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Crackshot
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackshot

Post Number: 128
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 - 3:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

any word on the new mini magnums (30 watters) availability?
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Tech808
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Username: Tech808

Post Number: 8986
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 - 6:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Crackshot,

Well the latest word is:

I just finished testing two of them that Sam Sent me and they will be on the way to Copper Electronics first thing in the morning for the Copper Tech to test.

30 Watts?
NOOOOOOO PROBLEM!


They showed
WELLLLLLL OVER
the 30 Watts PEP
with 14.0 VDC.


Hope this helps,

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Crackshot
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackshot

Post Number: 129
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 - 7:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Awesome. Thanks Lon.
I have been waiting for one of these units to out in my SUV. I am tight on space and do not have room for a big radio nor an amplifier.
I also need ease of use for the wife so the mini magnum is perfect for my situation.
I have been holding out to get one of the newer versions.
Any idea on price of these bad boyz?
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Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 275
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 9:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i like 2 see a mini magnum with ssb and freeband channels .i know they got the magnum 257 but thre mini mag is smaller yet so i guess what im saying is id like 2 see a mimi magnum with most of features of the 257.ive seen yeasu that small but im not a ham operator.....yet

dale/cef426
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Tech808
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Username: Tech808

Post Number: 9056
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dale,

The MINI MAG Frequency Coverage after Conversion is: 25.165 ~ 29.655


As for adding SSB, Sam is not interested as the demand is just not there and it was designed for those who do not want or use SSB but just want a Reasonable priced AM ONLY Radio.

Adding SSB and other features would Raise the Price and are already covered in other Magnum Models for those who want or desire them.

As soon as I get the time to finish the Review on the MINI MAG 30 W model I will have it posted for the Copper Forum Members in the Area / Topic below:

Subscriber (Preview)
» Product Reviews


Hope this helps,

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Cbodenburg
New member
Username: Cbodenburg

Post Number: 3
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 1:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I picked up one of the new version Mini-Magnums from ***** *****, the one with the big “30W PEP” sticker on the box.

Actually, it might DK 4 watts and swings not quite 20 watts (tested on a local shop’s Bird meter).

I contacted Sam at RF Limited.

My conversation with Sam was disappointing, to say the least.

I really wanted to get a higher DK (perhaps 8W) and wasn’t seeing near the claimed 30 watts PEP on my Dosy meter. Sam said my meter wasn’t good enough to read the peak, that I needed a Bird to see it properly (wow another $400 or so to see the 30W peak - LOL). He said he bet anyone hearing it would say it was loud and moves their meter a lot.

I told Sam I have a General Longstreet modified with a High/Low switch. The Longstreet puts out a DK of 4 watts low – swings about 15 watts, 8 watts high – swings about 25 watts, and about 25 watts PEP on SSB, and it is quite a bit louder than the mini on the low setting. He said, what do you expect – the Longstreet is a $300 radio.

Well, I guess I expected the claimed “High Power 30W PEP Mini Magnum” that the BIG florescent pink sticker on the box so boldly states. Silly me, huh?

I live in the Pocono’s where cell phone coverage is sporadic within a 5-mile radius from my home. The radios let me know my wife is safe getting up and down the mountain even when she has no phone coverage (about 8 miles by road and 12 min travel to town). I get just about 4 miles coverage barefoot with the Mini Magnum, and about 6 miles with the Longstreet on low – and the Longstreet is a lot louder.

The Mini Magnum drives a KL-200p fine and will do 20 watt DK and 65 watt swing (measured on a Dosy and a Bird). The mini-mag and amp are wired in parallel to a cigarette lighter plug and draw under 8 amps. This setup is great for portability as I move them between different cars with a Little Wil mag mount antenna. And I now get out about 10 miles.

The General Longstreet puts out 8 watts on high and swings about 25 watts, and gets out 10 miles without the KL-200p. The amp puts out about 20 watt DK and swings around 65 watts driven from low position, and gets out about 15 miles (5 miles more than the Mini Magnum).

So, I suppose I need a power mic to get the mini-mag as loud as the Longstreet. Lets see, Mini-Magnum - $100, KL-200p - $60, Power Mic - $40, and $100 to spare. Now the Bird looks reasonably priced to see that extra 10W peak – LOL….
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Tech808
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Username: Tech808

Post Number: 9100
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 3:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cbodenburg,

I just got off the phone with Sam and he said you may have one of the first models and the ERF-2030 Bias may be off (not set correctly).

He said to give him a call and you can send it back and he will gladly take care of the problem for you at NO CHARGE.

You will also need to use the STOCK ECM Mini Magnum Microphone with it not an after market mic or other magnum microphones to see the 30 watts.

Hope this helps,

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 9105
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 7:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cbodenburg,

I just got the below message from Sam Lewis for you.

Box and send your radio to the Address Below:

RFL
1145 12th Ave NW
Bldg C-7
Issaquah WA 98027

DO NOT SEND VIA MAIL, USE UPS GROUND OR FED EX GROUND ONLY


From Sam,

******************************************

Hi Lon

I will do a report, taking measurements when the radio is first received and
take more measurements after changing bias. I will send the radio direct to
you, you can confirm or deny my measurements. Then you can use our UPS
acct number to send back to the owner.. No one would go to this level to
try and satisfy a customer. IMPORTANT He must include the mike that came
with the radio, that is what I will use to take measurements. All of this
will be done at no charge to him.

Thanx Sam
*****************************************


Sounds like a GREAT DEAL to me,

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Cbodenburg
New member
Username: Cbodenburg

Post Number: 4
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 10:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Lon,

I believe they are the newer models; I got the first Mini-Magnum shipped from the warehouse 12/20 and the second one on 1/10 locally (ordered from new stock).

In the meantime, I tried the KL-200p and got the distance I need, but not the audio I expected.

Tuesday (1/24), I ordered another KL-200p (my 3rd) and two DM 452 mics from Copper for the louder audio and they’ll be here on Monday. I ordered the 452’s because I see you recommend them often. The rep said the 4 Pin Cobra/Uniden will work on the Mini-Mag. I think I will try the DM 452 before I try sending the Mini-Mags in. I may not need to.

Actually, I called Sam to find out how to adjust the DK higher, but with the KL-200p I basically don’t need to adjust it higher but possibly lower.

I still need the mic wiring, modulation and carrier adjustment VR’s.

Thanks,
Charlie
CEF728
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Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 288
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 12:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

thanks lon,but ya know with the cars of today
and the gas prices forcing alot of people too get small cars theres just no room for a big bulkly radio then ya gotta figure in wife and kids and shopping a cb of the size of s9,galaxt,ranger,ect are definately out of the questio ,there is a market for that type of radio
just gotta talk to the right people.if theres ham radios that small that are all modes then theres NO reason why they cant make a 10meter radio that way also,i hope i dint offend anyone
just voiceing my opinion on the matterbut its sad i gotta become a ham operator too get a small radio with all modes/channels
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 9119
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 1:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dale,

The SMALL SIZE and POWER it has to offer is what makes the Mini Magnum a GREAT little radio.

Personally the Mini Magnum fits ALL of our needs and takes up a whole lot less space than the S-3 or S-45 or 257.

About the only time we need or use SSB in the trucks or cars is when we travel and then we will stick the S-45 or Magnum 257 in, other than that 99.9% of the time we just use AM anyway and it works for us.

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Squirrel_1
New member
Username: Squirrel_1

Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 9:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Anyone know how to improve the recieve on the mini magnum I just got a new one and the rx is terrible

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