| Author |
Message |
    
Triplecguy
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 9:33 pm: | 
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OK, now I finally got my radio in the mobile hooked up to the Palomar 250 and in working order. I will be expanding the channels here in the next few weeks, but until then I will let you all know what I have found so far. On AM, I have gotten good reports on clarity and tone, but a little lacking on the meter. I attribute this mainly to a very weak stock mike. The radio is equipped with a MIC button that when selected cuts the sensitivity of the mike, which the manual likens to a noise canceling mike. There is also a LOC button which is selected for local staions only, it actually works more like an automatic squelch, and believe me people it really works. It also works on sideband very well. I have been able to sort out the skip noise from the actual modudlation, and actually made my first DX contact with it this very evening. So far, on SSB, it has been great. Now this may be more of a subjective observation, since I have never had a SSB radio before, but on every CQ I've made, I've been told it sounds great. I have yet to use the coarse adjusment on the clarifier, the fine adjustment seems to be all that is needed. The internal speaker puts out great audio and it isn't too low or high pitched, and the volume control is easy to adjust to a good listening level. The display is absolutely awesome. It can swtich between channel or frequency with the touch of a button, and makes a little beep to let you know. It has 4 memory channels, and 19 and 9 buttons, when selected, the channel or the frequency flashes to let you know you chose that option. The squelch is a tad difficult to adjust because it is on the same shaft as the volume, but it is not unbearable. The detachable faceplate is very secure fitting, positive engaging piece. It is also very small and could almost fit in your ashtray. The overall lookl of the unit is very subdued, yet modern and attractive. It also has a scan function that works on all modes, and when selected in conjunction with the LOC mode, makes for a very effective method to search for stations seeking a QSO. I am very impressed with this radio for $159.00, although most places sell it for $179.99 It can be expanded to 240 channels plus almost the whole 10 meter band (28.0 to 29.7). Don't forget the dual finals, and nice heat sink on the back. I have read it should swing right around 30 watts, but I have not made the power mod myself yet. People, I highly recommend this radio for any newbies, or for somebody who wants a low cost flexible unit that will talk right out of the box. I will add more as I make the mods and let you all know how it does.
Big Dan |
Tech181
| | Posted on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 12:27 am: |
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I read somewhere than when you peak the thing out the lights dim and the sideband voice gets a little funky. Did you have any trouble with that?
Steve
Tech181
Tech181@copperelectronics.com |
Triplecguy
| | Posted on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 3:04 am: |
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To be honest, I have not peaked it yet. All that I did was the channel modification. But, it dims on transmit just a bit. Even before I did the channel mod, it dimmed just a bit on the display during TX. It doesn't bother me, and it isn't a significant amount, but yes it does. I would eventually like to take advantage of the dual finals, and tweak it, but I am still congradulating myself on the ch mod. By the way, for anybody that is interested in doing this mod to theirs, it consists of filling a gap of about 1/64 inch with solder. It was the first mod I have ever done, and it took 10 minutes start to finish. As for the audio on sideband, I haven't got any reports on quality because I am mostly just pissing people off because I am still learning the protocol on SSB. But I will post back any other observations I make as this seems to be a somewhat uncommon radio, and please, anybody with a question or comment let me know.
Thank you all so much,
Big Dan |
jyd
| | Posted on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 11:04 am: |
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yeah,if it does what 181 says,change the regulator |
Triplecguy
| | Posted on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 8:59 pm: |
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Ok, guys, I went home this morning and keyed up on both SSB and AM and discovered this: When keying up, the numbers on the display do not dim at all but some of the orange that surrounds the numbers dims about 2%. It is almost not noticeable. Now whether or not this will be exagerated by a power mod, I do not yet know. But I may wait and send it off to one of the techs to have it done right the first time, instead of butchering it. Could one of you please give a simple description of the what the regulator does and how it would affect the dimming? Thanx
Dan |
Wendy Lee Stevens (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 7:47 pm: |
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Dan,
I am looking for a radio for my new car. A dodge neon. Is the radio very big. I am currently using a cobra 148 gtl but need something smaller that will do the same thing.
Thanks Wendy |
Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666
Post Number: 243
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 10:47 pm: |
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i have a emperor ts5010
this radio really dims
but its clear and it dont worble on sideband
so i guess i can deal with the dimming
jon |
Triplecguy
Intermediate Member
Username: Triplecguy
Post Number: 164
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 12:05 pm: |
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Wendy I am sorry I did not see this post before I responded to you in the Open Forum area. Because I have learned so much about radio over the past 3 years I have changed my outlook somewhat on this radio. I really suggest the Magnum 257. Good luck!
Dan |
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