Expo, and SSB Mod Info

[Midlander]

Hey there guys..


I have a Cobra 148GTL, it's a nice radio, but I have been reading on the forums and many people have modded their radios to receive more frequency's. I have all the gear to shoot skip, but i want to add these. Here is what i am looking at purchasing, maby some one here can tell me if it is correct, or if there is anything else I need to know before attempting these mods.

1st Mode is the EXPO 100 EXPANDER to expand 26.515-27.855 Mhz. My question for this mod is once i add it, how do I know what freq I am on when the channel display only goes from1-40? Will I need to add something else?

2nd Mod is the Sparktune Modulator from sparkycbshack.com. Every one mostly uses SSB for skip shooting so I wan to make sure I am using the most power.

3rd, as mentioned in the 1st mod, I would like to be able to know what frequencys i am on, so is there a counter i can add to this radio?

I am running a RM Italy Lin Amp Model KL-300-P. It does 150Watt Max, SSB Power 300Watt PEP. My SWRs are less then 1, and every one seems to hear me fine.

So I look forward to your suggestions. I live in B.C Canada, and finding some one to do the work for me on this radio wont be easy. I am planning on doing the mods my self. Any help would be great, thank you.

[BigBopper]

the expo kit will give you a chart, the knob on the expo kit in the center is standard 40 channel, down is lower 40, up is upper 40,,,I use Sparktune's on AM radios, I haven't used for SSB, I would call Al at Sparky's and ask him,,I no longer have this 148, but I had my knob on the rear
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[Midlander]

Thanks BigBopper,

I will give them a call tomorrow. Also Do you feel that my AMP will do me OK for a new setup? Down the road when I am working full time again, I want to get a better AMP one that will do like 500Watts or more.

So far skip has been crap in my location.

Thanks again for your info.

Midlander 555, BC Canada

[BigBopper]

Yep for the money you have a pretty good amp, I have one right now, seems to work, talked skip with that amp this last week,,,let us all know what you find out

Buckeye 104

[Midlander]

BigBopper,

I tried contacted a number of radio shops, all of the ones I called don't carry the expo mod any more, they said that too many people were having problems with them... So I talked to a Ozz (Sorry if I spelt it wrong) down at GI's and he said I should just pick up a 10 meter radio for what i want to do...

So I guess instead of buying this Cobra 148GTL, I should have bought a Galaxy....

I want to use the other frequencies, and also be able to vary the RF output because I don't want to blow my amp.

SO what do you suggest i do, maby wait and try and get a good deal on a galxy radio?

Which one would you recommend I purchase? Thanks for your help..

Midlander.

[PA629]

Why can't your 148 just be channeled w/o using the Expo kit? My older 148's were easily modded with the 8719 chip and a change to the 11.325 x-tal and 2 switches. I'd check with Al at Sparky's on this.

[Midlander]

PA629,

roger that, I tried to contact Sparky's several times this afternoon but all i got was the answering machine. Ill try again tomorrow in the morning...

Do you have to send the radio away for that modification PA269, or can a guy just get the parts from Sparky's and solder them in yer self?


Thanks again for the help.

Midlander 7MM, right between yer eyes.

[BigBopper]

couple of things, if you understand electronics you can install an expo kit,,,but I wouldn't buy a Galaxy for SSB, as they aren't the best, look at Ranger, Superstar SS-158EDX , or a Magnum if you want to go 10 meter,,

[Midlander]

hey there, well if I can do what PA629 said, about changing that chip, and Xtal, then i think i will be ok. The skip rolled in and I made a bunch of contacts for my very first time (See DX Forum Section).... SO the radio works great.... BigBopper suggested a couple of new Mics to use, so I am hunting for one that will swing out and i can use the full power of the amp.

I will keep trying down there, and maby I can get through.

Midlander / 308 BC Canada JUST GOT DOWN!