Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Meters » Want to align your own radio? « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kid_vicious
Advanced Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 861
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 2:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i hope this is the right place to post this; it seems to be a nice quiet spot.

After being in the hobby for a few years; the more ambitious and less prudent of us start to venture beyond the knobs on the faceplates of our precious CB radios. The results are usually somewhere between extremely lucky and extremely regretful.
For some, this first attempt is the last, and for others, it is just the beginning.
this thread is for the latter.

Anyone with a background in radio maintenance would probably discourage any layperson from potentially damaging their expensive toys, and their advice is to be heeded.
HOWEVER, with the understanding that part of the draw of this hobby is experimentation; i believe that everyone should have access to any and all information on the subject and should form their own assesment of their desires versus their skills.
With that in mind, i offer to you all, "the golden screwdriver's guide to aligning your own radio equipment."
i say "your own equip." because i mean specifically the equipment that you own and dont mind voiding the warranty on. (because you will)
under no circumstances should you use this knowledge to align your friends' radios unless you are willing to buy them another or dont mind losing a friend.
here we go:
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Allan
Junior Member
Username: Allan

Post Number: 28
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 7:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

here we go:

Oh, man. I blinked and missed the lesson.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hatchet
Intermediate Member
Username: Hatchet

Post Number: 110
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 8:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Allan, there is no substitute for proper test equipment
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1276
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 10:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

allan and hatchet, check the "other"
thread with the same title in this section.
there is no substitute for proper test equipment.
i agree, but i think its a good idea to let people see ALL the options available to them rather than keep them in the dark.
matt
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce

Post Number: 3620
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 10:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Anyone with a background in radio maintenance would probably discourage any layperson from potentially damaging their expensive toys, and their advice is to be heeded.

I always incurage people you play with radios it's the only way you will learn.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1278
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 12:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

anyone who plans on being a part of this hobby for a long time will eventually want to ventyure inside the radio itself.
better to do it with some sound advice in front of you rather than being told dont do it, and trying blindly. (most will not heed the advice of dont touch it!)

again, anyone reading this post should check out the REAL post with the same title in this section.
there, i actually give the alignment for you guys to critique or compliment,
matt
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237

Post Number: 265
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 12:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Actually Kid you are wrong in one thing you stated in the first leeson - that a frequency counter is the most important. Actually I'd rather have a good 30MHz plus CRO. You can do proper modulation adjustments and frequency with a CRO, as well as being able to chekc voltages, audio circuits etc.

Yes the frequency reading may involve a little more brain strain but considering teh other uses give me a good CRO anyday.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1388
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 6:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

right on 237, i have never used one, but it sounds like i would like it.
how much does a decent one go for on the used market?

BTW, i really wish i could delete this thread or at least add it to the other one in this section with the exact same title.
everyone responds to this one, and doesnt know that i actually posted the whole thing somewhere else.
i cant remember why this happened in the first place, but imsure it was my fault.
i tried to put this in the "articles" section, but its closed to new threads.
oh well, thanks for the input. other than the CRO did you find any obvious mistakes in my alignment procedure?
thanks again,
matt
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237

Post Number: 279
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 5:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ive picked up decent ones from $5 up in the past. Just haunt the flea-markets and hamfests.. Expect to pay around $100 for a really good used one.

If you come across let me know and I'll email you instructions on using it for several tests around a radio.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1435
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 10:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

cool!
i am on the hunt!
matt

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action: