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Message |
    
Audioman
Junior Member
Username: Audioman
Post Number: 28
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 4:20 pm: | 
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I know the Cobra 2000 was king in the 80's.
But, how does it stack up to the new powerful radios like the RCI 2990, RCI 2995, RCI 2985, Galaxy 2517, Galaxy 2527, etc. Besides the obvious like the FM & extra channels, how do the radios compare?
I have owned several RCI & Galaxy radios. The tramsmit audio is incredible. Loud, clear, detailed, etc.
I know the audio on the Cobra 2000 was one of the best ever made. How does the 2000 transmit audio compare to the new base radios.
DO you think that the audio is better on a Cobra 2000 or is it just one of those things that was great, in it's day?
I have been told that the CObra 2000 as well at the Cobra 148 had & still does have the best tramsmit audio available.
Even in todays standards.
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Highlander
Advanced Member
Username: Highlander
Post Number: 609
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 7:07 pm: |
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Both can be made to sound fantastic, and both can be butchered and clipped into oblivion. Comparing the two when both are set up properly would probably be a matter of opinion as to which was better.
Where the Cobra 2000/148 chassis really shines is in the receiver section. Some people like to say it "blows away" the receiver in the RCI exports. I disagree with that, but under some conditions, the receiver of the 2000/148 will "do" better with respect to selectivity, Noise blanking, audio quality, etc.
Having owned both, my solution is to continue to own both. |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 391
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 9:14 pm: |
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I have both and RCI 2970DX and a Philippine made Cobra 148 GTL. I also have a friend who has both a 148 GTL and an RCI 2950 so I got to compare the two.
The Cobra sounds great with a D-104 Silver Eagle on it, but the same microphone makes his RCI 2950 sound thin and scratchy. But when he put his Turner Supersidekeick on the RCI it smokes the Cobra 100%. However on the Cobra the Turner sounds thin and scratchy. Hmmm I have to say the RCI really does sound better with the right microphone but getting the right microphone can be a challenge.
As far as receive I think they both have great receive the RCI is very clear and sharp. Some people might say harsh and over sensitive, but there is no mud in the receiver. It sounds better with the Ranger external speaker on it. It really sounds good a little deeper but still very clear and sharp. I don’t believe the Cobra is as sensitive as the RCI, and is easier on the ears. But I believe you can pick up distant or weak stations easier with the RCI.
Just my opinion
73
Bob
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Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548
Post Number: 294
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 1:52 pm: |
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I have to second Highlander's opinion. Both can transmit some very good audio if set up correctly.
And as far as comparing the two receivers, the Uniden built 148/2000 and Grant radios easily beat out the 10Mtr radios. You can't have a tight receiver (Uniden) and 3-4 hundred channels (10Mtr) at the same time.
In my opinion, RCI has always had one of the better transmitters but they also have always had one of the worse receivers in the industry.....and they still do. That's one of the reasons why Channel Guard Kits are on the market. The purpose of these Channel Guard kits is to correct the receiver screw-up that you get free when buying any 10Mtr radio. These Channel Guard Kits will tighten up any 10Mtr radio's receiver for farrrrrr better adjacent channel rejection.
In reality, these 'kits' shouldn't have to be kits at all. They are something the manufactures save money on by putting in cheaper IF crystal filters. And that's the name of the game...saving manufacturing costs.
It's too bad that these 10Mtr radio manufacturers don't follow the lead of RF Limited and install better crystal filters during production.
Jeff
Tech548 |
Gonzo
Junior Member
Username: Gonzo
Post Number: 16
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 8:30 pm: |
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"And as far as comparing the two receivers, the Uniden built 148/2000 and Grant radios easily beat out the 10Mtr radios. You can't have a tight receiver (Uniden) and 3-4 hundred channels (10Mtr) at the same time.
In my opinion, RCI has always had one of the better transmitters but they also have always had one of the worse receivers in the industry.....and they still do."
I agree with this 100% |
Kilowatt
Junior Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 17
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 12:58 am: |
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I've owned a bunch of Rangers, and a bunch of Cobra 2000/148 GTL and Grant radios. In my opinion, the Rangers are some of the worst 10/11 meter transceivers ever made! The receivers are extremely poor. However, the transmit sections aren't that bad. Personally, I would prefer to have a better receiver, though.
The Uniden-based radios are as close to perfect as can be had for AM. On SSB, they can hang with my System 600 Yaesu, but the FT 920 whips them. (Of course the FT 920 is a $1,700 radio and a Grant is $149.00, so it is not really fair to compare them.)
Of course, this is my personal opinion. Your mileage may vary, etc. However, out of all of the radios I've owned, I've kept the President Grant Classic the longest (15 years), and I'll never part with it unless I have to!
My idea of torture is trying to run a Ranger 2950DX on SSB while driving down the interstate. The bleedover from channel 19 will kill me - even if I am on 10 meters! If I use my Grant, I can operate right next to channel 19 and I get no bleedover!!!!
Anyway, this is my opinion... |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 424
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 6:38 pm: |
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I can honestly say I don't have that sort of bleed over problem with my 2970DX. I do get bleed over from out of control spanish speaking stations on AM one or two channels over, but it's never been a real problem. I also had the same problem with my Cobra 148 GTL from those same stations. |
Twa77
Intermediate Member
Username: Twa77
Post Number: 120
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 10:01 pm: |
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kilowatt
you must have read my mind to a tee. i had that exact experience with a 2950. i had a grant, replaced it with a 2950 for a week or so . i was wondering "what the heck is all this darn noise." needless to say the grant is back and i haven't looked back. rci can ki-- -- ---. by the way i ended up selling the rci back to the guy i bought it from. I guess i got lucky |
Kilowatt
Junior Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 26
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:18 am: |
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I ended up selling my 2950DX. Lots of folks like those things, but I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that doesn't!
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Skipman
New member
Username: Skipman
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 5:18 am: |
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Comparing a 148/2000 PB-0 board receiver to a rci receiver is simply like a lexus to a yugo...The uniden blows them away. Then again years have passed rci makes broadbanded rigs moderately priced but the transmiters are dirty especially the ones with the amp built in. To me the uniden is superior guality. |
Yankee
Advanced Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 776
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 01, 2005 - 9:44 pm: |
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I can't begin to talk about the technical end or the whys or where fors. But the reports I've been reading from the CEF members I've talked to. Says it all for the Uniden sideband radios that are the same radio as the Cobra 2000GTL, mine being the Uniden Grant XL and a Silver Eagle. These Uniden sideband radios are just good all around performers.
Carl CEF-357 |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 164
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 4:32 pm: |
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i dont think rangers the worst..galaxys are the
worst imho.no intelligence were put into effort
when building these radios especailly with ssb.the reciewver section are noisey then top all that off they put toys in them a 12 yr old kid would think is stupid.i think rangers like the 2950dx ,lincolns,hr2510,hr2600 rangerar3500
are the best of the best while most are no longer made thier quailty wont be duplicated
again just my 2 cents worth |
Sparkomatic
Intermediate Member
Username: Sparkomatic
Post Number: 423
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 7:15 am: |
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The Older style 148 and 2000s are by far the best receivers out there. Audio wise the same deal.
Of course they are out of production and it's tough to find ones that have not been hacked. |
Penrider
Intermediate Member
Username: Penrider
Post Number: 221
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 3:48 pm: |
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The old saying goes..."If it works, stop making it." My 148's old and new, grant, pc-122, trucker, president and uniden washington (all basically the same receivers as 2000's) have much better adjacent channel rejection and general receive strength than my pre-dx 2970. The 2970's receiver is stronger, but it brings in all the trash with it. Output power doesn't apply here. The 2970 can be very loud, properly tuned. About the same as my 148's. All my Unidens and the President Stomp the 2970 for loud, clear audio. The unidens, cobra, and president are all very stable on ssb out of the box. I, personally, haven't had issues with spurs or harmonic signals from the 2970 but I have heard many other people speak otherwise about that. To put it simply, if you have or can get quality examples of the older style ssb radios Keep Them! The RCI's, Galaxy's, etc are good or bad per personal opinion but that's what's available now. The older style radios are not coming back and are getting more rare by the minute.
Sean
CEF867
Two tin cans and a string, it's still a contact...BTW, I need my can back when we're done!
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1195
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 4:57 pm: |
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sorry i misread the question.i absolutely agree
the rci does have great audio.but the reciever
stinks badly compared to a grant/148.ive also
experienced really bad bleedover from 19
while on 13 during cef net.needless to say
back to my uniden for cef nets
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Walterb
New member
Username: Walterb
Post Number: 3
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 12:23 pm: |
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The receiver on a 148/2000 uses crystal lattice filter and all the other cb's and 10 meter exports use a different type of filter for both AM/SSB. The design of the 148/2000 in the first IF stage is 7.8 med which should bring in more noise but it uses a crystal filter which makes for a quieter receive. The exports use a 10.4 first IF stage and use a less expansive filter because the front end brings in less noise. A good export radio will bring in signals farther away in a side by side test on SSB with both radios set up to stock specifications. The Magnum S9 radios seem to have a better receiver than any of the export or 10 meter radios that I have heard on AM. My S-45 does a very good job for a radio that has a micro processer in it for pulling in week signals....I have just ordered an S9 so will test it against my Cobra 148 and my S-45 when it arives for sure...walterb |
Walterb
Junior Member
Username: Walterb
Post Number: 17
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 12:24 am: |
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I have done receive testing over the last month on the Cobra 148, Cobra 2000GTL, Cobra 200GTL, a S-45 and an S-9. My rating is best first is Cobra 2000, 148, 200GTL, S-45 and S-9. All have good to excellent receive on AM and most people will be happy with any of these radios used as a base radio. Used as a mobile the Cobra 148GTL I still like the best for pulling out those week stations on AM! |
Mrclean
Intermediate Member
Username: Mrclean
Post Number: 132
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2010 - 1:18 am: |
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I run a stock Grant Xl and love it. Use it on the base most the time. I agree with them being great radios and the same inside as the 2000. Very good recieve and on transmit maybe not the loudest audio but very clean and clear. I love mine and thats why I own 3 of them. Getting one tricked out as we speak and the other two will remain bone stock with alittle tweak on the mod. |
