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Message |
    
Linx
Junior Member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 17
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 1:55 pm: | 
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What do you guys think? I will be using it as a base radio due to limited desk space! I am looking for the most stable/strong radio for AM and SSB. Looking to run barefoot as much as possible, but the variable power on both will be nice when I need to run some power.
I've been reading on both, and both sound great, and I'd buy both if I could. I wish the 175w S-9 was out, but oh well.
I have heard the magnum has poor construction and that the galaxy has bad ssb clarifiction.
Just wanted to compare the two. Sorry if it's been done before, I don't mean to repost topics. I searched and didn't find it.
By the way, I HAVE read the S-9 review by Lon  |
Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 851
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 4:50 pm: |
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I'd love to give you my PERSONAL opinion on both radios but then I'd be accused of riding a bandwagon.
My advice? DO a quick search right here and you'll make up your mind RIGHT quick.
Hope you enjoy the S-...oops!
To be serious...both radios have there strong points but one is a winner in every category...hands down.
Hint: It's not all about the Watts! Trust me. It's about being heard near and far with quality not quantity in any mode.
Again..not to be a "search Nazi" but...do a search and read all the good bad and ugly. You'll know what radio you want.....do it....do it  |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 374
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 4:53 pm: |
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MY ADVICE WOULD BE TO RESEARCH A LITTLE HERE ON THE FORUM WHERE GUYS HAVE MADE POSTS ABOUT THESE RADIOS. I HAVE NEVER OWNED EITHER ONE, BUT I KNOW WHICH ONE I WOULD BUY. ALSO, I DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU HEARD THE S9 WAS NOT CONSTRUCTED WELL, BUT THE MAGNUM LINE OF RADIOS ARE ONE OF THE BEST LINE OF RADIOS BEING SOLD TODAY. I WOULD NOT HESITATE A MINUTE TO BUY ONE.
HARVE
UNIT199 |
Linx
Junior Member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 18
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 6:27 pm: |
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I have searched but never really saw a good comparison of each.
I don't want to start any brawls or anything. I have heard good about both, and little bad about both but am curious of how they compare.
I have read so much on both that I am seeing cross eyed.
I just can't decide...guess we'll just see when I hit that submit button on the buying page... |
Linx
Junior Member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 19
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 6:30 pm: |
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I have always wanted a Magnum radio, but just after hearing some locals with Galaxies it got me thinkin
I have a big ol tower with an IMax and an old crapper/desk space consuming President Washington and am lookin for the clearest/cleanest sounding like you say Vanillagorilla.
Thanks for any reply on facts or opinions. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3272
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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FACTS:problems with my slightly modified, well worn, 11+ year old grant XL are practically non-existant. with my 6 year old delta force....well, there were 2, both repaired free of charge courtesy the head-magnum-man(one was a redesign, the other a poor solder joint by a tech  ). with my 2 & 1/2 year old S9....one problem which miraculously cured itself. as for the multitude of galaxy radios i owned in my younger days......<<<<<<<<<< NO GALAXY RADIOS ALLOWED |
Linx
Junior Member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 20
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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The only thing I like about the Galaxy the most is the barefoot capabilites (which I got to thinkin I may never use!) and the meter looks nicer than the S-9. I'll probably go Magnum. I haven't really read anything too bad about the Galaxy, but then again I've only read good about the magnum except from Galaxy owners. |
Capt205
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 142
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 12:08 pm: |
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I have 2 of the S9's, one Base and one Mobile. I will have a third as soon as the S9-250's are out! |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1894
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 2:04 pm: |
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The S-9 is a KILLER radio from the factory and needs NO mods. For starters it comes already installed the cp-1 processor. I know of no other exports with that from the factory.
I too have "heard" from 1 other tech that the S-9 has poor construction and poor noise blanker but he did'nt own one. All S-9 owners have told me they love their radio!
Researched the S-9 alot and gonna get one real soon.
RF Limited built an export radio for the freebander with the features that the freebander has wanted in a radio for so long. A good radio for a trucker for example but really more radio than the average trucker wants. If awesome SSB is what you want go S-9. |
Therealporkchop
Advanced Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 911
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 6:14 pm: |
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My experience with my S9 is the first thing you better do is carry it to someone who first knows what they are doing and second has the RIGHT equipment to perform what he knows. SSB on my radio was out there along left field somewhere. AM wasn't great but it wasn't as bad as SSB was.
If you aren't gonna use SSB then forget the S9 and buy a S6 if you're hung up on these radios. If you can get by without the big meter and counter then opt out for the S3. You will get the same radio just without the "extras".
It is a nice radio and I do like it, but it was NOT worth what I paid for it. But then again neither is gasoline... |
Hatchet
Intermediate Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 127
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 7:27 pm: |
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Ive owned both and from a mobile point of view the 95T has held up better than the S-9. Galaxy offers a 2 year warranty instead of just one on the Magnum. Both offer great customer service. The EKLs that magnum have been using are creating some problems also. They are not holding up as well as thought and do not like variance in SWR. The S-9s noise blanker might as well not even be there and some of the parts(channel selector and pots) are EXTREMELY cheap. Using it as a base you may never have problems with any of these but they do exist. The only thing to compare the 95T to is the S9-80 and is cheaper in price and will give you more watts |
Linx
Junior Member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 21
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 8:52 am: |
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I appreciate all the feedback! Keep it coming! |
Linx
Junior Member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 22
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 8:55 am: |
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I am also under the assumption that since both radios have Variable power I can run wide open throttle barefoot, and then use the variable power to run a low drive amp. Put the variable power down so low it's almost off.
Does this sound right?
And yes, SSB is important as well as the freq counter.
Thanks all! |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 378
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 9:04 am: |
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YOU FORGOT TO TELL HIM HOW BAD THE 95T DRIFTS ON SIDEBAND. AT LEAST THE ONES I HAVE MODIFIED FOR PEOPLE HAVE.
HARVE
UNIT199 |
Hatchet
Intermediate Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 128
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 12:03 pm: |
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Both radios drift until warmed up. ALL radios do. Once warmed up, I had more trouble with my S9 staying on frequency than my 95T. I use my 95T for SSB daily and have never had one complaint. The EPT6900 board used in the 95T(also in the ranger 6900) is alot more stable than the older 3900 board used in previous models. One main reason radios do drift is that they fail to have a proper alignment. They assume that a new radio should be ready to go. Technically they should but the factory makes the radios as fast as they can and quality alignments take time. I had to align both the S-9 and the 95T. My S9 put out 30 watts PEP on AM and 25 watts PEP on SSB from the factory. After the alignment I got 40 watts on AM and 50 watts on SSB. On the 95T im getting 80 watts from a 20 watt deadkey on AM and 130 on SSB. The key is to find a REPUTABLE person to do the alignment. Forget the tuneups and "Peak and Tune". They are mainly hack jobs. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3278
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 10:33 pm: |
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hatchet-the channel selector in the S9 isn't neccessarily EXTREMELY cheap, but the 'light' feel comes from it not being a mechanical switch, but an electronic switch. i'm not thrilled with the 'feel' either, but, after asking a while back, the 2 biggest magnum service centers said replacement/repair of channel selectors in those radios was a non-issue, & even 1 of them was not fond of it.... |
Linx
Junior Member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 27
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 - 6:16 am: |
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I guess both radios are too strong for what I want to do. I just wanted a radio with these features. I may still buy one for my brother in law so I can talk with him.
Thanks for the comments. |
Wankle
Junior Member
Username: Wankle
Post Number: 26
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 - 4:58 pm: |
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There is nothing wrong with the channel selector on the S9. As pat has said is is just an electronic version. same as a up - down button. The S9 is a great radio.The galaxys are not even in the same league. |
Therealporkchop
Advanced Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 921
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 12:05 am: |
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The S9 channel selector is nice because you can wire a mic with channel selector buttons on it to that radio and change channels from the mic. Easier while riding down the road. |
Mrclean
Junior Member
Username: Mrclean
Post Number: 48
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
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My 95T rocks on AM and SSB. Stable as heck. On AM low 10 watts swinging 160. High 40 watts swinging 200.SSB pep 125 watts. Best looking newer radio out there in my opinion. |
