Whack Pack Regrets

Hi,

This is my first post. I wish I found this forum sooner. I bought a radio from RAR based on the glowing reviews Mike has on CBRT. I saw later that the sponsors always get great reviews. I bought a Galaxy 95T2, Ranger chrome speaker, Wilson 1000 roof mount antenna, and Astatic 636L mic. I don't know what I paid for each because they don't give invoices, but it was $700.00 total. I got the Whack Pack and Super Recieve whatever those are. I almost just had it peaked and tuned because I was worried about getting a hack job, but RAR claims theirs work isn't. When I read that he redesigns radios that was a red flag. When some one brags about how great they are, they usually aren't. Just the way he was on the phone turned me off.

The meter light went out so I guess I'll send it to Sparky's to get it fixed and get it unhacked. I wonder how much I paid for that hack job. I know that Sparky's will Sparkify a radio, whatever that is. I wonder what it will cost to have it fixed and done right. I won't even complain that Al isn't giving me daily email updates like another poster here. I guess I could just sell it to one of Mike's groupies on CBRT and get a newer model. Anyone have a Sparkified radio?

TIA,
Sonny

 

Thanks for the reply. I bought the radio in 2006. At the time I didn't find the complaints about his work that I find online now. I mentioned in a PM to a CBRT member that I didn't like not getting an invoice and received a critical PM from Mike stating that he didn't give invoices because of problems with the FCC. He could have still gave an invoice that didn't spell everything out. I would have liked to know what he charged for his work and the gear. I don't talk on this radio much, mostly listen for bear alerts. I asked a couple times how I sounded and was told good. I just wonder what it would be like it it was done right and what it is doing to my radio.

 

Thanks handlebar. I figured some one would have it for awhile. I read some of their mods are hard to spot, like taking out solder joints and changing small components. I figured Al probably has unhacked some before. I've read that a Galaxy 95T2 (discontinued) is a good radio. I almost bought it from Sparky's, but all the guys on CBRT were bragging up Mike. Since he doesn't give invoices, I checked equipment prices online and it looks like I paid over $100 to hack my radio. Now I would have to pay to get it unhacked. Maybe I would be better off selling it on CBRT and getting a new one elsewhere, a newer Galaxy or Connex. I don't use SSB anyway. The meter light quit so I need to get it fixed. Since there isn't a shop here I'll have to send it out anyway. Any idea on what it would cost? TIA

 

It wouldn't bother me a bit to sell my radio on CBRT. Those guys love Mike's work. I just need to get the meter light fixed. Of course that will break the precious RAR warranty stickers. I would need to pay $10 to upgrade my membership to sell there because I don't have 100 posts. That forum is always wanting money. I don't know what to ask for it. It was $430 plus the Whack Hack and Super Receive. I have at least $500 in it and it has been barely used.