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Message |
    
Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 186
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 12, 2004 - 10:29 pm: | 
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Hey all!
This was not my idea, actually a combination of many people’s ideas namely, Pat and Gumball. Any way, the point of this thread is to hopefully influence what Magnum radio does in the future, and since MR. Sam Lewis is an avid forum member and actually reads these posts...
The idea is for every one who sees this thread to give a "dream radio" description with what features, etc. they want in a radio! In other words "what would you make if you could make your own radio?" I apologize to Pat, Gumball and any one else who had the idea of this thread, I wasn't trying to step on any ones toes and post it first, I was just too inpatient to wait on y'all I am extremely curious to see what would happen with this thread. I know I have made my self clear in the past of my new found love of Magnum radios and what they do, I hope that Mr. Lewis takes this thread and all posts in it as nothing more than suggestions, not put downs or anything else.
Thanks
BC
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Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 187
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 12, 2004 - 10:41 pm: |
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OK, here goes
I love my S9!!! But a higher power version would be GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10, 200, even 300 watt?
I would also like to see a "base" version of the S9 !
As good as the echo is in the S9, and it is GOOD! How about a form of a digital delay (like a guitar pedal)? I have used them on cb for years and they are GRRREAT!!!! For CB, obviously, they are a little hard to mess with on the road, but for a base station it would be great!
Maybe an "equalizer" style tone control for receive and even maybe TX?
Or maybe a big amplifier section in a radio (which inherently produces a lot of heat) with liquid cooled transistors like some available for computers (fans are noisy)
Built in recorder?
Built in noise canceling for TX?
OK well that's all I can think of now
BC
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1760
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 12, 2004 - 10:53 pm: |
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Hummmmm?
Make my own radio Ok
Receiver
RF stage Less than .3db NF with 30 db of gain
DSP filtering at all levels CPU controled.
IF filtering 8 poles directly after 1st mixer 8 poles after 2 mixer and a 2 pole at input to final IF stage that feeds detector.
Audio with adjustable bandpass filters.
Transmitter high level on am with SP-1
on SSB RF CLIPPING
PROGRAMABLE frequencys for CB or can be reset for ham use ( but not both FCC rules will not allow this )
Cost under $200 |
Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 200
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2004 - 11:53 am: |
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easy there bc, and gumball and i except your apology.(i'll give you half of what bc paid me to call off the hitmen, gumball).
this is serious business we're getting down to here bruce, $200? if you can't play right, don't play at all! just kidding!
now, let's all get on the same page here, and that page is-
MANUFACTURERS QUESTIONS>>RF LIMITED>>SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT RF LIMITED/MAGNUM RADIO
i will get my suggestions on that thread later tonite!
sorry, bc! keep going though, i know your dream radio has more than that. |
Gumball
Junior Member
Username: Gumball
Post Number: 20
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2004 - 12:14 pm: |
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Bc910:
I didn't mean to step on your toes, I just started a similar post in "Manufacturer's Questions"
Let's see what kind of dream radio we can create. |
Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 202
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 14, 2004 - 3:18 pm: |
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MANUFACTURERS QUESTIONS>>RF LIMITED>>SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT RF LIMITED/MAGNUM RADIO
and my post is now there |
336 (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 1:52 am: |
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liquid cooled finals/audio transistors, 100+% duty cycle |
Racer X (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 3:27 pm: |
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Wish list:
- SSB only
- Tight filters
- Adjustable RF clipping
- Adjacent channel rejection of 100dB
- Separate course and fine clarifier pots or a single multiturn pot
- Crystal oven or a good TCXO circuit
- AF DSP
SSB only - designed that way from the ground up with filtering tighter than a combination AM/SSB set would lead to high adjacent channel rejection to make it easier to operate in crowded conditions.
RF Speech processing raises the AVERAGE output power to about 90% of maximum. It greatly increases operating range by making your legal signal similar to someone using a 100 watt radio.
Separate course and fine clarifier pots would make use much easier. I've never cared for the small fine tuning knob on the radios that have separate coarse and fine on the same shaft. A multiturn pot would also work here.
Drifting is not acceptable for a SSB radio today. It's possible to make a very stable oscillator with a crystal oven or with a circuit that compensates for temperature changes. That would make the use of SSB much more pleasant for most people.
DSP would be great, but to do it well in the I.F. stages the cost would be huge. AF DSP is already available as aftermarket filters and works well to get rid of heterodynes which is my biggest problem on SSB CB. If that could be incorporated into the radio I would find it useful. Other AF processing like adjustable bandwidth would also be nice if you're already incorporating AF processing. |
Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 441
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 6:44 pm: |
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Hmmm...what would I add?
1st off would be 19" rack mount style
1/8" walkman style headphone jack
line level audio output for patching into computer soundcard
a true freq counter not a freq display
selectable bandwith filters
large galaxy style meter
blue display
these in addition to the good ideas others have.
these are on my "base" wishlist,mobile really dont have any ideas. |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 329
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 1:58 pm: |
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RacerX is asking for about a $1000.00 11 meter radio. The better grade Amateur transceivers have all this for around $1500.00 new out of the box, plus they have a lot more frequency bandwidth.
73, Carl CEF-357 |
Racer X (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 11:48 pm: |
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Yankee - Not exactly. We're not talking about a multi-conversion amateur transceiver here - just a single conversion CB. The design is simpler and parts are already in mass production for use in other radios, it's just a question of designing a board that uses stock parts to do new things. Sure, it'll cost a bit more, but if it's done right the SSBers will buy them two at a time.
I've added channel guard filters to my current base SSB rig, bought an RF clipping speech processor, changed the clarifier pot to a 10 turn pot, and I'm using an AF DSP filter to get rid of heterodynes. It works MUCH better than stock, and that's the basis for my wish list. I've got a lot of cash into the equipment, and if I could have bought a radio that incorporated all of those features I certainly would have. Especially for a mobile where the added accessories aren't nearly as easy to use. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1770
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 7:02 am: |
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SSB ONLY ?
I beleve this has been tried by radioshack on the HTX-100. The mag-257 / Htx-10 prove you can make a good all mode for under $200 now with the advancement in DSP it should be no problem to add it to the next generation my only thought past that would be to increase the 10.695 filter from 2 pole to 6 maby 8. Yep DSP on a chip ..... when it happens watch out ..... |
Duck246
New member
Username: Duck246
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 4:48 pm: |
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The receiver of a Lincoln, the TX of a 2950.
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Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 211
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 5:58 pm: |
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MANUFACTURERS QUESTIONS>>RF LIMITED>>SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT RF LIMITED/MAGNUM RADIO
and my post is now there
oh well gumball, wrong page, but, hey, we're starting to get some input here!!!!!!!! |
Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 212
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 5:59 pm: |
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Posted on Sunday, November 14, 2004 - 3:07 pm:
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a new radio design should require no improvements for even the most sophisticated AM or SSB operator. that said-
AM-FM-LSB-USB-CW
24MHZ-30MHZ
memory channel program, w/mode(like Delta Force),
more than 5 channels
no band switches but vfo only tune or program tune(like ar3500)
switchable tuning increments-100hz, 1khz, 10khz,
100khz, 1mhz
single open clarifier, multiturn greater than
10khz
squelch, nb, anl, rf gain, amt-maybe(echo-no)
at least dual conversion rcvr,dsp,highest possible
sensitivity and selectivity without the
need for(already built in to radio) channel
guard, or any other receiver stage
improvements. built in multistage
switchable rcv attentuator and preamp
swr meter, only if room
60bd over S9 signal strength meter
an accurate built in wattmeter, not relative
output(like S9, but truly accurate)
xmit built for high level AM output
switchable processor/compressor/topgun-type
modulator w/built in audio amp w/front
panel mic gain/audio control
all working in conjunction with an on-off
switchable 2-2sc2879 built in amplifier
section with full variable output,
switchable from modulator(60w swinging 240)
to amp(150w swinging 200)
maybe, just for kicks, all with blue lighting,
and red and green xmit & rcv lites(gotta
be frivolous somewhere)
finally, built with mil-spec circuit boards, smc and/or whatever else it may take to hold up to harsh over the road environments
the only addition to this radio, if used as a base, would be a desk mic such as an 1104 or unamplified d104 type. this radio would need nothing-no power mic, no tweak, no peak, no tune, nothing!
an S9 costs (at least) $320, dm452 $20, channel guard $30, texas star 350 $185, swr/wattmeter $50,
so you're already up to over $600. if you can't do the internal mods (channel guard, peak, tune, amp align, etc) i'm sure you're up at least another $100 so now you're over $700. ok you say, just buy an ic 706 or ts50 or dx70th, they're still just not AM radios, great SSB maybe, but CBers/SSB ops modify their cb's/10m/exports for more audio and punch than those true ham radios have anyways. my AR3500 cost over $500 15 years ago, obviously there was a market for that priced radio then, and it has most of what i'm looking for in a new radio, and with advances in technology, it itself would probably be cheaper today, therefore, my new radio could probably be priced in the ballpark.
and, finally a base version of the same radio.
of course, i'd settle for a new AR3500, also with a base version! |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 504
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 9:31 pm: |
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As far as I can tell most people here are talking about converted 10-meter export type radios here.
So this is what I would like to see in my next radio.
The filtering that Bruce mentioned above would be great. The export radios really need to be cleaned up.
I would love to see a real VFO. Something like the Rangers have, but replace the shift button with rotor knobs so you can dial in the band you want to use on one, then dial in the sensitivity down to 100 Hz on the other. You could also do away with the channel changer Ranger has and put the VFO in its place.
Again since it’s an export it should have true variable power from 0 to 200 watts pep. It would also have to do the 200 watts without having to worry about heating problems.
Frequency coverage would be 10-15 meters. I feel if RCI is putting a 10-12 meter radio why not go to 15 meters.
I would like to see an adjustable TX and RX tone adjustment and a decent sounding OEM microphone.
The cost would have to be in line with other export radios $400.00 or less.
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Gumball
Junior Member
Username: Gumball
Post Number: 21
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 10:54 pm: |
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OK, after some confusion on pages, permit me to add my 2 cents over here.
Here are my suggestions for "THE NEXT MAGNUM RADIO" (mobile):
AM/FM/CW/USB/LSB/WEATHER
6 digit frequency counter
calibrated meter: S/RF/SWR/POWER
increased selectivity, or built-in channel guard
Top Gun Modulator (switchable)
Amplifier (2 of 2879's ?)
Pre-amp
adjustable NB
Controls:
-band, function, channel
-volume/squelch, mic gain/mic tone, power/RF gain
-NB/receive tone, AMT(talkback)/weather,
-turbo echo(dual control), clarifer fine/course
Switches:
-panel illumination: hi-lo-off
-ANL (on-off)
-roger beep (on-off)
-Top Gun Modulator (on-off)
-Receive Attenuator (40db?) (on-off)
-Amplifier (on-off) OR (hi-lo-off)
-Pre-amp (on-off)
-Meter control: SWR/MOD/PWR
Extras:
-love the blue lights
-love the "dual mic ports"
-agree with Patzerozero regarding "harsh duty" circuit boards
-rather than a receive tone control, how about a "hearing enhancer" (receive equalizer) or even a speech processor?
I also like a lot of ideas from the above posts. As you can see, my suggestions lean more towards a conversion (CB) radio. Now, granted, this would add up to an expensive radio, but how much have we got in out setups now...??....and for those of us who do not have the tech skills to modify our own radios, this is the only way to get "THE PERFECT TOY"............
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Racer X (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 11:35 pm: |
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Bruce - From what I understand the HTX-100 is commonly acknowledged to have better receiver performance than a Uniden HR2510 by folks who have owned both. It's a SSB/CW radio and was adapted from the 2510 to be that way. I came across a web page a while ago that compared the HTX-100 to a 2510, and with testing they found that the filter used was narrower in the HTX-100 and attributed it's better receiver to this difference.
Besides, I don't even use AM, so why bother with it? I think it would be cool to have a SSB only rig.
I've never played with an HTX-10, but I would imagine that at it's best it's about the same as a 2510/2600/Lincoln - and that's pretty good. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4108
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 3:36 am: |
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Forum Members,
This post is getting a lot of feedback, BUT!
Sam Lewis Owner of RF Limited / Magnum International does not have time to go through and read every Topic or Area of the Forum to find posts.
That is why we created the Manufacturers Questions Area on the Coppper Forum.
A lot of the posts above mention a lot of things but lets try and keep it real.
If you want someone to take you seriously keep it short and to the point and no need for debates or discussions or talking about other radios or brands of radios or multi band Ham rigs.
If you have something serious to suggest I am sure he will take the time to listen.
From the posts I have read above it would be Impossible to make a radio that would sell at a reasonable price in todays market with all of the features mentioned above.
DREAM RADIOS are one thing and a REAL working Radio at a Reasonable Price that people will buy or can afford is another.
Magnum International is the Leader in New Radios and New Features and New Technology that no other radio on the market has.
Sam Lewis is NOT new to the radio world and knows what people want and is trying to have the best product with the best/most features out there that people can afford.
And remember it takes years to design and build New products that you can only hope will sell.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1772
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 4:57 am: |
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RacerX
MY OPINION
MAG-257 VER 3
Drop FM use board space for a DSP BOARD ( maby even a plug for a addon ?????)
AM / SSB only with 10.695 filter upgraded from 2 pole to at least 6 with 4 khz band width.
add 24.900 - 25.000 coverage
The HTX-10 / MAG-257 are great radios right now 10 lbs of radio in a 5 lbs box! |
Gumball
Junior Member
Username: Gumball
Post Number: 22
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 8:45 am: |
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Tech808:
Quote
"Sam Lewis Owner of RF Limited / Magnum International does not have time to go through and read every Topic or Area of the Forum to find posts.
That is why we created the Manufacturers Questions Area on the Coppper Forum. ..."
With all due respect, that is why I sent you the note asking you to move both of these posts together, to whatever area that you deemed suitable.
While some posts might seem frivolous, my point of doing this was merely to generate some thoughts and ideas for Mr. Lewis, possibly incorporating some of them into a future model.
This is an excellent forum, staffed and visited by some extremely knowledgeable people - who were "thinking out loud"
Thank-you. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4109
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 10:41 am: |
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Gumball,
If you sent me an e-mail direct to: Tech808@copperelectronics.com
I am sorry but I did not receive it.
If you used the PM Feature I also did not get it as I Do Not Use the PM Feature or Read any PM's as I have posted many times before.
There are posts above that are also from (Unregistered Guest)
The Manufacturers Questions Area is for Registered Copper Forum Members only to make posts.
So to move this complete topic and posts to that area would be impossible unless some of the posts were deleted and it would also create a Double Topic there as well.
And to try and Move each individual post to another topic takes time and then the posts tend to be placed at the bottom of the topic or end up lost.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Racer X (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 12:54 pm: |
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"From the posts I have read above it would be Impossible to make a radio that would sell at a reasonable price in todays market with all of the features mentioned above."
I think it depends on what you consider to be reasonable. I'd rather have one really good radio that works well and I enjoy using than 3 other radios. I consider Amateur HF rigs to be reasonably priced for the features that they offer because I don't mind paying more to get more radio - a LOT more radio. If the major amateur radio manufacturers made a CB base rig with the features of their HF rigs - I'd buy it tomorrow. Okay, I'd start saving to buy it tomorrow. I'd love to see someone sell a triple conversion CB with features like switchable filters, RF speech processor, DSP, notch filter, I.F. shift, different AGC speeds, and other pretty much standard features of today's HF rig. Unfortunately there is no radio offered like that for the CB crowd. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1775
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 2:21 pm: |
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Triple conversion? gosh the last cb to do that was the courer 1M in 1963. I do like the changing AGC speed fast attack/slow decay for SSB and standard for AM and maby a notch filter although you can do that AND vari bandpass with a Q-Multiplyer .... theres a thought. LOTS of good ideas here some a bit pricy but none that cant be done. |
Gumball
Junior Member
Username: Gumball
Post Number: 24
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 10:14 am: |
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I must concur with several of the posters here - while it would not be possible (or affordable) to build a radio with ALL of the above features, it would be nice to have some of the most "user friendly" items incorporated into a unit.
To build a radio incorporating "the best" of the above suggestions, would take some time to design, and we understand that - most of us have been playing with radios for years....we will wait.
A radio with the best of the above suggestions, would also be expensive - we understand that too. (do a poll on how much money everyone has in their setup now) As several people have already stated, I would rather have 1 radio that is "my favorite toy".
As I said before, this post is merely a "collage" of thoughts and ideas, meant to be helpful and constructive, and to assist Mr. Lewis in knowing what people want.
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Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 214
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 12:27 pm: |
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it appears, here, that the biggest improvements are wanted for the RECEIVER section of our radios. obviously, magnum, or uniden or galaxy could never incorporate ALL of our suggestions into a new design, but, maybe magnums' new topgun-type radios provide sufficient talkpower, therefore a more sophisticated receiver is what is going to get us all out there spending our cash on in a new radio. and of course, the ole built-in amp shouldn't be that difficult to add, then make a 2nd version a base unit....
that was the point of this, lon, yeah, we all get carried away with our (probably) impractical radio, but it is apparent better receive is generally what we all are in agreement with. and in reality, a lot of the frills in some radios aren't really neccessary, they take up valuable inside space as well as front panel space, those frills could be the echoes, roger beeps, swr meters, amt, dual clarifier, etc.
so, sam, if you're listening, take that S9 and build us THE ULTIMATE RECEIVER!!!!
and everybody else, keep going with those suggestions! |
Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 215
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 8:59 pm: |
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oh well gumball, wrong page, but, hey, we're starting to get some input here!!!!!!!!
-------------------------------------------------
hey, i tried to get it in the right place, but SOMEBODY........ |
Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 200
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 9:42 pm: |
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hey , what can I say 
OOPs, sorry
BC |
Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 220
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 10:17 pm: |
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darned S9 operators..... |
Gumball
Junior Member
Username: Gumball
Post Number: 28
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 11:50 am: |
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Patzerozero:
The more I think about your "receiver" post, the more I think you are right.......an improved receiver is what would make the most difference.
It is easy to add "more power", but trying to hear someone thru the background junk is sometimes very difficult.......but some of the accessory suggestions have merit also.
And, from reading the suggestions, there are some very knowledgeable people on this forum.
It is good to see that we have generated some interest here - obviously we're not the only ones who have "improvement thoughts"......... |
Applejack
Intermediate Member
Username: Applejack
Post Number: 240
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 11:22 pm: |
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2 things for any kind of radio, weather, and a priority channel like my bearcat. aj |
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