have small amps but do not use them as Tech808 told me they were illegal.
Can I get some recommendations from all of you based purely on tests and real stats not what the manufacturer stats or personal preference and opinions. Also I guess I need to consider the tune up and expansion ability of each radio.
2. - I would like to study up and get a HAM Operators license. What is the best way to go about this and what is this talk about them removing the CODE and what does that mean??? I hear folks saying study now and get your license before they do this - why???
Sorry if these are inappropriate or stupid questions...
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Coyote
Intermediate Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 394
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 11:39 am: |
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If you have an amp, use it, I think most of us do, illegal or not... lol.. ok, I won't speak for everyone, but I do...
As for a good base, try considering the P03-01040 Magnum S-3200B 10 Meter Base
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodP03-01040+
Have it converted by Copper for 11 meter and have it tuned by them too.
The S-9 is also a good choice, but if you want an actual "Base Radio" go with the S-3200B, I hear its a good one.
I'll let the hams answer your other question, I think it's been covered several times on the forum and you could probably find by searching or looking around a little.
No question is "stupid" on this forum.
73
CEF443
Middle TN Coyote
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1332
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 11:57 am: |
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#2 1st, scroll down open forum to 'best online ham testing'- most of the sites listed are FREE practice tests-of the ACTUAL questions on the test. you need to get 26 out of 35 correct for no code tech license. it's a relatively simple test. next would be general, a bit more difficult, & then when code is eliminated, you'll have HF(under 30mhz) privileges. tech allows 50 mhz-6 meters, & up. get the book 'six meters-a guide to the magic band' by ken neubeck wb2amu. there is dx on 6 meters irregardless of sunspot cycle, though seasonally during the year. it's as close to CB as could be, truthfully, maybe even more so then the 10 & 12 meter ham bands. people on 6 meters seem to have less of the ham-superiority complex going on.
your 1st question is much harder to answer. you have to have an idea of what it is you want to do. your profile says you've been into radio since-THIS MONTH!!!??? you'd actually be better off starting small, then making a bigger jump. say either a magnum 257 or cobra148/grantxl/grant lt/texas ranger 296/general sherman type LEGAL cb. they're all discontinued, except the sherman, & are probably the BEST REAL CBs EVER MADE!!all are exact copies of each other, & modifiable in exactly the same way, except the 257 of course. in the $160 price range, less power supply & antenna any of those are a good place to get your feet wet & see if you want to use SSB a lot, or prefer AM or whatever. radio CB/ham, is like a bottomless pit if you really get into it! take a look at the 'members pictures' thread & you'll see EVERYBODY has a different preference as to what is best! sure, a lot of equipt is 'not legal for use on cb', but when used sensibly, certain things are less likely to cause problems.
the galaxy turbo & S9 are 2 different animals. the galaxy does almost 4 times the power of the S9, but power isn't everything. i think you'll find the S9 has a much better receiver then the galaxy, quieter & able to hear more people farther away. the S9 & omega force would be my choice, they are more or less the same, the S9 being more CB-like, whereas the omega is CPU controlled.(the magnum radios are not legal cbs, but fit into the used sensibly/no problem category, for that matter, the saturn is not a legal cb either. hmmmm, not too many are!) if you're big into SSB rather then AM, you may find amateur gear meets your needs in the future. & it'll be dual purpose when you get a ham license.
best bet-get used to your mobile setup, start cheap for the base, read thru this forum & listen to us praise & complain about every thing out there, & try to narrow down more as to what you want. then ask more questions & we will give you more answers to confuse you!!!
but NOBODY will ever purposely steer you in the wrong direction here!
1 thing to remember, I DETEST GALAXY RADIOS |
Yankee
Advanced Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 856
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 1:51 pm: |
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 Gotta love it Pat, I'm feel the same about Galaxy radios.
Carl CEF-357 |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 515
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 2:40 pm: |
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Remember to spend good money on antenna and coax and then the radio. I use a Connex 4800 on a 12 amp power supply with an Imax 2000. I have made contacts as far away as Brazil with this setup.Whatever rig you go with make sure you get a power supply thats big enough. |
Bc910
Advanced Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 604
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 3:06 pm: |
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If Galaxy was a dog I would have put it out of its misery years ago!
BC
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Sinker
Junior Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 13
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 4:49 pm: |
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Patzerozero understand what you are saying but have also learned that sometimes it's better to spend the money upfront and get something nice that you can grow into - Wish I would have done that with my fishing stuff - anyone want to buy some fishing stuff heheehe -
Although it appears Galaxy Radios are not liked very well around here I have 2 of them (DX99V) and will use these to get used to. I noticed the radio in my truck is better than the one I am using as a base. The base unit sounds terrible on SSB and both meters are faded from the sun (not a big deal) but I also wonder how well both meters work.
Not complaining as I have got two good radios for sure (except Bc910 would shoot them heheehe).
Hotwire I hear ya on buying a good antenna and coax. I feel kind of the same way about these items as I do the radios - you are only as good as your weakest link. Right now I have an A-99 without a ground plane and RG8 coax but think it is just big Radio Shack coax the scanner has RG58 coax which I believe is Radio Shack stuff also.
Guess it's back to studying.
I doubt I will ever be talking regularly overseas but would like to talk all over the US and maybe occasionally to Australia or some place.
Thanks for the input I am sure I will be revisiting this thread a reading what you have all offered a number of times. Much appreciated, thank you.
Tim |
Coyote
Intermediate Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 399
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 5:13 pm: |
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BC! LMAO! Your picture man!  |
Ajm1571
Member
Username: Ajm1571
Post Number: 93
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 6:04 pm: |
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Well sinker if bc910 knew what i was runnin he would shoot them also...lol..i have a Galaxy Saturn Turbo an a A99 on a 50ft tower fer the base of course . I have a DX99V an a Uniden pc66a that I use in the mobile. Some people hate galaxies an others hate other radios. Just get a radio that you like an has had good comments made about it. My theory is, "to each thier own". . Just my 2 cents worth
Allen |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 732
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 8:46 pm: |
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Galaxy DX 95T makes a fine base station. You will talk to who you hear. Also, the Magnum Omega Force S-45 is a great base. In fact, it is my base now and the Galaxy 95T is my mobile. Both are mobiles.
Mikefromms |
Bc910
Advanced Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 605
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 12:04 am: |
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Mike, you just won't hear many people so, yeah "you will talk to who you hear"! J/K
AJM, For some wierd reason, I stil like the Saturn Turbo, always have...
Your right tho "to each his own" that is 100% truth! I am just speaking my opinion here.
HEHE I thought you would like that Coyote...
BC |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1344
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 2:12 pm: |
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'For some wierd reason, I stil like the Saturn Turbo, always have...'-IT'S THOSE DANGED GLASSES!!!!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<!!!
i've been 'growing' into my equipt for well over 30 years now, sinker. what's best today might not be next year. oddly, though, even though i have several 'newer' rigs, my skiptalking mobile grant xl has been in my truck over 9 years now.(i have 10 more of 'em, or their clones, on my shelf). the 7 years prior to that was my AR3500, that i was talking on the net with yesterday. i still have the yaesu ft101e i bought used in 1976 & the icom ic735 i use mostly was purchased used quite a few years ago. i am negotiating to get back the dak x i bought new in 1979(?) from the son of who i sold it to around 1984.
anyway, as you said about your dx99's, use 'em to get used to, then try to decide what you do or do not like about 'em & upgrade/replace based on how YOU feel about 'em.
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Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 791
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 3:59 pm: |
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I'm also not a Galaxy fan...LOL
But, hey get want you want. HE HE HE
Hopefully you have better luck with
them then i did. |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2161
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 5:55 pm: |
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The DX-2517 IS THE BEST BASE RADIO GALAXY HAS EVER MADE,BAR NONE AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM HEARING ANYBODY,besides I think the s-9 is WAY over-rated,and as far as quiet reciever,my 2517 is just tuned too good,I can only turn the volume up 1/4 and it is too loud to be comfortable,it is by far the most sensitive reciever I've ever used,and I've used quite a few,even had an alinco for a short made some dough off of that radio.Bigbob |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1347
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 6:33 pm: |
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they are really hard to get much distance out of 'em when you chuck 'em out the window at 60mph, road warrior. needless to say, the mirror board never came loose again!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< |
Bc910
Advanced Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 606
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 7:55 pm: |
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Bob I don't think that when any one talks about a "good reciever" they are talking about volume level at all! That is pretty much an entirely SEPERATE thing!
BC |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 792
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 7:56 pm: |
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We had a cber about 15 miles from me
chuck a galaxy saturn base through his
unopened attic 3rd story window onto
the concrete sidewalk below... LOL...
Only thing that was saved was the knobs...LOL
Things people do...LOL
I'm sure the newer ones gotta be better than
the older models. And i'm sure some people
have lots better luck with them then others.
BigBob--- glad to hear the 2517 is a good radio.
JIM/CEF 375
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Kb9umt_don_123
Junior Member
Username: Kb9umt_don_123
Post Number: 32
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 12:40 am: |
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Tim-Sinker,
Good question…and you got some good answers.
I can’t answer based on ‘real stats’ because I don’t use these type radios but I will give you some old school advice. First, before I would let go of that much cash I would suggest to find some local CB folks and maybe actually try or see face to face these rigs you might want to purchase. Sometimes directly operating them you might find features or things you like or dislike (also remember most ‘radio’ interested folks like to show off their equipment…and you might meet some nice folks also in the process). There are also a lot of message posts here in this Copper forum and on the Internet itself so do your homework and ‘search’ some of this information out for yourself. Remember what someone else says it does and what you think it does might be two different things.
I find that your willingness to spend some $600 or more on just the radio something to touch on. If it was I and I had $600 to spend on my ‘radio station’ I would spend the majority of the money towards the best antenna system I could afford, and as high in the air as I could. A lesson learned many years ago taught to us by an old man in our area that not only insisted but walked the walked and proved to us many times over that he was correct. While others were concerned about how big or fancy their rigs were this old man put most all his money in his antenna system…his tower (some 70 plus feet), large rotor system, good coax/connectors, and his main item his ANTENNA that was a homebrew 5 element quad. So what was his radio? A Sears base that cost less than most everybody we knew of at that time and was even kind of a joke to many around back then (had a nice mic on it and very clear distinctive audio though)….but yes when he would say what he ran everyone would try to make him get a better rig but yet there was no one in our area that could hear or talk anywhere close to his station….just fact and he would prove this over and over again to the non-believers. I think putting the best antenna up you can afford would be a good choice and not only would it help your tx but also your rx …yes both ways unlike those with illegal amps that only produce a one way effect (or scatter/splatter effect if not truly ‘linear’). Also by putting up a directional antenna you can and will reject unwanted signals so if the broadcast bully wants to play then turn away and let him and you can talk other places….so not sure about what radio you will end up with but the ANTENNA is a very key factor in this process and most every time thrown to the wind by the pretty knobs and meters that cost much more yet do very little.
I find your questions also to be interesting because there are many new Cb'ers that really don’t know that much about what CB really is or the do’s and don’ts or even what legal issues are at hand in doing this or that (that is proven by your posts and many others here but again good to ask). You saying “. I have small amps but do not use them as Tech808 told me they were illegal”…and “Also I guess I need to consider the tune up and expansion ability of each radio” would indicate to me that you like many don’t understand that by operating a CB radio you are bound by the terms, conditions, and legal issues once you operate. You might go here to read up on what really are facts about the CB service:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/cb/
As far as Ham Radio goes, anyone is welcome and can join in that would like to add an additional hobby to their other ‘radio’ hobbies like CB, Scanning, FSR, etc…Ham Radio is also a lifetime ‘radio’ related hobby that most anyone interested in radio activities would enjoy. The cw/code (test element1) will be dropped soon for HF privileges, but there is no reason not to get involved if that were to happen today or next year, you still have to start somewhere and that somewhere starting in Ham Radio is just finding your local Ham VE Test site to take the first test the Tech (element2) test (only 35 questions most that are already involved in a ‘radio’ hobby might know anyway). I would be happy to help you one on one if needed, my door is always open. Here are some links for Ham Radio to get you started:
Ham VE Test sites:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml
Ham Test material:
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/index.php3?category=Licensing%21+Manuals%2C+Videos%2C+and+More...
Current FCC question Pool (all the questions that will be asked are given to you ahead of time to study from…they can’t change the questions in the pool):
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/pools.html
Thanks for letting me post here.
De kb9umt Don/123
http://www.HamRadioHelp.com
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Sinker
Junior Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 14
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 10:01 am: |
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Don - Kb9umt_don_123
Very informative response THANK YOU.
May have mislead folks a bit as I did not say I wanted the Saturn Turbo for the 600 dollars but rather compared it and its price to that of the magnum S-9 which is about half the price with capabilities I would use.
I have heard many people echo what you have said about antenna, Antenna, ANTENNA and then work your way to the radio, Antenna - mast or tower - coax - connectors - grounding - power supply / electrical - meters - radio - microphone.
I am not ashamed to admit I have a lot to learn and tend to be very spontaneous (often to my detriment)and am also talking about things here I know little about and may use the wrong terminology and even ask about things that are big No No's.
Great idea about seeing and maybe trying out others rigs. I am also interested in true test results rather than opinion or what others say there radios can do.
My comment regarding tune up and expansion - again a radio that I can grow with and have some expansion ability is a good thing. The Tune Up - I have seen and read reports of units on SSB drifting the freq but that this can be taken care of and that many out of the box are not aligned correctly (not sure what that means but would I not want it corrected). I also understand an earlier response that what is the best today won't be tomorrow, used to be a Computer Purchasing Agent and we know how fast those things change - buy it today and it is the old model tomorrow darn near.
Your statement - [Quote]You saying “. I have small amps but do not use them as Tech808 told me they were illegal”…and “Also I guess I need to consider the tune up and expansion ability of each radio” would indicate to me that you like many don’t understand that by operating a CB radio you are bound by the terms, conditions, and legal issues once you operate. You might go here to read up on what really are facts about the CB service[End Quote]
Is exactly right on the money - I do not fully understand or even really know these things and my interpretation of things may not be the same as others or what is true in this hobby.
Bottom line, even at 40+ years I need to be brought into check and reality. I will not be buying anything anytime soon - not radio related anyway - as I have a son who is 11 months old has had 7 surgeries to date and 3 more scheduled so needless to say I have other priorities on my list right now.
Seriously Thank You all for the responses as I AM learning and probably doing some things WRONG and have the wrong idea about some things as well. I am not thin skinned so no worries about hurting my feelings - let me know how it is.
Tim |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 734
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 10:10 am: |
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My Galaxy DX 95T is working like a rolling base station in my car with my new Roadmaster Z-180 77-1/2 inch long antenna on my car top. The ears are fine. Yes, it has the white noise but it hears fine. It is loud. I like it and recommend it to anyone who wants to be able to talk long distances in a mobile without an external linear.
Mikefromms |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2164
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2005 - 12:18 pm: |
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I wasn't talking volume level,what controls volume level,the front nob, but the audio amp also.I was talking about the tuning of the reciever coils,my eagle 2000 and president p-400 had louder volume but but there was less to listen to,their recievers were not as sensitive as the dx2517,I had to have their volume controls open half way to hear the guys in mancelona,but with this one 1/8th is ok.Well some day maybe sooner than you think galaxy will make a radio that will put the s-9 on the back burner,we can only hope.Bigbob |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1389
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2005 - 2:33 pm: |
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unfortunately, unless galaxy rebuilds the cobra 2000-AS THEY WERE DOING WITH THE TEXAS RANGER 296 AND FOR SOME INEXPLICABLE REASON-STOPPED-they will never make a radio 'that will put the s-9 on the back burner'. for that to happen, we'll have to wait & see what 'stryker' comes out with & if magnum ever tries to 1-up their current models.
the 2517 is a base version of the 95t(less watts), 4800dxl, rci6300 et al. maybe galaxys best attempt but still not a 2000/148/xl/296/sherman |
Sg569
Intermediate Member
Username: Sg569
Post Number: 236
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2005 - 3:05 pm: |
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Pat00,
10 Xls, would you ever consider parting w/ one or two?
Just curious.
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2171
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 10:39 am: |
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OMG,that would be a kin to cutting off his hands,but maybe he could part with one hand,lol.Bigbob |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1431
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 6:24 pm: |
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