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Message |
    
Ajm1571
Intermediate Member
Username: Ajm1571
Post Number: 346
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 7:35 pm: | 
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OK guys, here is what I know of the General Sherman. Sorry I do not have a pic, maybe one of the moderators can put one in(hint, hint) 
Red/Green Transmit
Noise Blanker/ Automatic Noise Limiter
Small Luminescent Meter
AM/SSB
SWR Meter
Fine/Coarse Control
Built on same board as original Cobra 148GTL
pll chip RCI8719
That is all the info I can find on one, but here is my review.
PROS
Radio has SSB
Radio can be tuned up nicely
Radio does not drift on SSB from what I can tell
Radio has awsome recieve! I would put it up with the grant xl an cobra 148!
Radio has gotten excellent reports on AM an SSB
The price is nice
CONS
Stock mic does not do it justice
I did not see a fine/course clarifier knob(knob just says clarifier)
The RCI8719 pll chip CANNOT be modded for extra channels( but can be replaced with the older 8719 chip)
Cannot find much info on this radio anywhere!!!
Now here is how I have mine set up an you can decide from there.
I hvae mine set to a 2w DK and swing to 20w on AM and 2w singing to 22w SSB. I hvae a Astatic 575-m6 power mic on it. I use a KLV 350 with it as I have it set up for a base right now. The mod limiter is NOT cut an hte clarifier is not opened up.
I have been told that I have loud audio an sound real clean with no warble on SSB(with an without the KLV) And on AM the reports are the same.I think the recieve in this radio is up there with the Grant xl by far. You can hear alot more than any Galaxy I have ever owned!
In my opinion this radio would make a great starter radio for the price.
Ihope this helps as this is the first review I have ever tried doing
Allen
CEF565 |
747
Intermediate Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 200
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 9:09 pm: |
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It's basically a Uniden Grant XL/Older Style Cobra 148 with an RCI chip... Very nice radio, great audio when tuned up right even with the stock mic..
If you look up the FCC ID on it, it comes up as a Texas Ranger 296, made by RCI.
Mods the same as a 296. |
Captian_radio
Member
Username: Captian_radio
Post Number: 81
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 9:25 am: |
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Nice review, but what do you mean when you say you have 2 watts on ssb swinging to 22 watts, on ssb you should not have any output until you speak into the mic.If you are showing 2 watts on ssb with no audio then maybe there is a problem with the carrier null control or maybe you are picking up some background noise.Just wondering?Once again nice to see a review on this radio and its a shame there isnt more info out there pretaining to this radio.I have a similar problem with a TRC 485 trying to find mods to get more swing than 3 kcs on the clarifier and better am audio and ssb alc control.I guess the TRC 485 is not a very popular radio but I think it has potential.
Bob CEF 451 |
747
Intermediate Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 203
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 6:00 pm: |
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As I mentioned before, it is nothing other than a rebadged Texas Ranger TR-296. Great radio though!
The built-in talkback is a nice option too (since nobody mentioned it :-) |
Johnbrowning
Member
Username: Johnbrowning
Post Number: 56
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 7:15 pm: |
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You can not just drop in a MB8719 in place of the RCI 8719 their are a few things that need to be done in addition to just soldiering the old MB8719 in place. Like another poster said you should not have any DK on SSB at all hence no swing on SSB. |
Ajm1571
Intermediate Member
Username: Ajm1571
Post Number: 347
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 7:41 pm: |
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OK I was wrong on the DK on SSB, I worded it worng..sorry. And I did not say you could just drop in the pll chip without doing anything else. I am sure there are things you need to do also. I am aslo sure I am picking up background noise hence the DK thing, again sorry fer any screwups. And 747 I would like to know where the built in talkback is cause the radio I have does not mention anything about talkback???? At least i also now know that it is a rebadged tr-296.
Allen
Cef565 |
747
Intermediate Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 204
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 6:56 am: |
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The one I had (digging up one photo that I took of it )- it was the switch on the far right on top... Closest to the channel selector. UP enabled talkback. And this was a factory setup item - wasn't done aftermarket. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1974
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 10:59 am: |
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Nice review Allen. How do you like the anl/nb feature? Does it work well?
Kenny |
Ajm1571
Intermediate Member
Username: Ajm1571
Post Number: 351
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 11:45 am: |
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Might have had the older version 747 because mine dont have that feature...lol I know at one point they were not FCC licensed because they were able to be modded for extra channels without changing PLL. Myself an Lon found that out on the FCC databse..lol All I can say is I like the radio for what it has,except fer the not bein able to be easily modded fer extra channels...lol |
Johnbrowning
Member
Username: Johnbrowning
Post Number: 60
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 3:08 pm: |
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All that is involved I belive is a ferite bead, a diode and and cap and the old MB8719 and you can basicly do all the old mads like EXPO expander board etc....I just did not want to to drop in an old MB8719 and possable be disapointed when it did not work right. |
747
Intermediate Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 205
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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Too bad I don't have the photo I took of the placard on the back of the radio... I put it up for auction when I came upon hard times, and wanted to show the fcc ID number and included that in the auction... It was put up for sale Oct of last year, and I had it maybe 6 months at the most. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3339
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 6:04 pm: |
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the rci8719 in the 296's & shermans mods just like the mb8719's. i've got plenty of 'em  . there is a site out there that gives the directions as to do it like the galaxy 949/959, but that is INCORRECT. the mc145106 is based on the 8719, but a bit different. the rci8719 is a relabeled mb8719. |
Ajm1571
Intermediate Member
Username: Ajm1571
Post Number: 352
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 8:16 pm: |
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1st I want to say is...747 ur right, found it...lol..its with the dimmer switch...lol. 2nd, kenny i like the anl/nb. works real good an makes a big difference.3rd, very understandable Johnbrowning cause you know I would have been too...lol.. 4th..Pat, where do i find that mod? any info would be greatly appreciated |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3343
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 8:56 am: |
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allen, just use the mods for the grant XL....the sherman is a relabeled texas ranger 296 which is a grant XL clone . you may need to check a schematic as WIRE COLORS (such as on clarifier) are different. otherwise, THEY ARE ALL THE SAME! |
Ajm1571
Intermediate Member
Username: Ajm1571
Post Number: 354
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 9:45 am: |
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the only mod that i want is the channel mod..dont really like an open clarifier, but thats just me. I will have to go check on it. Thanks Pat.
Allen |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3347
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 3:27 pm: |
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if there is no trace on pin 10.....nothing to cut-just switch to ground
for 27.415-27.445, add a 3rd switch. cut trace to pin 14, then bridge it with a 4.7k resistor & put 1 side of switch to PIN SIDE OF CUT. the other side of switch goes to pin 9.
this works with mb8719 & rci8719. if you have a radio with mmb8719 or mb8734, replace it with mb or rci & these mods work. if you have a radio with an 11.1125 mHz XTAL, swap it out for an 11.3258 mHz XTAL, & these mods will work. |
Ajm1571
Intermediate Member
Username: Ajm1571
Post Number: 355
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 2:34 am: |
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Thanks Pat! When i get brave enough i might try that or have someone else do it...lol
Allen |
