Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post   Closed: New threads not accepted on this page

This area is for discussion of the Super Star 3900 review.

Author Message   Znut Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 7:34 pm:        I have a Euro 3900. It's the same except that the band selector has six positions instead of three with a high/low switch. I used my SWR/CAL knob for the 10 meter recovery. If you pull/push the knob it actuates a switch, which I use as my "10 meter" switch (SWR calibration part still works!).   Warlock Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 9:30 pm:        The 3900 stabilizes fairly well once warmed. The receive is more than adequate ater a receive alignment.   Znut Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 9:34 pm:        I'm not crazy about this radio on SSB. However it is great on AM. I get LOUD reports locally on AM, just because the modulation is followed a little. It's fun, I just like my radio to have an excellent receive. The 3900 is like an inexpensive CB as far as RX. Znut   Tech181 Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 12:26 am:        No on SSB it's not the greatest, and yes, Warlock ic correct, onse it warms up it straightens it self out pretty good as far as freq stability. Problem is they come though stock all over the place. The clarifier knob on mine has to be set at 10 o'clock to be dead on. Without a counter you wouldn't know this unless you could sit down and have someone "tune you in" out in radio land and tell you where you are at. But that can be all fixed up with a simple alignment. My HP counter is still in the process of being repaired and aligned itself. As soon as I get it back I will set everything up and let you all know how it goes. Steve Tech181 Tech181@copperelectronics.com   Warlock Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 5:42 am:        I don't know about the Euro 3900, but the SS 3900 after alignment has very good rx, just as you would on any other 3600 chassis radio....Galaxy 33-99 etc.   Denny1820 Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 1:00 pm:        I was surprised at how quiet the recieve is on this radio. I pretty much just stick to AM, and except for a little engine noise (with NB off), it's impressive. Can definately pull in some weaker signals.   Chriss Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 1:27 pm:        Is an alignment part of the "tuneup" package? Is a peak job part of that as well? I noticed in your review that you set up the radio for 12 watts AM and 18 SSB. I've seen this radio elswhere claiming an output of 20W/30W. Are these realistic numbers, or are they (as you alluded to in your article) overworking the radio? Really interested in one of these. Thanks! Chris Forum Master Note : Allignment and a "peak job" are part of the tuneup. When we tuneup any radio we set the wattages to allow for the best onair performance not for highest meter output. Over driving a radio can cause many problems as well as shorten the radios life.   Jon666 Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 5:51 pm:        mine loas a band? a low 1-40 just mixed up channells a high 1-40? dont know what went wrong copper did the mod. but i broke the seal to put in 10kc switch so i guess im pretty much screwed i guess /   Davemcc New member Username: Davemcc Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2004 Posted on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 9:05 pm:        Jon666, Did you get that ss3900 fixed yet? I wanted to do that mod but after reading your post I have doubts about trying it. Good Luck, Dave 376RI   Jon666 Intermediate Member Username: Jon666 Post Number: 172 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 12:11 pm:        yes i did it had a crack in the board it had nothing to do with the mods   Davemcc New member Username: Davemcc Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 1:40 pm:        Cool! I wish Copper could do the 10Khz switch or open the clarifier to a full channel as part of the Tune procedure. I do use alphas quite often. Appreciate your posting back Jon. Thanks! Dave 376RI   Jon666 Intermediate Member Username: Jon666 Post Number: 173 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 5:57 pm:        no problem the 10 kc switch is a easy mod just put a switch in the bsck of the radio jon just follow the instructions in the review its up to date   Applejack Intermediate Member Username: Applejack Post Number: 143 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 12:05 pm:        i posted something similar to this last nite somewhere else,(cant remember where). i had no tx or rx saturday morning on ssb. flipped thru bands and channels for 1/2 an hour before it "warmed up" or something and then it worked fine. right out of the box the receive meter didnt work worth a darn but i put up with it as b eing minor.overall i like it fine for its looks and straight fowaRD ease of use, except opened clarifier, but the no tx rx yesterday was a bummer. i only drive the truck on weekends so only use radio on weekends so when it works 1 day and not he next it irritates me. i got the radio modified from copper the 3rd week of march   Jon666 Intermediate Member Username: Jon666 Post Number: 178 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 3:24 pm:        i dont know i neaver had that problem like that mabey a tech can awnser that one i use mine inside the house so mine dont need to warm up jon666   Applejack Intermediate Member Username: Applejack Post Number: 206 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 8:28 pm:        hey im back, the 3900 crapped out on 9-18.it only transmits on 4 channels now. 18-32 is 32. 34-40 is 7. 1-4 is 4 and 5-17 is 17. on a band the channel lite goes out, no mod no swr nothing. my home base channel of 20 c- band 26.7550 transmits on 27.625. it was fine a week ago, then this past saturday it was like this. whats up and what to do?....aj   Dindin Intermediate Member Username: Dindin Post Number: 389 Registered: 2-2004 Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:44 pm:        AJ,had a new Washington do exactly the same thing and found the problem to be a glob of solder on the channel selector switch.after checking switch logic at the pll is what made me pull the switch and check it.   Applejack Intermediate Member Username: Applejack Post Number: 209 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 8:01 pm:        well, im not gonna open it up myself.my fingers dont belong in any radio of any value, which at 6 months old the 3900 is still of value.ranger warranty will fix it but return it to 10 meter operation. then what? ive still gotta find someone to convert it back,jeesh! looks like the black cloud that follows me around is back again.   Jon666 Intermediate Member Username: Jon666 Post Number: 270 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 9:28 pm:        look fo a cold sodder joint around the pll chip jon   Skipman New member Username: Skipman Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:49 am:        i have a 3900GHP dual final superstar. I am happy with it. I have a variable rf carrier potentiometer i installed i can key from nothing to about 12-13watts. I did clip the one resistor (not sure of the number off hand) this just disabled the amc for am i no way of form effected ssb ALC, if i did i wouldnt have done it..so be careful many mods on the net dont explain this. It swings an easy 25-30 on am i prefer running a 2 watt carrier though it sounds well with 10watts if you desire. SSB is awesome with a pep of 40 average voice hanging in the 20-25 range. Like i said carefull not to clip the wrong resistor i am sure if u disabled the alc you would flattop all to heck on a scope on ssb, as with alc opened fully i noticed this starting to happen. Can't go wrong for under 2 cnotes in my opinion. While the rci board is no old time PB-O uniden/cobra its as close as there is on the market export wise that i know of. I did marry tx/rx on the clarifier i can drop down not quite a full 10 and up abot 7K.This is fine for me for ssb the fine control is married so it swings about 1.5 each way plenty for all ssb tunning. I have no drift problems as some say they noticed if the radio is warmed up more then 5mins it hangs true. I am looking to find another one of these as they are no longer produced. Overall, i am pleased with the GHP dual final version cant speak for the single 1969 as i have never owned or toyed with one.   Skipman New member Username: Skipman Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 7:49 am:        i have a 3900GHP dual final superstar. I am happy with it. I have a variable rf carrier potentiometer i installed i can key from nothing to about 12-13watts. I did clip the one resistor (not sure of the number off hand) this just disabled the amc for am i no way of form effected ssb ALC, if i did i wouldnt have done it..so be careful many mods on the net dont explain this. It swings an easy 25-30 on am i prefer running a 2 watt carrier though it sounds well with 10watts if you desire. SSB is awesome with a pep of 40 average voice hanging in the 20-25 range. Like i said carefull not to clip the wrong resistor i am sure if u disabled the alc you would flattop all to heck on a scope on ssb, as with alc opened fully i noticed this starting to happen. Can't go wrong for under 2 cnotes in my opinion. While the rci board is no old time PB-O uniden/cobra its as close as there is on the market export wise that i know of. I did marry tx/rx on the clarifier i can drop down not quite a full 10 and up abot 7K.This is fine for me for ssb the fine control is married so it swings about 1.5 each way plenty for all ssb tunning. I have no drift problems as some say they noticed if the radio is warmed up more then 5mins it hangs true. I am looking to find another one of these as they are no longer produced. Overall, i am pleased with the GHP dual final version cant speak for the single 1969 as i have never owned or toyed with one.   Slowhand Junior Member Username: Slowhand Post Number: 39 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 4:00 pm:        I just got a used euro 3900. I'd like to eliminate the rx only fine control, and go to a single pot that controls tx and rx. Anyone have a how-to ?   Skipman Junior Member Username: Skipman Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 10:13 pm:        yes, i have the mod slowhand it will marry tx/rx in both fine and coarse controls. Enabling you about 1.5K up and down with the fine. almost 10Kdown and about 5k up. Makes it nice cause you can tune 99%of all sideband just with the fine. It swings down darn near a full channel its off ever so slightly with the coarse but its so close i didnt have to put the 10K jump switch in. If you are interested i have the mod.   Slowhand Junior Member Username: Slowhand Post Number: 40 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 4:01 pm:        yes please!   Slowhand Junior Member Username: Slowhand Post Number: 44 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 5:24 pm:        Pleeeeeeeeeeez!!!!   Applejack Intermediate Member Username: Applejack Post Number: 274 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 6:18 pm:        and still later im back again. mine is junk and has been since i bought it. it went back to ranger and they "fixed it" and bench tested it and sent a work preformed invoice and it still didnt work quite right but i put up with it for another year then took it to a local to "fix it" again. i still only use it on weekends. last week it crapped out again. if i could have gotten it out of the bracket going down the road i would have thrown the piece of shitzu out the window. looks like i"ll be replacing it with a vr9000. most diaspointing piece of electronic junk i have ever had. i like the looks of it but i want to TALK on it too!