|
|
Post by spends2much on Dec 28, 2009 9:58:09 GMT -5
Anyone have an opion on if the Mark 4 is a better radio than the mark 3?..I'm looking to get one or the other.I have read that the mark 4 had problems with the PLL if you didn't have the Mark 4A.I have had a few Mark 3's already but never ran the Mark 4 so I have no way to compare the 2.Any Info on this would be a great help.Thanks....Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by gator7 on Dec 29, 2009 17:41:23 GMT -5
Dave, I have not owned one (MK IV) but have been around them a few times. The receive rejection should be better then the MK III. Also I would think the SSB should be more stable. And yes, the 4A is the way to go. Our resident expert Mark4 has some very nice ones that he has rebuilt. For more info I would ask him. Or look at some of his posts on this site. 73,  Gator.. |
|
|
|
Post by cbrown on Dec 30, 2009 9:22:02 GMT -5
There aren't many Mark IV's out there that didn't get the 'upgrade' that the Mark IVA had.
|
|
|
|
Post by mark on Dec 31, 2009 8:03:44 GMT -5
Hi, I have owned all those and of the three... The Mark III is the only one I still have and will not sell. The IV and IVA are better performers on SSB receive if you just have to use one for SSB (I don't recommend this). However, the Mark III is the pinnacle of quality in design and construction for the Browning line. The IV and IVA are not near the overall material and rugged quality of the Mark III set... Ask others, but you will hear the same story from those who know. If you are buying and want one for the LONG HAUL... Buy a nice Mark III...
|
|
|
|
Post by mark4 on Dec 31, 2009 13:06:15 GMT -5
The Mark IV/A is my personal favorite.
And no, the Mark III does not have better channel rejection.
The reciever is the same basic design. The only REAL difference is the Mark III has one extra tube on the receiver for the ANL. And the IV/A does not. It uses a diode. In fact the early IV's used the same crystals in the receiver as the Mark III. I had one of these rare birds and sold it to a local who still owns it. I have (2) a Mark IV and Mark IVA I have built from NOS. An prefer these above any other. But I am my own tech. There are some issues with the IV PLL. And unless you have had these upgraded per factory changes, I would advise you on a IVA. With 30 plus years on all those crystals in a Mark III. I prefer the IVA. It comes down to what you like. I had a like new out of the box Mark III I sold. It was a very nice radio. You may have to invest some $ on any model you choose. Other than mentioned here. Try to get a radio that is a good example of what browning produced. And not some abused and hacked up radio.
|
|
|
|
Post by mark on Jan 2, 2010 7:15:02 GMT -5
Good point about the crystals but I use external VFO and you can still get new crystals anyway so it's a non issue. All the Browning products were good , but cost engineering was starting to take it's toll after the Mark III... That is another reason they went to one power supply instead of two. The Mark III was more costly to produce than the Mark IVA.
|
|
|
|
Post by mark4 on Jan 2, 2010 11:36:29 GMT -5
It was more than cost. The CB craze had peaked and lower cost imports had taken the market.
Technology had advanced at a fast pace.
The Mark IVA has a microprocessor and the design is very reliable.
And the most advanced. Excellent choice. But they are all good.
It's all what you are looking for and what you prefer. 2600 makes a kit for the Mark III for the low drive level of the Siltronics VFO. He also makes a digital conversion he designed and sells built into the VFO. very nice!
|
|
|
|
Post by mark on Jan 3, 2010 7:23:52 GMT -5
Ok... Perhaps I should restate as this is tracking in the wrong direction based on the original question. Let me try this instead. Both the Mark III and IVA are pretty much the same radio except for the product detector for SSB which makes the IVA better in SSB receive. Both will perform in the AM mode in the same way. The IVA will be a little more stable for SSB because as has been stated it is a PLL type oscillator design (This does not matter at all for AM use). However, if you are looking to get a Browning with the highest quality workmanship, fit finish and ruggedness, the Mark III is the pinnacle of what browning did. The chassis and box are superior due to the fact that the face is painted and silk-screened instead of being a plastic overlay (although the IVA is a good looking overlay). Not to mention that the fit and finish of the III series was superior to the IV and IVA (slightly). The Mark III has independent power supplies and stamped steel chassis with point to point wiring throughout. The circuit boards of the IVA are far less durable than the old timey point to point style construction of the Mark III. The Mark III is the most for the money in terms of created value and workmanship that Browning could offer (based on cost and time to manufacture). That being said, when taken side by side both radios working properly will be GREAT on AM and the IVA will work a little better for SSB receive plus has 40 channel xmit. I have owned all those boxes and they are all good. I just prefer the high dollar manufacturing quality of the Mark III (not to mention that I think it is the best looking Browning ever) over the rest of them. It is personal preference. Oh and last but not least, you have the matching 180 amplifier and matching unique EV "banana" desk mic for the Mark III which you don't have for the IVA (but the matching Turner is KILLER with the IVA). My suggestion might be for you to get a good example of each and decide for yourself. Like I said previously, I have had all of them and I ultimately kept only the Mark III set up. Let us know what you decided to do and I hope you did not regret asking this question...-Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by mark on Jan 3, 2010 7:49:21 GMT -5
Oh, I forgot to mention that Browning did do one cheesy thing with the late production Mark III's that they did with all the Mark IV's and Mark IVA's... They went with a cheaper meter set and plastic mounting bezels. The Mark II's and earlier Mark III's had metal bezels and I believe "Hoyt" meters if I remember right. I would have to take the covers off my Mark III to make sure of the manufacture brand, but I do have the metal meter bezels on my Mark III. Thought I better state this in case you needed to know all the details... Over N Out
|
|
**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss 
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
|
Post by **GRUMPY** on Jan 3, 2010 8:15:14 GMT -5
Anyone have an opion on if the Mark 4 is a better radio than the mark 3?..I'm looking to get one or the other.I have read that the mark 4 had problems with the PLL if you didn't have the Mark 4A.I have had a few Mark 3's already but never ran the Mark 4 so I have no way to compare the 2.Any Info on this would be a great help.Thanks....Dave
If you are interested in a Mark 4 or 4A let me know. I know of a local lady who has one sitting in the box in here closet. She got it from another local here who had passed away some years back. She only bought it because it was one of our dear friends and didn't want to see the radio get in to the wrong hands. I'm not sure if it is a 4 or 4A, I forget. But when it was in use it was a very strong radio and she never has a bit of problems with it. She had bought it new from another local who sold Browning and Tram radios and was a very good tech when it came to these radios. As a matter of fact he was one of the best that I have known for working on Browning and Tram radios before he also passed away.
The radio won't go cheap, I can tell you that now! But at least you would know that you're not getting a hacked up Browning. I've known this lady for 35 years, she is like a Mom to me. I would be glad to give her a call for you and see if she is willing to part with it. If so you will need a variac to power it up since it was sitting that long. You are not that far away so you could come down and take a look at it and try it out first. And you wouldn't have to worry about it being shipped. I can arrange it and go with you since she is old and would only trust me being there.
Let me know if you are interested and I will give Mary a call!
Scott
|
|
|
|
Post by mark4 on Jan 3, 2010 15:25:57 GMT -5
Grumpy, that sounds like a good radio to grab. Especially to avoid buyers remorse. Getting one cheaper is not always a good deal.  Browning had Hoyt and Modutec manufacturing meters for them throughout the IV/IVA production you could end up with one of each in the radio you purchased new. Modutec used the plastic bezels. And also the movement is what is called Taut Band Suspension. It uses a platinum band which does not have the friction problems of a pivot and Jewel movement the Hoyt uses. After years of use. But at 1 ma and above this is not to much of a issue. I prefer the jeweled meters. The Taut Band meters are flighty. I worked for one of their major competitors for over 16 years. Sure you know the name. |
|
|
|
Post by EagleIII on Feb 12, 2010 23:24:47 GMT -5
Anyone have an opion on if the Mark 4 is a better radio than the mark 3?..I'm looking to get one or the other.I have read that the mark 4 had problems with the PLL if you didn't have the Mark 4A.I have had a few Mark 3's already but never ran the Mark 4 so I have no way to compare the 2.Any Info on this would be a great help.Thanks....Dave
If you are interested in a Mark 4 or 4A let me know. I know of a local lady who has one sitting in the box in here closet. She got it from another local here who had passed away some years back. She only bought it because it was one of our dear friends and didn't want to see the radio get in to the wrong hands. I'm not sure if it is a 4 or 4A, I forget. But when it was in use it was a very strong radio and she never has a bit of problems with it. She had bought it new from another local who sold Browning and Tram radios and was a very good tech when it came to these radios. As a matter of fact he was one of the best that I have known for working on Browning and Tram radios before he also passed away.
The radio won't go cheap, I can tell you that now! But at least you would know that you're not getting a hacked up Browning. I've known this lady for 35 years, she is like a Mom to me. I would be glad to give her a call for you and see if she is willing to part with it. If so you will need a variac to power it up since it was sitting that long. You are not that far away so you could come down and take a look at it and try it out first. And you wouldn't have to worry about it being shipped. I can arrange it and go with you since she is old and would only trust me being there.
Let me know if you are interested and I will give Mary a call!
Scott
Scott, When you say it won't go cheap, what do you have in mind? It just seems sad that a 35 year old radio cost the same as it did when it was new especially when it's just another CB radio. Well, I know Browning is not just another CB but I hope you know what I mean. I bought my frist MK3 (NEW) in the mid to late 70's and it cost $750.00 at that time. Some people seem to think they are still worth that today. It's one thing to pay 200 to 300.00 knowing you will have to spend a little more to have it in top working condition but some people want 500 to 700.00 and they only know it lights up. I'm just curious what you think someone would want for a MK4 / MK4A in the working condition you say this radio is in. Take care. |
|
|
|
Post by cbrown on Feb 15, 2010 9:22:13 GMT -5
The market basically sets the price based on demand and condition. Try buying a muscle car in good condition from the 60's for the same price it sold for.
|
|
|
|
Post by mark4 on Jun 29, 2010 22:00:18 GMT -5
The product detector is the identical circuit (BFO) in the Mark III, IV, IA. So there is no difference in the SSB performance on the receiver side of things. Also modutec made taut band suspension meters for browning besides the meters made by Hoyt. These were also found in new Mark III's not just IV's. You might end up with one of each in your Mark III or IV model new from the factory. Mark IV's also were made with a painted face at first.
Not many of those around at all! I have one and the paint job is beautiful on it. Comes down to whatever floats your boat.
I have owned all 3 models.
I miss the challenge and fun of the PLL in the IV. So I picked up a IV for major restoration work.
And good point there CBrown.
|
|
