Looking for a radio from $300-$400 for SSB/AM

#355782

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I was wondering this things. Should I go with a lower powered CB radio and amp it up a big to say 100-450w ( yes its a big span, but I read an article saying about S-units and power gain. Basically 100w is the first best wattage to money ratio then its 450w is the nest best plateau. ) or get a 100w Export and run that? It doesnt seem like there is much different in MOST exports versus CB radios, right? This would be in terms of SSB and AM use. I was interested in the Stryker955 but I read the SSB sucks at times and can be actually pretty bad. Then I looked at RCI but their receive can be noisy.... I dont know.. I know I do want SSB/AM and a freq counter so I can help get the visual to tune it better. Im 100% new to all of this, so I think it would help me out. Anyway, any and all help is appreciated here guys. Ive been looking for about 2 weeks and Ive narrowed it down to this but still stuck on which radio to go with..

#355783

i think you know im going to say optima mk3,, just so you know if your set on having a freq counter, the 955 and rci radio's don't have a counter either,, its just a freq display

#355785

Ahh I thought the striker has a counter. Are you from WorldWide? Lol. I know that Optima gets rave reviews, but something is steering me away from it.. Maybe its the fact that I never heard of it and cant find much on it around the net. PLus the fact that its only 50w. Id like to be around 100-450 as I said.

Wednesday, 12 March 2014, 17:07 PM

Also that one guy over at worldwide still avoided ( Im guessing? I asked about 3 times ) how the AM receive is. Someone said that the optima Mk3 is as deaf as a rock.. Maybe they were being sarcastic?

#355787

am works just fine, yes im on the other forum also,, sometimes you just have to have some trust,,, I have had all the radios you are looking at and if I was told I could only keep 1 radio out of all of them, I would pick the optima mk3. also I know your dead set on 100+ watts,, id rather have a good radio and an amp later and if something went wrong with either its not a total loss, most get a high power radio then have it tuned up and they usually run hot and don't last as long

#355788

Yeah true. What amp do you recommend? Thanks man.

When you say the AM works fine, as in not good just fine or as one would expect for it to function?

Wednesday, 12 March 2014, 17:49 PM

Lastly, no alignment or tune needed on these? I dont even know who would even attempt to work on one... Its not your run of the mill, though its close looking to the Mag 257. So possibly whom ever can work on them can do the Optima.

Wednesday, 12 March 2014, 17:49 PM

Forgot about the CRE8900. That ones looks pretty good too..

#355789

im not a big am talker but I do use it and it does just fine, I have talked dx on am with it no problem, no tune up needed with the optima

Wednesday, 12 March 2014, 18:55 PM

the palomar 450fet works great so far, and also texas star are very good

#355790

Stryker 955hp ! I love it good clean audio and killer receive . Also if you can find an older magnum delta force with 1969 finals your golden . Or an s9 with the older 1969 finals the mosfet magnums need a good tech for them too work right

#355794

if the radio does not have Echo and Roger beep then its not a true channel 38 ssb radio

#355796

North Texas Mudduck wrote:if the radio does not have Echo and Roger beep then its not a true channel 38 ssb radio

And...what ever happened to your decision of a General Lee with an amp?

#355801

I decided I wanted SSB or at least have it.

#355828

The 2970n2 looks enticing

#355829

MrOneEyedBoh wrote:I decided I wanted SSB or at least have it.

Good decision... you'll enjoy the extra benefit.

#355832

That 2970n2 seems like its a NICE radio.. I have yet to find negative, though Im sure I will lol. Theres always someone...

Thursday, 13 March 2014, 17:58 PM

Lol of course, I just found a few threads about the 2950/70 being somewhat splashy they say... Where does it end!

#355850

I'm thinking about the higher powered 2970n2/2950dx/Stryker955 or optima MK3... Thoughts?

#355853

In my opinion the Stryker SR955HP would be your best choice, easy to convert, accurate right out of the box, decent power, excellent AM modulation, user friendly. As in your antenna post it would be more visually pleasing. With the antenna system you plan to use it would be the best, as if you go too high or low in the bands the radio will shut down instead of destroying itself. With it and after you master it's ability you think you need more power then a good amp would be in order.

3's

Greg

#355858

Yeah... I'm torn between. Those three radios. Optima mk3,2970n2 or stryker-955. Doesn't all of these radios have an swr too high cut off feature?

I'm worried about the SSB and AGC issues with the 955.

I bought an older USA made Wilson 1000 for 45 last night. Hoping it being roof mounted will help.

#355860

My local tech advised me aganst the N2, he claims he has had a few across his bench that all the mosfets were gone. He said they are too finicky and don't take abuse too well, and when they go down they are real expensive to fix. I'm partial to separate amps myself. Just some more info to confuse you

#355871

Lol I know right? Honestly this is the first I've heard of the unit being bad...

#355872

MrOneEyedBoh wrote:Yeah... I'm torn between. Those three radios. Optima mk3,2970n2 or stryker-955. Doesn't all of these radios have an swr too high cut off feature? I'm worried about the SSB and AGC issues with the 955. I bought an older USA made Wilson 1000 for 45 last night. Hoping it being roof mounted will help.

I have only read one such issue with that radio. Since I don't know the circumstances I can't say it was just a fluke or what.

CowboyCody wrote:My local tech advised me against the N2, he claims he has had a few across his bench that all the mosfets were gone. He said they are too finicky and don't take abuse too well, and when they go down they are real expensive to fix. I'm partial to separate amps myself. Just some more info to confuse you

This problem stems from someone trying to go from one end of the radios capability to the other, or a "Golden Screwdriver" turning things up to maximum. A CB antenna just doesn't have the bandwidth, no radio will stand up to that kind of abuse.

3's

Greg

#355885

I could drop the 2970 but I'm still interested in the mk3 and stryker955

#355890

Either way...you buy the Optima now and like most of us who got the bug you will eventually by the 955 as well...so just buy one now and get it over with.....both are great radio's...

#355896

I agree with you Greg, if I bought one I think I would run it 3/4 throttle no one on the other end will likely notice anyway. And a brod banded antenna that kept the SWR low would be a must also for those pesky mosfets. If treated right, I think they would be fine. I'm just not convinced it would be as rugged as say some Toshiba 2879's for example but still good.

#355914

Cody which unit are you referring to in terms of 3/4 throttle and the MOSFETs?

#355989

So I finally went with an Optima mk3

#355992

Thank God!!

Mike
Sent from Sporty Mike's phone.

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