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Tech808
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Username: Tech808

Post Number: 12286
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 10:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

SUPERSTAR SS-158EDX
By RANGER

AM/FM/USB/LSB/CW
AMATEUR MOBILE TRANSCIEVER




COPPER PART #R10-00010

Complete Specifications, Modifications,
and
Non - Technical Review.


By

Lon ~ Tech808 ~ N9CEF



General Specifications
Emission Modes AM / FM / USB / LSB / CW
Antenna Impedance50 ohm unbalanced
Frequency Control Phase-Lock Loop(PLL)Frequency Stability 0.0001%
Input Voltage13.8 DC
Dimensions 7 7/8 (W) x 10 3/4 (D) x 2 3/8 (H)
Weight5 lbs.


Transmitter Specifications
Power OutputAM/FM/CW: 10 Watts; SSB 25 Watts PEP
Carrier Emission -50dB
Spurious Emission-50dB
Audio Distortion10%
Frequency Response300 to 2500Hz
MicrophoneDynamic Microphone


Receiver Specifications
Sensitivity for 10 dB (S+N)/NCW/AM:<1.0µV; SSB: <0.25µV
Sensitivity for 20 dB (S+N)NFM:<0.5 µV
Squelch Sensitivity<0.5µV
Image RejectionMore than 65 dB
AGC Figure of Merit100mV for 10dB Change in Audio Output
Audio Power Output2.5W @ 10% Distortion
Audio Response300 to 2500 Hz

Standard Features / Controls / Connectors on Radio.

Front Panel Controls ~ Features:

* ON/OFF Volume Control

* Squelch Control

* Mic Gain Control

* RF Gain Control

* E-tone (Echo) Control

* 6/12 Position Band Selector: G/A ~ H/B ~ I/C ~ J/D ~ K/E ~ L/F

* Mode Control: CW ~ FM ~ AM ~ LSB ~ USB

* Fine/Coarse Control (Clarifier)

* 2 Digit BLUE Lighted Channel Selector/Display

* Front Panel BLUE Lighted RF~SWR Meter

* Yellow/Red TX/RX Light

* 6 Digit BLUE Lighted LED Frequency Counter

* TB ~ TALKBACK ~ Button/Switch

* HI/LO Band ~ Button/Switch

* S-RF/SWR ~ Button/Switch

* NB/ANL ~ Button/Switch

* RB ~ Roger Beep ~ Button/Switch

* +10KHz Button/Switch

* Side Mounted 4 Pin Microphone Connector


Rear Panel Features:

* Antenna SO-239 Antenna Connector )Accepts 50 ohm coaxal cable w/PL-259 connector.

* 13.8 Volt DC Ranger 6 PIN Power Cord (with 2 ~ 7 Amp-250V) fuses.

* PA/SP/CW Jack/Connector.

* Ext Speaker Jack/Connector for: (4 to 8 ohms, 5 watt Ext Speaker.


Introduction:

The Ranger SS-158EDX is programed from the factory for the 10 Meter Amateur Band out of the box with coverage from: 28.245 to 29.655 MHz.

After Conversion it will have coverage From: 24.265 thru 29.655

Export / Converted Frequency Coverage:

After Conversion this mode will be pre-set to 12 Bands with coverage of the 10 & 11 Meter Bands from 24.265 MHz to 29.655 MHz.

After Conversion Frequency Coverage
Using H~L Switch/Button:


G/A - Band - 24.265 ~ 27.405
H/B - Band - 24.715 ~ 27.855
I/C - Band - 25.165 ~ 28.305
J/D - Band - 25.615 ~ 28.755
K/E - Band - 26.065 ~ 29.205
L/F - Band - 26.515 ~ 29.655


Microphone

Very Heavy "Weighted" SRA-158-4H Microphone with R33W Element

Microphone Wiring

Pin #1 ~ Audio Shield = SHIELD
Pin #2 ~ Audio Lead = AUDIO
Pin #3 ~ Transmit Control = TRANSMIT
Pin #4 ~ Receive Control = RECEIVE


PROS: & CONS

Pros:

* Limited 2 Year Factory Warranty

* DUAL - (2) ~ Toshiba C1969 Finals

* Toshiba C2166 Driver

* Ranger EPT690010D Main Board

* Heavy Duty Ranger 6 Pin Power Cord with (2 ~ 7 Amp-250V fuses.

* 2-3/16" x 7-1/2" Single Piece Solid Aluminum Heat Sink Rear Plate.

* 3W ~ 8 Ohm Internal Speaker.

* Radio was swinging FAR above the advertised AM/FM/CW 10 Watts and the SSB 25 Watts PEP right out of the box!

Bright easy to see BLUE LED Frequency Counter & Channel Selector Display.

Cons:

* OWNERS MANUAL Change from Original Printing.

For some reason Ranger decided to change the Owners Manual from it's original printing.

On PAGE -2- under GENERAL you will see:

Frequency Range 28.245 - 29.655

NOTE!
The 28.245 is a Little Sticker they have added to cover the original printing of: 24.265 - 29.655

* This radio comes out the box with a 10 Watt dead key.

It will need to be adjusted for a 4 Watt DEAD Key for use with Low Drive Amplifier's if desired.

I personallly suggest that you have the Copper Tech doing the Align and Tune to avoid cancelling the Factory 2 Year Limioted Warranty.

* If you want to use this radio with a LOW DRIVE Amplifier you WILL need to back the Dead Key Power down to 4 watts.

FINAL COMMENTS:

The RANGER SUPERSTAR SS-158EDX Radio is an EXCELLENT Radio right out of the Box.

I was very impressed with the Output PEP power of this radio.

This is the FIRST Radio in a very long time that I have found/used/tested that has FAR EXCEDED the advertised/printed Output PEP right out of the box.

The RANGER SUPERSTAR SS-158EDX RADIO is a very well made, nice looking, and easy to use/operate radio for the Novice or more Experienced radio operator.

The Front Panal is Un-cluttered with easy to use/operate control's.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I would honestly have to give this Ranger SUPERSTAR SS-185EDX Radio a 9+ right out of the box for: Design, Quality and Performance and Ease of Use.


UPDATED: 05/17/07

After 6 months of daily use now on a scale of 1 to 10 I would honestly have to give this Ranger SUPERSTAR SS-185EDX Radio a 10+ right out of the box for: Design, Quality, Overall Performance and Ease of Use.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lon
Tech808
N9CEF