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NOS Galaxy DX-979 Audio and Stability Mods?

O

Onelasttime

Sr. Member
Aug 3, 2011
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So I spent last night on the sight looking at past threads and downloading support documents from CB Tricks.

It has not arrived yet so I have no clue if it is the older origanal bipolar design or if it is the latter mosfet design. When I know more I will report back.

I do not need more rf power this radio is going in a Toyota Camry where space is at a premium. A manual transmission Camry at that which makes space even worse. I am though wanting to upgrade the audio punch and the audio freq. band width. I did see the 2SC1973 mod on this site last night. Not splatter-box levels of audio but just short of that. I have considered looking to see if there is a Gold Finger audio mod for it. I have not looked yet. I will likely run a 1 transister or 2 transister amp into it mostly for SSB use. That is why I do not need more RF power from it but punch clean audio is always good.

I know it is a Galaxy product and people will tell me not to put lipstick on a pig but if it can be made more stable on SSB that would be great.

I know it uses the RCI8719 has anyone installed a DDS VFO or similar and maybe swaped to a what is it Motorola 145106 I think it is??? Given how small it is and the fact that Galaxy is known for great audio compared to more modern radio's like AT-6666. Seems like it might be a fantastic upgrade path.

Thoughts?

I gave $199 for it and everything is still in the plastic. I know you can get a lot more radio for just a bit more but none of those radio's can be easily worked on since they are all surface mount and have no adjustment points. This will be the first Galaxy I have owned. I hope it is the older first gen bipolar design but it does not matter at the end of the day. I ordered a spare VCO board for it while I can still get them. Anything else I should pick up as a spare that is still available for them?
 

The 979 was a decent little radio, all it should need is a nice tune and alignment. Then put a good mic on it and let it roll. It will drift on SSB some, just the nature of the beast. If you really are planning on doing a lot of SSB talking maybe there is a TCXO mod for it out there for it.
 
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You know outside of Gold Finger audio mods for transmit and recieve audio and 2SC1973 mod not a lot out there on this little radio.

The term "Red headed step child" is too mild! It seems like the greater community droped a steaming turd on it once it was born and left it for dead. LOL

I have never seen an SSB CB radio or Galaxy product so neglected before! LOL I always seem to like radio's the masses tend to hate!

Oh well. I guess I will just do my own thing!
 
The arrangement of the front-panel controls on "mezzanine" circuit boards is a nightmare to repair. Had one come in with the PA switch and adjacent controls smashed in shipping from a fleabay seller. Ended up replacing the entire control pc board with the controls on it rather than just the broken switches and controls.

Never again.

73
 
The 979 wasn't a bad radio, I actually once owned a couple and currently own one of it's clones, the 797. In a base environment they perform well enough to work some dx and even some unsolicited flowers. In a mobile environment they suffer from a bit of drift but still able to work some ssb. They aren't a bad looking classic style radio either.

Just my opinion for whatever it's worth.
 
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For me it is all about size. I talk 75% SSB and 25% AM. It has to fit in a modern car. I have to be able to actual work the control while driving. I can live some drift.

I just could not say no to an FCC type approved SSB rig with through hole componets for $199 NOS NIB.

I know it is not a Uniden but even the Uniden Grant LT is not as compact as the 979.

The PC-122 and sll of those radio's like the Realistic and Cobra's based off that design also have issues with the face plate controls in terms of diffaculty servicing them and easier to just replace if you can. Look at the Golden Child the Stryker 955 different versions not counting the version on the main board using different controllers on the face and on the main board making them almost unrepairable unless you have a ton of donor chasis's to sort through never mind the skill required to replace a controller IC. A lot of them look like standard off the shelf parts but the often have custom code etc.... It has been a long time since we have had an affordable, repairable, durable, rock solid SSB CB or 10m radio.
 
Eldorado828 said:
The 979 wasn't a bad radio, I actually once owned a couple and currently own one of it's clones, the 797. In a base environment they perform well enough to work some dx and even some unsolicited flowers. In a mobile environment they suffer from a bit of drift but still able to work some ssb. They aren't a bad looking classic style radio either.

Just my opinion for whatever it's worth.
Click to expand...
I bought 2 of the 979 radios with a external plug in freq. counter because of the external RF Power adjustment knobs for use with a KL 200 & 203 P amps. Like it was said I think they would make nice radios in a base environment but did make some mobile contacts with them also. I'm sorry I didn't exploit their potential more fully before letting the radio fever get a hold of me and move on buying more radios. Which brings up the question for the seasoned radio operators, What kind of mods are available for the DX 979 ? I know the clarifier can be unlocked but how about channel expansion or any other mods. I have a buddy who has some interest in getting back into radio again and thought maybe giving him a 979 might push him over the edge. LOL And yes I could think of a lot of jokes about that also ! LOL
 
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I was going to purchase the second one but someone else got to it first.

It is true NOS NIB. It arrived today!

It has the red channel LED display not blue and it is the Bipolar version with the 2SC1969. I was hoping it would be the bipolar version!

Love how compact it is!

Thanks for opinions, advice, idea's, links!
 
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So unless I am very badly mistaken it appears that the 86V has the built Freq Counter and a channel board. I was looking at this about 15 minutes ago and I think the channel board was something like EPT0004410.. I do not recall if it had an A or Z at the end. Please do nto quote me though since I am going from memory and do not want to lead anyone astray.

So could I just order that board and wire it in to the DX979 and by default make it into a DX86V in terms of making it into a 3 band radio? Well I already ordered the board because it is only $35. That is way cheaper than LessCom or DDS-VFO or the like if you just want upper and lower 40.

It looked like it was mostly plug and play but not entirely.

Now that I have gotten my first Galaxy watch 2 years from now I will have a Stryker 995 and a blue metalic flake bass boat! No way on the blue it would have to be candy apple red with metalic flake! LOL
 
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I should not have called it plug n play. I just meant that it was designed by RCI for Galaxy Radio's.

If I get 3 bands for $35 I will be thrilled if I manage 8 for $35 that would be fantastic as well.

I have not rulled out DDS-VFO or like. I do like options though.

I have been really good for a while! I have avoided N+1 and much time on this site. In the last week I purchased a gently used unmodified Uniden Grant LT, NOS/NIB Galaxy DX979, Galaxy expansion board, 3 MB8719 PLL's, a handful of 2N6487's, CLRdsp, a TopGun CP-1, some VCO's, and diodes. All radio related.

I have been a god boy and was working on home audio gear. Recaping and aligning my old audio gear and designing my own loud speakers. I have been building and shooting rifles etc...... Two way radio gear is like being addicted to a strong drug or addicted to women! You can kick the habit for a while but staying away for good is almost impossible! Even a moment of weakness and your spiraling out of control! LOL

If I let myself I have a cart on Mouser, Dig-Key, and RFParts as well. I keep pulling a Nancy Reagun and "Just say no!" but the N+1 is strong in me! LOL
 
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