New Galaxy 959 what would you have done?

**stang** · 04-01-2014, 06:40 PM

I am planning to buy a new Galaxy 959 later this month. Looking for ideas what should be done as far as upgrades.

My ideas so far looking for more want to have everything done before I have it shipped.
1) tuned peaked and aligned.
2) schottkey diodes for receive
3) RFX 150

Question will the 959 have enough power to work that RFX 150 from what I read they need 40-45 watts going into them to work correctly with full output power? I also read the RFX can be setup with adjustable power which I would like to have.

Anything else that could or should be done? Not interested in an echo board.

This radio is actually going to be setup as a base station. Looking at the gainmaster antenna. Anyone here used one? The radio will be run off of a battery bank since we are off grid.

Of course I plan to have Tallman set everything up since he is the guru on this site.

Thanks

**wi544** · 04-01-2014, 06:45 PM

get the clarifier unlocked If you want to try and stay on freq on ssb, those radios drift all over,, and just get an external amp,, this way if something happens to the radio your not out a radio and amp

**stang** · 04-01-2014, 07:01 PM

Good point on the clarifier thanks I had forgotten that one. I like the idea of the amp on the radio. That way if I need to use the radio in more than one location moving it's not a big process. Might get an external also down the road.

Thanks

**the caveman** · 04-01-2014, 09:00 PM

The rfx is a good idea. The stock mics are not the greatest so maybe upgrade to a powered desk mic. These little mics are good for a starter and pack a good punch.
http://www.starelectronicsandcommuni...icrophone.aspx

**Gordon Gekko** · 04-02-2014, 03:04 PM

Rfx is a waste. Get an amp if you require more power.
The radio will drift until its warmed up. Do not unlock clarifier, no reason to unless you feel like sliding all over the place on TX.
Get it tuned and aligned. Buy an Astatic 575-M6 mic and call it a day.

**222DBFL** · 04-02-2014, 09:52 PM

Find yourself a good 2 pill amp, preferably one that has 2879 toshibas and is at least biased b. JMO.
And like posted get a good alignment done. Try to stay away from the peak an tweak techs and use a good tech, there are a couple on here that do good work, like tallman and the man who posted as well Gordon. Anyway good luck and hope you get it sorted. God bless and 73's.

**Gordon Gekko** · 04-03-2014, 05:44 AM

Be careful with the 959 And mods...its a slippery slope. There's million modifications out there for that chassis...yet only a handful are truly useful. Just do a simple Google search for Galaxy 959 Mods and you'll see exactly what I mean. They are good talking radios with decent power. A good tune (tune being the operative word here--not bastardization) and alignment, maybe a few other little things and that radio will quickly become one of your favorites.

I had a 959 and had every conceivable thing done to it including Farmer Dave's "Mod Chip". I had well over $300 into it not including the price of the radio itself. I never got that money back when I sold it. An M6 mic pairs up nicely with it, actually an M6 pairs up nicely to any radio because it was the greatest handheld power mic ever produced.