***UPDATE***
PEEK-A-BOO CAN YOUR SCREEN SEE YOU?
In my reviews, I tend to do it all from the test bend, or radio desk, because I think the screen will suck, when mounted in the vehicle. So this is more of an after thought and can be added as the last part of the the George Review (The last episode can be quickly accessed HERE).
While I can's say this applies to all of the new models (I usually only test AM/FM/SSB radios, leaving the rest to the Youber-Tubers). But when I found out a member of our local group had obtained a President George II EU I asked if he would mind swapping our rigs out for a week, so I could see the differences. He agreed, and we met briefly in a Walmart parking lot.
Neither of us had permanently mounted either radio so it was just a matter of swapping out the radios. He had chosen CYAN for a screen color as well, and with the swap done, we went our separate ways. Before turning the key on the keyless ignition (think about that one for awhile) I glanced at the George II on the passenger seat and thought, "That screen sure looks good".
As I turned into the neighborhood I immediately noticed that the color was gone. At the first chance I had, I parked along a curb and looked again - the color was back. Nonetheless I went over to the passenger door and opened it to find, that, depending how much sunlight got into my vehicle determined what the radio would do. I took a picture of the screen while not pointed at the Sun and got the good looking color.
Then, I picked the radio up, and standing outside of the passenger door, pointing it direct at the Sun and snapped a picture ---> I couldn't have been more pleased. During times where Sunlight hits the screen it looking not black & white, but more of a grayscale; with a pleasing light gray background, and everything else (channel number, S-meter, RF Gain, etc.)was a strong black. Immediately I called the guy that had just switched radios with me to see if he noticed it as well, and he answered with a resounding "YES". So it wasn't a fluke! Being that I wasn't parked in front of my house, and didn't know know anyone in that section, I refrained from dancing around my car with joy.
If you've been reading my reviews, over the years my harshest criticism has always been about the screen. For example, my reviews on the Uniden 980SSB and President Grant II were looking pretty good during extended use on the bench. The colors were outright beautiful, with several to select from, but when I put 'em in the mobile test vehicle I got disappointed pretty darn fast.
Granted (no pun intended) they weren't permanently mounted, due to the lack of mounting space, seemingly destined to always have a McKinley (or PC-122) in the cubby hole at the bottom of the dashboard. But I usually only use 38LSB, so for testing purposes I'd have whatever radio I was testing on the passenger seat with and external speaker.
I remember the first day I used the 980SSB and it seemed like a pretty decent am/ssb radio for its price, pre-COVID. Amazon seemed to run them on sale once or twice a year for $99.95, and I bought two at that price. Back to that first day... It was overcast with intermittent showers and I had a 45 minute drive for a doctors appointment. I went through the screen's color scheme and set it for the easiest to read color.
After the doctor appointment the clouds had opened up and it was now mostly sunny. Tossing the umbrella aside I started my 45 mile trip back home. That's when the issue with the screen became an issue - when full sunlight hit the screen I couldn't read it. I pulled into a shopping center and went through each color, but none of them helped me see the washed out looking screen. If I set the radio under the dash and about 5" from the front, it was in the shade most of the time. But reaching the controls from the drivers position wouldn't be safe to attempt while actually driving. The other 980SSB I bought was the same way. If you only drove at night, or used it as your shack radio there wouldn't be a problem.
I'm not just picking on the 980SSB or Grant, the McKinley screen wasn't that great either. But that was then and this is now.
Back to this screen: The last radio that I'd seen do this was an Alinco DX-70H All mode / up to 6m. It had an amber background with black lettering/info on the screen, but when the sun hit it, the screen looked more grayscale - light gray background with dark black frequency and other info in the foreground, making it totally visible. I loved that screen, and never understood why someone like President couldn't do the same - and now they have! Except for re-swapping the Presidents, my President George FCC will be the rig-in-the-car until it, or I, expire.
But don't blindly believe me, remember... "A picture is worth a thousand words", so see the screens for yourself....
HERE IS HOW THE SCREEN LOOKED IN THE CAR AND IN THE SHADE
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| AND THIS IS THE SAME RADIO THAT HAD BEEN ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH I PULLED UP AND OUT OF THE CAR AND POINTED IT DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE SUN! |
UPDATE 2
The NRC (Noise reduction circuit) in the GEORGE FCC/GEORGE II is the same one that is used in the microphone that they sell for $49, so you don't have to buy one if that's your only reason. You will get the same noise reduction with the stock mic that comes with the radio.
Personally, I use the hand mic with noise reduction because A. I already had it; B. I like its heftiness, and C. It can be adjusted quickly, and has a unique sound to your voice. That is my choice, but this is something you should know about regarding the George.
73
WOODY
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