Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2002 » 08/01/2002 to 08/31/2002 » The best base am/ssb for $300 or less??? « Previous Next »

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PoPs
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 4:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My max amount I can spend is $300 on a base radio that is capable of am/ssb modes. What is my best choice to make. It has been many years that I have talked into a cb and I am totally mezmorized by all the choices and brands. Any/all advice will be taken as collective data towards my decision. Thank you all in advance.

Best Regards,

LRW
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bruce
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 7:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

POPS CHEAPEST bang for your buck if you want a all around radio and these are mobles ( just hook up a power supply and go) is the mag-257 next ranger 2950 next choice titan-485 at 100 dollars. Now if your looking for cb only the cobra 148 has been around since fred flintstone had one. As for bases the dx-2547 is within your range.
Bruce
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Deadly Eyes
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 8:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

An easy call. Try this on for size. Check out the Coppers SSB mobile radios in their catalog section. There are some very nice ones there. They range from just over a hundred dollars on up. A nice mid priced model should provide all the features you need. I would be looking for one with a built in SWR meter at least. Freq readouts are nice but not necessary for legal CB operation.

Now you have the radio lets look for an antenna. General use antennas I would try the no radial vertical antennas, the kind that come in three sections you screw together. This kind if antenna is a no brainer to put together. Read the instructions to tune the antenna if adjustments are needed.

Coax, heck just use the mini 8 (also sold by Coppers). You do not need the bigger more expensive coax unless you plan to run some large power.

Of course being a mobile radio you will need a power supply. Once again check out Coppers Catalog. For 12 watts of power all you would need should be 5 or 6 watts continuous but if you can find a 10 watt intermittant on sale go for it. It must also be a "REGULATED" power supply of course to keep the 'Hum' out of your signal.

You should be able to put together a very nice home starter station. Once you get bitten by the bug you will probably want to get yourself one of those nice looking rack type rigs.

Remeber that CB means....
(C)onstantly
(B)roke

(chucke)

later
DE
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Alsworld
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 8:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pops,

if you wants a plug in the wall type base station, Copper's here has the Galaxy 2547 that has about everything you could want. You can call them or e-mail'em with your zip code and they'll get you an estimate with shipping. Should be just about $300 and a great product.

Alsworld
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BIG FOOT
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 10:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

..if it can be a mobile on an ac/dc power supply there are several choices...gaylaxy, ranger, etc. but limiting it to an ac-only rig limits your choices down to a very FEW...some one help him, with his BASE choices...PRAISE the LORD...BIG FOOT
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Tech808
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 1:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

PoPs,

I would highly recommend the Texas Ranger 696F SSB Base Station. (Made by Ranger Communications) I personaly have one of these that I had peaked and tuned that I ordered from Copper.

It is on most days from 10 to 18 hours and I have not had even the slightest problem.

It also has the Weather Bands and ALERT which is a big plus where I live as we do get a lot of storms and even when the radio is OFF if the weather Service sounds an alert it will sound an alarm. (Nice feature when you are sleeping.)

It has very good Transmit and Receive and is one of the BEST CB Bases that has come along in a great while.

If you choose not to have it peaked and tuned you will be under your $300.00 limit.

You can click on the link below to check it out. I am sure you will be pleased if you get one.

http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodE00-07000+

If you should have any other questions on the 696F SSB Base, please feel free to e-mail me.
tech808@copperelectronics.com



Lon
tech808
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radiodude
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 1:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Go for the Melaka!!!! Copper has them!!
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Taz
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 7:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

yep melakas are great!
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Hoosier Cardina
Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 10:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

CB really means Constant Buying!!! LOL! Thats kinda been my motto for years and ive lived upto it! :-)
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bruce
Posted on Friday, August 23, 2002 - 7:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hosser i'll buy that you know both cb and ham radio is nothing more that a small box you sink BIG bucks into
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Taz
Posted on Friday, August 23, 2002 - 11:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

constantly buying, constantly b*tching, constantly bragging, constant bull*hit,chicken band
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BIG FOOT
Posted on Friday, August 23, 2002 - 7:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

... take the cover off the top of your favorite radio, cut a slot big enuf to poke a $ bill in it...put cover back on radio... every time you turn this radio ON, slide a dollar bill in the slot, when the slot will hold no more $ bills, time for a new radio...repeat proceedure with new radio and continue...same proceedure with amplifiers ( solid state or tube type, base or movile )... this proceedure will NOT short any electronic components out inside radio, since $$$ bills are not metallic and short components out..thereby reducing chance of radio break down or electrical shortage... try it, it does work !! and help you to have money available for a new radio in the future... as an incentive, when you make a DX contact, replace $1 bills with a $20 or a $50 bill, this will inspire the radio to work harder to please YOU the owner !!.....BIG FOOT
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BIG FOOT
Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 12:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

...oh forgot to mention one important part: this will only work with BIG base station type radios that have lots of room INSIDE for the money to fall into...it will not work on mobile radios...circuit boards mounted upside down inside will get in the way ....BIG FOOT
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Deadly Eyes
Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 5:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Re Foot...

This also gives new meaning to the principle of "Piggy Bank". Just do not throw in coins.

OUCH!!!!

DE
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BIG FOOT
Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 8:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

...deadly eyes... you got that right...no pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters or half dollars, or the world famous Susan B. Anthony dollar coins are allowed...only paper money, ppreferrably $20 or larger...tht way when it DOES get full of money, you can buy a REAl radio , or an amp or a set of beams & rotor...BIG FOOT
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dale
Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 9:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

ato mind galaxy 2547 comes for that price range. there in coppers website very east to get to they also have variable poweroutputand variable talkback. as well a 6 digit frequ counter very nice to have on ssb.it also has a button that locks the clarifer so it doesnt get bumpedeon ssb.good job galaxy