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Cbblackbeard
Intermediate Member
Username: Cbblackbeard
Post Number: 152
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 11:08 pm: | 
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Has anyone used this radio? I'm thinking about buying one but I want your opinions about it first. |
405
New member
Username: 405
Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2005 - 8:11 pm: |
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CbBlackbeard, The 966 uses the same main board as the Galaxy DX-949 and 959 and the Texas Ranger TR-696FSSB base station. It is a tried and true basic design and is capable of pretty decent performance for the money, if you are looking for a type accepted CB. I had one of the chrome face models before the 900 series came out and had it reworked by a good tech. I used the plug in Freq. counter and overall, it did a great job. It would swing to 17 watts AM and 24 SSB. Always got good audio reports and it was reliable. I ended up with the base station, which is a good radio too. Hope this helps. 405 |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 634
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2005 - 12:49 pm: |
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I needed a regular AM SSB 40 channel radio to replace my 148 nwst in the mobile so I went with this radio. I only have had it for 24 hours and its been on for about 12 hours now and seems to be a well made piece.Still all stock DK 4 watts and swings 5 watts AM and SSB. AM is not bad in recieve but does have a bit more white noise than my 148. Audio reports are good and I went out to hear it myself as a base. Good and clean AM and SSB. Not a big wattage but it modulates very well. SSB is great in recieve and so far to me a bit better than my 148. Not put a freq counter on it but as far as I can tell it does not drift and seems to have alot of slide. I am impressed with the craftsman ship of the radio. Looking at it from the glass display it looked flimsy but it is a very solid radio. Put on the astatic mic and sounds as good as any more exspensive set. Going to tune it up soon as I find the info I need. Need to see what this dude can dish out!! |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 659
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 11:37 am: |
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Well after 2 weeks of use I decided to return this radio and get the 148GTL. Its an awsome sounding radio. Killer on AM and SSB was a bit off freq. Even with 200 watts I just could not skip talk at all for some reason. Put the 148 back in and instant DX contacts. It is a great radio in deed. May be a trucker favorite but for the hardcore DXer it gets a thumbs down for me! So the new 148 GTL is going to my trusty tech for a reciever makeover and transmitter beefin up! My new 148 will be one of a kind when he is done with it. I never thought I would spend the money 70 bucks again but knowing what can be done I can't pass up the performance. This tech corrects the problems that Cobra has now days with their radios. Basically rebuilds the radio with much better qaulity componets. |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 660
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2005 - 11:58 am: |
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Before someone gets in there and asks why I would buy a radio just have have it rebuilt. I'll answer that now. My 148 NWST was rebuilt by the same tech. These Cobra radios have the potiental to be super performing radios but Cobra has declined in there radios componets. My 148 NWST WILL outperform my 4800 in modulation its just a fact and I hate to say it. I believe I can get a better performing 148 GTL with a tuneup than an export without a tuneup. Take the cost of the 148 and the tuneup vs the export cost and I believe I'll get still more bang for my dollar. Just the expierence I have from my NWST and the remarkable work of this proven cb tech. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1805
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2005 - 3:19 pm: |
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hotwire, as you already know, the 148 & grant XL are IDENTICAL. how did my XL sound sunday? 
& do you REALLY want your 148 to sound like that? |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 668
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 11:11 am: |
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Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 902
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 8:22 am: |
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I just purchased a TR-966 a couple of weeks
ago. I use the KL 200 Amp with it in the
mobile. I like the radio. Does fine for me. |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 704
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 12:31 pm: |
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Road Warrior its a great radio no doubt. I liked it too. Two things that bugged me. 3 s units of white noise and I could not shoot any skip when my 148 would have. The transmit audio was very rich. |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 961
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 5:57 pm: |
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My 966 is very quiet./ Even with my car running
there's only about 1/2 S- units of noise.
Tried it on my base antenna and it recieved
very well also. I run a small KL-200p Amp
with it all the time in the car. Going to
switch to a KL-500 amp with it soon.
Talks good DX even with the little Amp./I switched my antenna from my roof to my trunk.
Going to switch back soon as antenna worked
alot better on the roof...LOL...
I recently picked up a good deal on a older Uniden Grant with extras for $20. The 966 i have has about the same performance as the Grant.
Maybe i just got lucky...LOL
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Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 705
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 9:14 am: |
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Hmmmm.. Did you do anything else to it besides adjusting it to run an amp? |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 964
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 11:59 am: |
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NOPE: STOCK FROM COPPERS |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 966
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 2:00 pm: |
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My uncle ordered a 966 for himself, so,
i had him just order one for me also. Both radios
work good./ He also gets alot less noise off
the 966 then the mobile he had in his car./
I have 2 other friends who run and like them.
That's sort of the reason my uncle and I ordered
one to try...
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Cbblackbeard
Intermediate Member
Username: Cbblackbeard
Post Number: 207
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 11:03 pm: |
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Now the BIG question... how does the 966 compare to the 296DX?
I'm letting my Dad use my 296DX, but I miss it. I can't decide if I should try to buy another 296DX or try the 966. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 14307
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 1:54 am: |
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Frank,
To compare specifications/features of both the TR-296DX and TR-966 radio's just go to the link below for the factory owner's Manuals of both radio's.
CLICK HERE > Downloads from Ranger
Lon ~ Tech808 ~ N9CEF
CEF#808 ~ CEF HAM#33 ~ CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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Cbblackbeard
Intermediate Member
Username: Cbblackbeard
Post Number: 208
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 8:01 pm: |
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Thanks Lon,
I was actually looking for opinions from people who may have used both radios. I really like my 296DX and was wondering if the 966 is as good. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3908
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 - 7:10 pm: |
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an ept696-10z board vs a virtual grant xl clone....if the 296 is performing at its peak, i'd stick with it. the 966 seems to be a pretty good radio, a 'real' CB. its channel modification is 'different' then most in that it stays out of the 10 meter band, and drops down it a bit farther into the 26 mHz range, easily covering 26.735, 'low channel 19' as the truckers call it. 8719 radios won't go that low on a pll conversion. audio seems to be sufficient, if not quite 8719 quality. same with its receiver section. side by side vs a GOOD 296, the 296 WILL more then likely outperform. side by side with the 'lesser' exports, the 966 might just be the better radio. |
Cbblackbeard
Intermediate Member
Username: Cbblackbeard
Post Number: 209
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2007 - 10:24 pm: |
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Thanks Patzerozero,
I never had a channel mod done on my 296DX, just like to use it on sideband, always got great reports. I like the new look of the 966 and thought I might try one out if it will perform like my 296. |
Cbblackbeard
Intermediate Member
Username: Cbblackbeard
Post Number: 210
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 6:39 pm: |
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Well, I did it.
I bought one.
I haven't had it peaked and tuned yet, but it seems like a realy good radio so far. The only thing I don't care for is the stock mic. I might have to get the Texas Ranger power mic. Unless anyone has a better suggestion. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 14340
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 7:24 pm: |
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CLICK HERE >SUPERSTAR DM-452 ECHO MICROPHONE
In OVER 3 years now I have not found ANY Hand Mic that outperforms this Hand Mic for Mobile Use with ANY radio. 
Or just type in the Search Box here in the Forum: "DM-452" and start reading 100's of reports from satisfied Copper Customer's.
Lon ~ Tech808 ~ N9CEF
CEF#808 ~ CEF HAM#33 ~ CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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Cbblackbeard
Intermediate Member
Username: Cbblackbeard
Post Number: 211
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 9:48 pm: |
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Lon,
I completely forgot that I HAVE a DM-452 already. It was still packed away in a box from when I moved, it even had the battery in it still. I hooked it up and am very happy with it.
Thanks ! |
Streaky
Intermediate Member
Username: Streaky
Post Number: 127
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 7:03 pm: |
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I have the 966 in my 4X4 and and it has done very well shaken, bounced, beaten and still going strong 102" whip helps
Streaky
CEF #805
CVC #98
Listening from the smokey BC mountains
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