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cbradiomagazine.com · #1 09-01-2010, 08:30 AM

Here's a video talking about the N2 function and showing the built in amplifier -

cbradiomagazine.com · #2 09-01-2010, 08:36 AM

Short vid and some pics of the new RCI's with the back display and expanded memory storage

Quiksilver · #3 09-02-2010, 10:36 AM

I like that much better. How is it on a 45* angle?

Robb · #4 09-02-2010, 11:36 AM

I've heard one bad thing about these radios. In particular, the MOSFET finals are very weak and prone to failure/meltdown if any peaking of the amp circuit is done. A LOT of people have tried to extract most of the available power from the finals, and nearly ALL of them had failures. The factory warranty WILL NOT COVER this kind of peaking as well. I understand that they covered the first bunch of radios that were peaked by those distributors.

The heat sink on this radio doesn't look that it could handle more than 200 watt dissipation. Another clue to keep it turned down to the factory specs! The small heat sink fan it employs isn't exactly its strong suit - either. Looks like the same heat sink/fan ass'y as the Galaxy 95T2; but that amp used 2290's if I'm not mistaken.

MOSFET's may be able to put out more power than bipolar transistors; but they don't handle peak power as well. Even the Magnum radios are susceptible to these kinds of failures. If you have MOSFET finals in any radio - give them some 'breathing' space - so that they don't fail on you. In other words, it is better to run them at 2/3 peak capacity in order for the whole radio to stay out of the shop for repairs.

>tongue 'n cheek<
I don't know why they chose the IRF-520's for this radio. Probably because they are actually a pretty inexpensive device. The IRF-520's are supposed to have more power capacity than the ERF-2030's. But given a choice, I would go with the ERF/EKL's. I'm sure that RangerUSA didn't want to depend on Magnum Int'l/RF Limited/EKL to get their supply of parts. Conflict of interests - maybe? lol!

Seriously...
I like the green on black change/LCD.
Can it be changed? I noticed the yellow background in one of the vids.
Hope they made the receive as nice as you claim too.

Nice review - BTW...

TonyV225 · #5 09-02-2010, 12:22 PM

Ive heard the same thing Robb and that is exactly why I have been gunshy of the Mosfet 10 meter linear amplifiers that are offered.

cbradiomagazine.com · #6 09-02-2010, 02:15 PM

From what I've heard the majority of radios that had failures that been overtuned by cb "techs", and Ranger did warranty many of these.

Now there were some that had failures just due to mosfets being mosfets and I think RCI would agree the mosfets are more delicate in many ways than other transistors but with cost of the 2879's and the fact they are scheduled to be discontinued and the issues with the underpowered Toshiba 2290's the manufacturers are having to do what they can.

Cost always plays a role as well.

Now that being said if these radios are run moderately (no whackpacking

) they shouldn't have any problems and the output is definitely impressive. I did some testing from the mobile last night and the signal the radio put on my base from 20 miles away in the mobile was pretty crazy. I also tested it out last night with a station 35 miles to the south and he said I was putting a very good signal on him - although my audio on SSB was a little quiet (stock microphone). On AM I did try adjusting the AMC to max for interest sake and it got real loud...to the point that it was wayy overmodulated. I've messed around with quite a few 2950/2970's and on AM the N2 seems to have more modulation with the stock mike than the other versions. I had to back the AMC off quite bit after turning it up to reduce the distortion and just get the clean loud audio.

I really like the black face and I did find that from the angles it is easier to read - now its still not perfect, but I think it is an improvement over the green/black.

Robb · #7 09-02-2010, 02:27 PM

So it must be true of the claims that the IRF-520 device is good for 50 watts each. Hmmm. I see the heat sink issue to be part of the problem. That being said, I can see that they may change out the 'low profile' type heat sink and provide something with a little more meat on its bones - so to speak. Maybe a better heat sink compound would help too. I know a few locals that had bought the Magnum 257's - and then added a small computer fan to the heatsink - attaching it with drywall inserts. The RFX-75 may be able to produce 120 watts as some claim; but safer to run it no more than 75-80 watts. Ya gotta do - what ya gotta do...

I know a few people that use a Turner+3 on these radios with very nice results. They also adjusted the AMC on it as well.

Did you say that they fixed the white noise problem that it had?

You didn't say if the color of the LCD screen could be changed to another color?

Can the clarifier be unlocked?

cbradiomagazine.com · #8 09-02-2010, 02:47 PM

It definitely will get warm but it doesn't get hot. The heatsink runs cooler than the omegaforce hp to the touch. Now I also have it tuned to hit 200 on AM and SSB and I know others are really pushing it. I don't think 520's are capable of 50 except in the lab maybe.

Color is black with green and that's it as far as I can tell.

Board is basically the same so sure you could unlock the clarifer but no reason to on these models.

White noise is better from what I can tell. I tuned the receive section a bit and you can get them pretty quiet without compromising signals too much.

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RCI-2970N2 NEW BLACK DISPLAY