| Author |
Message |
    
Captian_radio
Intermediate Member
Username: Captian_radio
Post Number: 143
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 1:39 pm: | 
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Is there a mod to open the clarifier on this radio and if so what is the range on the clarifier after it is opened?
Bob CEF451 |
Hootyal
Intermediate Member
Username: Hootyal
Post Number: 179
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 3:22 pm: |
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The one I had was open from the factory...would slide 4-5kc either way. |
Captian_radio
Intermediate Member
Username: Captian_radio
Post Number: 145
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 9:45 am: |
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Tnx for the reply Hootyal, 4 to 5 would be perfect coupled with the vfo scheme. So how do you like your 257 so far I would like to here your pros and cons before i make a decision to buy one.
Bob CEF451 |
Hootyal
Intermediate Member
Username: Hootyal
Post Number: 180
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 4:55 pm: |
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Milkman summed it up pretty good...The one I had did have a little white noise issue, not bad though. A darn good radio for the money!!! |
Waverider
Member
Username: Waverider
Post Number: 61
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 3:20 pm: |
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Funny to sea this post. My 257 is for sure one of (and likely is) the best SSB radios I have ever used in the old pickup. I too tryed other mics on it when I first got it but truth be told the audio with the stock mic was about as good as it gets and that's what I wound up using. The freq. control went completely crazy a couple of weeks ago. Rather then have anyone I don't trust that totally knows these radios I'm sending it back to Magnum to let them set it right. Gotta agree with Milkman this may be one of the best kept secrets in 11 meter SSB. 73's |
Slugo4449
Intermediate Member
Username: Slugo4449
Post Number: 169
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 7:43 pm: |
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And don't forget 10 meters. This is an ideal radio for the serious Tech after Feb 23rd on 10 meters.
No echo or pings. 30 watts should get you heard.
Actually the one I just bought was about 35 watts. I really like the mic. There is an internal adjustment in the mic for gain, along with a mic gain on the radio.
73,
Marty |
Captian_radio
Intermediate Member
Username: Captian_radio
Post Number: 146
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 9:03 am: |
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Wow , looks like the 257 is a real winner, I was leaning towards the 158edx but I could not fine any reviews about it other than by the techs.At $179.00 U.S. that works out to about $230.00 Canadian, looks like a good deal, will be a great little rig to run mobile for 10 and 11 meters.
Tnx Bob CEF451/VE1CZ |
484bluegrass
New member
Username: 484bluegrass
Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 - 2:16 pm: |
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Just ordered a 257 and opted for the expand align and tune from copper. |
Revpo
Intermediate Member
Username: Revpo
Post Number: 186
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 - 6:00 pm: |
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Anyone have or can scan a operators manual for the magnum 257, sure would appreciate it
73
revpo/cef795/doctor
73
REVPO/DOCTOR/CEF 795
Wavin a hand from the cornfields of INDIANA
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Hyperno_1979
Intermediate Member
Username: Hyperno_1979
Post Number: 335
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 3:55 am: |
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I could send you a copy of my user manual for a 357. Same basic radio just has an umbilical cord out the back of it. Let me know if you want a copy Rev.
CEFFFCEF
Bob
CEF703/CVC26
269 Hunter Valley
27.355 lsb.
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Spring
Junior Member
Username: Spring
Post Number: 35
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 7:13 am: |
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Call Sam Lewis at Magnum. He will send you one.
ANN
SPRING
CEF800
CVC#77
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Revpo
Intermediate Member
Username: Revpo
Post Number: 187
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 9:52 am: |
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HYPERNO
Sure would appreciate it,
The family dog tore the op manual apart.
73
revpo/cef795/doctor
Moderator Note!
It would be much quicker & easier to just give Sam a call and he can send you one rather than wait for one from Australia to arrive.
CLICK HERE > How do I contact Sam Lewis direct?
73
REVPO/DOCTOR/CEF 795
Wavin a hand from the cornfields of INDIANA
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 13666
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 6:13 pm: |
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Copper Forum Member's,
I have just scanned the MAGNUM 257 OPERATING MANUAL and will be happy to mail anyone a copy of it.
Lon ~ Tech808 ~ N9CEF
CEF#808 ~ CEF HAM#33 ~ CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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Hibuckhobby
Junior Member
Username: Hibuckhobby
Post Number: 14
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 1:33 pm: |
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I just got one of the new blue backlight models with dual mosfets. Does 40+ on am and a little less on ssb. Only complaint is that at times when I turn it on, the display doesn't come on...have to turn it on and off a couple of times. BUT...It's under warranty, so the good news I can get it fixed. |
Doc_holliday
Junior Member
Username: Doc_holliday
Post Number: 13
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 5:31 pm: |
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Good thing still under warranty, I would get it sent out asap so you won't be long without a radio.
Doc_holliday
CEF#814/W8SRB |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 13868
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 5:42 pm: |
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Hibuckhobby,
Yes, you will have no problem with getting it repaired if needed.
He may also be able to resolve your problem over the phone.
Just call Sam Lewis direct at:
1-877-624-6869
Lon ~ Tech808 ~ N9CEF
CEF#808 ~ CEF HAM#33 ~ CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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Hibuckhobby
Junior Member
Username: Hibuckhobby
Post Number: 16
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 9:54 am: |
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It was the cpu in the radio. I was running it off the lighter plug and it didn't like having the power removed when I turned the truck off. Once I put it on the power supply, it was fine. Had the tune checked yesterday and now it's getting 60w pep on AM. Loud radio.
hibuck... |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3866
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 3:55 pm: |
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a bunch of magnum 257 posts here, so, figured i'd add my review to this one. have received e-mails from 4 copper members now, asking what i think of this little radio, so, here goes....
got this blue faced-erf2030 powered 257 from copper in may. finally took it out of the box & did the mod to it a few weeks back. fired it up on 27.385 LSB & proeceeded to make DX contact after DX contact. all gave excellent audio reports. i was seeing ALMOST 40 watts PEP, not what was advertised, but, OK. then went to 28.360 & couldn't get out, even though band was wide open. i guess the 15 watts PEP i saw wasn't cutting it. so i opened it up & cranked the ALC wide open & PRESTO! 58 PEP on LSB 38 & 50 PEP on 28.360. much better. again, DX contact after DX contact, all with great audio reports. i've spoken to at least 8 CEF members on DX, plus hank locally & all said it sounded good. that was the 1st 2 weeks i had it.
i confirmed that the clarifier DOES indeed track on XMIT, & with it just a hair past center, not even the '12:30 mark', and it is right where my 706mkIIg counter shows. not perfect, but close enough. and XMIT & RCV seem to be on the same freq.
a week or 2 ago, i had a neighbor (only a few hundred feet away) on LSB 37, so, as i do with the 3500 & 706, i cranked the mic gain way DOWN. he said HORRENDOUS audio. HMMMMMMM. we spoke on 28.360 the day i hooked it up & he said it sounded real good. he asked if i touched it since then & i said NO. DX coming from VA & WV was joining us & confirmed that i'd sounded GREAT on LSB 38 just minutes earlier, but now it was all 'crackly & broken up'. so i increased the mic gain while counting, & neighbor & DX ALL said the radio sounded fantastic between 7/8 & all the way UP. any LOWER & it sounded AWFUL. i still have stock mic on it & have touched NO other pots except the ALC cranked wide open. ALL DX contacts including 10 meters have said it sounds excellent. at this point i can only attribute the audio issue to the fact that the ALC is wide open & either the AMC/internal mic gain controls are ALSO wide open, or they are DOWN TOO far. but, since even the hams said i was sounding great before knowing what it was, i am inclined to leave things alone.
this past weekend i finally got it in the mobile. it is on a comet 2 position antenna switch on my predator 10k, with my XL on the other position. unfortunately, 2 days of CQ's resulted in NO contacts DX or local, between here & PA. i did NOT even HEAR any other stations on 10m. i didn't call any DX on CB with it, as that is NOT what i want this radio for. i want it for 50 watts on 10 meters in the mobile ONLY. i don't want to use any external amp with it, as the small size & no added 'pieces' is what i was after in the 1st place. at the base, the receive is extremely quiet, in the mobile, with the engine running, there is a HINT of white noise, bearable-not as quiet as my XL, but far quieter then other radios i've heard. so, it will do!
i also notice that moving the jumper to position 2 or 3 result in the exact same thing. the radio defaults to 29.200 FM. i understood 1 mod WOULD do that, the other would STAY in export mode, with a push of the LCR (last channel recall) button. position 1 stays 10 meters only, position 4 is CB, listed by channel # only. i am in the export mode now, but have to do the 'push-hold-push-etc-etc' to go from default to last channel to freq display as opposed to channel #. no biggie, my delta force is the same way, old style mod though-no jumper.
right now it just kinda sits on the seat-my son was holding it when i turned it on-but i need to mount it somewhere so it is easily removable. it will stay mobile so i can attempt to test it before the E skip seasons dies....soon. may get a chance to call some CQ's later today, but, based on the weather, i'll bet it's REAL quiet out there!
would i recommend it? YUP. for what it is, not as the 1 & only radio, especially for AMers.
wasn't there a 1 band-40 meter-only radio floating around a few years back? 257 style or 2950 style? or was that like the SSB export handheld-a few out there, but most didn't work? guess i'm just gonna have to keep searching out that USED BUT GOOD ft100, ft857 or ic706......AHHHHHH, it's only money  |
Slim1
Intermediate Member
Username: Slim1
Post Number: 139
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 8:05 pm: |
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Nice review Pat.The "40 only" rig you're referring to was the Magnum base.It looked just like the Tomohawk,Comanche bases.From what I remember hearing they never made it to the market.
I could be wrong tho.I have been wrong once,maybe twice.LOL!!!!
Again,nice review sir.73.Slim. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3873
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 5:11 pm: |
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addendum:white noise was much more prevalent here on LI NY then anywhere else on the I95 & PA turnpike corridors. while i got into some static there, here i could tell when i was coming up to strip malls & noisy line transformers. while i 'know' as well on the grant XL, it WAS a bit more on the 257. with the anl/nb 'OFF', there would be NO CHANCE of copying any signal. they do a good job of making communications possible with signals as low as S-1. between speaking with lon & jeff on 10m last night, spoke with an 86 year old gentleman in WI who was both amused and complimentary of my 'portable' & the signal i was giving him.
as previously, my recommnedation stands!  |
Revpo
Intermediate Member
Username: Revpo
Post Number: 239
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 7:39 pm: |
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Good review, I never popped the lid to see where the alc was, I only opened the mic up and turned the pot 3/4 of the way, and leave the outboard modulation control at 1 oclock for ssb and at 3 for am, always good reports..a fine radio, although I have the old model around 38 watts peaked, good enough.
73
REVPO/CEF 795/DOCTOR
73
REVPO/DOCTOR/CEF 795
Wavin a hand from the cornfields of INDIANA
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2340
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 10:35 am: |
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Excellent review there Pat! Thanks for the hard work and a job well done!
This just might be the next radio I buy.
KEEP IT REAL!
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
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Risley
New member
Username: Risley
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 1:18 am: |
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Patzerozero,
Does your radio use the old or new finals? I have a Magnum 257 , Blue Display, with the old finals that sounds excellent on xmit using SSB and two of the new Magnum 257's using the EKL2030 finals that sound horrible on transmit. I have tried switching mics around, the problem is definitely in the two new radios. Audio has lows and mid-range, no highs, no symbliance, and has a ragged distorted sound on the edges of the audio. I am trying to find out how to get them fixed. One just came back from Magnum's repair facility but the problem remains.
Any suggestions?
Thanks! |
Tech3315
Moderator
Username: Tech3315
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 4:58 am: |
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Risley,
You can contact Sam Lewis Owner of MAGNUM International direct to resolve any problem's you may have by calling:
1-877-624-6869
or you can e-mail him direct at:
saml@rflimited.com |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3892
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 9:34 am: |
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risley, take tech3315's advice (did i miss something, who is that masked man?) & call sam. i have the  blue-faced, erf2030-powered 257. it is modded as an export, but other then testing at my base, i intend to use it MOBILE ONLY ON 10 METERS. and thus far, have kept my word to that! (though tomorrow, sunday, if i can get on for the SSB/11m net, i MAY fire it up on LSB 13). re-read my above comments. i did nothing to the radio other then move the jumper & crank the ALC wide open. i have not touched the mic, but need the external mic gain practically all the way up or else the audio gets AWFUL reports. a hard crunch, like my class 'c' amp on ssb at a 1/4 mile, quite bad! set as it is, all the way 'up', i get very good audio quality reports on 10 meters from my mobile with no other amp used, just 45-50 watts from the radio. reports are the same local & DX, & i have had numerous contacts praise the quality of the audio from such a 'bargain priced' radio. and not just from newbie hams, but serious old timers with mega-buck radio/mic setups-guys SERIOUS about audio, & they gave praise to the sound of my 257! |
Weatherman49
Member
Username: Weatherman49
Post Number: 58
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, November 27, 2009 - 1:35 pm: |
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I bought one of the blue faced erf2030 257s about may of 2008. probably one of the first in the new style. I did the conversion (very simple) and cranked the audio pot full tilt. didnt know at the time the stock mick was powered and had a pot in it! put a RK56 mike on it cause I got beefy hands and the stock was a bit small. even without the powered mike with the audio in the radio cranked up this thing still crackes a whip! the only things i dont like are the noise levels. even with the nb/anl on it seems a bit white. (tone on low worse on high) and i wish the face had a dimmer. Gets a little bright at night in the little PU. GREAT RADIO and im glad i bought it. My buddies tried 2 get me to opt for something else but I couldnt resist Coppers great price! |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 17248
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, November 27, 2009 - 4:02 pm: |
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Great Choice! 
Lon~Tech808
N9CEF
CEF#808~CVC#002
Radio Enthusiast!
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Ak3383
Member
Username: Ak3383
Post Number: 85
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 5:30 pm: |
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Got my new 257 from Copper last week and the radio performs excellent. Loud clear audio with plenty of power. The display and control layout is great. I was very pleased with the awesome receive of this little radio, it's the best I've ever used. I have the radio in my truck and I ordered the Magnum filter power cord with the radio and I have Zero white noise. This radio out performs my Grant XL in every way. Clairifier tracks both RX and TX and I was happy to see the new full-sized mic the radio has now, with up and down channels. Great radio and very easy to use. Super buy for sure. |
Revpo
Advanced Member
Username: Revpo
Post Number: 540
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 2:39 pm: |
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I had the older model...stars for the new microphone and size, the other was just to small..a great radio..
revpo/CEF795
73
REVPO/DOCTOR/CEF 795
Wavin a hand from the cornfields of INDIANA
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