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Reviews For: Ranger RCI-5054DX-100

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Ranger RCI-5054DX-100
Reviews: 12MSRP: 349
Description:
Ranger brings you the RCI-5054DX-100. This DX model is patterned after the popular 10 & 12 meter RCI-2970DX. It features a microprocessor control, and is rated at 100W PEP SSB and 50W AM/FM/CW.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rangerusa.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00123.8
KB7QWZ Rating: 2006-07-09
excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I first got my Ranger in January 2005. For the first six months the backlight went out three times. Twice I sent it in and the third time they just sent me the strip which is time consuming but relatively easy to install. It just plugs into a module. Then it went out again and they sent me another. They said they had a whole batch of bad ones from a supplier but this one should be fine. It wasn't so they called the radio back and gave me a new radio. Then the new radio failed so they called it back and replaced the strip and the module it plugs into. Since that time I have not had another problem with it and it scans all the memories in it daily. The company was real great in their followup. I have the internal CTCSS module since we have a repeater nearby with a tone and since I only use it for a base there is no need to change tones, but if it is necessary, it is very simple to do once you remove the bottom case and have the binary code reference. If it were mobile an outside module would be better since it may be necessary to change tones for different repeaters. The only reason I downgraded my evaluation is that when the tone is on it is on for everything, and if you forget to turn off the split for the repeater on simplex or SSB you will not make contact. I have also made many contacts mostly over the western half of the country and Canada because of my location. I have the OA50 for SSB and a Ringo vertical for FM on an antenna switch. Every contact gives me a 5/9 report and can't believe it is a Ranger.
W5BP Rating: 2006-07-09
Great Performer Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
First I have to say that this one super performing 6 meter all mode tranceiver with plenty of power.
I paid a little less than the MSRP for a brand new model.

My first impression was that it would make a great base rig, which I had planned on using it for. This is my first rig that I have bought brand new.
I have it hooked up to a PAR OA-50 Omni Loop antenna at 30 feet and have made many, many cross country contacts inluding Canada and Mexico.
I also use it for local 6m nets and ragchewing and am ALWAYS getting great signal reports and amazement at my simple 6m setup.

This 100 watt version has a cooling fan mounted underneath the radio which is a great feature. It has blue backlit LED(keep reading)display with big easy to see numbers.
I also really like the front panel adjustable RF power out knob.
It has a Clarifier knob which acts the same as RIT. Also a very easy to use menu also.

So why did I give it a 4 out of 5? Well, about 2 days after receiving the radio the blue LED panel light went out. Came back on, went out again. It still does this.
I contacted Ranger about this issue and they were already aware of this problem and told me that I must have received an early model since the later models had this problem fixed.
They offered to check it out if I sent it in with about a 2 week turn-a-round time. I was a little upset as I was sold a radio with a known problem.
I asked if they could just send me a new model but they declined. I had just setup my 6m station and explained that I did not want to go through the hassle of having to pack it back up and ship it off and be without a 6m rig for that long.
I felt that they should have taken back all of M&P Audio's (where I bought it) stock of these radios and replaced them with the newer models that supposedly do not have this problem. (By the way, M&P never replied to any of my emails).

So I just said the heck with it and kept it even though it has this intermediate problem.
I also wish it had a factory installed tone board, but I guess you can't have everything. I only use it on SSB at this time but will soon get a vertical antenna as there is one 6m FM repeater in my area.

So to sum it up, I think this is definitely a great stand alone 6m all mode rig with a good price (Compare it to Alinco's FM only 25 watt tranceiver).
Before you buy, make sure you get a later model so you hopefully won't have the backlight problem.


-73
-Bill