Ranger Superstar 158EDX

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Mudslinger
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Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Mudslinger »

What do we think of these?

I have one here at the moment and thought I would share a few impressions.

Build quality: Not great, switches don't have a positive click, the small push buttons are wobbly. Components inside not all soldered flush to the board, when the inner control knobs are turned the outer ones go with them etc.
Appearance : Looks very bling, blue LED's are very bright and can give you a headache. I don't like the blue S-meter bulb as it makes it harder to read. Not a bad looking radio overall though in a semi retro/modern way.
Performance:

AM: Very good, have had good audio reports.
FM, TX audio not too bad, received audio sounds quite dull and not very nice to listen to.
SSB: Typical Ranger in that Drifts all over the place as it warms up, and still drifts slighty when warm and being used, especially if used for longer overs.
Mics: No variable power, Echo sounds ok if you like that sort of thing. Features lots of frequencies, the majority of which are completely dead.

6/10 is the score I would give it. Not a bad radio but has some severe flaws, and overall not a patch on a Uniden set, or even an early 3900 (IMO)
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by 108EH002 »

Only had Eft 3900s,look the part but both radios were pretty pants imo,overhyped and overpriced Chinese tat.
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Fireproof »

Same radio as the 3900EFT.

Look here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkgNql7ZYLs&t=40s

Personally I do not like them, quality control not great on these radios.
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Mudslinger »

I think the EFT3900 is pretty much the same radio.

They seem to sell for good money though (here's hoping)
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Otter »

The FM audio can be improved by changing a couple of capacitors / resistors
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by 108EH002 »

Sell for good money......but only to those who have yet to try them.How much do you think it is worth second hand ? Usually sell up here for no more than £120 second hand,Lincoln1/Cobra 148 gtldx sell for that amount of money as it is,and at least they are better radios imo.
Plenty are talking worldwide on 27.555 usb,
Some are too far up their own @rse to admit it,
Many happen to know otherwise dx-ing test free,
Showing a complete lack of respect for the law.

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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Mudslinger »

I have no idea what its worth to be honest. Although I could see why it would sell for good money despite the fact it is very average performance wise.
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by 108EH002 »

Will appeal to those that want 12m +10m in a mobile radio (9900/6666/lincoln2 don't drift and have more tx power)and the Cbers that like silver fronted radios like me.Sold my 2 eft 3900s not long after I got them (1yr apart)remembering why I got shot of the first one,when my mate told me I was drifting on ssb on the 2nd one,I paid £120 each,that's my top price,but there will be someone daft enough to maybe pay you more.
Plenty are talking worldwide on 27.555 usb,
Some are too far up their own @rse to admit it,
Many happen to know otherwise dx-ing test free,
Showing a complete lack of respect for the law.

27.555 Usb
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by prettypolly »

simalair radio to the connex 4800 dxl or the famous cobra 148 f gtl dx +
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by sonoma »

if all you were going to use this radio on is AM or FM it would be good for that. the SSB is just not up to par compared to some others.
just my 2 cents worth.
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Mudslinger »

sonoma wrote: 27 Dec 2017, 04:32 if all you were going to use this radio on is AM or FM it would be good for that. the SSB is just not up to par compared to some others.
just my 2 cents worth.
It isn't all that great on FM either. I hear the TX audio can be sorted, but the RX sounds very dull as well.

I had a Dirland DSS-9000 a while back with the same board and that was the same performance, only it looked worse.

The RX on SSB sounds good, but you have to keep turning the clarifier on every other over.

I think you would have to be an utter lunatic to pay the new price for one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ranger-Super ... 1438.l2649
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by astradyne »

I've had two of these. Both were boxed, mint condition etc.

One of them had had a lot of work done to it prior to me buying it including, for some bizarre reason, a UK 40 eprom. It was a belting radio with great reports on SSB. The second was standard and wasn't a patch on the first one. So the issues can be sorted out with these if you're prepared to put some money into it.
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Mudslinger »

This one is totally standard, and had factory seals on it when it came to me. Unfortunately I needed to break the seals as the plastic window behind the frequency counter had come loose and needed to be glued back in.

I got the radio along with the president George I mentioned in another thread (The one which was off frequency).
Last edited by Mudslinger on 28 Dec 2017, 21:47, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Auldgeek »

I pretty much agree with comments above. Had two of these and I changed the faceplate to black using a vinyl faceplate from Gammaray. That reduced the bling quite a bit. I also changed the signal meter back light to a defused white LED.

One of the real plus points for me was the quiet receiver. I have quite a bit of QRM at this location on 11m and the receiver in the two 3900EFTs I had were probably one of the quietest I've used. In addition to this, AM audio was superb, as was SSB.

The main negatives for me were the drift on SSB , lousy FM audio and the terrible build quality of the rotary channel switch. Apart from these, I rather liked mine and sometimes regret selling them. (only sometimes mind you!)
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Re: Ranger Superstar 158EDX

Post by Mudslinger »

There is a 3900EFT on ebay now, I am interested to see what it sells for...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/superstar-39 ... SwzRlaSvcv
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