Wow, is a Galaxy DX-98VHP really worth this much?

I give $460 for my set up for a Volvo, 98VHP peaked and tuned to 157 dead key and 375 max, Hustler SBC, 12' coax, antenna mount & 12' of flat braid ground wire. The biggest reason for the blown finals is poor air circulation. If you are going to put it in a box or the overhead limit top end to 200. I have an extra heatsink plate, a top mount bracket & dual cpu fans to help keep it cool. I also run this radio in my pickup with the same set up mounted to the lower dash above the trans tunnel. I get out 30-40 miles no problem.

 

I am thinking about acuiring me one of these babies. Since you are an owner of one. I need to ask, what did you do as far as wiring went to have it setup correctly for safe use?
Ie; power/ground setup, coax type (not just length which I know shouldn't matter).
Also, when you bought it, did the shop require you show a license from the fcc to purchase the radio, or did they just sell it to you like if you bought a standard cb?

 

Although you addressed "NC Ghost Hunter" with your question, these shops aren't going to ASK for a "license" because the act of purchasing it is not "illegal". It is illegal for the SELLER to sell it, but not for the consumer to BUY it! What IS illegal is for it to be USED ON CB radio because:

1. It exceeds the 4 watt limit.

2. it has to be modified to operate on those frequencies

3. It now operates not only on CB, but operates inside the 12 and 10 Meter bands.

That makes the ham very mad and, when they HEAR somebody ON their frequencies, they will hunt them down and turn them in. They'll even (sometimes) turn people in if they just find out somebody's got a "10 Meter 'ham' (NOT!) radio" because they know that sooner or later, the users might find "them channels" just TOOO tempting!

OTH, IF you STAY out of the ham bands, KNOW where your radio is operating, STAY ON the CB band, it's not nearly so likely you'll get caught.

But to answer your original question, NO. The dealer isn't gonna ask if you have a license to purchase a radio. It's not in their best interests, business-wise (couldn't sell as many radios!). Actually, I would LIKE the idea of making people have a license to purchase these ILLEGAL (for CB) radios because of the blatant and rampant intrusions of CBers into the ham bands. Maybe it's something to push for!

GF

 

Okay, thank you for your reply! I still need to know how this radio should be specifically setup so that it will run safely without even the possibility of burning out.

 

Run your power/ground directly to the battery, make sure your swr's are set properly, and make sure your antenna is grounded..you should be fine

 

SWR must be set as low as you can get it. those radios do not like an even a slightly high SWR and will blow all of the mostfet finals if its to high,that a $400.00 fix!

 

I ran the leads directly to the batteries. I also have two 50 amp fuses on the hot lead. I know overkill. Antenna on a bird perch with a separate ground wire to the battery box mounting bolts. I know some have said this was not necessary, but this helped lower my SWRs from 1.8 to 1.3. Both are 12'' from each end. Be advised that this radio needs to have really good airflow around it so forget about shoving it in the cubbyhole. Also would not work with the side mounting mic cable. This radio has a top mount bracket. I do not turn the power past 12 o'clock to guard against blowing the finals.

To address full speed ahead's comments: Yes I know should have a ham liscence. I am studying for the test. I stay on 19 where I belong.

 

i got my galaxy dx98vhp from GI Joes and ordered the astatic 636l mic, frequency expansion for use here in New Zealand and the tx,rx improvements, within seconds of installation into a station master vertical with a swr of 1.4 on 26.330, 1.1 on 26.770 and dead flat over the 27mhz 40ch’s there was a distinct “clipping\overdrive” coming from inside wether power was on minimum or maximum, the meter was swinging well over the 250max on the meter towards what i’m guessing about 280w, within days i was getting a few reports of my modulation sounding like i was under water, this prob stopped after i turned the unit off for a few hours and might not get it again for a week or 10 days until after about 3 months of rare use i keyed it and heard a very distinctive pop noise and that horrible smell, upon contacting galaxy they have had a few probs with GI Joes tech buggering the tune ups, they happily sent replacement parts but unfortunatly the parts sit in the box with the radio as there very few competant repairers in NZ, so if you do buy one DONT get it from GI Joes ASK around first but i’m missing my baby like there no tomorrow, i’m currently on a dx99v in the mobile and base till the BEAST gets fixed. and as for 300w for the extra on the radio is it worth it when 240-250w is good for it. ͒M NOT KNOCKING GALAXY and would look at their radios again but i will say tweak and tune responsibly and enjoy talking on it and not just looking at it in the box(for $980NZ by the time customs nz got their bit it’s an EXPENSIVE lesson). 2 years later and i finally have a NEW one on order and awaiting for a responsibly tuned radio for great dx.
73′s & Happy DXing

 

Personally, I wouldn't consider the Connex a better radio but just as bad as the 98VHP

 

LOL!!! Yeah right. A rogue base station maybe. Hams talk a lot of crap. I don't blame them a bit for getting pi ssed. Most of us do when people key up their monsters. But no one is doing squat about it. At least on any scale that will scare anyone. Stop with the threats already. Been talking that crap since the 70s and not a handful of people ever even fined. It sounds nice but isn't going to happen.