Radio with hi and low bands

2532 Views 29 Replies 10 Participants Last post by quball02, Dec 8, 2005

Hometheaterman

Discussion Starter · Dec 5, 2005

I really want to get a new CB radio with hi and low bands to replace my Cobra. I would like it to be clear and you be able to understand others talking on it which is a problem with the Cobra.

I was thinking maybe the Superstar 3900. A friend has the 121 and I was thinking heavily about that but he told me if he got one he would spend the extra for the 3900.

What would you guys reccomend if I need a new radio with the hi and low bands? Is the Superstar a good radio?

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mudslinger99

· #2 · Dec 5, 2005

I would go with a Galaxy 88 or 99.

[img=500x147]http://www.galaxyradios.com/88closeup.jpg[/img]

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steved

· #3 · Dec 5, 2005

Anything but a Connex...they don't have uppers and lowers.

steved

Got Smoke?

· #4 · Dec 5, 2005

A good quality CB shop can probably install upper and lower channels in your radio (provided its a good radio) for less than you can buy another CB with uppers and lowers in it already. :bigthumb:

Also...EBAY! I bought a Grant XL (no longer made) with Uppers & Lowers, Connex Echo/Amp board, RK 56 mic, and peak & tuned for $50! :shock: :naughty:

Its put up on a shelf right now...waiting for a IMAX 2000 base antenna! :wink:

Hometheaterman

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 6, 2005

I have a friend that said he knew somone that would install them for $50 on this radio but really I don't like this radio at all and would like to just replace it. When listening to channel 19 I can't understand anyone and I'm sure it partially is that the channel has soo much static but the voices just don't sound clear kind of muffled. I don't like it at all and would like to get another radio.

The friend with the Superstar 121 I haven't used it on channel 19 with all the aditional noise but it's a lot clearer on the other channels they use while hunting.

I also don't think we have any cb shops locally as I looked when I bought the radio and antenna and ended up having to order it.

Got Smoke?

· #6 · Dec 6, 2005

What type of antenna are you running? Have you checked the SWR's? That could be a big part of it too! The radio will on transmit or recieve as good as the antenna/coax will let it.

Hometheaterman

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 6, 2005

Running a Wilson 1000 Mag mount antenna my swr is always under 2 usually right around 1 which isn't the best but not horrible. The only thing is how I have the wire run it is pinched in the window I'm not sure if that would make a differnce but I don't think so. It's more that when I can clearly hear someone transmitting which is rare it is hard to understand them part of it is I'm not used to the way most of them talk but it also sounds muffled.

I looked into that Galaxy and it is one expensive radio I'm not sure I want to pay that much. Is it really worth it? The Superstar at $190 was the most I wanted to pay as I only use it when hunting and ocasionally on the highway which is rare. For hunting I only use it 2 or 3 times a year so I don't want to spend a fortune.

mudslinger99

· #8 · Dec 6, 2005

2

On 2005-12-05 23:09, Hometheaterman wrote:
I looked into that Galaxy and it is one expensive radio I'm not sure I want to pay that much. Is it really worth it?

Yes

: I have been running the 1st one I bought for about 15 years with nothing but good things to say about it. I have many radios but the 88 is still one of my favorites. It's been run in several trucks and I have never had a problem with it or any Galaxy for that matter.

I can understand not wanting to spend that kind of money for no more than you're going to use it though. Your 1st post made me think you talked on it more than a few times a year.

Here is a Galaxy DX 55 that has extra channels in it that goes for about $200.

[img=500x146]http://radioproshop.com/galaxy/images/55closeup.jpg[/img]

Here is a Galaxy 959 that goes for about $160.

[img=500x146]http://radioproshop.com/galaxy/images/959closeup.gif[/img]

That one has SSB and a variable power knob and you could add extra channels later if you decide you want them.. It dosen't have all the stuff the DX 88 does but for what you're looking for it's a good radio. I have had a few Connex radios and IMO they are not as good as Galaxy.

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mudslinger99

· #9 · Dec 6, 2005

On 2005-12-05 15:41, Got Smoke? wrote:
waiting for a IMAX 2000 base antenna! :wink:

That is a good antenna :bigthumb: I have been running one of them and a Antron 99 for years and haven't found any better, except a set of 4 element beams

:

steved

· #10 · Dec 6, 2005

On 2005-12-05 23:09, Hometheaterman wrote:

It's more that when I can clearly hear someone transmitting which is rare it is hard to understand them part of it is I'm not used to the way most of them talk but it also sounds muffled.

That almost sounds like you are receiving "off frequency"...might try having it realigned and see if that helps...they do change over time. I have the same setup you have in my Outback...I get out and receive good...your 29 is capable of that.

Might at least have someone throw it on a bench and check it (they usually do the check for free)...might be nothing but out of tune (for example it would be like listening to a radio station that transmits on 99.3 and having your radio set on 99.1...)

steved

Hometheaterman

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 6, 2005

On 2005-12-06 01:55, mudslinger99 wrote:

I can understand not wanting to spend that kind of money for no more than you're going to use it though. Your 1st post made me think you talked on it more than a few times a year.

I really don't talk on it that often. A big part of it is that it's soo hard to understand people on this one so if the other one had a better speaker I would probably use it a little more but not sure if I would use it $300 worth.

600Cummins

· #12 · Dec 6, 2005

If your trying to find a good radio....ride out to a truck stop and ask on 19 if any drivers are selling any radios...

Look for the following radios:
Cobra 29 with a echo board that sounds good.

Galaxy 959,33,44,45MP,48T,55,66,77,88,93T,95T.

Any of the Connex models.

Any General Models.

Magnum S-3,S-6,S-9.

And talk em down to a resonable price. BTW no radio I listed is worth over $375 used...

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Got Smoke?

· #13 · Dec 7, 2005

On 2005-12-06 02:00, mudslinger99 wrote:

That is a good antenna :bigthumb: I have been running one of them and a Antron 99 for years and haven't found any better, except a set of 4 element beams :

I'm waiting to get out in my own house before I do that setup! :wink: :bigthumb:

DeerHunter

· #14 · Dec 7, 2005

what exactly is an echo board? is that what makes their voice echo when they talk because I always thought that was the mic they had since some of them have echo on it.

mudslinger99

· #15 · Dec 7, 2005

On 2005-12-06 17:51, DeerHunter wrote:
what exactly is an echo board? is that what makes their voice echo when they talk because I always thought that was the mic they had since some of them have echo on it.

Yes, that what it does. You can adjust it to different levels of echo and reverb to alter the sound of your tranmit to give it some accent. They do make a few mic's that have echo in them that you can get if your radio dosen't have it built in. The mic's don't have the quality of sound that a echo board in the radio does but they do alright. I have run a few different kinds over the years and never had any problems with them.

Here is an echo mic.

[img=288x331]http://www.mpaudio1.com/images/DM452.jpg[/img]

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DeerHunter

· #16 · Dec 7, 2005

Not to sound like an @$$...but whats the real purpose of it....it annoys me when I hear a driver with it on his because its difficult to understand...maybe hes just got the echo turned up too much but it gets annoying fast

Hometheaterman

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 7, 2005

Maybe thats whats wrong with mine that I am hearing drivers with an echo board or mic I'm not sure I never conisdered that.

mudslinger99

· #18 · Dec 7, 2005

On 2005-12-06 19:05, DeerHunter wrote:
Not to sound like an @$$...but whats the real purpose of it....it annoys me when I hear a driver with it on his because its difficult to understand...maybe hes just got the echo turned up too much but it gets annoying fast

Like I said it just accents your voice. You're right if it's turned up too much and not adjusted right it is hard to understand the other person because it will over lap and cause distortion. When it's turned up too much it sounds like {expletive}. But if it's adjusted right it sounds good.

The Galaxy radios have a nice echo board in them that sounds a lot better than an echo mic. The mic's are ok but it dosen't take but a hair too much on the adjustment too make them over lap and hard to understand. You can get on 19 and hear plenty of radios that have way to much echo not to mention those damn noise toys :roll:

DeerHunter

· #19 · Dec 7, 2005

Thanks mudslinger...I don't know alot bout radios but I know it has saved my butt a couple of times with the bear warnings.

thumpida

· #20 · Dec 7, 2005

have you considered trying and external speaker to how that affects the sound?

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