SBE Console V, Cobra 2000 GTL or Tram D-201 Which One

NightThumper · Jul 23, 2019

Looking to pick up an older/vintage 40 channel am/ssb base station. The following opportunities have presented themselves. I’m asking the brain trust for their advice. Extra channels not a criteria that’s what my RCI 2995 DXCF is for.

1. A 9 out 10 SBE console V recently re-capped. Very Nice

2. A Tram D-201 a 9 out of 10 cosmetically. Working good, again very nice.

3. The classic Cobra 2000 GTL a 9 out of 10. Very nice.

Price is not a factor.

Thanks
Brad

w9cll · Jul 23, 2019

Cobra 2K if you are going to be a ssb user. Tram if you are AM, Just my opinion from a Ham that was last on 11 meters in 1990...lol

Shadetree Mechanic · Jul 23, 2019

I would say the Tram, it's on my list.

L2 · Jul 23, 2019

I'm partial.

SIX-SHOOTER · Jul 23, 2019

NightThumper said:
Looking to pick up an older/vintage 40 channel am/ssb base station. The following opportunities have presented themselves. I’m asking the brain trust for their advice. Extra channels not a criteria that’s what my RCI 2995 DXCF is for.

1. A 9 out 10 SBE console V recently re-capped. Very Nice

2. A Tram D-201 a 9 out of 10 cosmetically. Working good, again very nice.

3. The classic Cobra 2000 GTL a 9 out of 10. Very nice.

Price is not a factor.

Thanks
Brad

I would take the TRAM any day over the others.The tubes will give you far better rejection across the band over the solid state radios.It is also works great on AM & SSB & has great transmit audio.If you lived in Florida or South Georgia you could come take a look at my TRAM D201A that I am selling but I will NOT be shipping it anywhere.It is a CASH Pick up item ONLY.It's a great radio but I never use it when I am on 11 meter since I use my Golden Eagle MK IA on AM & my DAK Mark X on SSB 99% of the time.Ham Operator for just over 25 years & on 11 meters since 1965.

SIX-SHOOTER

TM86 · Jul 23, 2019

Out of the choices available I like the Console V. They all put out the same power on the same frequencies, so there's no technical preference.

I just like the looks and audio.

ExitThirteen · Jul 23, 2019

It just depends on what you're wanting out of the radio, whether it's looks, or functionality.

For ease of maintenance, easy modifications, while still sounding great, Cobra 2000 all the way. The Console V is a great radio if it's already been serviced, as they are known for solder joint issues due to the double sided PCB. The Tram D201A would look great on the shelf, but wouldn't be real usable, as they are a high maintenance radio, and the channel selectors have a very high failure rate.

Worked on all 3 many times, and that's my take on them.

~Cheers~

Unit 194 · Jul 23, 2019

I have owned all three and in my opinion I would pick the Cobra 2000.

6meter · Jul 23, 2019

Brad - congrats on being in a position to make this choice. Either of those 3 radios would look great on your radio bench.

Over the years I've owned a couple of Madisons and enjoyed them but never managed to have a 2000. So the 2000 is my bucket list radio. But since locally the SBE radios aren't very common that would also be very tempting.

6meter · Jul 23, 2019

I love the look of the Tram D-201. I had a chance locally last year to buy one and when I researched it, I decided to pass on the radio.

http://www.rrcom.com/tip/trams.html

Oatmeal · Jul 23, 2019

Never ran a Tram here before....

But my choice would be the Cobra 2 grand, sweet radios, don't take much to get them to sound good, works well with several different combinations of amps too..

nomadradio · Jul 23, 2019

Umm, if price is really not a factor, I would choose all three.

At least when the radio that turns out to be your favorite croaks, you have another working base station to stay on the air.

73

walterjn · Jul 24, 2019

Used to have a Cobra 2k many years ago, everyone always said it was a good clean sounding radio. It also had more extra channels than everyone else around me had, unless you had 10m export.
Wishing I'd never let that one slip away.

loosecannon · Jul 24, 2019

in order of difficulty to find parts for, expense of repair, and amount of problems inherent in the design, the list from best to worst goes like this:

1. 2000GTL
2. SBE console V
3. Tram D201

as for performance, the SBE has a better receiver than the 2000GTL.
I have never owned a tram so can't speak to their performance.

after that, it's cool value that counts, and only you can determine which one you'll feel coolest using.
LC

nomadradio · Jul 24, 2019

Not all Cobra 2000s are created equal.

The 1978 model needs to have some factory updates applied if they haven't been already. It will be old enough to need a bunch of electrolytic caps replaced. And the mileage that's on a 40-year old radio is important.

The 1993 model is just beginning to reach that "awkward age" when electrolytic caps can be expected to croak from age and mileage.

But the spread from worst (1978) to best (1993) is pretty wide. Too bad they don't come with an odometer so you can read the mileage.

Low miles always work in your favor, whether the radio is 26 years old or 40 years old.

73

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SBE Console V, Cobra 2000 GTL or Tram D-201 Which One

NightThumper

South of Pittsburg

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w9cll

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