| Author |
Message |
    
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1018
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 4:46 pm: | 
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I know there are some Magnum 257 owners on this board, and I'm wanting to know your opninion of it and if yall did the conversion or had it done when ordered. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5611
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 4:53 pm: |
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Dx431,
I never owned or used the older model 257, but on my new one I did the channel conversion and never did anything else to it and love the overall performance.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1019
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 5:02 pm: |
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Lon, hows the conversion done? Is it a jumper or removal of a diode? |
Carls86fiero
Junior Member
Username: Carls86fiero
Post Number: 15
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 5:04 pm: |
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got mine a few months ago and really like the performance. did the mods myself...very easy to do. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5612
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 5:20 pm: |
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Dx431,
It is a Jumper Mod
Click on the link below as I have it shown with a good picture in the Review.
 257 Conversion
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1020
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 5:23 pm: |
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Carls86fiero, how is the conversion done? Jumper? clipping of a diode? I want the details here.
I also would like the pros and cons of this radio.
I want to gather as much info before I decide purchase one.
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Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1021
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 5:31 pm: |
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Thanx Lon, thats what I wanted to know.
It's hard to believe that the 257 had better audio on SSB than the Lincoln. |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 358
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 5:59 pm: |
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I own a 257, pound for pound a GREAT radio.
I had Copper's do the channel mod, but I am unable to do it myself.
I especially like the memory channels -it remembers frequency AND mode.
The Mic is actually a power mic, although the control is inside the mic.
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 577
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 6:58 pm: |
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Perfect radio expect it doesn't have the analog meter/needle big faced style. I can talk to anyone I hear. Has features even some of the big radios don't have.
mikefromms |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 359
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 8:09 pm: |
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Guys: Am I right, you also can't SCAN just the memoty channels, like the dx-2950 will do, correct?
Analog meter would be nice, even if ir was a "Plug in module". Any meter would be nice, LCD readout? |
Brewdirect
Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 88
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 8:10 pm: |
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Great SSB radio. AM is good, but for AM you definitely need a good power mike and also possibly to do the swing modification.
On SSB though it's one of the best deals around.
I love the preset channel options..the NB works great. The Varible RF power is a must have for running an amp. Wouldn't mind a actual meter or SWR meter built in.
Overall great cheap deal. |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 360
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 9:21 pm: |
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Brew.....
You have a power mic, just the adjustment is inside the microphone. .
Set the modulation according to Lon's direction and you have all the mic you need without adjusting the mic.
My only regret is that the mic is so small. At any rate a Power Mic is a cheap addition, if you want one. |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1837
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 9:41 pm: |
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Is there a radio exactly like the 257 that has 1 final or can the unit be turned down to run a palomar 250,as I don't have the dough for a boomer 400 too.Bigbob |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 361
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 2:16 am: |
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The Magnum 257 has variable power and can be turned down to 1 watt.
Now that is as "exactly" as you can get, ;?) |
Brewdirect
Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 89
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 9:09 pm: |
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A mag 257 will run that Palomar perfectly.
You can adjust the deadkey on the mag 257 and do a swing mod. You'll deadkey 2 watts and swing 20.
Crackerjack...I did try adjusting the stock mike using the internal pot, but I found I get 3-4 watts more swing with my D104. |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1022
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 9:53 pm: |
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Well, I ordered a Magnum 257 today. We will see by the end of the week if it's what yall say it is. Might wire the D104 to it. If it's any thing close to my Lincoln, I just might keep it. |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 364
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 10:37 pm: |
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That's possible, don't get me wrong. I don't like the mic that comes with it anyway -way too small.
I had the modulation adjusted in the radio according to Lon's posted instructions and the stock mic modulated 120% without internal mic adjustment.
But it all comes down to what the audio sounds like at the distant end, when I find another mic that sounds better (my D-104 didn't), I hope it is a desk mic.
What do the DX reports say about they way the 2 mics sound?
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Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 365
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 10:38 pm: |
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Brew:
Just curious, what kind of meter are you using? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5618
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 11:00 pm: |
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Crackerjack,
That is with my voice and a loud Audioooooooooo and showing a smooth wave on the scope with no peaks or spikes.
Your voice may be a little different but the radio will still do 100% modulation and sound great with the Stock Mic and no adjustments being made inside the microphone as it did with the 1st Sargant testing it also.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 367
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 11:47 pm: |
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I already sold the Night Eagle. I like the way the stock mic sounds, I just don't like the mic.
I have a big hand, and that mic is sooo small, I can't believe that they marketed it like that.
Oh, well, it is a great radio. I should have mine back Tuesday. |
Brewdirect
Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 92
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 6:23 pm: |
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DX431 you won't be dissapointed. Great radio for SSB.
Had solid contacts today from Maui to the East coast today running barefoot around 30 watts SSB.
Got good reports coming back. |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1023
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 2:00 am: |
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Well, I guess I wont be playin with my new radio this week! Copper managed to screw up my address, again.
They have my name,street# and state right,just the wrong city. I emailed Suzanne, so hopefully she will get it corrected this time. 
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 584
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 10:50 am: |
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She'll make it right.
mikefromms |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 377
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 5:27 pm: |
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Lon's Tune-Up:
I was all over the place this morning. Thanks to Lon Tech808.
He performed that tune-up (see post above) to my Magnum 257 =and it was a real improvement to an already great radio. He offered before, as a special favor to a fellow Disabled Veteran -and did it free! I put ir off until now.
I was excited, of course at a 09:50AM contact with Brazil and Atlanta, I went back to Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, Tampa, Miami, and Alabama. All USB/LSB barefoot off my STARDUSTER groundplane, with the stock mic.
I had Little Rock on AM!
Good work, Lon! |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 484
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 11:04 am: |
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Lon, I have but 2 questions. Does Sam Lewis own the company the makes the Magnum radios or is he a middle man who imports them and what is the country of manufacture? I'm interested in the new 257. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5641
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 1:24 pm: |
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Yankee,
Yes, Sam Lewis is the Owner of the RF Limited / Magnum International / MotoComm and Adonis Companies.
Sorry but there is no middleman except the distributiors that sell the products to the public such as Copper.
Factory to Sam ~ Sam to Copper ~ Copper to Customer. 
As for the country of manufacturer he has different models manufactured in different countries.
Magnum International
Magnum International ~ 1-877-624-6869
Our Magnum 257 is labeled
MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 486
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 5:11 pm: |
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Phillipines is what I was hopeing to read, now I'm positive I want one for my vast collection of finer Phillipine made radios. Will soon be setting up a lay a way account. Again thanks Lon for your help. Carl CEF-357 |
Indiana375
Junior Member
Username: Indiana375
Post Number: 24
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 12:22 pm: |
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The 257 is a sweet little radio!! I use nothing in my mobile but it and a wilson 1000 and have talked ssb skip all over the place! Locals always give me a good report too.
375 Northwest Indiana
CEF 530
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Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 387
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 1:05 pm: |
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I talked San Antonio to East Alabama this morning, on AM.
I had the guy tuned in LSB and he was rock solid and couldn't tell I was in Side Band. Lon marked my radio so that I know where exactly the carrier should be. Center dead on.
I switched to AM, and the thing swings so sweet that it hardly made a difference.
My RCI 2950 wouldn't have done that. |
Brewdirect
Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 93
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 1:35 pm: |
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Talked to 5 stations in California last night from HI running my Mag 257 barefoot and also with a KL200P.
Got good reports coming back. Great SSB radio. |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 388
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 3:16 pm: |
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Tech808: Lon.....
How did you set the clarifier marks on my 257 radio? That dude is dead on zero. Good work.
I can hardly tell if a guy is using AM, anylonger!
Did you just use the Dosy or did you measure it with a 1khz tone? I am impressed. |
Carls86fiero
Junior Member
Username: Carls86fiero
Post Number: 17
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 5:23 pm: |
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CJ, are you here in SA too.
carl |
Carls86fiero
Junior Member
Username: Carls86fiero
Post Number: 18
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 5:26 pm: |
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Nevr mind i just read your profile. your about 70 miles from me. im on the far southside of SA by the power plant just past 1604. |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 390
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 7:04 pm: |
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I used to live down there off Talley Road, South of 1604 on the way to Castroville, I think.
I live right near Gruene off I-35 near the Rop Griffin's truck stop at Exit 193 now. |
Carls86fiero
Junior Member
Username: Carls86fiero
Post Number: 19
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 11:18 pm: |
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cool we will try to make the hook-up on freq. you name the time and freq |
Itatorro
Junior Member
Username: Itatorro
Post Number: 11
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 9:54 pm: |
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Tech808: I think this is the radio that i am going to go with. Will most likely order as soon as i get a reply here. Hope this thread isn't dead.
after mod and tune accord to your review. what will this radio swing (PEP) on Low Power (AM)setting? My KL 400 is sitting next to me beging to be instaled. I think the 400 can't handle more than 20w peak input.
thanks
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6071
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 10:59 pm: |
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Itatorro,
The KL calls for Input Power: 1-4 Watts
I would suggest you set your Dead Key Power / Input to 2-1/2 to 3 Watts and NO more. If your Watt meter is Wrong you can blow the amp up with your 1st Key up.
Remember the KL-400 is a LOW Drive Amplifier.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 661
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 11:33 pm: |
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Lon: I got my DOSY back, freshly calibrated this week.
You set my Mag 257 minimum output to 1.5W. That is where I set it to drive the AMP. I originally thought it was even lower.
All I have to do is turn it down all the way. Good deal, and it works fine. Again, you did a fine job on this radio.
While the kl-400 is a low drive AMP. it is slightly higher than it's brothers.
I run one on a DX-959 set at factory max output of 4 watts (it has been well measured) and it can't be turned any higher -it runs clean and cool. Again, I only run it at level #3.
I would not run a kl-300 (etc) that high.
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 649
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 10:56 am: |
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The Magnum 257 is the "Imax 2000" of radios. For a little money you get a lot, and I mean a lot, of radio. If I ever sell mine it will be to make some money to go toward buying the S-9. I still have my doubts as to how the S-9 could be that much better of a radio than the 257. One day I will see for myself.
mikefromms |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 118
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 1:49 pm: |
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I have a friend that is a truck driver and he has a S-9 in his rig and running single antenna. He always gives me a shout on am and then I talk to him around 65 or 70 miles. That S-9 is lound and has great audio. That will be my next radio.
Semper Fi!!!
Harve
Unit199
CEF210 |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6076
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 3:04 pm: |
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Harve,
Wrongway - CEF #113 and Jaybird_OD CEF #557 are both OTR Driver's and both have the S-9's from Copper and LOVE them and both also run a Single Antenna.
Many, many nights we have talked with them in the 65-70 mile range heading to bloomington and after passing through.
And we even talked with them on our Copper Trip when we were using our S-45 in the Truck headed to KY.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199
Post Number: 120
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 3:40 am: |
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They are an awesome sounding radio, and I would love to have one. After buying the new computor, I am going to have to save again before I can get one.
Have you heard anything on the new Cobra 200GTL and 150GTL 10 Meter radios? I heard the 200GTL is AM/FM/USB/LSB and the 150GTL is AM/FM.
Semper Fi!!!
Harve
Unit199
CEF210 |
Brewdirect
Intermediate Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 114
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 10:34 pm: |
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Lots of news running around about the cobras
200GTL is supposed to do 100 watts SSB.
lots of features, roger beep. no echo.
MSRP $299
But no one has got a hold of one yet...
everyone is really questioning if these radios can compete with the other exports out there right now..will be interesting to see...mid July we should see them  |
Itatorro
Junior Member
Username: Itatorro
Post Number: 17
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 11:40 pm: |
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When i was a kid in the 70s my base was a cobra29 and a starduster at about 35ft it was fantastic. All stock except had a turner power desk mic that i loved to talk on. I could talk 40 miles on a quiet night.
with all the neg comments about new Cobra radios now Do we expect these new 150 and 200 radios to be competeing with S-9 and 95t's.....mabe if they let uniden build them again or someone link RFLimited,,HA ha! I am interested to see.
HO! is there a market for old 23chnl cobra 29's?
My neighbor has one in his garage that has been sitting there sence the CB Boom in the 70s. I is possible it still works. don't know though.
it |
Yankee
Advanced Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 674
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 12:30 am: |
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Just waiting to see who is making these new Cobra 10 meter radios. As Cobra went away from Uniden several years ago to have their radios made in China and as of late I have been hearing that Uniden has gone away from the Philippines. Very sad that these two radio giants have done this.
Carl CEF-357 |
Kennjen
New member
Username: Kennjen
Post Number: 6
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 10:01 am: |
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Not to start a holy war, but.... I really think where the radio is made has very little to do with the quality at the end.
My father manages manufacturing of precise components in China and other places. From what I understand chinese work very hard and it's matter of putting good QC process and managing the manufacturing vendor with apporpirate control.
It ultimately has to do with how much effort Cobra, Uniden or who ever puts in to managing the outsource vendor. NOT where it's made.
Having said that I understand loyality to certain BRANDS or where it is made. Kinda of like how I like dodge truck, rather than furds.
Ken. |
Chad
Intermediate Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 326
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 1:56 pm: |
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I agree Ken. It all comes down to QC, design and the machinery it is produced on. The country and workers have little to do with it. I have seen a few companies that have products produced in China have mucho QC problems. They re-did the manufacturing process and built more modern plants and Wola! Better products with very few failures. Price stayed the same.
Chad |
Yankeeboy323
New member
Username: Yankeeboy323
Post Number: 4
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 9:13 am: |
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Well I have read this post and from the reviews that everyone has given the new 257, I bought one! And yeah Lon, I bought it from Copper. LOL I just cant believe that spent the 30 bux on conversion and tune if it was that easy. I do have a question though, is it hard to convert this thing over to a 4 pin cobra/galaxy style mic plug? dont much care for the 6 pin thing.
CEF599
YankeeBoy323 and I'm off the key |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6121
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 9:41 am: |
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Yankeeboy323,
You can Rewire any 4 or 5 Pin mic you have to a 6 pin plug.
You ONLY want to use wires #1/2/3 and 5.
MICROPHONE INPUT
Pin #1 ~ Microphone Audio / White
Pin #2 ~ Receive / Black
Pin #3 ~ Transmit / Red
Pin #4 ~ Down(Up w/22K Ohm Resistor) / Blue
Pin #5 ~ Ground / Shield w/yellow sleeve
Pin #6 ~ +13.8VDC / Brown}
Make sure that NOTHING can come into contact with Pin #6
Hope this help's,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Happy_hamer
New member
Username: Happy_hamer
Post Number: 5
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 12:47 pm: |
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I am still in the holding pattern of buying a blue display 257, I want one just not sure why I cannot commit yet |
Itatorro
Junior Member
Username: Itatorro
Post Number: 18
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 11:45 pm: |
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Mine should be comming in from copper on Monday or Tues. Can't Wait. I had Copper do the mode because I am transfering soon and won't have time to do it. Will be using it with a Lighter adapter until i get settled in VA.
m257 is the only reasonable choice especially if you were considering the 11m only SSB radios. The Size of the rig is going to be Sweet. |
Chad
Intermediate Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 327
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 9:00 am: |
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You will not be dissapointed, I love mine and it gets great reports! |
Kennjen
Junior Member
Username: Kennjen
Post Number: 11
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 12:43 pm: |
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Yankeeboy. You got the CEF member ship right after me ! I'm 598 ! Getting 600 woulda been sweet.
Anyway, I got my 257 last friday as well. Installed it the same day. Works well. Seems to be picking up much more RX than with cobra 29 I replaced it with.
Just one words of caution. 257 seems to be more sensitive to noise, so install in directly to the battery, if you are going mobile ! After doing this, I get lot less noise, but still more than my cobra.
cya l8r.
Ken.
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Brewdirect
Intermediate Member
Username: Brewdirect
Post Number: 118
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 6:11 pm: |
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Exactly...Magnum is very sensitive to engine noise and electrical interference...run it directly to the battery...& you'll probably want to turn on the NB/ANL feature to quiet it down. Doesn't really lower incoming signals so don't worry about using the ANL/NB. |
Tomcatinva
Member
Username: Tomcatinva
Post Number: 61
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 12:38 pm: |
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KennJen & Brewdirect,
If you get the Magnum power cord filter offered thru Copper that will also help with the engine noise. I have both the new 257 and the old style 257 and I use the filter on both and it works great. And you can't beat the price for it either.
Here is the link...
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodP03-01095+
TomCat in VA CEF217 |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7889
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 1:29 pm: |
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. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7926
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 10:21 pm: |
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. |
