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Message |
    
Kilowatt
Intermediate Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 128
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 6:11 pm: | 
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I'm curious as to why Uniden decided to abandon the SSB CB market. I've emailed them with this question, but they didn't respond. So, I decided to ask ya'll as I thought that some of you may have some insight into this.
It just doesn't make sense to me as I'm sure that the Grants and PC 122XLs were selling very well. So, what do ya'll think?
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5296
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 7:11 pm: |
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Kilowatt,
Try the 800 Number Below,
Uniden Radios
Uniden Corp.
4700 Amon Carter Blvd.
Fort Worth, Tx. 76155
1-800-297-1023
Let us know what you find out.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Mrsandman
Member
Username: Mrsandman
Post Number: 60
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 7:13 pm: |
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i dont know man
i would like a twin 1969 final grant lt
no dsp 5k slid from the fact
i would by 4 of them in a min!!!!!!!!!!! |
Road_warrior
Intermediate Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 393
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 7:14 pm: |
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I don't know the facts as to why,but,
i do know they abandoned alot of great
radios that they sold in the past.
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2372
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 8:50 pm: |
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I dont think the FCC would be happy with a twin final cb set ..... |
Kilowatt
Intermediate Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 133
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 11:23 pm: |
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Thanks Tech808,
I'll give them a call and let ya'll know what I find out. Maybe they have a new Grant II in the works! (A guy can dream, eh?) |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 415
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 12:18 am: |
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I don't think there is an answer, Uniden made the best sideband radios money could buy, starting back in the 70s with the UPD-858 PLL series and the dawning of 40 channels.
Now that 1-40 has gone to pieces, Uniden has gone to making fairly good AM radios for the trucker trade. Lets face it 90 percent of people buying CB radios as first time buyers haven't ever heard of sideband. |
Kilowatt
Intermediate Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 134
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 2:18 am: |
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Yankee,
Yep, you've definitely got a point about most of the first time buyers not knowing about SSB. Heck, it's difficult enough to get a few "old-time" guys in my area to even run it. Locked clarifiers and lots of CBers don't really mix...
Oh well, for those of us that do like SSB, the Uniden stuff will be missed. Luckily, I've got 2 Grant LTs new in the box in the closet, though :-) |
Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass
Post Number: 242
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 3:04 am: |
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Don't they still make the Grant? |
Mrsandman
Member
Username: Mrsandman
Post Number: 61
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 7:18 am: |
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midland has a twin final..why not uniden? |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2373
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 8:37 am: |
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twin finals ? why??? for a 4 watt radio ???
Makes no sence at all. |
Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 209
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 9:12 am: |
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Daul finals is what people want so they can get more than 4 watts after a peak and tune. I know its illegal but they do it anyway. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2374
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 10:02 am: |
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Hotwire so does the FCC !
If someone wants dual finals go get a 257 ....
PS I love my GRANT LT even if all it has is ONE. |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 416
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 11:37 am: |
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Kilowatt: First CB radio has to make another big come back. The Cobra 2000 GTL, 148 GTL, Uniden Madison, and Grant XL-LT were as good as it got.
If CB radio makes another big come back I think you'll see Uniden make a few good sideband radios again. |
Keithinatlanta
Advanced Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 516
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 11:38 am: |
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You guys go ahead and be happy with your Grant Lt's. No disrespect, but I still say they do not hold a candle to my Grant XL!
Also, Uniden is like Radio Shack. Go to their website, and see what else they have to sell. CB's are NOT on their priority list. I would love to see a new Uniden Base station with SSB, but that will only be in my dreams! They would mess it up anyway by putting their "Dynamic Squelch Control" on it. YUK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keith in Atlanta
CEF 150 |
Keithinatlanta
Advanced Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 517
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 11:40 am: |
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If you are not running power, what would be advantage of dual finals in a radio?
Keith in Atlanta
CEF 150 |
Patzerozero
Advanced Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 600
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 12:11 pm: |
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'PS I love my GRANT LT even if all it has is ONE.'
i agree with bruce 100% on this!!!!
my XL drives my 2 pill driving my 8 as well as my 1x4!!!
and it really screams on its own, too! |
Racer_x
Intermediate Member
Username: Racer_x
Post Number: 194
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 4:58 pm: |
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I think Yankee is right. A couple of years without skip bothering the masses, sales will grow like crazy, and Uniden will make another SSB rig. |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 418
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 6:44 pm: |
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At present I own a Grant XL that I'm very proud of, more so than the ICOM IC-735, I have seen the inside of both of the Grants and with the exception of the clarifier circuit being different on the Grant LT, the two radios are very much the same.
Don't take me wrong the ICOM 735 is a very good radio and the filtering is great, but the Grant XL seems to have more transmit audio and on sideband the whole picture is audio. The ICOM sounds good, but not the screamer the Grant XL is running with the Silver Eagle and the 10-DA head.
I've heard a recording of me on both radios putting out the same watts of RF power, that's with the ICOM turned down to match the power output of the Grant and the Grant is louder, and yes the ICOM has a power mic on it, the Shure 444-T. |
Mrsandman
Member
Username: Mrsandman
Post Number: 62
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 7:10 pm: |
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Keith in Atlanta you say xl is better?
i key on my freind xl with my lt
i was dead keying 3.5 watts rms swing to 4.5 peak 12
his 5 watts dead key rms swing to 6 peak 12
he has same ant willson 1000 dead flat match for
both same size cars ant in same spot on cars
i killed him and he is my best freind ..same mic
his is clipped as mine r 131 and his has heavy audio parts mine are stock ..why did i win?
i yell verry verry loud....
to me same radio ..i love both radios..
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2600
Advanced Member
Username: 2600
Post Number: 504
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 12:24 am: |
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Uh, the "LT" has surface-mount parts inside. Not a problem until it breaks. The tools to repair surface-mount stuff are costly, so it's a safe bet that a routine repair could cost more.
The "XL" is built with only conventional (so-called "through-hole") parts. Makes it cheaper to maintain, potentially. Simpler, anyway.
Why doesn't Astatic make the D-104 any more? It had gone from being a low-cost "cash cow" product to one that would cost them money. Only an investment to replace 40 and 50-year old equipment would have kept the D-104 on the market. Astatic (Conneaut Technlolgies Inc.) said, "Huh? Spend Money?" and wisely discontinued the product.
So, uh, er... why doesn't Uniden make SSB CBs any more?
Uniden quit because the flood of Ranger-made brands and models was eating their lunch on price. They quit selling SSB CB for the same reason any other manufacturer drops a product. Couldn't make money doing it any more. If they claim another reason, I'd be skeptical.
So then, you think Astatic or Uniden made a bad business decision by dropping a favorite product? Ask their accountants before trying to make your case. That's how business decisions are judged. Did you make more money from a decision, or did it cost you? That's the part that THEY care about. If it's YOUR money, it's what YOU care about, too.
73
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2375
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 9:14 am: |
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The LT is SMT ????? i must have a old one.... |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 421
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 10:14 am: |
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Sorry, I wasn't thinking of the manner in which the parts are mounted on the two Grants, only that the circuit boards are much the same.
Yes, I can understand that repair work would be more costly on a surface mount PC board.
Some what agree with 2600, if it's going to cost big bucks to market a product, sure drop the product. But that little capper all but put Astatic out of the microphone business as far as the CB and amateur radio trade is concerned.
On the other side of the coin Uniden suffered most when all the export radios came on the market with all the toys that are only used on AM, not thinking of the percentage of people that want nothing more than a very good sideband radio and a top brand name microphone.
Now Magnum has the right idea, give the sideband people what they want most in two price ranges with the S-9 and the 257. And from what I have seen here on the forum both of these Magnums are very good replacements for the Uniden sideband radios. |
Kilowatt
Intermediate Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 141
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 2:51 pm: |
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I talked to one of Uniden's sales representatives today. I think he was possibly in India as he wasn't very easy to understand.
He told me that the Grant LT was no longer in production because it was decided that there wasn't a big enough demand for them. Quoting some sales figures, he basically said that AM only units outsold SSB units "more than 75:1" in the past.
So, when the Uniden CB production facilities were moved to China, it was decided that there would be no more SSB units due mainly to financial considerations. He went on to say that there were no plans to re-introduce any new SSB units at any time in the future... ;-(
Then, he tried to sell me a 78 Elite... I told him that if it didn't have SSB I had no use for it and hung up.
Oh well, at least there were enough Grants produced that they should be readily available used for many years.
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Racer_x
Intermediate Member
Username: Racer_x
Post Number: 199
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 6:11 pm: |
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I wouldn't believe what someone who answers the phone for a living says - especially if that person is in sales. I spent hours at a time trying to placate customers who were lied to by sales people who would say anything to make a sale. |
Kilowatt
Intermediate Member
Username: Kilowatt
Post Number: 143
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 9:03 pm: |
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I hear you, Racer_x.
Unfortunately, this was the only person I could "get to" via the 1-800 number. They transfered me around about eight times before I got a person who "claimed" to know anything.
I've tried emailing Uniden, but they never return my emails...
Oh well.. |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 423
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 12:58 am: |
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Uniden now also made in China??????????????????? |
Keithinatlanta
Advanced Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 528
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 7:27 am: |
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Uniden moved there last year. Depending on the radio, some parts are from Phillipines, but all their radios are now made in China. Big thrill!
Keith |
Patzerozero
Advanced Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 608
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 5:47 pm: |
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'The LT is SMT ????? i must have a old one'-you saved me from walking down the stairs to check my rarely used LT, bruce! i knew it looked the same as my XL, & 148, etc!!! |
2600
Advanced Member
Username: 2600
Post Number: 517
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 4:59 pm: |
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Uh, the "LT" is by no means ALL smt. Take a peek at the circuit board on the mode switch. A close peek. There is enough smt in the radio to be a headache, if the wrong thing breaks. The main board is by and large made with through-hole parts, but that kind of component is becoming hard to find in the quantities needed to produce radios. The bulk of demand from factories is for smt parts. Conventional 'through-hole' components cost more to make, and the volume of sales is falling steadily. What kind of stuff do you think the capacitor/resistor/inductor factories will tool up to make? The stuff that sells best, that's what.
73
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Sg569
Intermediate Member
Username: Sg569
Post Number: 107
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 3:17 pm: |
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All I have to say on this is Thank God that I got a Grant Xl, and my President Grant. I love both and I am told that I am one of the loudest radios in the area. 99% of the time I don't even need an amp, just a pre-amp. I think I really need an o-scope, just to tune my recieve in on that XL. I must say that it would be nice to see the Grant Xl/Lt come back; I'd like to play w/ one of those Lts. That and move the mic plug to the side like the Xl. I know, I know I'm dreaming. O well.
Sg569 |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 436
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 5:05 pm: |
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I've had one China made Cobra 148 GTL-ST that has the MMB8719 PLL. I guess you guys know I got rid of that radio in a hurry. Unless Uniden gets out of China if they make a sideband rig again, I'm not interested if it's China made.
Just have to keep the old proven Grant XL in good health. |
484bluegrass
New member
Username: 484bluegrass
Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 12:39 pm: |
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I have a Grant XL. I'll agree the Grant LT is not half the radio the XL is. My XL will talk circles around any 29 or LT or anything you set beside it. Dead keys 6.5 and swings 45. Sideband is awesome. If I could find another XL I'd buy it in a heartbeat. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2514
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 4:45 am: |
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484
Realy? You know i hear this but the circuits are almost the same. As for 45 watts out hummmmm with no heat sink it would be a very short 45 watts ........ VERY SHORT.
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