| Author |
Message |
    
Thawk446
New member
Username: Thawk446
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 8:59 pm: | 
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Hello everyone, Out of everything I've seen/read these are the three radios that look the best for what I want.General Washington,Connex 3300hp,and Cobra 150gtl.Being somewhat new to this I thought I would ask Everyone's advice on which one would be the best?I'm looking for good all around radio.P.S I will be adding an amp as I get more funds.Thanks thawk |
Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 769
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 5:32 am: |
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Hello Thawk446 and welcome to the forum.
As for your radio ideas I'd stay away from the Cobra although you'd obviously see more power out of it. In MY opinion there have been too many issues with that new line of radios to risk your hard earned money. You said you were going to buy some boots later anyway 
As for the other two rigs you listed..the Connex and the General. Both great radios if AM is the only mode you plan on using and both really the SAME radio inside! I'd opt for the General if only for the FRONT mic jack. Less wear on the mic cord and always seems to be much more user friendy.
Either of the two latter radios will be loud and proud out of the box and drive most amp great!
I don't know where your going to use it...Base, mobile BUT I'd like to be the first to suggest that you consider adding SSB to your ideas. You don't have to use it now but you'll be glad you have it when you change your mind ..just a suggestion.
Best of luck!
Hank CEF559 |
Coyote
Advanced Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 856
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 8:51 am: |
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Well, I was gonna suggest the Cobra 200 so he would have SSB. I'm not all that keen on Cobra's quality control lately, but Paul's (CEF-662) seems to do a real nice job. Maybe he can add some input about that radio. I would def. consider adding SSB though as Hank said. You may not use it right away, but when the DX bug gets you, you'll be glad you have it.
CEF-443 |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1648
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 1:13 pm: |
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Troy, I agree with the fellas on the Cobra. I have heard more bad than good so ya may want to wait and read the reviews for yourself before going with the 150. Being a high power rig you have limited amp options anyway.
The General and the Connex are very good choices. I happen to own a Connex 4800 and stand by those radios 100%! Also these are 10 meter amatuer radios and need converted to operate cb channels. A totally different radio than a cb!
If you plan on running an amp then note that these radios have dual finals and are much more powerful than the average legal cb radio. I recommend a 4 transistor amp to handle the power of a dual final rig. Using a smaller 2 transistor amp is tricky and you risk burning up the amp.
As for SSB I also recommend it. If your new to radio SSB can be a little intimidating at first. Totally different than AM and things like audio level and frequency is critical. It has also been called the Gentlemans Band although lately it has been hard to tell!
If you decide on getting a radio with SSB I recommend a few like the Magnum S-9, Connex 4800,and the President Lincoln. All available from Copper!
Last but not least the antenna is the most important piece of equipment! Don't even bother with any top shelf radio if you plan on buying a cheap antenna. 73
P.S. I see you live in Bloomington! I live north of you in Franklin! Give me a shout sometime!
Hotwire
CEF491 |
Pmb1108
Intermediate Member
Username: Pmb1108
Post Number: 123
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 4:04 pm: |
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I sold my 200,Stu,never got a good audio report on SSB,even after getting all the service bulletins put in radio.If Thawk446 is just interested in using AM,.......well,I still wouldn't buy Cobra. |
Thawk446
New member
Username: Thawk446
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 7:44 pm: |
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Thanks for all the info.I was thinking of getting a radio with SSB, but I don't know very much about it.Whatever I find has to be a mobile. |
Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 771
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 9:41 pm: |
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IF your going to use it exclusively in the mobile I could see an AM only radio...MAYBE...and for that my vote would still go to a Uniden PC68 or 78. Same radio would be Cobra 25 or 29's respectively.
Start with one of these used off an auction site and get a feel for what you wanna do. Would be a shame to have spent $150-$200 on a new AM only 10mtr radio only to later wish you had sideband....then you have to try to sell the AM'er
Either of the radios I listed above are still available new with some of the best audio in the business and could be had with weather channels if so inclined.
Example being this 78 which at $109 is the most expensive of the models I listed!
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodP70-05131+
If you start talking on the net with the rest of someday soon you will learn QUICK how to use sideband!
Unfortunately your sideband selections are getting slim unless you don't mind buying a 10mtr radio. Ranger still makes a few SSB CBs as well as Galaxy.
This would be an example of a 40ch SSB "CB" at an affordable price!
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodP70-05131+
Of course you could go the 10meter route but you'll only need that IF you want extra channels. If your gonna run heat then you really have no need for a dual final radio costing at least twice as much!
Don't get me wrong....you will likely buy 10 meter radios in the future when the bug REALLY bites but to get started now the radios I listed here could quite possibly still be part of your collection YEARS from now and serve you well till that BIG bug comes along...and IF it doesn't... you stand a better chance of getting more of your money back on the above lower priced "CB" radios.
Just like to see people spend smart
Hope this helps!
Hank CEF559 |
Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 772
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 5:17 am: |
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Oops! That second link to a sideband radio should have been:http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodE00-07106+
Hank CEF559 |
Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 779
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 9:28 pm: |
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I wanted to suggest that but thought they were still on backorder? |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1658
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
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I want a Mag 257 so bad, but they been on back order FOREVER! My last B-day I wanted one but they was on back order and now my next B-day is 2 months away and still on back order!! I have decided to give up on the 257 and have my sights set on the S-9 or possibly a Lincoln if Copper has any left. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 10847
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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Hotwire,
Read my Update's on the MAGNUM 257 in the:
Manufacturers Questions
» RF Limited
» LATEST MAGNUM RADIO UPDATE's!
Sorry but there are NO MORE LINCOLN RADIO's. 
Hope this help's,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9CEF
CVC#2 |
Thawk446
New member
Username: Thawk446
Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 9:28 pm: |
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I think I'm going to go with a Magnum s3.Do you think the new 175w will be out anytime soon?If not I will get the 80w and I can add to it if needed.Thanks for all the info thawk446 |
