I am going to wait and see what the spring brings in new radios. What is the radio you would buy with a 300.00 limit for what is for sale now. AM, SSB 100 watts???
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Got the new Radio Bug!
- Thread starter Grogan
- Start date
Optima MK3 10 12 Meter Amateur Radio w Am FM LSB USB 50 Watts | eBay
Not 100 watts, but close enough.
Not 100 watts, but close enough.
I have 2 of them they are a great radio, the only thing I can think of is the stock mic isn't the best, but the clone hm36 mics for around $29 really wake it up, they are a electret element powered from the radio. the receive is great, it has a switchable ssb filter, 5khz default tuning steps(no bands to mess with), built in fan on the heatsink, memory channels that also remember the mode you were in(am,fm,usb,lsb) and variable power, clarifier comes unlocked and the radio is very stable on ssb.
If you think about it, most of the features that come on the optima are things most people pay to have done to their radio's after they purchase them!
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Having been in your shoes...
Save all the money you're gonna spend on various export radios and plunk down the cash for a gently used Icom IC-718. Honest to goodness 100W on SSB, stable, nice noise blanker, AF DSP NR and ANF, voice compressor, VOX, digital RF Power control all the way down to virtually nothing, the list goes on.
If you look around, you can pick one up for $550 in nice shape. Thats less than you would pay for two mid-high end exports. No need to have it sent to be "tuned up" either. And don't worry too much about used, hams don't "golden screwdriver" their radios at nearly the rate that CB'ers do.
Save all the money you're gonna spend on various export radios and plunk down the cash for a gently used Icom IC-718. Honest to goodness 100W on SSB, stable, nice noise blanker, AF DSP NR and ANF, voice compressor, VOX, digital RF Power control all the way down to virtually nothing, the list goes on.
If you look around, you can pick one up for $550 in nice shape. Thats less than you would pay for two mid-high end exports. No need to have it sent to be "tuned up" either. And don't worry too much about used, hams don't "golden screwdriver" their radios at nearly the rate that CB'ers do.
I have the Stryker 655.
Only difference is the SSB (as far as I know). tho some say the 655 is capable of more power. Idk. What I do know is it has the surface mount resistors and very solid boards. The RX is amazing. I talk 15-20 miles Goin down the highway with a convoy. I love the digital meter. The colors truly are brilliant. It's just a really well built product. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I would trade it for a date with Krysten Ritter, but that's it.
Only difference is the SSB (as far as I know). tho some say the 655 is capable of more power. Idk. What I do know is it has the surface mount resistors and very solid boards. The RX is amazing. I talk 15-20 miles Goin down the highway with a convoy. I love the digital meter. The colors truly are brilliant. It's just a really well built product. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I would trade it for a date with Krysten Ritter, but that's it.
