Ranger RCI Longhorn Superior N6 — 600W+ PEP AM/FM/SSB/CW 10 Meter Amateur Radio

The Ranger RCI Longhorn Superior N6 is one of the highest-output desktop-style 10 meter amateur radios sold under the ~$1,000 price point — a 400W+ PEP stock transceiver that consistently reaches 600W+ PEP after professional peak & tune, in a rugged black and chrome chassis with a factory extra-large cooling fan on the underside of the case. It ships with the Ranger SRA-198NC chrome noise-cancelling microphone as the stock hand mic.

The Longhorn is built for licensed amateurs who want serious mobile output on 10 meters — full six-mode operation (AM, FM, USB, LSB, CW, PA), a built-in five-digit frequency counter and SWR meter, variable talkback with echo and delay controls, and enough headroom on high-power SSB to work distant contacts without a separate amplifier for many operators.

Who this radio is for

• Licensed amateurs upgrading from a 100W-class 10m radio. If you've outgrown a Stryker SR-655HPC+ or a President Washington and want a step-change in output, the Longhorn is the natural next tier.
• Owner-operator truckers running heavy loads. The extra-large integrated cooling fan and heavy chassis are built for hot cabs and long transmissions. The noise-cancelling chrome mic ships standard.
• Trucker-culture operators. Variable talkback, variable echo, and variable delay give you the expressive audio popular in trucker circles — controls not found on most modern President or Stryker radios.
• Base station operators with proper power. Ranger recommends a minimum 60-amp power supply for base use on this radio. If you have a 60A+ supply, the Longhorn shines as a home 10m station.
• CW operators on 10 meters. Genuine CW (Morse) mode is unusual in this bracket. General and Amateur Extra licensees who want to work 10m CW have a native mode without needing a separate rig.
• Buyers who plan to Pro Tune the radio. The Longhorn is famously responsive to peak & tune — 400W stock frequently opens up to 600-700W PEP after professional service. If you're spending this much on a radio, the tune is where the value lands.

Specs at a glance

Why choose the Longhorn Superior N6

Real high-power performance from a stock radio. Most "high-power" 10 meter radios in this class hit ~100W stock and rely entirely on an amplifier for anything above that. The Longhorn's stock 400W+ PEP output means you already have serious range straight out of the box, and 600W+ PEP is achievable with just a professional bench tune — no external amp required.

Full six-mode operation with CW. AM, FM, USB, LSB, and PA are common in this segment. Native CW mode is not — most competitors either omit CW entirely or bury it in the schematic without a proper front-panel mode. If you're General or Amateur Extra class and want to work 10m CW on rare band openings, this is one of the few radios in the price bracket that gives you a native mode.

Trucker-focused audio controls. Variable talkback, variable echo, and variable delay are the audio-effect trifecta that trucker culture built around. Modern President and Stryker radios have largely dropped these in favor of DSP-based noise reduction. The Longhorn keeps them.

Built-in metering. Five-digit frequency counter and built-in SWR meter mean you can verify frequency and antenna match without an external meter — useful in the field and when troubleshooting a new install.

Factory-cooled chassis. The Longhorn ships with an extra-large cooling fan mounted on the underside of the case as a factory feature — unlike President Washingtons, which ship fan-header-ready but need aftermarket ACMD901 kits added. No cooling upgrade to buy separately.

License requirement

The Longhorn Superior N6 operates on the 10 meter amateur (ham) radio band. FCC amateur radio licensing is required to transmit — Technician class covers 10m FM voice, and General or Amateur Extra unlocks the full 10m SSB and CW portions of the band where this radio's high-power SSB performance shines. Full licensing details on our 10 meter radio licensing page.

Pro Tune & Alignment

Don't forget to add the Pro tune and alignment option at checkout so that your radio is professionally bench-tuned for best performance per the manufacturer's service manual. This is especially valuable on the Longhorn: independent bench tests consistently show 400W stock output opening up to 600W+ PEP after professional peak & tune. If you're investing at this level, the tune is where the last third of the power lives.

Recommended pairings

• Antennas. The Longhorn's output makes antenna choice consequential. For mirror-mount trucker installs, the Stryker SR-A10 is a 10,000W-rated match. For no-drill installs, the Stryker SR-A10MM magnetic mount. Browse the full antenna collection.
• Mount and coax. The DRX-3402 heavy-duty mirror mount and DRX-1518 18-ft M213 coax pair naturally with the SR-A10 for a full trucker install.
• External speaker. The Longhorn's audio benefits from a good external speaker. The DRX-9010 premium external speaker is the standard pairing.
• Aftermarket microphone. The stock SRA-198NC noise-cancelling mic is excellent, but many operators upgrade to a 4-pin dynamic like the DRX-6560 for a different audio character.
• Combo package. The Longhorn + DRX-9010 speaker + DRX-6560 mic combo bundles the audio upgrades, and the Longhorn truck install combo bundles the SR-A10 antenna, mount, and coax.

Warranty and service

This radio is backed by Ranger USA's factory warranty — register at rangerusa.com/warranty-information or contact Ranger service at 619-271-4035. CB Radio Supply does not provide in-house warranty on the Longhorn Superior N6. Given the specialized nature of high-power amateur radios and the way peak & tune configures each unit for a specific install, all Longhorn sales are final.

Frequently asked questions

What is the actual power output of the Longhorn Superior N6?

Stock out-of-box output is 400W+ PEP on AM and SSB with the RF power all the way up. Independent bench tests consistently document 500-700W PEP after professional peak & tune (Ranger's factory service manual settings). If you want maximum output, add the Pro Tune and Alignment option at checkout — the tune is where the 600W+ figure comes from.

Do I need a special power supply for the Longhorn?

For mobile use in a truck or vehicle, standard 12V+ electrical is fine. For base station use, Ranger recommends a minimum 60-amp power supply. If your bench supply is below 60A, the radio's high-power output will trigger voltage sag and current limiting on peaks. Plan for a robust supply if you're building a home 10m station around this radio.

Does the Longhorn have a built-in cooling fan?

Yes. An extra-large factory cooling fan is mounted on the underside of the chassis. Unlike some competitor radios (the President Washington ships fan-header-ready but without a fan), the Longhorn's cooling is fully integrated from the factory — no aftermarket fan kit needed.

What license do I need to operate the Longhorn?

The Longhorn operates on the 10 meter amateur band and requires an FCC amateur radio license to transmit. Technician-class license covers 10m FM voice. General or Amateur Extra class is required to legally use the full high-power SSB and CW portions of 10 meters where this radio's real capability lives. See our 10 meter radio licensing page for full details on getting licensed.

What warranty comes with the Longhorn?

The Longhorn is covered by Ranger USA's factory warranty. Register your radio and file any claims directly with Ranger at rangerusa.com/warranty-information or by phone at 619-271-4035. CB Radio Supply does not offer an in-house warranty on the Longhorn. Given the specialized nature of high-power radios and the peak & tune configuration each unit receives, all Longhorn sales are final.

Should I add Pro Tune?

For most Longhorn buyers, yes. The Longhorn is famously responsive to peak & tune — the difference between 400W stock and 600W+ tuned is real and reproducible. Pro Tune also sets receive sensitivity, transmit deviation, and mic gain to the manufacturer's service manual specification. At this price point, the tune is where the last third of the value lives. Add the Pro Tune and Alignment option at checkout.

Does the Longhorn support CW (Morse code)?

Yes. Native CW mode with front-panel selection is standard. This is unusual in the sub-$1,000 10m radio bracket — most competitor radios omit CW entirely. If you're General or Amateur Extra class and want to work 10m CW during band openings, the Longhorn is one of the few radios in this class that supports it natively.

Is the included microphone worth using or should I upgrade?

The stock Ranger SRA-198NC chrome noise-cancelling microphone is a good match for the radio and works well for most operators. Some drivers prefer a different audio character and upgrade to a dynamic mic like the DRX-6560. The stock mic is fully functional — a mic upgrade is a preference, not a necessity.

Can the Longhorn work with an amplifier?

Yes. With Ranger USA's stock output already at 400W+ PEP, most operators find they don't need an amplifier. If you do add one, the Longhorn's variable RF power control lets you set a lower drive level to protect the amp input, and its High/Low power switch gives you a quick keydown selection. Independent operators have run this radio into external amps successfully; consult your amp's input requirements.

Ready to order

Add the Ranger RCI Longhorn Superior N6 to your cart. Don't forget to add the Pro tune and alignment option at checkout so that your radio is professionally bench-tuned for best performance per the manufacturer's service manual — this is where the 600W+ PEP output lives on the Longhorn. For a bundled audio upgrade, see the Longhorn + speaker + mic combo. For a full trucker install, see the Longhorn truck install combo.