SS9900 vs CRE8900

[Jimthecrow]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of getting an SSB capable radio and have narrowed my choice down to the SS9900 (AT6666) or the CRE8900 (alinco dr-135dx). Has anyone been able to compare these directly? I get that the SS9900 is more powerful (but more prone to overheating??) and I've seen some complaints about the display on the CRE8900. I would be really interested to hear peoples thoughts on these two sets - and also any recommendations on other things to consider.

James

[astradyne]

Hi James.

I've owned both. I ended up selling the Alinco as the display was unevenly lit and the RX audio was a bit raspy sounding. I do like the SS9900 though, I've owned the same one for over two years now and haven't a single complaint. Just don't run them at stupid power on FM and you'll be fine.

[Mudslinger]

I think the main board inside is pretty similar.

I have had both the CRE and DR-135UK and they were ok, but not as good as the Magnum 257/Albrecht AE-485s

[Auldgeek]

I had an AT-6666 and it worked very well indeed. I think the receiver is better on SSB.
You need to back off the RF Gain a bit on the Alinco as it tends to overload on strong signals.

I'd choose the SS9900/AT-6666 over the Alinco

[Jimthecrow]

Ah - thanks! Any recommendations for power supplies? It is a bit unclear from the manual if it draws 10 or 12A.

[Mudslinger]

I would go for a bit bigger say 30A. That way you have some spare capacity for extra accessories.

[theEarwigger]

The CRE8900 is more a traditional CB, the SS9900 has fewer physical controls.

I have the '9900 and it receives/transmits well, with clear audio. The FQP13N10 output stage needs throttling back on FM, or it cooks! But the FETs are under £1 if they blow.

One observation on the construction of both... the SMD parts are packed very tightly. Not good practice. But my '9900 is still working...

[mof000]

I've been more than happy with my 6666. I've still got it and if i'm honest i wasn't expecting to keep a hold of it!

[26TM5890]

this is a comprehensive review of the SS9900 https://youtu.be/BLSfzJCCl8M

[Marky-boy]

i just picked up a 9900.. wasn't expecting much from it, but it's actually a okay set. smallish, nice heatsink.
Yes the damn thing gets so hot on low power FM that it will take skin off - (seriously needs a fan)

build quality decent - quite light, feels a bit 'hollow' NB is pointless on my PLT, but the ANL on AM is very good.
receiver does not mute tuning VFO like i seen some complain about.
i find tuning 'round a pain though, in something like 10kc steps it's ok.

Memory scan is good but needs a few more memories. not enough for all 10m FM reeater channels. grrr.

Very sensitive RX - a bit *too* sensitive for my noisy QTH - i run with RF gain backed off. receiver AGC is nice, s-meter functional, but a bit pooh IMHO

RX audio quality is good on all modes, but not loud enough to make your ears bleed, nice sound, especally with Hi cut on & external speaker.

TX audio quality is actually excellent - on all modes, on FM it's nice 'n' punchy, AM it's very clean & crisp too (mentionong no names Lincoln)

TX SSB quality is surpriingly nice, i guess the filters are reasonably wide so it TX's a nice full bodied SSB, instead of narrow & thin.

Slightly customisable bleeps are crap gimmicks & a waste of engineering apart from a single pip tone, which is all that's needed.
Echo - WTF ? in 2017 what idiot actually thinks this is of any use ? it's a infantile feature, and that muppet boat sailed years ago.
add speech processing instead.

Squelch is ok, but on any mode (for me) even on minimum it seems a bit tight, auto included.

you can hide some bands. i only have 10m, mid band and those 16 channels 27.415-27.605 on my set. not interested in anything else.

you can program the bands to go up in whatever step you want (in the PC software) must be a chore though
i didn't see the weird FCC steps on mid band - or anywhere, set just goes up in, say, 10kc steps, if it's set to. therefore +10kc switch pointless

i cant get memory channels to scan or tune in 'freq display mode' i just get 'mem 01' or 'mem 02' etc - so when it stops on a memory channel i have to remember what i progged into say 'mem 04' maybe it' me, it's a bit of a chore to use & tune around, though as it's effectively got several VFO 'places' when switching through bands, it's actually a good way to work.
i can't switch mine between HF and CB mode with buttons on the set. i get the option, but when selecting, it says 'error', ok via PC only.
standard mic is the fugliest mic i've ever seen.

*actual* CTCSS freq (eg 218.8hz) isn't listed in the menu when setting CTCSS - it's a numerical value - the manual has no key to which value is which tone however.. also, when TX CTCSS is enabled... it's automagically on RX too, so cant TX with a tone and RX without a tone. no MON button to override this.
not that i've found anyway.

Im sure most users won't care about much of these issues, i do, but with chinese radios, there's always some design flaw or two.
- Other people's experiences and findings will likely be different.. maybe i'm doing a few things wrong here so far

[Jimthecrow]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I got a SS9900 and have been very impressed with it. Only 2 things that I find a bit annoying are switching mode with button press, and messing up my channel presets when tuning in frequency mode. Next step is getting a decent antenna...