Base station questions

[ghostwriter247]

Im getting back in to cb after a long while and am looking at SSB stations. I am into retro stations but wonder about modern rigs. I'm already into a robyn 123b and 240d to restore so am wanting a turnkey setup while i work on my other bases, and they aren't sub anyways. I was wondering about any thoughts comparing a galaxy 2547 and a cobra 139 xlr

here are a my choices:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5336136228&icep_item=161613075376

its peaked, tuned…etc

There is also a cobra 142 for half the price, but hasn't been serviced
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5336136228&icep_item=171701694667

vs a new galaxy 2547?

how is the price on the 139 or the 142? after shipping it would be about $205 for the 139 or 115 for the 142 thanks

 

[space cowboy]

I'd go with the 139. 858 radios are great.

 

[n8fgb]

139 is the one to go with. Sounds like seller knows what he is doing. 2547's drift like a Swan.
Rich

 

[BigKahuna]

I've picked up bunch of 142s 139s and usually $50-75 at garage sales. I wouldnt pay over 125 total for either unless it was new in box. Great radios though, stable and good audio.

 

[Ironman1956]

Im getting back in to cb after a long while and am looking at SSB stations. I am into retro stations but wonder about modern rigs. I'm already into a robyn 123b and 240d to restore so am wanting a turnkey setup while i work on my other bases, and they aren't sub anyways. I was wondering about any thoughts comparing a galaxy 2547 and a cobra 139 xlr

here are a my choices:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5336136228&icep_item=161613075376

its peaked, tuned…etc

There is also a cobra 142 for half the price, but hasn't been serviced
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5336136228&icep_item=171701694667

vs a new galaxy 2547?

how is the price on the 139 or the 142? after shipping it would be about $205 for the 139 or 115 for the 142 thanks

I purchased 2 Uniden 980SSB Bearcats for less than 140.00 each. They also have the weather channels built in and channel 9 priority etc. I think this is a good route to go. The antenna will make the difference on how far you can get out not necessarily the wattage. Once I became a ham operator and was able to calculate db gain or loss then I realized where the priorities were for me to get out long distance. I would never buy an older used radio on ebay. If you get a lemon or not the circuitry is old and brittle. Just go new.

 

[Sideways]

Both the 139xlr, and the 142gtl are great radios. Price seems about right if they work as good as they look. You might also look for a president/uniden washington, also a great ssb radio and can be had for a decent price.

 

[ghostwriter247]

thanks for the info guys, thats what i was thinking too, but hadn't seen any comparisons.

 

[222DBFL]

The 139 looks nice and appears to have been gone over and with proper test equipment. Price might be a bit high but with shipping and the cost and time to propely perform the work neeeded to make it like new, 159 isn't bad. Might want to look at cobra 2000's as well. But If the 2 choices are the ones listed above the cobra 139 for sure.

 

[unit_399]

The 858 Chassis is superior to the 142, and would be my choice for sure. The 139XLR is a great performer, but, to me, its styling is pretty dated. Ditto the President Washington and Madison. I prefer the look of Realistic 858 base radios (TRC 457,458), but that's a personal thing.

-399

 

[Atlasta]

IMO the 139 XLR is a better radio but if you choose this over the others there is one thing you need to be made aware of: While it is easy to mod them for extra frequencies and opening up the clarifier is a snap, I've never known one that could be made to slide any significant amount. Yes, you can get a couple KC out of them but getting them to do more was a challenge. I'm not sure if anyone ever figured out how to make them slide.

The GTL series was a little more challenging to open up for frequency, but they would slide like a monkey on a banana peel.

I still like the XLR.

 

[2RT307]

I still have a Cobra 139XLR. I had a DX2547, and it was decent. Love the Cobra! 858 Chassis are great, and there are recap kits out there for them if needed.

73,
Brett

 

[Tripple Nickel]

Im getting back in to cb after a long while and am looking at SSB stations. I am into retro stations but wonder about modern rigs. I'm already into a robyn 123b and 240d to restore so am wanting a turnkey setup while i work on my other bases, and they aren't sub anyways. I was wondering about any thoughts comparing a galaxy 2547 and a cobra 139 xlr

here are a my choices:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5336136228&icep_item=161613075376

its peaked, tuned…etc

There is also a cobra 142 for half the price, but hasn't been serviced
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5336136228&icep_item=171701694667

vs a new galaxy 2547?

how is the price on the 139 or the 142? after shipping it would be about $205 for the 139 or 115 for the 142 thanks

Ghostrider, first let me welcome you to the forum. Your intentions are natural to search e-bay, we all do it, but the odds are not in you favor to get a good base station. Prices are over the top, with literary no warranty @ all. I, like yourself go back aways, and the bug never left us. In late 60's I had the perfect base, a Tram titan ll, a Contex 500 and yes, I could talk loudly. A couple of years ago, I got the bug again, but my dream set-up is GONE, their all worn out if any. Short of it is the past is gone, you got to change with times. My point, we do yard sales being retired, and I ask everybody, got any cb's ? some don't know what your talking about, but you would be shocked what's stuck away in someone's closet. I found a like new, unmolested UNIDEN WASHINGTON for $10.00, their out there, be patient. I like e-bay myself but it's for seller's. Hope I haven't bored you, JMHO.
555

 

[Oatmeal]

Out of those radios I'd go with the 142...if you look around you may find one thats not been butchered up and have mods in it.....those radios will take about any mod you want to put in one....

 

[old goat 321]

Welcome Ghostrider. Yep, the bug has been dormant in me for over 35 years. Back on the roof i go. I picked up a 2547 on craigslist with a a99 antenna with coax. Got it all for 250. Just put a Uniden 980 with a wilson 1000 antenna in the car. I would like to get a better antenna, for the base, maybe a hy-gain 500. Also might go to DTB radio for a tune and alignment and general checkup. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.