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Audioman
Junior Member
Username: Audioman

Post Number: 30
Registered: 2-2004
Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2004 - 4:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am looking to add to my hobby. I currently have the following. Galaxy 2527, Galaxy 2517 (WOW), RCI 2985, RCI 2990DX.
The audio is very good on all. The 2517 really has a powerful transmit audio & is clearly the best of the bunch. 2 weeks ago someone gave me an old cobra 29LTD classic. After a small mod (Cap, resistors & adjustments. 1 watt key with 20 or so swing.) I powered it up. I then proceeded to blow everyone away! That little radio just took my base radios & wiped them up. All but the 2517. The little cobra did come very close to that one too. Way too close. This 89.00 radio just took all of my expensive 10 meter bases & cleaned their clocks. I always knew that the 10 meter radios were more focused on sideband but they still do an impressive job on AM after mods. BUT, I can not get past the fact of how this little cobra beat them with LOUD, CLEAR audio. Unbelievable! Also, my galaxy 2527 has a swing mod installed & screams. The Cobra 29 still beat it with a natural, easy sounding LOUD audio. Anyway my next question is "what CB base radio has the best audio"? I was thinking about a Cobra 142 or maybe a 2000GTL. How about the new Galaxy 2547? Is this a real talker like in the days of the Cobra 2000? I guess I forgot just how the big CB bases use to sound in the days where you bought a Cobra or you fell to the wayside. I assumed that the new fancy 10 meter bases could do the same job. Not even close. Live & learn. I guess you would have to hear what I heard to understand. Anyway, my question is "what new CB base will produce audio like this little 29"? Are there any? I considered a Cobra 148 or a new 29 but I really wanted a base. The Cobra 142 & 2000 are at least 20 years old. I would like a nice new radio that can do what the 29gtl or 148gtl do naturally.
I was also wondering if anyone ever heard a Yaesu FT-840 modified to cover 11 meter? How does it sound? A friend of mine has one that he wants to sell me but it is not modified in any way so I really can not hear what it can do on the 11 meter frequencies.
audioman...





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Highlander
Advanced Member
Username: Highlander

Post Number: 677
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2004 - 7:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, I can tell you that an FT-840 will sound terrific on SSB, but pretty lame on AM. No problem getting it to do 11 meters.

The radios like the Cobra 2000, 148, 142, 29, etc use a different method of producing the AM audio than the Exports like your 2517. SS8541 would be able to explain the difference. The Ranger 696 base and the Galaxy 2547 base both use the same modulation circuit as your Galaxy 2517. As far as I know, there is no currently produced type-accepted CB base that uses the same audio circuit as did the Cobras I mentioned above. The Texas Ranger 296 series uses that type of circuit, but it is obviously a mobile line, not a base.

I wish RCI would produce a clone of the Cobra 2000, since they are already making the 296, which is a clone of the 148GTL mobile, it would be no big deal. I would for sure buy one, you hear me, Jim Peng?, lol

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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833

Post Number: 889
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2004 - 11:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Truthfully, get a radio with tubes!

I have a 40ch. Teaberry all-tube CB and it honestly has pretty hi-fi audio. The transmitter passes 20Hz. to about 5kc. before it rolls off. The rx is even wider and flatter. Smooth too.
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Kilowatt
Member
Username: Kilowatt

Post Number: 96
Registered: 2-2004
Posted on Sunday, November 14, 2004 - 4:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I love the high-level "collector modulated" Cobras and Unidens, too! I have a President Grant with the same modulation scheme, and I wouldn't trade it for the most expensive "export" on the market!

A Yaesu FT 840 is "ok" on AM, but is designed for SSB. I have an FT 600 which is basically a heavy-duty version of an FT 840. Everyone tells me the audio sounds good on it. However, it is not in the league with the Grant! The optional 6 kc filter is not wide enough to pass great sounding audio in my opinion. At least 8 kc is needed for really excellent sounding AM!

BTW, an Icom 706 MK2G utilizes the FM narrow filter for AM filtering. It is 8 kc wide and sounds GREAT on AM. However, the receiver has a poor noise blanker and no ANL. This is ok if you don't operate it in a really noisy location...

Those tube CBs are great, too!

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