| Author |
Message |
    
Potato
New member
Username: Potato
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 9:23 pm: | 
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I just bought a 2995DX and the sinal meter on the SSB modes is super tight. Even strong local signals will only register around 3 S-Units. I tried adjusting the meter with VR-2 but then when there is no signal the meter will show a reading. Any ideas on what might be wrong or is this normal for this radio ???
ThanX
Gary |
Allagator
Advanced Member
Username: Allagator
Post Number: 546
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 23, 2005 - 7:30 pm: |
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Gary dont worry about the meter !! mine has done that from new and it will get better the more you use it !
Allagator
CEF 115 |
Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 343
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 23, 2005 - 7:36 pm: |
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is rf gain turned right way?
are swr's under infinity?
are...wait a sec here, this sounds familiar-
how are AM signals? are you sure the 'local' ssb stations ARE local? ARE you sure rf gain is adjusted properly? |
Kid_vicious
Intermediate Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 165
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 23, 2005 - 8:50 pm: |
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i hope you labled the original position of that pot before you turned it. if you are trying to make your meter more accurate, then turning this pot without test equipment is going to throw everything off. did you buy this radio new or used? if its an older model, the meter might just be stuck. try this: first, put that VR back where it was. then, unsolder and remove the meter from the radio. you will notice some tape on the side that holds the two halves together. being VERY careful; remove the tape, and take the two halves apart. looking at the base of the needle, yo will see a TINY flathead screwdriver slot. get a jewlers screwdriver and turn that screw SLOWLY back and forth about a 1/4 turn. do not exceed 1/4 turn in either direction. now turn the screw so that the meter zeros when held upright. you should not have to turn the screw much to do this. put the meter back together and reinstall. i have done this on a lot of old cobra and uniden chassis and it works almost every time. hope i helped
matt |
Potato
New member
Username: Potato
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 7:40 pm: |
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I sent the radio back to Ranger for repair and when I received it 3 weeks later the s-meter was now showing 8 s-units on SSB even when there was no signal. The tech just over adjusted VR-2 and sent it back to me. So I called Ranger again and they agreed to send me a new radio (shipping charges are starting to add up). When I received the new radio I find it also has the same problem. This radio will show 4 s-units on SSB when all is quiet and max out at 8 s-units. If somebody is sitting in my driveway giving me +40 on AM switching over to SSB the reading will be 8 s-units. Can anyone confirm the same problem I'm getting here ? It's hard to believe I received 2 bum radios. Also the first radio I received would not save the lcd display brightness setting when turning the unit off, my new radio saves this setting 
ThanX
Gary |
Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 416
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 1:21 am: |
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I hate to sound like I got my echo on "infinate" but, get an S9 man, or if you like the whole base thing, get the new magnum base! I personaly (and many others) have had nothing but great service from Magnum, but you rarely need to use it!
Just an opinion man
BC |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 515
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 12:40 pm: |
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No offense, but how can one compare the new Magnum base to the RCI 2995dx? All I can say is the Magnum base better be loud..loud and the meter really loose!
Now to respond to the problem with the meter: I would be very upset if I spent over $600 on a radio with a big fat s-unit meter and the thing hardly moved! Now, I have to investigate this matter because I was thinking about buying an rci 2995dx later on. The big meter that shows a good reading is a big factor in my purchase along with performance.
mikefromms |
Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 742
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 9:54 am: |
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Potato,
I have a 2990 and the meter on it is pretty stingy too. It is about 2 s units tighter than my other bases. I agree with you Mikefromms, no comparison, not even in the same league.
Rich |
Road_warrior
Intermediate Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 451
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 1:20 pm: |
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My 2995 dx SSB S-unit meter is like
that also. It recieves great, so, i
don't worry about it.
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375 |
Potato
New member
Username: Potato
Post Number: 3
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 - 10:47 pm: |
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OK, ThanX Road Warrior. Kinda stinks but now I know it seems to be normal for this radio.
Gary |
Road_warrior
Intermediate Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 467
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2005 - 10:17 pm: |
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I'm going to make a wild guess, but,
i think whats going on with these
S-meters has something to do with
the signal sensor in the radio./I
never pursued it, cause it recieves
good./ But, it has something to do
with the sensitity of the incoming
signal in the SSB mode./ If you put
it in CW mode you will also see a
problem with the S-meter needle./
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375 |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 595
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 12:38 pm: |
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No 2995DX for me. I'm now unsold.
Mikefromms |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1025
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 1:12 pm: |
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This must be a common problem with Ranger radios.
A friend of mine has a Texas Ranger 696F SSB Base with the same problem. The needle reads 6 s units on LSB even without the ant connected to the radio. Been sent back to the dealer 3 times and is currently in California.If Ranger sends him a new radio and it does the same thing,it will become an expensive boat anchor! 
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5654
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 9:51 pm: |
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OK, lets examine the life of a Meter that is installed in a radio.
Meters are bounced on the meter assembly line and there is no guarenteee they even work or are correct in the settings.
Then they are bounced again in shipping from the meter factory to the factory where the radios are assembled & meters installed.
Then the radios are bounced on the assembly line, and then bounced again in shipping from the Factory to the Distributor.
Then they are bounced again in shipping from Distributor to Dealer, and then bounced again in shipping from the Dealer to you in. 
Not just Ranger Products but Any Radio. 
Just a suggestion,
Never look at the meters or paint them black so you cannot see them. 
Then use the RST System for your audio and signal reports as they are always 100% Correct from the person you are talking with and NO guessing involved.
Just my nickels worth,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN 
PS: I LOVE my Ranger 2995DX, TR696F SSB Base and Saturn Turbo but have never used the meters or even look at them. |
Iluvrf
Junior Member
Username: Iluvrf
Post Number: 38
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 10:06 pm: |
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My S-9 is the same way. The meter reads s-5 as soon as you switch it to SSB |
Tech291
Moderator
Username: Tech291
Post Number: 161
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 10:41 pm: |
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The meters on a cb are just a novelty any ways.What you hear out of the speaker is more important than what an s meter shows.There usfulness comes into play on a swl reciever or a vfo tuned rig.
tech291
CEF#291
kc8zpj |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1849
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 10:42 pm: |
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My dx-2517 does not do any of the above,it reacts as an s-meter should,hmm,must be better quality,but no pricy amp either.I like it.Bigbob P.S. I pay no attention to the s-meter either,it's just there to make you mad. |
Moderator136
Moderator
Username: Moderator136
Post Number: 8
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 11:09 pm: |
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Never even give a report from a meter what so ever. I give them a (RST REPORT) thats the best way to give a responce to there question.
Meters are not the way to give a responce to a qsl contact (phone or cw) tell your contact what you hear.
If i give you a 5 by 9 you are doing good in my book, I do have a hearing loss, but thats ok in my book . You might be doing better to someone else.
Never go by a meter it means nothing!
Ok this how it goes:
Readabilty
#1 not readable
#2 barely readable
#3 readable with difficaulty.
#4 easily readable
#5 perfectly readable
Ok now on to Signal STRENGTH:
#1 faint
#2 very weak
#3 weak
#4 fair
#5 fairly good
#6 Good
#7 moderately strong
#8 strong
#9 very strong
Tone is mostly for (CW) and here it is:
#1 very rough
#2 rough A. C. note
#3 fairly rough note
#4 rather rough note
#5 musically modulated note
#6 modulated, slight whistle
#7 near d.c. note
#8 good d.c.note
#9 pure d.c. note
This is a RST System that the only way to go . Meters dose not help anyone.
Go by this and everyone will be happy.
moderator136
CEF136
KCØSVC |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1850
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 6:59 am: |
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Yeah tell that to a guy that has short term memory loss,by the way what were talking about,oh yeah readability and signal strength.Bigbob |
Potato
New member
Username: Potato
Post Number: 4
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 3:27 pm: |
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I think that we all know that s-meters readings are generally a rough estimate but on the newer RCI boards the SSB\CW readings are totally unacceptable (even the AM\FM modes are tight). You are not able to adjust these settings with VR-1\VR-2 because if you do there will be a reading of s-units even when there is no incoming signal. What is even worse is the fact that the Ranger tech's act as if there is nothing wrong.
Gary |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 401
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 8:29 am: |
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My 696FD1 meter was acting stupid too, I sent it back to Ranger and they fixed it up,now it is working almost exacty the same as my grant XL when listening to the same people. But I do agree with not paying a great deal of attention to the meter, I go by the reports I get and give others.
Just my two cents, but if you pay alot for a radio there should be a decent accurate metter.
AP |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 579
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 7:31 pm: |
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Mikefromms,
The RCI 2995dx is an excellent radio.
They hear and talk great. I understand
some of your and others points on having
a accurate meter.
But, to me the meter is not an important
part of any radio. As long as it lives
up to performance thats what makes me happy.
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375 |
Pogo12
Junior Member
Username: Pogo12
Post Number: 14
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 04, 2006 - 3:57 pm: |
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I have a 2995dx and my ssb meter works fine.I think the problem people are having is in the alignment of the radio.Its been aligned for 10 meters not cb 11 meters.Even tho they are broadbanded there are peaks at places along the band on some of these radios. |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 442
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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agreed sounds like not properly aligned up right |
