Customer Reviews

AMATEUR MOBILE RADIO 10M 12M 10WRMS SCAN

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have owned this radio for about 5 years. It's not a bad radio and it's legal to use if you have a license on 10 and 12 meters. Here is the real story. There are no currently available single band 10 meter transceivers on the US market from the "Big Three": Yaesu, Icom, or Kenwood. The ONLY other option is a 10 meter FM only rig from Alinco - which is a good radio but for $200+ for about 4 FM repeater channels it's hardly worth it. So here we are in another solar cycle maximum with wonderful 10 meter propagation and no current 10M all mode single band transceivers! Now getting back to the 2950DX. The current model RCI 2950dx was developed for Amateurs and is very difficult to modify for 11 meter use. It offers SSB, AM, FM, and CW. The output power is roughly 30 watts SSB and 10 Watts FM. For the right price this radio can be found for roughly $150 bucks used. If your a new licensed ham operator this is a reasonable entry point into 10 meter mobile. All other choices - are multi-band rigs costing at least $400 bucks.

My experience with the 2950Dx

Here's the good:
Good receive audio, and effective transmitter output power -- for most contacts.
Decent display with good back-lighting for mobile use.
Effective noise blanker circuitry.
Good FM reception - a lot of fun.
Decent physical size for a mobile rig - though I prefer smaller.

Here's the not so good:
Difficult to program the memories for repeater (FM) use - but once set they work fine.
Difficult to change modes while driving. I found the need to set either FM or SSB prior to starting my trip and keep it there. It's not really the mode, it's dialing down and up the band to get to where I want to be.

In my opinion this is a good starter mobile rig for the right price. Also, if one has questions about the transmitter purity, ask an Elmer to hook it up to a spectrum analyzer. I think the reports of poor transmitter performance are greatly exaggerated. Keep in mind, that export "CB" style radios are the scourge of seasoned Hams, but need to be reviewed on their own merit, and especially when few competing alternatives are available. Happy Hamming!

Mike

I have had one of these for about 9 months now. I am a Ham and use it as such. I get good signal reports and normaly If I can hear someone I can talk to them. I just use a home made dipole antenna. I have well over 250 QSOs and I have confrimed contacts in 38 countries. I did not have high hopes for the 12 meter band in this radio but I was pleased to find that It works as well as the 10 meter band does. This radio is not on the same level as a contest rig from one of the big 3 amature radio makers but it is a good choice for the money and good choice for new or casual Hams.

this radio has never let me down. with its big screen display to its easy modifications I have alot of fun with friends talking around town or going on the occasional foxhunt! I would reccomend this radio to any of my friends if they were asking about finding a good quality radio!

These Ranger "export" radios are notorious for producing a signal that does not meet FCC standards for spectral purity. If you're thinking about using one of these, be sure to take it in to a competent technician to have it checked out on a spectrum analyzer before going on the air with it lest you find yourself in hot water with The Authorities.

You must be a licensed amateur radio operator to use this radio legally in the U.S. or Canada. Of course, few licensed hams will buy this radio; it's not really aimed at them. In fact, it's intended use is to be modified to operate at illegally high power on the 11m Citizens Band. Be aware that unlicensed operation on the 10 or 12 meter bands or use of this radio on the 11m band can result if fines upward of $7,500.

If you are a new ham, or thinking about getting your license, buying this radio will only result in headaches. Instead, find a local amateur radio club and talk to people there before purchasing any equipment at all. They will set you on the right path.