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Message |
    
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 428
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 10:00 am: | 
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Not sure where this post should go as I need advice and input from you fine Techs AND MEMBERS.
It is no secret that I have wanted a Magnum S-9 but it is proving cost prohibitive.
So I sat down and did some figuring - I do not use SSB in the vehicles much at all and need a solid radio NOW as the Galaxy DX99V's I have no faith in and the Cobra 150 I bought is junk in my opinion.
Now I would like to have built in Echo and Talk Back. I definitely want a radio with good receive and transmit.
So I guess I am looking at the Stryker 440-HP or the Magnum S-3.
I am lost as to which way to go here. Sounds as though the Stryker has better ACR and a better receive but this is only from what I have read here on this site.
I also saw something about swapping out the M1104 for an SD1446 like Stryker says can be done.
(Q) - What will this do?
(Q) - Will Copper do it for me ???
Can I get some opinions and input on what you guys would recommend or get yourself if you had to go without SSB and WHY ? ? ?
Thanks all.
Tim
Sinker
CEF-634 |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 11007
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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Sinker,
Sorry but NO the Copper Tech does not do aftermarket modification's/repairs.
Seems silly to me to buy a New Radio and have to swap part's out to get the performance that other radio's come stock with.
I would personally suggest the MAGNUM S-3-50 or S-3-80 depending the the power you want.
Then you will have NOTHING to modify or swap out.
Just my personal opinion since you asked,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9CEF
CVC#2 |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 429
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
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Not sure I want to swap them out just curios as to what that would do as I do not know.
I read that a properly aligned Stryker 440-HP can swing 60 to 65 watts but do not know for sure.
So if not swapping out would you still go with the S-3 and why as if both are aligned they will do roughly the same from what I am told ???
Trying for once to make an informed choice instead of buying by the seat of my pants like in the past.
Thanks on the info about Copper not switching them out though. |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 430
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 3:21 pm: |
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BTW - I would be willing to look at a straight CB as well. Does not have to be a 10 meter - these only interest me for the watts out but I have some help for that if needed. I just don't use those channels as I never can find anyone on any of them anyway. In the family van it is mostly used on road trips is all or talking to home when local.
Just want a SUPER SOLID GOOD RADIO with outstanding RX & TX |
Hawkeye
Junior Member
Username: Hawkeye
Post Number: 23
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 6:01 pm: |
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sinker i got a s9 from copper a cuppel munths ago its my first 10 meter its a grate radio i wanted it for the extra chanels friends say its loud and clear i have talked alot of skip with it barefoot i have talked on cb.s 30 years on and off one old habbit of mine i cant shake are liners rite now i run a 148 and a palomer 300 works great for me and about half the price of my s9. |
Hyperno_1979
Intermediate Member
Username: Hyperno_1979
Post Number: 124
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 8:08 am: |
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357...357....357....357....357.
CEFFFCEF
Bob CEF703 |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1718
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 2:03 pm: |
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Sinker, To stay in the 200 dollar range I would say the 2 radios your looking at and the Connex 3300HP are your best bet. Stryker? New radio and I'm wanting to find more reviews on it before I make up my mind if I would ever buy one. So far it looks good. As far as replacing its final for a 1446 final I think its a waste of time for just a few extra watts.
The Connex is a very solid radio and has stood the test of time. Right now my brand of choice.
Magnum S-3 is probably what I would buy if I was wanting a radio without SSB. They have great customer service and from what I have researched I find that Magnum is the cream of the crop according to many owners. Gonna get my own Magnum soon! |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3179
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 4:37 pm: |
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i believe we once discussed 'upgrades', what you will 'settle' for now & what you 'really want'. remember the internet auctions do yield satisfactory results from time to time-for the SELLER, should you decide that a particular purchase was NOT what you wanted. you might not recoup ALL of your $$, but i've seen some OUTRAGEOUS prices for things!!!
magnum 257(SSB)
magnum S6
magnum omega force(SSB)
magnum S3
stryker SR440HP
in no particular order
even though i'd CONSIDER a connex 4800dxl & rci6900,(which in 30 watt form rival the S9 in price), i can't with a clear conscience recommend them, or ANYTHING made by rci/ranger OVER a magnum, stryker or lincoln(if you could find one).
the only 'real' CB's out there, that are NEW & currently available, that i'd CONSIDER, would be the cobra 148, general sherman, texas ranger 696fd1, & texas ranger 966. (there are NO AM only, legal CB's available that i would even consider for anybody OTHER then the 'casual user', not really concerned with anything other then it turning on.) prices range from $135-$195, plus shipping, depending on where it comes from, for these SSB radios. then, you need to find someone you trust to do whatever tweaks you'd require/desire-open clarifier, channels, peak & tune, etc.
add $30 to any of the exports i mentioned & copper will have 'em to your door-ready to rock. now i know some of those may not even be in stock at the moment, so that may narrow your choice, OR make it easier. someday, THAT radio may be relegated to your 'extra' drawer, & that 175 watt magnum/whatever WILL find a home in the front seat of your vehicle. i know you say you don't use SSB in the mobile....BUT, when you're out, & it's net time, & conditions are good, &....so, maybe the 257 requires a few more weeks wait to see if they arrive. by the time you pay the $30 + shipping, you're near $225, so maybe an in stock stryker, which would probably be under $250 fits the bill, but then an 80 watt S3 could probably be had for around $300, & get you 20-30 watts more then the stryker-but will EITHER work with the amps you have...since you're up to $300 already, for another $65, you could get that 40 watt S9, & someday be able to put IT in the house when you replace it with the 175 watter.....i think the choices are pretty straightforward, the problem is to decide WHICH one/how much $$ you have available.
as for your 1st post-S3 vs stryker....if that was MY choice to make while in YOUR shoes-OUCH! i doubt you'd go wrong either way! (remember, no topgun in the stryker, so as you back down the dead key, the PEP/swing will lower as well. that is NOT ANY reason to NOT consider it, though!). |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 432
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 7:06 pm: |
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I kind of thought that is what swapping them out was for - a few extra watts.
Cash flow is tight and I do not see that changing for about 2 years so am having to wait on my ideal setup and radio. In time though it will happen.
I am going to be getting rid of the amps I have anyway so will be running barefoot and won't be turning the dead key down at this time - in-fact will be looking to have Copper peak and tune things first.
If they are both so close I guess it will come down to looks - can't even believe I said that
Thanks for the input guys and yes even $40.00 will make a difference in what I can & can't get so I am limited. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3183
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 7:54 pm: |
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http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/discus4/show.cgi?tpc=61089&post=136088#POST136088
now i will tell you what i would do, tim. i would try 1st to get in on the 'last batch' of 1969-257's that are due to arrive at copper SOON. 30 watts, mobile, on SSB & you have the chance for some DX. should that not work, based on my LIMITED use of 1 single stryker radio, i'd go for that one. I wouldn't go for the S3, because i'd be holding out for one of the big gun magnums.....GOOD LUCK!!! |
Im4jc
Intermediate Member
Username: Im4jc
Post Number: 172
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 3:53 am: |
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My 2 cents: I own a Stryker.
For $200.00 you get Magnum S3/S6 performance on both RX and TX but a large meter like the S6/S9(big plus), completely illuminated faceplate, same great echo, better Adjacent Channel Rejection, and a traditional frequency selector as opposed to shafted encoder (bad IMHO) on the Magnums. Also, if you want to run a small 2-pill amplifier, you can key the Stryker at 2 watts and it will only swing about 18 or so without backing down the mic gain. The S9 that I had would still swing 40 or so with a 2 watt deadkey even with TGM off.
And yes, with a proper alignment, it will swing 60+ watts PEP with a 10 watt deadkey.
The latest batch come with the heatsink pre-drilled to receive an SD1446 that should swing around 90 watts. That's something to think about as far as future upgradability.
For the budget-minded non-SSB'er with a $200 target price, I think that the Stryker 440HP is a no-brainer. This radio, feature-wise, is a direct competitor with the S6, not the S3, so it's like getting a $300 radio for $200. |
Mayor513
Intermediate Member
Username: Mayor513
Post Number: 133
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 9:42 am: |
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--Hey, IM4JC, is the modified frequency range for the Stryker 25.165-28.755? I probably should have gotten this radio instead of the Cobra 150 GTL DX. Thanks. |
Hatchet
Intermediate Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 119
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 11:03 am: |
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As far as swapping to a 1446, it would be a worthless mod. You would have to get 120 watts out of that to see any difference on the recieving end. You wont see that out of a properly operating 1446 transistor. |
Im4jc
Intermediate Member
Username: Im4jc
Post Number: 173
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 2:15 pm: |
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Mayor513: I'm at home without the radio today, but I know it's 25.?? to 29.??. I know it goes from low 25 to 29 something.
Hatchet: Maybe so, but if the existing Motorola goes bad, then it wouldn't hurt to throw in the SD1446 to get 30 more watts, eh? Also, Magnum didn't think it a "wotrhless" upgrade to go from 50 to 80 watts, just like Stryker is going from 60 to 90 watts with their next model. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1720
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 7:29 pm: |
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Ok I'm thinking about stuff so look out!
I know I said that the upgrade to the 1446 would be a waste of time but I can kind of agree with Im4jc. It is true that going from 60 to 90 watts is really not even noticeable. Going from 60 to 90 in driver watts is noticeable! I think that a lot of serious DXers are planning on getting their hands on these excellent qaulity radios to run those big custom boxes. One less piece of gear in the chain to worry about! With the variable power control included then it's probably what the builders have in mind anyway with these big watt radios. Hey if I was gonna run one barefoot I would have the variable cranked full most the time. I would actually need the variable if I decided to run an amp. So I can see where those few extra watts could be a bit useful and not at all a waste of time. |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 433
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 8:00 pm: |
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Wish I had a big box to add but that won't be happening anytime soon.
Looks like I will place a call on Tuesday and see about the Stryker 440-HP |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1722
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 8:39 pm: |
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Cool! Let us know how you like it. Kind of anxious to hear one in DX land so hopefully I'll catch ya on the net with it! |
