upgrade help anyone?

[BammBamm]

I am currently running a Cobra 29ltd with a midnight special250 amp and a mag mount wilson 1000 on a 98 pontiac bonneville ssei. I am planning my next radio and need some advice. this is my thought or thoughts... Galaxy dx959 with either a viagra board for 40 up and down or switches for extra channels? into my current amp and as for antennae I'm not sure I don't want a big coil like a predator due to theft or a 102 whip due to hieght. I'm not afraid to drill into the trunk deck but want no mag mount. debating a wilson 5000 trunk lip or a wilson 5 foot adjustable whip in a gumdrop mount. As far as dx is a ss antennae better than a fiberglass? I don't want a 10 meter radio. it's either a dx959 a texas ranger I believe tr696 or an old 148f gtl. I keep hearing about justin for a tune what shop is he at? I would need someone to do all work on radio for extras and tune to my amp. Thanks again. BammBamm 173 around South suburbs of chicago.

 

[CTStallion]

Don't know if this antenna is still in production, but look up the Anttron 1600 or 1600s; it's basically like a 'Half-Breed', it's about 6 feet long, center loaded, with the bottom 2 feet in fiberglass and the top 4' as a very FLEXIBLE stainless steel whip. It's long enough for efficiency, and flexible enough for low areas (i.e. drive-thrus, low branches, etc.).

As for radios, (personal preference in order) would be IMHO:

1. Cobra 148F
2. DX-959
3. Texas Ranger (same chassis as DX-959)

My reasoning being, in the mobile environment with the (sometimes) extreme temperature changes, you will find that the Cobra 148 will be MUCH more frequency stable (especially on SSB) and temperature tolerant than either Galaxy or the Texas Ranger.

If u can find one, the Texas Ranger TR-296 is based on the same chassis as the Cobra 148GTL, but you will NOT have an external frequency display.

TR-296's are no longer in production.

Good luck and post a pic of your mobile setup when complete.

 

[Moleculo]

As far as dx is a ss antennae better than a fiberglass?

DX doesn't know the difference between stainless steel and fiberglass.

 

[BammBamm]

Thanks for the help I am now on e bay looking for a 148f gtl. never thought of the half breed style antenna. as far as ss or fiberglass I used to hear that ss was better for dx. My trust is more in those that talk than the locals who think they know it all.

 

[Robb]

All 148GTL's are NOT created equal!
Best to find a 5-pin side mic - which are not made new anymore.
The new 148's/4-pin front mics have an OK transmit; their receive is nice. But the older 5-pin radios have it all going on. Try to find one of those in decent shape for a fair price will be a piece of work - IMO...

 

[9C1Driver]

If you really want to step up in features, performance, and fun give a nice Export a try. Something like a Magnum 257 in blue or an RCI 2950.

If your really really stuck on cb sets like the galaxy 959 then do a google search for "custom cb radios". Doug there is an outstanding tech, he will custom build a 959 with whatever options you want. Receive mod, audio mods, single and dual mosfets, RFX-75, blue displays lights, Viagra board, you name it he can do it.

 

[undertaker]

I second that Doug is very good when it comes to tuning radios...

 

[BammBamm]

I have decided on the dx 959 due to not being able to find a 148f. I had a voyage vr9000 once but found it had many features/channels I never used and I am only interested in 40 up and down from the regular channels. I want the freq. counter as I don't want to have to carry a "road map" for channels. I also like the variable output for driving my amp. I am still not sure of the viagra board or switches? I am thinking of removing the rx/tx led and the beep led and moving the swr led to the center hole then installing a micro push button in the other two holes for extras. I always use talk back so the beep light is useless. and am thinking of running rx/tx wires from old led to signal meter and installing a 2 color led in green for rx/ and white for tx. then having a face plate sticker made that has the switches/knobs labeled correctly. Still can't decide on a antennae but have narrowed it to a wilson 1000 roof mount mounted through the trunk deck or a firestik fs2 in a 5 ft model in a fs gumball mount with firestik coax. I will be selling my old 29ltd but will be keeping the midnight special 250 for the new radio.Thanks to all of you and maybe someday you'll hear me Bammbamm 173 south east suburbs of Chicago. P.S. The base will be on my Christmas list!:

 

[BammBamm]

Thanks again.

Well I unexpected this but this is what I found. : While searching craigslist I found a Voyage vr9000 that had been expanded for 11 meter, unlocked clarifier, blue displays and meter light, Peaked and tuned. I was a little nervous to purchase but agreed on $50 and my old 29ltd he was selling due to being a company driver who couldn't run an export anymore without fear of losing his job.:sad: Radio works great and on low rf dk's about 2 watts and swings to 8 on max output It dk's about 9 and swings to about 38-39. I have gotten good reports with it and the local shop here said not to change a thing as the modulation is at 100% and there isn't much more he could get out of it. I appreciate his honesty. I asked him about a rfx-75 and he said that he had never installed one on an export and felt unsure of doing it. I think I am going to let my midnight special 250 go for a 500 version and I just ordered a hustler ss ball mount ss spring and a ss 102 whip. Didn't like the thought of 102 but the reviews I've read all compare antennas to a 102 whip. How much power can you put through a 102?

 

[Robb]

Well I unexpected this but this is what I found. : While searching craigslist I found a Voyage vr9000 that had been expanded for 11 meter, unlocked clarifier, blue displays and meter light, Peaked and tuned. I was a little nervous to purchase but agreed on $50 and my old 29ltd he was selling due to being a company driver who couldn't run an export anymore without fear of losing his job.:sad: Radio works great and on low rf dk's about 2 watts and swings to 8 on max output It dk's about 9 and swings to about 38-39. I have gotten good reports with it and the local shop here said not to change a thing as the modulation is at 100% and there isn't much more he could get out of it. I appreciate his honesty.

Sounds like a mutually agreeable deal.

I asked him about a rfx-75 and he said that he had never installed one on an export and felt unsure of doing it. I think I am going to let my midnight special 250 go for a 500 version and I just ordered a hustler ss ball mount ss spring and a ss 102 whip. Didn't like the thought of 102 but the reviews I've read all compare antennas to a 102 whip. How much power can you put through a 102?

I wouldn't recommended putting in an RFX when you have almost 40 watts out of the radio already. Since you are going to use it mobile; I would run a small amp and turn down the power output of the radio to match the linear. Most 500 watt linears - like a Texas Star TS-500 - require no more than >30 watts on the input side. Better to run no more than 25 watts 'peak envelope power' (PEP) in. This way you won't overdrive the amp and cause it to heat up/over-modulate/'splatter'/destroy itself.

The 102 inch whip can handle more than a KW of power; provided you do the whole job correctly. 'Correctly' means that you mount it in the best place that minimizes power reflecting back into your system - and that you have everything grounded adequately. Oftentimes, it becomes necessary to upgrade to a high-output alternator and additional battery if using that much power. A TS-350 will work surprisingly well and not overtax your vehicle's electrical system or your pocketbook.

 

[jazzsinger]

Well I unexpected this but this is what I found. : While searching craigslist I found a Voyage vr9000 that had been expanded for 11 meter, unlocked clarifier, blue displays and meter light, Peaked and tuned. I was a little nervous to purchase but agreed on $50 and my old 29ltd he was selling due to being a company driver who couldn't run an export anymore without fear of losing his job.:sad: Radio works great and on low rf dk's about 2 watts and swings to 8 on max output It dk's about 9 and swings to about 38-39. I have gotten good reports with it and the local shop here said not to change a thing as the modulation is at 100% and there isn't much more he could get out of it. I appreciate his honesty. I asked him about a rfx-75 and he said that he had never installed one on an export and felt unsure of doing it. I think I am going to let my midnight special 250 go for a 500 version and I just ordered a hustler ss ball mount ss spring and a ss 102 whip. Didn't like the thought of 102 but the reviews I've read all compare antennas to a 102 whip. How much power can you put through a 102?

your local shop seems to be the kind you can trust,2 swinging 8 and 9 swinging 36 is bang on for 100% modulation,you/he is probably reading 38/39 because the meter isn't as accurate at that point of the scale,but its very close to what it should be.

a bad dealer/shop would try to get you to fit swing mods that just mess up your audio.

his honesty is a virtue.