Search found 125 matches

by Animal
Wednesday 14th Jan 2015, 4:27
Forum: CB Antenna Systems
Topic: SWR Problems
Replies: 1
Views: 12689

Re: SWR Problems

:shock:

The best antenna is one that is resonant on the frequency you want to TX/RX on and that suits your requirements (mobile, base, directional, compact, etc etc etc ?)

:roll:
by Animal
Tuesday 13th Jan 2015, 8:32
Forum: CB Antenna Systems
Topic: Made In the USA - SigmaIV ;)
Replies: 14
Views: 21577

Re: Made In the USA - SigmaIV ;)

Bit late with the reply :oops: but I found some pics of a four element quad mid build and some of the four element loop driven yagi hoisted aloft! http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k593/swoodcock1/Quad3_zps0e55f344.jpg http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k593/swoodcock1/IMG00028_zps8a13b8da.jpg ht...
by Animal
Sunday 22nd Apr 2012, 3:16
Forum: CB Antenna Systems
Topic: Made In the USA - SigmaIV ;)
Replies: 14
Views: 21577

Re: Made In the USA - SigmaIV ;)

Great job HomerBB =D>

I had an Avanti Sigma IV back in the day (circa 1980) & worked the world on 12w ssb

Last home-brew for me was a four-element loop driven array - I'll post some pictures when I get time.

Keep up the good work :dance:
by Animal
Monday 16th Apr 2012, 7:33
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: President Grant,Clarifier slide
Replies: 7
Views: 14538

Re: President Grant,Clarifier slide

Hammer sorted - just need the anvil! :wink:

Did you ever manage to perfect that mod for 5kc steps on the Grant by the way - seemed like much better idea than fiddling around with the clarifier & a frequency counter to get the zero's :idea:
by Animal
Sunday 15th Apr 2012, 7:07
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: President Grant,Clarifier slide
Replies: 7
Views: 14538

Re: President Grant,Clarifier slide

Quite correct Dave - glad you're paying attention at the back! =D> You'll find that the extra inductance will also give you more downward shift than up & you'll need to reset the VCO offsets (& probably find that you can't align it correctly with the Coarse control in the center notch positi...
by Animal
Friday 13th Apr 2012, 6:45
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: President Grant,Clarifier slide
Replies: 7
Views: 14538

Re: President Grant,Clarifier slide

This reply is obviously a bit late but may help someone else. :doh:

Try adding a 5.6uH coil in series to 0v end of the varactor diodes :idea:
by Animal
Friday 18th Jun 2010, 18:56
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: K40 microphone
Replies: 7
Views: 14056

Re: K40 microphone

Thanks for the additional info Norm It's working very well but I can hear a very slight buzz (which stops when I touch the mic plug) on another receiver :| The other thing I noticed is a trimmer inside the mic (not the gain control which can be adjusted via a hole in the back of the mic) Anyone shed...
by Animal
Saturday 29th May 2010, 20:08
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: President Grant - Clarifier Shift
Replies: 15
Views: 18902

Re: President Grant - Clarifier Shift

No Dave,

Checked the voltages & all seemed to be in order.

I've ordered some of those large cap varicap diodes (25-500pF) & will let you know how I get on.

Steve
by Animal
Wednesday 26th May 2010, 21:19
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: President Grant - Clarifier Shift
Replies: 15
Views: 18902

Re: President Grant - Clarifier Shift

It's the black front version Dave (with both coarse & fine) but the coarse only moves 2kc either way. :?
by Animal
Tuesday 25th May 2010, 19:23
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: K40 microphone
Replies: 7
Views: 14056

Re: K40 microphone

Cheers Dave

I tried it last night without the mod & the charge from the capacitor died after about five seconds! :shock:

CQ DX CQ DX CQ DX CQ DX .....................snooze
by Animal
Tuesday 25th May 2010, 19:17
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: President Grant - Clarifier Shift
Replies: 15
Views: 18902

Re: President Grant - Clarifier Shift

zodiac wrote:Steve,
D44 is for Mid and Hi bands, you have unlocked the clarifier haven't you ?.
Dave.

I didn't realize it needed unlocking tbh Dave :?

How do I do that exactly (I have my claw-hammer & oxy-acetylene torch at the ready!)

Cheers

Steve
by Animal
Tuesday 25th May 2010, 3:31
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: President Grant - Clarifier Shift
Replies: 15
Views: 18902

Re: President Grant - Clarifier Shift

That's because they are, I said D1 is on the crystal board, I didn't say D4 was as well. Dave. That's me on the naughty step (again!) :oops: Okay, swapped D1 from the Xtal board on the Concorde into the Grant (D44 position) & it's just the same (all three bands) I know that one diode is used fo...
by Animal
Tuesday 25th May 2010, 3:09
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: K40 microphone
Replies: 7
Views: 14056

K40 microphone

I've just got a K40 compression microphone & was thinking of wiring it up to the Cobra 148 GTL-DX Will the voltage of the switching line (approx. 3.6v on my Cobra) be enough to charge the capacitor inside the mic? I seem to remember some sort of 'power conversion' kit being supplied with the ori...
by Animal
Saturday 22nd May 2010, 1:08
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: President Grant - Clarifier Shift
Replies: 15
Views: 18902

Re: President Grant - Clarifier Shift

Dave,

On the Xtal board of the Concorde 2, D1 & D4 look totally different to each other?

Steve
by Animal
Tuesday 18th May 2010, 4:18
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: President Grant - Clarifier Shift
Replies: 15
Views: 18902

Re: President Grant - Clarifier Shift

That's normal Steve, you have to change both the varactor diodes D40 and D44 one for each crystal to get it to shift further for the same as what's in the Cobra 148GTL DX MK2 MV201, have you got a scrap 148, if so then shame on you. You can also use two ITT410 out of a scrap Cybernet radio and that...
by Animal
Tuesday 11th May 2010, 17:56
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Ham International Jumbo Offset Freq. problems
Replies: 5
Views: 9243

Re: Ham International Jumbo Offset Freq. problems

I had a similar problem with a Cobra 148 It had been modified to cover extra frequencies & one of the diodes had gone - no matter how far I adjusted the pots I couldn't reach the offset frequency :doh: You didn't say if your Jumbo is modified but maybe worth checking out before starting to look ...
by Animal
Thursday 6th May 2010, 4:42
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: MC145151 PLL
Replies: 15
Views: 22805

Re: MC145151 PLL

zodiac wrote:What MOD Steve ?.
Dave - It's a great idea using the MC145151 to get 5kc steps rather than waiting for someone to call on the zero's then calling them back!

Would it tune continuously or would it still need a 10kc shift added to get the alpha's?

Steve
by Animal
Thursday 6th May 2010, 4:32
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: President Grant - Clarifier Shift
Replies: 15
Views: 18902

Re: President Grant - Clarifier Shift

Cheers Dave,

Scrap Cobra 148's - perish the thought!!! :shock:

I've got a RD16HHF1 MOFET (sealed in anti-static package) if you want to do a swap for some varactor diodes? :?

Steve
by Animal
Wednesday 5th May 2010, 21:02
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: MC145151 PLL
Replies: 15
Views: 22805

Re: MC145151 PLL

Dave

I wouldn't mind this mod doing to a President Grant (PC-999AE)

Will it still need a +10kHz shift adding (it's standard at the moment) or does it step 5kHz continuously after the mod?

Cheers

Steve
by Animal
Wednesday 5th May 2010, 20:41
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: President Grant - Clarifier Shift
Replies: 15
Views: 18902

President Grant - Clarifier Shift

Radio Make and Model: President Grant (Black Front) PCB Number: PC999AE PLL Number: Test gear available: Stand Alone Counter, Digital VOM Symptoms: Coarse clarifier control doesn't shift 5kc either side. What is working: Everything else works fine. What has been tried: Nothing (I'm just a keen hobby...
by Animal
Thursday 1st Apr 2010, 7:35
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Audio 'gargle'
Replies: 7
Views: 9720

Re: Audio 'gargle'

Dave/Ray I checked TP2 voltage on Hi band (Ch40 AM mode) & it was 7.4v I adjusted L18 for 5.4v (Hi Band CH20 AM Mode) & base voltage has dropped to 7.1v Re-checked final & driver bias (both within spec at 51ma) Hope I'm going in the right direction??? Sounds okay on my other receiver (bu...
by Animal
Wednesday 31st Mar 2010, 1:21
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Audio 'gargle'
Replies: 7
Views: 9720

Re: Audio 'gargle'

Dave

Checked driver & final base (mike gain fully anticlockwise on SSB) & I get 0.73v & 0.69v on TX

Steve
by Animal
Sunday 28th Mar 2010, 20:10
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Audio 'gargle'
Replies: 7
Views: 9720

Re: Audio 'gargle'

Checked screws - all tight & solder tabs all intact. Noticed that the problem seems to occur on Hi Band setting only (especially noticable when the 'bleep' goes off - it is distinctly 'bubbly' and not a stable tone) but I'll need to get this confirmed by another station listening to the audio on...
by Animal
Sunday 28th Mar 2010, 0:19
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Audio 'gargle'
Replies: 7
Views: 9720

Audio 'gargle'

Radio Make and Model: Cobra 148 GTL DX PCB Number: 010AA PLL Number: Test gear available: Digital VOM, Stand Alone Counter, Symptoms: Audio on SSB is distorted (like I'm gargling with gravel) What is working: Everything else is fine. What has been tried: Checked biasing, checked offset adjustments, ...
by Animal
Saturday 27th Mar 2010, 23:42
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Carrier on SSB
Replies: 7
Views: 9253

Re: Carrier on SSB

It's not just your set they all have some RF floating about but it doesn't cause any problems normaly. Anyway, your now Animal the RF tamer. :D Dave. I might be able to tame RF (or even lions with an upturned chair!) but still haven't managed tame the wife's spending :doh: I've started another thre...
by Animal
Monday 22nd Mar 2010, 2:00
Forum: CB Radio Modifications
Topic: cx 4300HP mods
Replies: 4
Views: 7007

Re: cx 4300HP mods

zodiac wrote:What make is the radio ?.
It would appear to be a Connex with a SC2290 final or four SD1446 finals :shock:

Personally I'd have the power turned down to a reasonable level if you want it to last longer than three months :|
by Animal
Monday 22nd Mar 2010, 1:52
Forum: CB Radio General
Topic: Kudos - Dave Zodiac
Replies: 6
Views: 11527

Re: Kudos - Dave Zodiac

It's thirsty work watching you so I'll bring my own water & tea bag next time :wink:
by Animal
Monday 22nd Mar 2010, 1:44
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Carrier on SSB
Replies: 7
Views: 9253

Re: Carrier on SSB

Dave,

I didn't have a power mic attached.

Mic gain was set fully anticlockwise.

Fitted the jumper wire as you suggested & all is now good thanks :D

By the way, why would I be getting stray RF with this set?

Steve
by Animal
Sunday 21st Mar 2010, 22:31
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Carrier on SSB
Replies: 7
Views: 9253

Re: Carrier on SSB

It may be worth mentioning that I've changed the driver & final in this radio to 2SC2166 & 2SC1969 respectively (Eleflow) I had to back-off VR12 ALC as the RF meter was pegging full-scale on ssb with mic gain at 12 O'clock (& TX audio was distorted) May have no significance but you never...
by Animal
Sunday 21st Mar 2010, 18:52
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Carrier on SSB
Replies: 7
Views: 9253

Re: Carrier on SSB

Dave,

You're correct - it stops when I lift the top lid :shock:

What's all that about then & how did you sort a permanent fix (other than the end-crust from a loaf of Hovis wedged between lid & chassis!) :?

Cheers

Steve
by Animal
Sunday 21st Mar 2010, 18:36
Forum: CB Radio General
Topic: Kudos - Dave Zodiac
Replies: 6
Views: 11527

Re: Kudos - Dave Zodiac

Oh & his tea making skills, well, err.........., the least said about that the better! :doh:

:wink:
by Animal
Saturday 20th Mar 2010, 21:01
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Carrier on SSB
Replies: 7
Views: 9253

Carrier on SSB

Radio Make and Model: Cobra 148 GTL-DX Mk2 PCB Number: 010AA PLL Number: Test gear available: Stand Alone Frequency Counter, Digital VOM Symptoms: I have a full carrier on USB/LSB (drawing 2.5A) What is working: Everything else seems fine. What has been tried: Adjusted VR7 which has no effect whatso...
by Animal
Saturday 20th Mar 2010, 20:39
Forum: CB Radio General
Topic: Kudos - Dave Zodiac
Replies: 6
Views: 11527

Kudos - Dave Zodiac

Just a quick word of thanks to Dave (Zodiac) for his kind assistance with a poorly rig. Like other technical helpers, he devotes a lot of time & effort to the hobby helping less knowledgeable folk (like me!) without being impatient & condescending. =D> Thanks again Dave - you're a true gentl...
by Animal
Wednesday 17th Mar 2010, 7:18
Forum: CB Antenna Systems
Topic: Cobra HG-A2000 antenna
Replies: 1
Views: 5571

Re: Cobra HG-A2000 antenna

For all intents & purposes they're both baseloaded quarter-wave mag-mounted mobile antennas (capacitively coupled to the bodywork of the vehicle - this means there's no metal to metal contact!) & will be much of a muchness - anyone who claims they see two or three S units difference is talki...
by Animal
Saturday 27th Feb 2010, 5:04
Forum: CB Radio Amplifiers
Topic: RM KL200 distortion
Replies: 6
Views: 12214

Re: RM KL200 distortion

Philip Do you have a trickle charger connected to the battery all the time? If not, I'd consider it. I found that when I was mobile using a KL-500 I needed to have the engine running (with alternator charging the battery) otherwise I'd get 'distorted audio' reports - those things could draw well ove...
by Animal
Wednesday 24th Feb 2010, 8:23
Forum: CB Radio Alignments
Topic: Magnum delta force ssb power
Replies: 1
Views: 5998

Re: Magnum delta force ssb power

Have you adjusted RV116 as well as the coils L131,L132. L133, L134??? :|
by Animal
Wednesday 24th Feb 2010, 7:49
Forum: CB Radio Amplifiers
Topic: RM KL200 distortion
Replies: 6
Views: 12214

Re: RM KL200 distortion

Phillip If you TX when the switch on the amp is in the FM position, it doesn't damage the unit. The FM/SSB switch just activates the delay on SSB (or de-activates it in AM/FM mode) Are you running the amp mobile or homebase? If homebase, what PSU are you using & how many amps can it deliver? Wha...
by Animal
Monday 24th Aug 2009, 20:11
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Stalker IX low TX audio
Replies: 5
Views: 8605

Re: Stalker IX low TX audio

Try turning down the AM TX power to 4W and see if the AM TX audio comes right, 10W is too much, if the power output does not change when the VR as adjusted it gives a clue as to where the problem may be. Cheers Scott (I should have noticed that :doh: I suppose the logic being that there's no room t...
by Animal
Monday 24th Aug 2009, 3:01
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Stalker IX low TX audio
Replies: 5
Views: 8605

Re: Stalker IX low TX audio

Animal, Have you adjusted the AMC VR2 front right corner ?. Dave. Thanks for the reply Dave. Tried that today & still sweet FA! Output must be milliwatts in ssb - the needle just to say moves on the inbuilt & an external meter. Definitely audio on another receiver when TXing into a dummy lo...
by Animal
Wednesday 19th Aug 2009, 7:02
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Stalker IX low TX audio
Replies: 5
Views: 8605

Stalker IX low TX audio

Radio Make and Model: Stalker IX PCB Number: PC-385 PLL Number: Test gear available: Digital Multimeter, Frequency Counter Symptoms: Very low, almost inaudible TX audio What is working: Everything else. What has been tried: Adjusted VR7 (ALC) with no change to symptoms Did it suddenly happen ?: Don'...
by Animal
Saturday 15th Aug 2009, 22:03
Forum: CB Radio General
Topic: HIGH SWR WITH AMP ON
Replies: 4
Views: 9635

Re: HIGH SWR WITH AMP ON

Did you recalibrate the meter after increasing the power?
by Animal
Saturday 15th Aug 2009, 21:50
Forum: CB Radio Alignments
Topic: superstar 3900
Replies: 2
Views: 7200

Re: superstar 3900

In a word 'No' This phenomenon normally occurs with a transceiver which has had a PLL synthesizer alignment without letting the radio warm-up first. As per the alignment procedure, put the clarifier control(s) in the center detent, then re-adjust offsets. You'll need a stand alone frequency counter ...
by Animal
Wednesday 11th Feb 2009, 7:50
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem
Replies: 24
Views: 31727

Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem

Okay - thanks.
by Animal
Wednesday 11th Feb 2009, 4:08
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem
Replies: 24
Views: 31727

Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem

Sorry for the late update Dave, I did sort it eventually by removing the mod for the extra bands (it's back to standard three blocks of 40) So I guess you were correct about the diodes - thank you for your patience. Unfortunately, I've uncovered another problem which may or may not be related. When ...
by Animal
Tuesday 3rd Feb 2009, 3:33
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem
Replies: 24
Views: 31727

Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem

Okay, I managed to measure voltages either side of the diodes:

They're all approx. 8V

Cheers,

Steve
by Animal
Monday 2nd Feb 2009, 19:29
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem
Replies: 24
Views: 31727

Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem

Is there an easy way to get to the diodes Dave???

They're right underneath the channel selector mechanism/ribbon cable & it looks like the front has to come off???

Many thanks,

Steve
by Animal
Sunday 1st Feb 2009, 0:43
Forum: CB Antenna Systems
Topic: Parts for PDL-ll
Replies: 1
Views: 5768

Parts for PDL-ll

Try Durham Radio:

10-1380 Hopkins St., Whitby, ON Canada

They used to carry AV-122 & AV140 spares.
by Animal
Saturday 31st Jan 2009, 23:40
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem
Replies: 24
Views: 31727

Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem

Changed IC6 - both adders now replaced.

Voltages at PLL still the same :doh:

Any ideas where to go next???
by Animal
Saturday 31st Jan 2009, 22:03
Forum: CB Radio Repair and Troubleshooting
Topic: Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem
Replies: 24
Views: 31727

Cobra 148 GTL-DX Frequency Problem

Changed IC7 and checked voltages on PLL

They're just as they were - no change at all. :-k

TP3 still reads 17.920 (should be 16.490) :-s

I'll change the other adder (IC6) & report findings later.