Looking for a new multimode

I'm looking for a new multimode rig . All my other past rigs have been older with just a ch number but also a amateur so I like a frequency readout.

So looking for something not too heavy or delicate for /p .

Had a cre in past which a alinco 135uk copy yes was good but the mic was naff and ptt switch kept playing up . In end it let out the magic smoke .

Another consideration I been thinking is the grant 2 premium. What are peoples thoughts or any other suggestions please ?

Cheers

crt ss6900 on sale lamco £134

Hi Matt,

The G2 premium is a nicer quality radio than the Chinese export type rigs but much less flexible in terms of programmable options like the DR135. If you only want the C.B. legal frequencies I would consider that or the President Mckinley.

However if you want the flexibility the CRT SS9900 is very popular and worth a look.

73's Gary.

I'm looking for the free band area . Main interest is ssb portion but from time to time will go on fm .

Oh garry , I'm not keen on a plastic looking on the SS 9900 personally but that's just me . Being a amateur I spoilt myself with yaesus etc

Hi Matt,

Perhaps a wide banded HF set like a Yaesu 450d?

73's Gary.

Only thing is it does not fit in with being channalised with a frequency readout while being light for portable and working on hill tops .

Only reason why want channalised with a frequency readout . Because some people say a frequency and some a channel number and much quicker to tune to set frequencies .

Options are

Grant 2
Lincoln 2
CRT 9900
Alinco 135uk
Magnum s9
Delta force
Anyone 5555

That's all I can think of really which suits the use

Grant 2 Premium is now a discontinued radio. Most sellers are reporting no stock left. Waters and Stanton still have a few for sale. Various rumours as to why, the most likely I've heard was Murata getting out of the RF filter market. Quite a few mechanical filter manufacturers are shutting down as SDR makes them less needed.

President McKinley is the replacement for the Grant now but I prefer the look of the Grant 2 P plus the fact you didn't have to press and hold a function button to switch between UKFM and EU/CEPT AM/FM/SSB.

I have both the G2 and the CRE8900 (DR135) variant. The G2 is better made and sounds nicer to listen to. The DR135 is cheap and sounds muffled to my ears but can do about 25-30 MHz programmable so does a little bit more.

Like connor has said the G2 is discontinued now so if you can get one new then you better do so quickly. I have to say the Mckinley is starting to grow on me a bit now but I didn't initially warm to the look of it.

73's Gary.

I all ways thought the cre 8900 was not a copy of the alnico 135uk the alnico was the copy and every one thought get the alnico its a better radio it not and lots who bought them had lots of probs I bought the cre8900 and is still a great radio read out is not to good from looking at it from a angle they had them in the states before we got them a great radio when programmed right and use it on 11m export and then go to 10m and switch back to the same chan seen them badged as kenwood.

I think you are right Stephen but as fare as I'm aware they come out of the same factory in China.
I'm not really knocking the 8900 for what is is it does a good job, I just wish it sounded nicer perhaps my old ears are the problem!!!

CRT 7900 is far better that the 9900, the 9900 get ridiculously hot when used on long overs, if you use the 7900 and buy it with the expert mod.areasy done. I have had the 9900 and the 6900. I've got a few ssb set and the crt 7900 is buy far the best. And I also have amature radios. I took a 450d out of my van to put the crt 7900 in there.

Jay c wrote:

CRT 7900 is far better that the 9900, the 9900 get ridiculously hot when used on long overs, if you use the 7900 and buy it with the expert mod.areasy done. I have had the 9900 and the 6900. I've got a few ssb set and the crt 7900 is buy far the best. And I also have amature radios. I took a 450d out of my van to put the crt 7900 in there.

I've been using a SS9900 for a few years and never had any overheating problems (although admittedly it does get quite warm during long "overs" in FM mode). The 7900 looks good but it has less output power.....10 watts less than the SS9900 in FM mode and only half that of the SS9900 in SSB mode according to the specs.

My 7900 out of the box is doing 55 watts on high and does 20 watts on low.. I do know a few people with the 9900 that get very hot as well on fm. I've had it on a few power meters to check the 7900 was rite lol. But I suppose it's all down to personal preference. My friend uses a 6900 and loves it but I'm not liking how bright the screen is for mobile use. The 7900 has got a much better heatsink on the back than the 9900.

I have a 7900 which is now my spare radio (I use a Yaesu 891) and it's a decent rig for the money. I've used it portable, it's not too heavy and has suvived being bumped about in my pack. I keep the power down on the radio and use it to drive an amp, so I can't remember what the maximum power was but if I can find my post on the "old" site with the details I'll post it up later.

The 7900 is a very underrated radio. It recive is fantastic an tx is very very good. As a mobile multimode set I find it pretty hard to beat. The only modification I did to the radio was put a astatic road devil mic on it other than that I've not touched it.

Jay c wrote:

The 7900 is a very underrated radio. It recive is fantastic an tx is very very good. As a mobile multimode set I find it pretty hard to beat. The only modification I did to the radio was put a astatic road devil mic on it other than that I've not touched it.

I would not recommend the 9900 i would recommend the 7900 and i agree with you Jay.