Radio Reviews
Ranger 2995
Ranger Communications inc. RCI-2995DX
List price $599.00
If you have room for a serious cb radio this is the one you want. It has continuous coverage from 24.000Mhz-31.999MHZ after modification. The big fan cooled 110v power supply built into the radio will run this radio up to 250-300 watts after it has been modded as well. This rig has AM/FM/SSB/CW. It has 10 programmable memories and also has the ability for split freq transmit. This is a rack mount type of radio or you can set it on your desk top. They come from the factory with 150 PEP on SSB, plenty of power for a stock radio. With an adjustable RF power you can turn it down to two watts if you like. All the controls you could ask for are their, RF gain, built in swr meter, mic gain, freq display, rodger beep, large VFO for tuning , auto and memory scan, NB/ANL, light dimmer. Dual easy to read analog meters for RF power and receive strength.
The built in amp section is fantastic, large external heat sinks with a 12v power plug on the back of the radio allows you to add a cooling fan or two if you need them (highly recommended for a tuned up rig). I have had mine for a little over 2 years now and have not had a single problem with it. I have run this thing full power for hours and it never got more than warm to the touch (250 watts am pep). The radio runs for 8-10 hrs a day for the last 2 plus years. The receive is pretty good for where I'm located at, in a valley and in the shadows of the surrounding hills. Transmit audio is fantastic, I get great reports from this rig with a D-104 desk mic from everyone I contact.
If you are ever going to buy a high powered base radio, this is the one to buy, why spend 300 plus for a base just to buy an amp for a few hundred more, when you can have this bad ass base.
Magnum S3
Magnnum S3 AM-FM-Extra Channels -
MSRP $225
No peak and tune required. Does 50 some watts with obnoxious audio right out of the box with the stock mic.
Big heat sink on the back gets hot cause it kicks ass.
Sold as 10 meter radio: channel expansion to cb channels takes a phillips screw driver and about 5 minutes.
This radio does not ever require a power mic ever never none whatsoever absolutely does not need one. It screams with the stock mic right out of the box. I tried several different power mics with these radios and they sound better, louder and more distinct with the mic that comes with it.
I have owned several of these radios and they always kick ass morning, day and night.
If I had to take a road trip to move cars, escort or something like that, I would take a magnum s3 on a lighter plug and a wilson 1000. Couldn't imagine a better setup...
Echo is awesome
quiet front end receiver like that of a yaesu 857d or a 2510 - it sits in my car quiet until somebody says something and we forget it's even on.
adjustable talkback
swr warning light
variable power, built in modulator you can switch on and off
When they first came out like 2005-6 something like that, I bought one to test it out and try to blow it up just to see what would go wrong with this radio. I was so amazed with the power and audio it did right out of the box. I played music for hours and hours trying to see what component in the radio would burn up first. I had this radio so hot it melted the wax out of everything. I had this radio too hot to touch every day for 3 years. Nothing ever went bad in it. Very impressed with this radio.
My first Magnum s3 was in my blue truck with 102" whip behind the cab. I never have talked more dx in a nother mobile and without an amp!
Can't wait to buy another one for my next vehicle. Best AM mobile I can think of for the money that does not require a power mic and an amp.
I got one in my car with chrome lids and a chrome turner road king mic. Looks sweet. - Jiggaman
