CB'ing and Ham radio in the 21st Century - Page 6

Blackened · 29-03-2012, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Peter

I guess they're all based on a limited subset of chassis like back in the day. I had one of the first generation of Superstar 3900s - must have been around 89-90. Basically a cheapo copy of the PB010 which reflected on the performance of the radio which was not aligned properly in the factory: carrier leakthrough and all kinds of grounding issues due to poor soldering and general design problems.

Most of what you mention there is what I've been reading over the last few days (eyes are square..) about these rigs, especially around noise leaking/grounding. There's a video on YouTube of someone DXing on the 3900 EFT and the thing is visibly drifting on the counter. To be fair, it was the 6th digit so hardly a massive worry. Some are saying the actual counter itself creates interference! But, with a bit of patience and a hot iron they're well, not that bad. I did want one - in fact I made an offer on a boxed one on fleabay that got declined and then got offered one boxed for £80 notes and I'm still smarting over turning it down. I could have spent the difference on an antenna, PSU and SWR/matcher, but these 5555's are crowd pleasers with the freq range and being able to program from the PC is a proper bonus I reckon. I just think I'm suffering from a bit of guilt spend syndrome.

**Paul** · 29-03-2012, 22:50

I still own my CB Radio (from 1980/81) - a modified Superstar 2000 - 40 channels x 5 bands (super low - super high).

Blackened · 29-03-2012, 22:57

Actually, I've just been looking at some pics of the CRT boards and they're not surface mounted at all. Dunno where I got that from. I know the 5555 is surface mounted. I've looked at that many today..
Looking at the board with those cute little pot's makes me all dewey eyed again. As a 14 year old geek with a shaved down matchstick end to fit in the slot on the pot's, I even loved the smell of the damn boards in those early rigs.

---------- Post added at 22:57 ---------- Previous post was at 22:56 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul M

I still own my CB Radio (from 1980/81) - a modified Superstar 2000 - 40 channels x 5 bands (super low - super high).

I have rig envy! Show us some pics if you get chance, Paul?
What was modified on it?

Uncle Peter · 29-03-2012, 23:18

Bit of nostalgia then?

148-1.jpg 148-2.jpg

Blackened · 29-03-2012, 23:35

Ah, lookit.

Is that one of your mods there?

Uncle Peter · 29-03-2012, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackened

Ah, lookit.

Is that one of your mods there?

Flippin eck no... I only use red insulation tape

that's a UK40 board which was in the radio when it was given to me. I might get around to servicing it one day but the thing is a bin inside and out. Receives and transmits but not sure where until it goes on the counter

Blackened · 30-03-2012, 00:00

Haha!

I'm trying to work out what it is. 4 pots and two dials at the front and a side mounted mic. Is it a 360?

Uncle Peter · 30-03-2012, 00:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackened

Haha!

I'm trying to work out what it is. 4 pots and two dials at the front and a side mounted mic. Is it a 360?

Well yes... Actually a 148GTL-DX but same thing

Blackened · 30-03-2012, 00:29

Nice one.
Hope you find time to fix it up.

Kymmy · 02-04-2012, 17:25

Finally got a chance to put up a couple of my home made antennas today..

Made the antenna and the brackets, the pole is a ebay scaffold brace with the ends chopped off and the clamps are Shelley's (£5 each in Rocket Radio)

Looks good..

PS.. the 4m dipole is also home made by Jen as the ascom SE550 is mainly for her marshalling duties

Dude111 · 03-04-2012, 21:15

Wow that antenna is quite nice Kymmy,whats the farthest you have talked W/O SKIP??

Blackened · 03-04-2012, 21:46

Nice and tidy that, Kymmy.

My 5555 is up and running now. Antenna, coax and programming cable arrived today so set it to UK40 + Super low to Super hi for now. And it's dead as a dodo. lol.
Did hear a couple of European DX's on 27.555 earlier which was great for the first day.

I went and had a play with one of those virtual radios you mentioned Kymmy (HamSphere)- interesting, but felt a bit weird. People paying a subscription for a really bad quality VOIP with artificial static! To each their own though.

Kymmy · 03-04-2012, 21:52

The 27.555 will probably be freebanders (either FB's or another group) check out http://www.freebanding.co.uk/ for more info but as usual transmitting on such frequencies may not be legal in certain countries..

Blackened · 03-04-2012, 22:05

Oh, absolutely. I knew the freq I was looking for

Uncle Peter · 04-04-2012, 11:35

There was an E opening on 6m on Saturday so you'll probably start seeing 10/11 open up a bit more for 1000KM contacts.

Looking at the solar data there are some North/South F2 paths open at the present moment but unlikely that you'll hear anything.