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This CB purchase is the replacement rig for my dead Uniden PC122XL, which until it's demise was a great radio. It, however, is no longer produced - Enter the Galaxy DX 979. This new radio is the smallest SSB capable unit that I could find, and that is important to me since my little Ford Ranger 4X4 does not have a lot of room for one. The PC122XL fit perfectly, the DX 979 is noticeably larger and more conspicuous, but is less so than a Cobra 148GTL, which I tried before the PC122XL (it was just too frigging big).
Note that this review is for a completely stock (unmodified) unit. The Galaxy's receive audio is plenty loud in the cab while driving, and the display is bright enough to see during the day, which is tough for other units to sometimes pull off. Maybe I was just used to my old Uniden, but the Galaxy's microphone feels awkward in my hand. Keying up the mic seems less sure and requires more of a deliberate act than the Uniden did. I used it on a 2-1/2 hour interstate highway drive the other day, and it seems to have performed well. Those that I could hear could hear me, and that's the most important thing. I have not talked to anyone on side band yet due to so few people using it these days, but from what I've read these units drift a bit on side band until the rig is fully warmed up. I can't confirm that (yet), and it doesn't seem like a big deal anyway.
It's nice seeing a REAL meter on a radio for a change. Seems to work well, and for that matter, so does everything else on the radio with one "possible" exception. The SWR mode is suppose to be calibration free - You just switch it to SWR mode and the meter is suppose to reflect your combination's Standing Wave Ratio. Well, along with this new radio I also installed a new 4' Firestick antenna atop my roll bar as well. I adjusted the antennas screw tip up a few turns away from bottoming out and gave the radio a quick transmit to check SWRs. The needle did not move. It's hard for me to believe that my new setup is perfect right off the bat, and come to think of it I've always had SOME deflection on every rig I've ever tested. It's likely that the SWR test mode is not working on this radio, but the "High SWR Warning Light" on the radio did not light up, so I went with it on a semi limited use basis until I check it with an in-line SWR meter. So the jury is still out on SWR meter mode, otherwise the DX 979 gets a thumbs up from me (so far). I just wish it were the size of my ol' PC122XL...
Rating:  [4 of 5 Stars!] |
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