Which out of these two for first SSB radio?

[meloyelo]

Very interested in the SSB part of CB communications. So what about the COBRA 148 GTL or Galaxy DX959? Any pros or cons to either one. I'll probably purchase from Sparky's since they include an alignment check as part of the deal. Both in my "price range" and seem to be decent for beginning SSB. Only thing I'm not sure of is the lack of frequency counter on the Cobra unit. How critical is it to have up front? Thanks.

Meloyelo

[linx]

The Freq counter really doesn't matter at all unless you can transmit/receive above/below the normal 40 cb channels.

I'm a Cobra 148 fan, but like the older models. The Galaxy 959 is an ok CB. Both would be a good choice really.

[WESTGATE]

galaxy 959 is louder on AM than the 148, but the 148 is more stable on SSB so if u want an ssb rig i would go with the 148..the 959 can be converted so u can get "freeband" frequencies ...thats where the serious sidebanding goes on, freeband sidebanding is awesome, the airwaves are never too crowded so u can make those long distant contacts.the 959 works on ssb just fine, dont get me wrong, just maybe not as great as the 148.i know i kind of left u confused about it...if i didnt care about freeband frequencies i would get the 148...but if i wanted to use freeband on ssb"where the funs at" then i would get the 959....the modification is super easy to do on those 959's to get the extra frequencies using a couple little switches...the 148 can be converted to have freeband frequencies also but its more difficult and makes u just wanna get the 959..lol,but the 148 doesnt have the frequency counter like the 959 so its easier to get lost in the frequencies,i kinda forgot but i think once u freeband the 959 it has like 150 or so channels on it instead of the standard 40

randy

[Circuit Breaker]

Westgate is right...Galaxy radios are known for being a bit unstable on SSB. The 148 is a solid performer...but if you decide on one, look on eBay or this site for one that's built in either Taiwan or the Philippines.

[meloyelo]

Westgate is right...Galaxy radios are known for being a bit unstable on SSB. The 148 is a solid performer...but if you decide on one, look on eBay or this site for one that's built in either Taiwan or the Philippines.

Is there anything that can be done to make the Galaxy radios more stable once you have one? Or is it the case of needing to have it tuned up and realigned when it starts acting up. If that is the case, seems it wouldn't be worth all the trouble.

Meloyelo

[TheCBDoctor]

Hi meloyelo

Once the Galaxy 959 or 2547 is aligned properly they are fine. It is the temperature change that causes the radio to drift; you will not notice this on AM but is critical on SSB. The Cobra is solid once it warms up and is not effected by opening the door to the car on a cold day. The 959 DX will need to be clarified as the cold air hits the radio. The 959 is not a bad radio, but under extreme temperature changes will drift on SSB. The 2547 is a base station so once it warms up it will be stable.

The Cobra made in Taiwan or the Philippines is very stable under extreme temperature changes, and in my humble opinion, has better ears on SSB. The 148 GTL output is about 18 watts peak. The 959 will do 25 to 30 watts peak.

If you are going to free-band then buy the 959 because it has the counter built in.

Just my 2 cents,

[meloyelo]

Hi meloyelo

Once the Galaxy 959 or 2547 is aligned properly they are fine. It is the temperature change that causes the radio to drift; you will not notice this on AM but is critical on SSB. The Cobra is solid once it warms up and is not effected by opening the door to the car on a cold day. The 959 DX will need to be clarified as the cold air hits the radio. The 959 is not a bad radio, but under extreme temperature changes will drift on SSB. The 2547 is a base station so once it warms up it will be stable.

The Cobra made in Taiwan or the Philippines is very stable under extreme temperature changes, and in my humble opinion, has better ears on SSB. The 148 GTL output is about 18 watts peak. The 959 will do 25 to 30 watts peak.

If you are going to free-band then buy the 959 because it has the counter built in.

Just my 2 cents,

Thanks for the info there Doc. So when you say "The 959 is not a bad radio, but under extreme temperature changes will drift on SSB", does this pretty much just mean that you will need to re-tweak the clarifier because the temp swing causes it to go off frequency? As where on the 148 GTL it stay's where you put it. Am I following you correctly there? I think the 959 will ultimately work better for me in the long run, but I don't want to get a radio that I just get frustrated with. I might just need to stick with the tried and true Cobra. I most likely will never (yea right ) get into the freebanding stuff anyway.

Meloyelo

[WESTGATE]

a good ssb radio shouldnt drift when a bit of cold air hits it.."hint hint" :icon_e_wink:u can convert the cobra 148....u urself might find the mod fairly easily...and when u do that and start freebanding, u can easily add an external frequency counter

[meloyelo]

a good ssb radio shouldnt drift when a bit of cold air hits it.."hint hint" :icon_e_wink:u can convert the cobra 148....u urself might find the mod fairly easily...and when u do that and start freebanding, u can easily add an external frequency counter

Cobra 148 it will be. Thanks for your assistance gentlemen. Now I gotta let Mrs. Sandy Clause know my decision.

Meloyelo