Export radio opinions?

[DaveJacobsen]

Hi -- I am working on a little space in our apartment for some radio -- I have previously only used cb. I got my ham license the other day & started looking for 10 meter radios. Expensive for "ham quality" and then started to look at export radios; some seem much better than the others, and while I know it's illegal to use them on cb bands, the appeal of being able to turn power down to legal limits & use one radio to save space seems like a good way to go.
Since the 'export' seems to be driven more at cb than ham, I figured here was a good place to ask.

I have narrowed my choices down to a few, all about the same price.
Cre8900, anytone6666,lincoln ii

I am leaning towards the cre, but if I were pushed to say why, I'm not sure I could tell you.
Options wise they all seem about the same, frequency about the same.
I want to be able to use repeaters if the opportunity/need arises and would like smooth easy tuning/scanning.

does anyone have any opinions on these radios, especially if you've touched/used at least 2 of them?

 

[jassing]

I spent a lot of time looking and listening to radios. Ultimately, you need to pick a radio that does well for what you want to use it for. Some excel at AM others at SSB. I think power is overrated most times, so you really need to take power as an "unknown" until you get it.
A lot of radios look really similar inside; it's hard to tell what's what. Sometimes the frequencies are a bit different, etc.
For me, I picked the cre. The anytone was a close 2nd. The lincoln ii (v3) sounded bad to me...
Anytone looks more like a "ham" radio (looks almost exactly like my vhf/uhf radio); If you're used to CB's, the cre is easier to use. Feature wise, they seem the same.
my vote: cre8900

 

[methusaleh]

This is in the CB radio forum, yet you are looking for an affordable 10m amateur radio, correct?

I am not familiar with any of the models you listed, but I do know Anytone seems to be regarded as a low-end brand....imported (to the USA), I thought, so I am not sure where the "export" term comes into play with that model. Not sure about the others.

Anyhow, I have been there, done that, trying to take the cheap way out to get on 10 meter phone as soon as I got my General upgrade...buy once, cry once, as they say. Just save up a little extra money to get a Radio Shack HTX100 or similar rig. You will be frustrated if your entry into 10 meters comes via one of those "export" radios. The quality is nothing compared to a dedicated 10m radio. I wasted $100 on three Galaxy DX99-something-or-other "export" radios that I found on QRZ...the radios were not even worth the $33.33 each I paid, including shipping. They worked, but were noisy on RX, dirty on TX, and drifted off frequency even when warmed up. I ended up giving one away to a friend who loves to tinker, selling one before I destroyed it, and using the third one to attempt to make into a worthy transceiver for myself...it was a lost cause and I ended up with a nice paperweight and a handful of components.

Or do what I wish I had done in the first place, and save up for an entry-level HF rig like the Alinco DX70. You will thank yourself in the long run and find much more enjoyment in amateur radio as well

 

[SCPD]

If all you're interested in is 10, I'd at least take a look at Ebay at what a used Radio Shack 10 meter would run ya. You'd have AM, SSB and FM for a fraction of what you're gonna pay for a new export radio.

 

[RayAir]

I haven't listened to or used a CB in a several years, but 15 years ago I had a President HR 2510 and a Magnum 257. I believe the Magnum was modded to cover 25.000-30.000MHz. My 2510 died on me.
CB free band was interesting. 27.505 USB was "Ch 50". There was one "upper" channel called the Superbowl with people running big time illegal amps and I used to monitor a clandestine trucking operation in Clewiston, FL discussing how to move cargo let's just say stealthily. They were using illegal "lower" channels in the 25.165 MHz area.

I think the FCC has cracked down on buying free band (export) radios and amps. You used to be able to just go online and buy them in the early 2000's.

I'd recommend not buying an export radio and just get either a 10 meter or a CB rig that is legal. But either way, have fun.

I think they still make the Magnum 257 and have a 357 model too. It was a nice modern looking rig, unlike those 70's looking Galaxy and Connex radios.

 

[BBB007]

Why pay extra for a CRE 8900 when you can get a real HAM radio Alinco DX-10 for less from Ham Radio Outlet.

ALINCO DX-10 | 10 Meter (28MHz) All-Mode Mobile Transceiver (AM/SSB/CW/FM)

Oh wait, haha, forgot to mention that the two radios are identical in every single way, even the software and cable to program them. Ham radio and CB lines will always be blurred. A few operators use this radio locally and I have no problem getting a good copy on them after they run an upgraded mic. Only other minor complaints are that they are not super loud modulators on AM and the off-angle viewing of the display is not so good in daylight conditions. I run my Alinco DX-10 as a base unit from time to time.

Universal Radio mentions the DX-10 has been discontinued and AES has them on clearance for $20 less.So it appears that Alinco may not be offering these radios anymore or may be switching to a newer Anytone design or got flack from the "community" for offering an "export radio" Oh the horror...

 

[jassing]

fwiw: I understand the appeal of 'exports' to a certain extent. Especially in a small space. One radio to cover multiple bands, saves space, but then you need tuners which adds space. Exports are indeed marketed towards cb'ers not hams. I like the cre, but another great one is the yeticom optima; more of a ham radio -- so you have to choose how you want to use the radio, like a cb with channels or ham with frequencies. (optima covers 12,11,10 meters) A good choice (imho) for skip options.

@bbb007 -- I don't follow your logic. Why is the cre8900 not as good as the alinco dx-10 ("real ham radio"), if they are identical? I don't get that. If identical, then shouldn't the cre8900 also be a real ham radio? I did a quick search, and they are about the same price, with the cre actually cheaper in a few spots.

Some people crap on "illegal" equipment, but I've seen more than one militantly "use a legal radio" run a cb with a kicker and claim "It's ok, no one cares about cb"

Just be responsible. Do not transmit on ham frequencies unless you have a license.. the 10 meter seems to have a lot of "policing" on it at times. (and try to remember to turn power down to legal limits when on 11meters ;-)

 

[KD8DVR]

Hi -- I am working on a little space in our apartment for some radio -- I have previously only used cb. I got my ham license the other day & started looking for 10 meter radios. Expensive for "ham quality" and then started to look at export radios; some seem much better than the others, and while I know it's illegal to use them on cb bands, the appeal of being able to turn power down to legal limits & use one radio to save space seems like a good way to go.
Since the 'export' seems to be driven more at cb than ham, I figured here was a good place to ask.

I have narrowed my choices down to a few, all about the same price.
Cre8900, anytone6666,lincoln ii

I am leaning towards the cre, but if I were pushed to say why, I'm not sure I could tell you.
Options wise they all seem about the same, frequency about the same.
I want to be able to use repeaters if the opportunity/need arises and would like smooth easy tuning/scanning.

does anyone have any opinions on these radios, especially if you've touched/used at least 2 of them?

Those are made for the "illegal good buddy" crowd. They are called an "export" to try to get around rules. Doubtful they are legal anywhere.

The do not have a frequency agile VFO in some cases. Those that do, may not even have the delicate steps a ham would need.

Also, their frequency tolerances are probably not in line with the spectral purity an amateur would like.

There are even a few of these "10 meter" radios that actually have their receivers fine tuned for the USA CB band! The manufacturers know that they are designed for illegal CB.

Stay away from them. No self-respecting amateur would touch one...

Who needs Echo and a "good Buddy Beep" on an "Amateur" radio?

 

[k8krh]

Try qth.com, I saw some rat shack 10 meter radios the other day. Anyhow don't waste your money on a single band 10 meter radio, look for an ALINCO 10-80 meter radio I saw a few under $400 other day on the same web page....
DOCTOR/795