Thunderpole T800 CE (2023 model) CB radio - Multinorm instrument evaluation
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- Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024
- Sample kindly provided by Thunderpole.
This could be the first time that I've had a new set with no adjustments either internally or via software. Thunderpole asked me to see what I felt about it's performance.
The crystal filtered receive is around 0.25uV for 12dB SINAD, which is excellent. There have been two previous versions, the 2014 one that I did about three weeks ago when our mystery benefactor Alan, kindly sent me a broken one which I repaired on here. On that version, the RF gain control only worked when the radio was set to EU AM. Disappointing in just that respect, though mentioned in the instruction book.
The next generation was the 2019 version. My early sample that I bought unfortunately had the same issue with the RF gain control, though both Thunderpole & my own customers say this was fixed on later sets. Trust me to be unlucky!
Turning to transmit & we had correct frequency, 2.1Khz deviation (I'd have preferrred 2.2Khz).On our rather selective & tight-fisted test set, the radio did 3.6W. At 14.4V this rose to 3.8W; this isn't a snag or a let-down, some new sets don't manage above 2.9W on our test set. Thunderpole's Rohde & Schwarz test set showed 4.03W with this same sample.
The other improvement over the previous versions is the heavier & larger mike. I felt the previous mike was too dinky, but that's personal choice.
This new version also has added Public Address facility to the list of feaures. As a service engineer, this is a useful feature to help fault-finding & I welcome it.
The set retains a traditional LED channel display. We all thought LCD displays were super duper when they first came out, but have the disadvantage of a poor viewing angle.
This is a CE Multinorm set coming ready set for UK use. users can flick between UK & CEPT FM bands giving 80 channels. Access to CEPT AM is available by resetting the country option to EU. In our experience, 99% ouf our customers only ever use the UK set of channels & no doubt find, like I do, the CEPT channels are full of foreign interference.
This set makes a good replacement for aging Midland 77-104 radios.
Recorded 1st June 2023
Richard G0OJF
Lincolnshire, UK
Hi Richard. Following your excellent 2 videos about this latest version of the T-800, I placed my order with Knights. I have not been disappointed. The receive is really excellent and the auto squelch is set up perfectly when driving. Audio reports have been very favourable. It's an excellent no nonsense radio. The mic is the right size and feels good and solid. Very happy with this radio and the price is £20 less than I paid for my first DNT CB radio back in 1981! Best wishes Robert
Good job 👏 👍
👋 hi richard good luck on servicing the thunder pole t800 (ce 2023 model)cb radio multinorm from paul chapman at east sheen 73's
Thank you Paul,
Richard
Thanks for the show 'n' tell, it's much appreciated.
Just purchased 1 last month, trust my luck that theres a new one! Good price though compared to anything President etc. P&P was included too,
Hi Richard, I bought one of these over a year ago for my van but liked it so much it’s in my radio room. It’s performance on CEPT is particularly good considering the price point. My only complaint is having to go into the sub menu for AM, I don’t think you have to do that on the T600 but I could be wrong.
Interesting point about the RF Gain, mine does work on FM, so I wonder when they started to address this as I’ve owned this a while.
Look forward to the on air test, don’t think you will have any problems with this model.
73 Franco
Hello there. I'm editing the 'on the air test' right now, so it should be published by noon today. My 2019 version must have been early production to still not have the RF gain situation fixed.
I service around 300 CB| radios per year & only about 5 of those get a request for me to optimise AM too. Thunderpole basically say that if a users interest is jumping between the bands, the offer other models that do so seamlessly. We've always been impressed with the performance of the T3000, & it's seemless transition through the bands.
When you see the 'on the air' test you'll see we struggled with CEPT yesterday, but the set coped very well.
I honetly can't remember what I said about the T600, but unlike many other brands I genuinely can't say any of the models they've had made for them had been duff.
Richard, G0OJF, UK
I personally would like to see on this radio a simple 3 position switch for bands. UK/AM/FM. UK band self explanatory, AM/FM Cept band. I would remove the up down arrows, the present volume control change to a channel selector. Extra rotary control On/off/volume.
Have you thought that the new PA plug socket might be the way to change setting with a PC ?
Thunderpole say not. One of the reasons I was issued the set was to give them feedback. Anything I say could be better will be implemented on the next batch.
Deviation up 0.1 from 2.1 to 2.2Khz
Squelch slightly down on max
S-meter reading nearer 100uV for the 3rd light we assume to be S9
This is all nit picking & makes no difference to the user experience.
Good comment.
Richard, G0OJF, UK
Hi Richard, is there a hidden service menu ? Or does no adjustments mean no adjustments.
Absolutely factory set which is how mobile phones are manufactured.
Richard
I like to keep a radio on am channel 6 the super bowl channel.