President George II

[2IR473]

I just priced an EU version from a UK retailer. I did not complete the purchase, but added it to my cart and went through the process to get a final price, shipped to the U.S. Total was just shy of $400. Radio was $337 and shipping was $62 with UPS. DHL was about $58.

The FCC version, selling at $279 will be around $300 with the average sales tax added on, as long as the seller offers free shipping. So if the FCC version is locked to the U.S. 40 channels and unable to be expanded, the question for some may be…is it worth $100 more to get an EU version ? Especially if one holds an amateur license to use on 10m. And yes…some hams actually use 10m export radios on 10m. I just tell the other station that I’m running a Yaesu and they praise the audio of my AT-5555N-II.

Or will the FCC version provide a modification to be able to expand coverage ? Hell, I would be happy if the FCC version could at least receive additional channels other than the 40 CB channels, because I mostly monitor these days, as I don’t find too many people on 11 or 10 meters that I would want to talk to. When I was working the world on 11m over 30 years ago, SSB CB operators acted like hams…not like the sociopaths I hear so much today. And I wouldn’t spend a penny to talk to Hard Drive on ch. 19.

 

[slowmover]

EU can also have menu-choice variable power to 60W (engineering menu change).

While that doesn’t interest me as much (prefer separate amp), the greater abilities otherwise do.

Whether I use them or not is a separate question set.

It’s not a Lincoln, but DSP makes up for much.

I “get it” that others find it somewhat confusing given price & ability versus Q5/QT60. I’d consider the Stryker 955 the better comparison.

With FCC version it’s RM amp match ease plus President quality versus the Q clones. EU version same, but with line-by-line changes noted.

I’ve blown $100 on plenty didn’t give me much in return. As the S-955 is $425, now we’re cooking with gas.

Advantage over Lincoln is that it’s FAR easier to use while mobile. That big meter is a real help when Skip is heavy and one is looking for aid in prying local out of the chaos.

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[slowmover]

FCC version with covers off.

Shows internals.

Per SimonTheWizard:
Note the board is almost identical to the George II (UK/EU Version) apart from a missing output transistor, white wire and jumper!!!!!





Closely dialing-in DK more my speed, but others will be pleased at this.

Delineate other functional changes and a good comparison is done.

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[slowmover]

Looks good

Haven’t seen mention of software change possibilities.

EU said to be:

FM - 30W FM
AM - 12W deadkey ( 40w PEP only)
SSB - 40W (PEP only)

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[2IR473]

I‘m gonna quote what I said back on Sept 7…

I would anticipate President will neuter this radio if they sell it in the U.S.

 

[slowmover]

The above is about the FCC version now for sale, here.

Might you expand on what’s meant specifically by “neutered”?

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[2IR473]

Might you expand on what’s meant specifically by “neutered”?

I mean the FCC version has its power and frequency coverage altered, making it a lesser and weaker version of the EU model. President literally neuters the radio by cutting off its manhood. And American citizens are supposed to accept this substandard product because a governmental bureaucratic agency dictates what Americans should be allowed to have.
Is the RF spectrum somehow different in Europe than in the U.S.? Are Europeans somehow more worthy of a radio that has greater capabilities than Americans ?

And President submits to the FCC, while Radioddity sells the CS-47 AM/FM CB radio (AKA Anytone Graces) with an FCC certification, and that radio can be expanded for both power output and frequency coverage by moving a simple jumper on the board. How can two different companies be subject to two different standards under the FCC oversight?

What is the difference between Radioddity (or Anytone, as the manufacturer), and President ? One company is based in France, while the other company is based in China. between France and China, which country do you think pulls all the strings in the U.S. ? And President Electronics insults Americans by giving you an inferior product. It is a neutered product for a neutered nation.

 

[krokus]

What is the difference between Radioddity (or Anytone, as the manufacturer), and President ? One company is based in France, while the other company is based in China.

One is a respectable company, that has a decent reputation, and at least tries to comply with government regulations. The other is in China, and doesn't care about the regulations.

 

[slowmover]

I mean the FCC version has its power and frequency coverage altered, making it a lesser and weaker version of the EU model. President literally neuters the radio by cutting off its manhood. And American citizens are supposed to accept this substandard product because a governmental bureaucratic agency dictates what Americans should be allowed to have.
Is the RF spectrum somehow different in Europe than in the U.S.? Are Europeans somehow more worthy of a radio that has greater capabilities than Americans ?

And President submits to the FCC, while Radioddity sells the CS-47 AM/FM CB radio (AKA Anytone Graces) with an FCC certification, and that radio can be expanded for both power output and frequency coverage by moving a simple jumper on the board. How can two different companies be subject to two different standards under the FCC oversight?

What is the difference between Radioddity (or Anytone, as the manufacturer), and President ? One company is based in France, while the other company is based in China. between France and China, which country do you think pulls all the strings in the U.S. ? And President Electronics insults Americans by giving you an inferior product. It is a neutered product for a neutered nation.

Agreed, in whole. I haven’t looked at what’s the difference in frequency coverage (specifics; what’s covered versus what isn’t was the question), but it does look as though power can be modified in a straightforward manner.

 

[slowmover]

One is a respectable company, that has a decent reputation, and at least tries to comply with government regulations. The other is in China, and doesn't care about the regulations.

Graces versus G2 not really a good comparison, but QT60, is.

Variable power is then the essential difference as freq coverage is otherwise the same.

Regulations exist to benefit them that ain’t us (The People). Not what, but whom as arguments of benefit assumes that which wasn’t by The Founders.

What once was liberty if turned to license is strictly un-Constitutional.

That aside, at least the EU version isn’t prohibitive in cost, but it’s on its way there.

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[slowmover]

From a YT comment:

To receive FCC type acceptance President left out the middle finale transistor and a small jumper wire on the board. Just install the missing final transistor and the missing jumper wire reset the radio. Then you will be all set. Really easy to do. That is the reason for the heavy heat sink this is a 60 watt radio. It is the same as the model sold in the UK and Europe. Just add the transistor and jumper wire. With installed missing jumper wire the frequency range is 26.60 MHZ- 28.760 MHZ.

 

[slowmover]

Thorough

 

[prcguy]

Why not consider the Anytone AT-5555N II? It’s probably a better radio with more features and cheaper too at around $250.

 

[slowmover]

1). Those who’re knowledgeable and have conducted reviews are highly impressed. Several stated best-of-type ever used.

2). Q5/QT60 decidedly nice. But also more power than desired for those wanting to use an outboard amp (not required for a personal vehicle vs big truck).

3). I picked up M0ogy on G2 from England while sitting in SE New Mexico by chance one morning (on Q5).. Best I’ve ever heard given details.

4). A preference for President brand.

I won’t urge anyone to spend the extra, I see it as desirable based on size, (smaller than Q5; same as Uniden 980), reputation, (implicit QC), and that it’s just “better” (less likely one has acquired a dud).

As in above posts I plan to use it with other President accessories including antenna (and a Randy II).

My pickup truck radio mounts to board under headliner, and Q5 kinda bulky in heighth and width. Q5 is also tight in some, maybe most, big truck overhead consoles.

Unquestionably, Q5/QT60 is best value going. Best recommendation.

At 12-14/hrs daily, I’m willing to try G2 in big truck first, then to pickup. Small percent changes noted in this type of use.

 

[2IR473]

Why not consider the Anytone AT-5555N II? It’s probably a better radio with more features and cheaper too at around $250.

I have a 5555N II and you are correct...it is cheaper and it has more features …no, let’s say more capabilities, than the George FCC. But here are the things that make the 5N2 less than perfect for me…
- The radio is too large. Half the chassis is just air !
- Display cannot be dimmed
- Modular mic plug

I believe the new George is basically the same board as the 5N2, simply altered to meet President’s specifications.
My ideal radio would be the President George II...the EU offering, as it has the ability to receive over a wide frequency range, as the 5N2. The FCC version will likely not have that capability. I am hearing some early reviewers say the George FCC is not modifiable to expand power or frequency coverage, due to firmware, which is what I anticipated from President.

 

[slowmover]

Agreed about the FJ45 mic plug. One needs a $25 adapter cable (Stryker). It’s also more susceptible to damage (cord on mine locked to nearby stanchion).

QT40 uses 4-pin. But has a worthless meter .

One of the videos above shows interior. “Missing” final from available slot (heat sink present as it’s part of chassis).

Board shows pins for jumper.

I’d rather spend for EU version were those important to me. Likely cheaper than modifying FCC if farmed out.

But I’ll bet someone solves it.

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[slowmover]

Scott’s Radio purchase/test video:

 

[slowmover]

Re-checked price of G2 from Moonraker in GB to Texas: $398, total.

That lends consistency to comparison of FCC version with an added KL203.

But, EU version has 10M plus Echo! (Can also be modded to run at 60W).

With a DRX-901 speaker one is all in at about $450 either way.

Versus the still-current Lincoln II+ needing both Digi-Mic and W-M ClearSpeech DSP module plus DRX-901 totaling $700 given frequency expansion, then either direction above is a bargain where CB use predominates. (And harder to run while mobile).

In fairness, this is the superior set-up as the DSP is “better”; it’s “more” of a radio. On SSB, we’ll wait to hear of reports given these configurations.


Q5/QT60 is $350-$400 10M & 60W with Echo! and including DRX-901 (but has a far larger chassis & FJ45 mic plug).

— All of above includes 11M conversion, 100% modulation, etc, done by retailer where needed.

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[GadgetGeek]

Are Europeans somehow more worthy of a radio that has greater capabilities than Americans ?

Yes?

 

[slowmover]

One of Scott’s Radios customer vids has him recommending the Digi-Mic for the G2 as it increases one’s TX clarity above it’s already excellent TX audio.

This is echoed elsewhere by others (m0ogy)

Clarity = Cleaner & Meaner.

In dealing with the trolls on AM-19 it’s equivalent to running full-power Buffalo Bore hardcast vs use of wimpy training rounds.

My experience of that daytime AM audio received in New Mexico from a station in England is that it’s accurate.

G2 has the advantage, here.

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