| Author |
Message |
    
Viking_4740
New member
Username: Viking_4740
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2007
| | Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 7:38 pm: | 
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Hello all!
Name is Tom and I am new to the forum. I have a question regarding Cobra 29 vs Uniden PC-78. Which of these radios is the best platform for expansion? My Brother-in-law got a Cobra 29 and had a connex board put in it, along with echo and talkback. He says it is a kick butt radio. Can this be done to the Uniden as well?
My intention is to buy the radio, have it peeked and tuned and use it that way for a time. Later on if I decide that I want to beef it up I don't want to find out that I own a poor radio for expandability. I'm not looking to blow anyone away with the thing. I just want a GOOD SOLID RADIO.
Thanks in advance for your help. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4424
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 8:51 pm: |
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Viking ...
IF you intrest is in a radio that is other than legal buy a radio like a MAG-257 and don't wast time any money expanding any CB set.
Simple fact is .....
The MAG-257 ( $170 ) and other 10 meter " EXPORT " sets will have most of what you want built in or easy to get with a mod. The MAG will give you twice the power and 10 times the channels right out of the box and how much will all the mods to that Cobra cost?
Bruce
On 6 since 66
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Viking_4740
New member
Username: Viking_4740
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 8:39 am: |
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OK, Bruce makes a good point. I have not read much on the Mag-257. I think that it is all micro processor controlled. Is that right? If I get it peaked and tuned, and expanded of course, about how much power are we talking and how many channels?
(also, sorry about posting this in the wrong topic. It should be in modifacations. My bad) |
Viking_4740
New member
Username: Viking_4740
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 8:44 am: |
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Just a thought. If the Mag-257 is micro processor controlled, can it be "peaked and tuned"? Or is the power output pretty much set? |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2496
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 5:53 pm: |
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hi tom,
welcome to the forum.
whats happening here is that these very well meaning guys (hi guys!) have latched onto your terminology, and dont understand what you are asking.
when you use the term "expand" in talking about CB radios, the general meaning is to add extra channels to the normal 40 that the radio covers stock.
this is why the magnum 257 is being suggested.
while its a great radio; its not what you want.
heck, you'd NEVER be able to fit an echo board inside it. too small.
my question to you is, do you use SSB?
or just AM?
do you want the option of having SSB later?
the answers to these questions will tell me what kind of radio you are lookng for.
also, how much do you want to spend?
in all reality, the cobra 29LTD classic is hard to beat for "expandability", meaning that you can add echo boards and roger beeps later if you want, and the 29LTD can be modded to do upwards of 40 watts!
you will have to have a good CB shop do that mod for you.
the cobra 29LTD and the uniden PC78 are the same radio inside. just different on the outside, so look for the one that suits you best.
whatever you do DO NOT buy a radio with SOUNDTRACKER. what they dont tell you is that it only works if the radio you are talking to also has it.
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cart/product_info.php?cPath=22_24_28&products_id=1444
this is my favorite. it just looks so cool, and its about the most rugged, classic, long standing AM CB radio design around.
they are loud and proud, they tune up great, and every shop in the world knows how to work on one.
just be careful in giving it to the local backyard tech, because there is so much that can be done to this radio, its easy for an amateur to get over zealous and ruin it.
best of luck to ya, if you want SSB, look at the galaxy 949, and 959. decent radios for the money, and are "expandable".
later,
matt
anyone wanting a "clean signal", just look to the left and build one of these!!!
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Viking_4740
New member
Username: Viking_4740
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 5:24 am: |
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Thanks Matt.
That pretty much answers my question.
I spend about 15 to 20 minutes every day going to and from work. They are about one year in to a three year construction project on the strech of interstate that I drive. I need a good solid radio so I can get a heads up regarding what is happening up ahead.
Also,I have not been on 11 meters in almost 30 years. Don't know who the locals are or how much activity we have around here. I thought that if I wandered off of ch19 and found some good ol' locals to chat with, I may want to crank the output up a bit and maybe ad some bells and whistles. I do know a couple of guys that talk on 27.475 USB. So yes, sideband and expanded channels would be nice.
I'd like to keep it under $200 to start. Plus another $80 or so for an antenna.
I understand that Bruce and Milkman are trying to answer my questions. I guess I was a little unclear as to what I was looking for.
Thanks again Matt |
Viking_4740
New member
Username: Viking_4740
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 11:06 am: |
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Thanks Milkman |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2498
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 11:57 pm: |
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tom,
if you want SSB, get a galaxy 959 and a wilson 1000 antenna.
best performance with the roof mount, but if you dont want to drill a hole, the magnet mount works great too.
you will be a happy man.
not that the other suggestions here arent good, they are, and these guys know their stuff.
these are just my picks.
have fun,
matt
oh BTW, the 959 can be converted for more channels later quite easily.
anyone wanting a "clean signal", just look to the left and build one of these!!!
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4426
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 9:19 am: |
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Interesting
I didn't like my 959 and got rid of it replacing it with a GRANT LT.
On 6 since 66
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Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 461
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 2:26 pm: |
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I would go with the Magnum 257. I have both radios and the 257 will out perform the 959 hands down.
HARVE
UNIT199
CEF210
CVC18
KB0YVK
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3623
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 4:39 pm: |
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you got a 'viking 4740'? use THAT. an expander kit from lou franklin, easy to open the clarifier....an AWESOME johnson radio, both receive & xmit  . |
Viking_4740
New member
Username: Viking_4740
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, April 21, 2007 - 12:34 am: |
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I wish I still had my Viking 4740. That was the best radio I ever owned. 40 channels above ch 40, 40 channels below ch 1, big ol' fiberglass whip antenna on the bumper of my dad's Chevy Impala. Everybody that I talked to said it sounded like I was talking on a base. I have been out of CB radio for many years. That radio is long gone. |
