I don't consider the Antone or radioddity radios BETTER. I have tried several of the Chinese radios with extra channels and problems with features or the radio changed frequencies because of the microphone issues. In my opinion. mileage may vary. I would try a good antenna and skip the amp. Study for your ham ticket, and if you still want to go mobile, Get a Yaesu FT-891 a solid 100 watt ssb radio.
Change the mic. I — for one — have no need of channel change except on the front panel thus it’s an automatic upgrade for me.
Otherwise the experience had by the great majority is that these new radios
significantly change 11M performance expectations in mobile applications. Base stations also benefit, but the option of running outboard DSP or fancier (bigger) gear also weighs. Older radios can’t meet the
clear signal capture distance or SSB stability.
One can add the $225 WEST MOUNTAIN RADIO
CLEARSPEECH unit I used for nine years outboard of several AM/SSB units over 750k miles to clean up RX, but it won’t also change one’s TX to, “digital clarity”. The combination is such that — given best antenna system — old hands with 30-years experience can’t adequately describe what’s possible short of having used DSP in 11M themselves.
Hear, and Get Heard has new boundaries. Old radios miss from 1/3-1/2 of what it’s possible to accomplish, TX & RX.
I made a one-way 900-mile rental car trip with a Galaxy 86V connected to a mag mount antenna over two days. It was like being deaf given I knew what to expect
where every step of the way.
No wonder the complaints about moribund CB.
— If the OP has to stretch out his dollars then Best Antenna is where to put them after installing clean 12V power. Extension Speaker, next, then radio last is the order as these two require mount solutions which increase their price.
“Integrated NRC”, is the most important radio feature, today.
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