Any GE Superbase users out there

[Retroradio]

Recently picked up a GE Superbase. Other than the radios obvious good looks I have found it to be simply amazing... Well laid out, big meters , 2 antenna inputs etc....

Has anyone else noticed the excellent audio on receive? It is out performing my current radio for sound quality. Is it just this radio or has anyone else experienced this?

So my question is this. anyone reccomend a desk Microphone for this radio. I currently am running the stock mic. I usually run D-104s but wondered if there was a preferred desk mic for this radio?

Superbase users - Thoughts on this rig, tips etc.....?

 

[Retroradio]

Wow, 95 views and no answers....is the GE Superbase that rare?

 

[NDRADIONUT]

Looks like a boat anchor...

 

[JayMojave]

Hello Retroradio: Good find in the GE Superbase radio, and glad its working hummin and ah buzzin for you.

If it uses a D-104 Mic then it probable set for low impedance Mic input being a transistor rig. So if the GE Radio is a low impedance or high impedance, try a Sure 444 mic, it can be switched to either hi or low impedance.

After years of fighting D-104 Mic's with a pre-amp, I bypassed the pre-amp and just used the mic element straight into the radio, while keeping the D-104 mic about 6 inches from my mouth. That made it sounded better and didn't have all the background noise from the kids and ol lady. This on a General Radiotelephone Super MC-11A Radio.

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert......

 

[Retroradio]

Jay, thanks for the input. I have found over the years that there is always a recommended microphone for a radio that makes it come alive. I was basically wondering what the best mic for this rig is...Turner... Astatic....etc. I have a Shure 444 kicking around so I might give that a shot. I have never had to fight with a pre=-amp on a D-104. What's issues did you have?
I have found the Superbase to be an outstanding performer. The receive is warm and incredible. It is outperforming my Bearecat so far which suprised me.

 

[TheSpaceMann]

Friend had one of those back in the day! He was using a Turner +2 on it, and it sounded great.

 

[Retroradio]

Good to know as I also have a Turner kicking around although if IIRC there is a pinhole in the element and am iunsure if that is supposed to be there. regardless it will be worth trying out if it sounded good back in the day.

 

[TheSpaceMann]

Good to know as I also have a Turner kicking around although if IIRC there is a pinhole in the element and am iunsure if that is supposed to be there. regardless it will be worth trying out if it sounded good back in the day.

Check if the element is the original. A lot of guys back then swapped the mike element out of it and put in a $1 Lafayette or RS substitute! Sometimes it actually made the audi sound crisper.

 

[CyberWarrior]

If you find one in good shape,I would use a Super Sidekick on it

 

[Retroradio]

Super sidekick would be awesome....However they are hard to find in good shape. I have a couple of +2 kicking around and have yet to wire them up ( someone rewired one internally and I have to fix that first...) Makes me wonder why I got rid of mt expander 500. now that was a space age looking microphone !

 

[zzdiesel]

I don't recall seeing one during the CB heyday. I missed it till seeing it here.

 

[Retroradio]

Zzdiesel - Was it the Supebase or the Expander you missed in the heyday? Both were awesome looking pieces of radio gear. The receive on the Superbase is smoooothhhh !

 

[zzdiesel]

I was talking about the Superbase. I can't remember the the Expander either. I must've been overprotected unfortunately!

 

[Retroradio]

Not to hijack my own thread but if you really want to melt your brain for what I think is the coolest looking radio is there Stoner Pro 40 with all its accessories.....WOW!
back on track - I had heard of the Super Base during the heyday but had never seen one till last year when I picked this one up.
As for the Expander 500 in my old operating area, it was classed with the D104 and had a good reputation...... I used it on my Craig L231 40ssb station. (I preferred the D104.)

 

[zzdiesel]

I thought y'all were talking about another nice radio besides a desk mike. I think I remember owning one for about a week or so & then traded it for an Echomaster.

 

[JayMojave]

Heres a few good sites for the older radios and stuff:

New Page 3
Woody's Radio Museum Photo's
http://www.mycbshack.com/id72.html
CB Radio Collection

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert