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Realistic ssb radio what is the best one made?

sluggo

Member
Aug 11, 2010
11
1
11
Just need some opinions what is the best ssb radio that realistic made?? model number would be helpful to thanks.
 

IMO - the ones that were made by Uniden and sold under license to Radio Shack.

Can't tell you all the model numbers, but there were more than a few made. The SSB radios are especially prized. Gave a TRC-449 to a local kid over a year ago. Nice talkers when aligned. Many of the Navaho series base radios are still sought after today (mostly the Unidens - once again).
 
I got a 449 that my dad bought new. It's only been used a few times over the years. I hooked it up a couple years ago and really liked how it played.

Decent radio, but I can't stand the. Stupid DIN plugs. Just ruins it for me. I've converted a few Rat Shack rigs to use 4 pin mics over the years. Some are easier to convert than others.

Stupid ass DIN plugs!
 
I got a 449 that my dad bought new. It's only been used a few times over the years. I hooked it up a couple years ago and really liked how it played.

Decent radio, but I can't stand the. Stupid DIN plugs. Just ruins it for me. I've converted a few Rat Shack rigs to use 4 pin mics over the years. Some are easier to convert than others.

Stupid ass DIN plugs!

Please lets us know how you really feel about DIN plugs.:LOL:
 
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TRC 457 or 458, hands down best SSB chassis in the PLL858 family.

When properly aligned and modded has the sweetest receive and I forgot to mention that the 458 has a built in Equalizer for transmit, the caps can be removed or changed to get what tone you want for transmit audio.

http://trc458.n9efj.net/Ugot458.html

I have had several of the trc 458 base units, if you can get one that is not hacked up, they are great SSB talkers, and OK AM talkers unless some mods are done to increase AM modulation.

So if you mostly talk SSB it is a hard radio to beat.

The Cobra 139 XLR is same chassis but has the meters for SWR/MOD and the mic gain on the front.
 
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they are great SSB talkers, and OK AM talkers unless some mods are done to increase AM modulation.

The mod limiter circuit in the Realistics is different than the limiter in all the other 858ssb sets. In the 457/458, there is a 220ohm resistor installed in the D23 spot. Replace this resistor with a 1N914 diode, change C87 to15uf/16v, and C102 to 1000uf/35v, and this rig will kick ass on AM.

- 399
 
I heard a local talking on a TRC-422A that he disabled the modulation limiter. Man,that thing is loud! He used a power echo mic on it. As long as he turned the mic volume down to a reasonable level it didn't sound too over modulated.
I have a NOS 422A and a 421A but they're new in the box and untainted.
 

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