The Connex 3300HP is a classic 10 meter mobile amateur radio — AM/FM/PA, dual MOSFET finals, front-panel mic jack, blue LED display, and a punchy 45W PEP output that's been the operator's daily-driver choice for over 20 years. It's not the highest-power radio in our catalog and it doesn't have SSB, but at $279 with a $60 Ranger SRA-198 noise-canceling mic in the box, it's one of the highest-value entry points to a real 10m mobile radio.

Who the 3300HP is for

The 3300HP is the right radio for operators who want a simple, proven AM/FM mobile at legal-ish power without stepping up to the amp-deck complexity of the RCI-99N2 or the base-station form factor of the Longhorn. It's the radio for the driver who wants to turn a knob, key the mic, and be heard on 10 meters with no menus, no clarifiers to zero-beat, and no fine-tune settings to remember. It's also the radio for the operator on a tight vehicle electrical budget — the 3300HP draws roughly 7 amps on transmit, so a stock alternator and a modest battery handle it without upgrades.

It's not the right radio if you need sideband (USB/LSB), CW, a built-in frequency counter, a built-in SWR meter, or the ability to run 100W+ mobile. For those requirements, look at the Ranger RCI-99N2, the Longhorn Superior N6, or the Ranger RCI-69 Base Plus Plus V2.

What makes the 3300HP different

The 3300HP has a distinct feel among 10m mobile radios in this price band. The front-panel 4-pin microphone jack keeps the cable routing clean at the front of the chassis and makes mic swaps easy on the road — plug in the stock SRA-198, swap to a DRX-6560 or a power mic, all without disturbing the mounting or reaching behind the radio.

The blue LED channel display and blue-illuminated meter are iconic. Combined with the red/green transmit LED and 3-level dimmer, the 3300HP is genuinely readable at night without being glare-bright — a specific ask from long-haul drivers. Some operators buy this radio for the aesthetic alone.

The dual MOSFET final stage is the reliability story. Twenty years of production means Connex has iterated on the design; the current-production 3300HP uses IRF-520 MOSFETs in the final stage, which are readily available and inexpensive if they ever need service. There's no exotic silicon to source — a good CB shop can maintain this radio indefinitely.

Modes and coverage

AM / FM / PA. That's it — no SSB, no CW, no clarifier. Frequency coverage is 28.015 – 28.465 MHz across 6 bands of 40 channels (240 channels total). The +10 kHz switch lets you shift up by 10 kHz for those "in-between" spots operators sometimes use.

FM operation on 10 meters is worth calling out. The FM segment of 10m (29.500 – 29.700 MHz) has an active repeater community, and many 10m FM operators want a radio that can run FM cleanly. The 3300HP does FM natively at ~10W carrier — not overpowering, but perfectly adequate for repeater work through a good antenna.

Control set (front panel)

• Front-panel 4-pin microphone jack
• Volume, squelch, mic gain, RF gain
• Mode selector (AM / FM / PA)
• Band selector (6 bands)
• Hi/Lo power output switch
• Echo board with 2 controls (delay + volume)
• Switchable talkback (hear yourself through the speaker) — ON only during echo
• +10 kHz switch
• NB/ANL switch (noise blanker + automatic noise limiter)
• 3-level dimmer (Hi/Med/Lo) for meter and channel display
• Red/green transmit LED
• Small meter for signal strength and RF power output

What's in the box

• Connex 3300HP transceiver
• Ranger SRA-198 4-pin noise-canceling microphone (a $60 mic — a real upgrade over the generic mics that ship with some competitors)
• DC power cord
• Mounting bracket
• Microphone clip
• Connex factory owner's manual

Specifications

• Type: 10 meter mobile amateur transceiver
• Frequency range: 28.015 – 28.465 MHz (6 bands × 40 channels = 240 total)
• Modes: AM, FM, PA (no SSB, no CW, no clarifier)
• RF output — stock: 45W PEP AM (Bird) · 30W RMS (Dosy) · ~10W FM/AM carrier
• Finals: Dual MOSFET (typically IRF-520 in current production)
• Frequency control: PLL synthesizer
• Antenna connector: SO-239, 50 ohm
• Microphone: 4-pin, standard, front panel
• Power supply: 13.8V DC, ~7A on transmit, 10A fuse recommended
• Frequency counter: Pre-wired for external FC-347 or FC-30 (not included)
• Metering: Small signal-strength and RF-power meter
• Display: Blue LED channel display, 3-level dimmer
• Dimensions: 11.25" L × 7.875" W × 2.375" H
• Warranty: 1-year factory warranty through Connex

Recommended accessories

• Stryker SR-A10 10 meter mobile antenna — 10m-tuned trucker's whip, matched to the 3300HP's SO-239 output
• DRX-9010 external speaker — the internal speaker is adequate; a cabin speaker clears up AM voice at highway noise
• DRX-6560 upgraded noise-canceling microphone — swap-in upgrade over the stock SRA-198 if you want a warmer voice profile
• Pro Tune and Alignment — bench-align the radio to Connex service-manual specs. Recommended on any radio you plan to keep for years.

Cross-shopping

The 3300HP fills a specific slot in our 10m mobile lineup. Here's how it sits vs the other Ranger and Stryker mobiles:

• Ranger RCI-99N2 — mobile at 200W+ PEP with SSB and factory amp switch. Pick this if you need sideband or high power. Twice the price and 6× the current draw.
• General Lee — mobile at 45W+ PEP AM/FM/PA. Roughly the same power tier as the 3300HP but with a different chassis and control layout. Comparable value.
• Longhorn Superior N6 — base station with SSB/CW. Different form factor entirely; the 3300HP is your mobile-only choice.

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.

10 meter licensing

The 10 meter amateur band (28.000 – 29.700 MHz) requires an FCC amateur radio license. Any US-based Technician-class license or higher grants operating privileges on the 10m band. If you're new to amateur radio, read our 10 meter radio license guide for FCC and ARRL testing resources.

FAQ

Can the Connex 3300HP be used on CB (11 meter)?

No. The 3300HP is an FCC Part 97 amateur radio transceiver certified for the 10 meter amateur band. Operating it on the 11 meter CB band (26.965 – 27.405 MHz) is not authorized and would violate FCC regulations. For CB operation, choose a Part 95 CB radio.

Does the 3300HP have SSB (sideband)?

No. The 3300HP is AM/FM/PA only. If you need USB or LSB sideband operation, look at the Ranger RCI-99N2 or the Longhorn Superior N6.

Does the 3300HP have a clarifier?

No. There's no clarifier on this radio. The +10 kHz switch shifts your channel up by 10 kHz but is not a variable clarifier. On AM/FM operation, precise frequency tuning is not required the way it is on sideband.

Does the 3300HP have a built-in SWR meter?

No. The 3300HP has a small meter for signal strength and RF power output only. If you want a built-in SWR meter, look at the Stryker SR-655HPC+ or the Ranger RCI-99N2. For the 3300HP, use an external inline SWR meter at antenna install — SWR verification happens at the antenna, not the radio.

Does the 3300HP have a frequency counter?

Not built in, but the radio is pre-wired for an external Connex FC-347 or FC-30 frequency counter (sold separately). Most operators on AM/FM don't need one — the channel display is accurate.

What antenna should I run?

For mobile use, a 10m-tuned whip like the Stryker SR-A10 on a heavy-duty mount with a good ground plane. Keep coax runs short and use quality RG-8X or better. All antennas need SWR verification at installation; SWR is verified at the antenna during install, not on the radio.

Do you Pro Tune this radio before shipping?

Only if you add the Pro Tune and Alignment option at checkout. A Pro Tune brings the radio to the manufacturer's service-manual specification — deadkey set correctly, modulation balanced. The radio will operate to Connex's stock spec without a tune; a tune ensures it's at the top of that spec.

Is the SRA-198 microphone included, or extra?

Included. The Ranger SRA-198 4-pin noise-canceling microphone ships in the box with every 3300HP. It's a $60 mic if bought separately.

What's the warranty?

1-year factory warranty through Connex. Warranty support runs directly through Connex, not through our shop. This covers manufacturing defects. Physical damage, blown finals from mismatched antennas, and power-supply abuse are not covered.