Galaxy Saturn freq. screwing up.

[Metalhead396]

I just bought a Saturn of of Fleabay. It seams to work fine. It's never been tuned or converted to 11 meters. To talk on 11 meters I put it on "A" band. if I then turn the radio off and back on it comes on in the 24mhz. range. Then if I turn the Band selector to "C" and then back to "A" the channels on "A" go back to 11 meters (26.-27. mhz). Any idea why?

 

[gewecke]

I just bought a Saturn of of Fleabay. It seams to work fine. It's never been tuned or converted to 11 meters. To talk on 11 meters I put it on "A" band. if I then turn the radio off and back on it comes on in the 24mhz. range. Then if I turn the Band selector to "C" and then back to "A" the channels on "A" go back to 11 meters (26.-27. mhz). Any idea why?

Used radios off of ebay? What's your FIRST clue? :roll:


73
n9zas

 

[Metalhead396]

Well the radio seems to be well taken care of. He even shipped it in the original Galaxy box with the foam packing. It preforms well except for the freq. thing.

 

[Metalhead396]

I made a quick video on my phone of the problem. Please take a look.

YouTube - Radio

 

[wyomingmedic]

When you display is showing 23 or 24 MHz, is it actually transmitting there or is it just the display showing a wrong frequency?

Sadly, just because the radio looks well cared for, it doesn't mean the radio has not been messed up. The fact that the radio even THINKS it is transmitting on 23 MHz is a little scary. The PLL may somehow be messed up and not acting properly. Lots of folks try to tweak on PLLs as a way to get the radios to "freeband".

What is even more disturbing to me is the fact that the "A" position will indicate 1 thing, then another thing a little later after switching something that should not cause the change. It may be something a easy as low voltage or a loose connector, but it could also be a PLL unlock problem which would need a new part or new radio.

WM

 

[Metalhead396]

I have no way of checking the frequency if it is showing 23 or 24mhz. I do know the SWR is higher when is is showing those channels and the radio is quieter. As far as the condition of the radio goes this guy was supposed to be a HAM that used it to talk on 10 meters. I think he's full of it!!

 

[wyomingmedic]

Hmmm, 24MHz is a ham band (12 meters) and of course 28MHz is 10 meters, so maybe he modified it somehow so he could use it on both bands.

I bet the reason the SWR is higher and the receive is quieter is because it truly is off frequency and the antenna is nowhere near tuned for it. That would explain both symptoms.

WM

 

[SCPD]

Dont trust anyone from ebay because the are a HAM,I to bought a radio off ebay from a ham and got screwed!!!

 

[Metalhead396]

Well Ebay in there wisdom has denied my refund. I'm now the proud owner of a $320. screwed up radio.

 

[joen7xxx]

Why would you pay $320 for a used CB radio?

 

[Metalhead396]

Because it's cheaper than a new one and they don't make Galaxy Saturns any more and I used to have one.

 

[joen7xxx]

OK, it just seems like an awful lot for a 4 watt CB. Does it have DSP or something that makes it so expensive? You can but a used HF radio for that kind of money. Just curious... Hope you get it working..

Joe

 

[Metalhead396]

I'm not a HAM.

 

[JayMojave]

Hello Metalhead 396:

I am no Saturn Expert, buy looking at the U-Tub Video it doesn't look like its working right.

This is a lesson we have all had to learn buying radios and such off the internet. I also have been taken buying radios and such. Its cheaper and easier for me to just buy new radios from the dealers.

You might have to have a Tech look at it, or send it back to the factory for repair, good luck.

My last radio "good deal" was a local who boasted the radio put out an amazing 50 watts on SSB. My trusty new Bird Watt Meter and a Dummy load showed the expected output of 10 watts. Buyer beware!

Jay in the Mojave