View Full Version : Realistic TRC-433, 412 & 217 Modifications?
I recently accuired 4 cb radios. Two Realistic Navaho TRC-433's, a Realistic TRC-412 (Emegency Car Kit), and a Realistic TRC-217 GRS Transceiver. I'm wondering if these are capable of a channel expansion modification wether by kit or manual re-wiring of sorts.
If any one has any info post it up please.
KC0KBH
03-05-2005, 01:42 PM
I don't think any hams are going to help you with invading 10 meters. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
Sorry I didn't mean to offend you or anyone else.
I don't know much about CBs and I'm only trying to learn about it. I do a lot of hardware modifications on my own but have never known about ham radio modification untill now. So instead of giving me hell about something you can explain it kindly. Now I thought of a channel mod as some sort of upgrade to allow more functionality. If it's "wrong" then I won't do it. Simple. Now if anyone would be kind enough to not give me hell and actually help me out, I would like to know what types of modifications I can do to my CB radios to improve or upgrade their broadcast quality.
hey man i am going to add some extra channels to my Realistic Navaho TRC-458.Is that what your looking for. If so i have a website i can post or e-mail you that tells you how to hook everything up. Its really self explanitory! Let me know
Did someone wake up Charlie Chickenbander?
KB3LIX
03-14-2005, 06:57 AM
Sorry Gorn,
Any modification of a CB radio, whether adding additional channels, changing the modulation/ audio responce, increasing the power output, etc. VOIDS the "Type Acceptance" of the unit and renders it illegal.
Amaturs are always looking for ways to improve the performance of their Amateur equipment, but under their licenses, they are PERMITTED to experiment and modify their radios.
CB equipment cannot be legally modified by ANYONE.
Amateurs as a rule, do not condone the use of illegal equipment. It's not a matter of being rude, inconsiderate,or snobs, it's a matter of complying with the FCC Rules & Regs.
Sorry,
You will not find any help here !
bill
KB3LIX
Quote[/b] (Guest @ Mar. 11 2005,22:20)]hey man i am going to add some extra channels to my Realistic Navaho TRC-458.Is that what your looking for. If so i have a website i can post or e-mail you that tells you how to hook everything up. Its really self explanitory! Let me know
Smart. Real smart. First of all, if you were actually to get me to buy something from you or go to your site, you didn't leave your contact info. No, I'm not asking for it. Second of all, of all places to post things about that, this is the worst. Go play with your extra knobs on your CB. Maybe you'll be caught on the wrong channel. Oh and try using some punctuation too. It'll at least make you look like your smart.
KC0KBH
03-21-2005, 10:07 PM
You show him!
kb2vxa
03-29-2005, 05:58 PM
Hi good buddies,
Don't expect any ham in his right mind to tell you how to operate illegaly and interfere with other radio services. Any insults you get are well deserved.
Check out the CB websites to find out how to become a freebander, then trot on down to the truck stop and get yourself a strappin' leenyar, power mic with all the noisemakers and echo. Don't forget that mobile antenna with the big, impressive loading coil, it looks cool on your pickumup truck covered with mud and the gun rack behind the seat. One last thing, talk with a phony Texas accent and be sure to insert all those funny words in every sentensce so you'll fit right in and sound like a professional idiot.
Have all the fun you want and when or if you come to your senses we'll welcome you to the Amateur Radio ranks where you can "shoot skip" and run a kilowatt legally. Think "outside the box" and realize the prison you have placed yourself in, you'll hopefully break out into the real world of worldwide radio communications and service to the World Community.
It would be nice to see a child grow up, many of us were once CBers who wanted to widen their horizons. I was that child who grew up and became a man.
Lmao alright then. I have already been looking into ham radio but I don't have the expendatures right now. I just aquired the CBs from my granpa and wanted something fun to do with them. Actually another question, besides getting a bigger better anttena, is there another way to boost the TX for distance, or the other way around, to boost the RX. And of course I don't mean anythign illegal.
Quote[/b] (Gorn @ Mar. 31 2005,19:07)]Lmao alright then. I have already been looking into ham radio but I don't have the expendatures right now. I just aquired the CBs from my granpa and wanted something fun to do with them. Actually another question, besides getting a bigger better anttena, is there another way to boost the TX for distance, or the other way around, to boost the RX. And of course I don't mean anythign illegal.
Gorn, you can "work the world" with a chunk of wire and a couple hundred MILLIWATTS at it will cost less than $20.00, if you really want to. $20.00 inludes the cost of the Altoids for the can.
You have come to the wrong place if you are looking for information on how to violate the LAW.
Modifing a CB for more channels, more power, and still on 26.96 to 27.41 MHz is illegal.
After you get your ham ticket, I will be more then happy to tell you how to convert those to a usable band. PM me when you pass your General ticket (A General is needed for 10M voice operation, or a Tech Plus, but that is no longer issued).
vy2wa
04-01-2005, 05:25 PM
hi guys, Just thought i'ld say that the trc-485 makes a great 10meter radio.Mods are fairly easy,good project for a new amateur.
73,wayne
ai4ep
04-01-2005, 10:45 PM
I thought we were NOT supposed to promote illegal activities.
Or are ya gonna use the old loophole statement --"for educational purposes only " ??
kw7dsp
04-03-2005, 02:17 AM
GORN,
Study and get a license for yourself. Post it here with verifiable evidence it is you, and I will give you an old but working Yaesu 2 meter 6 channel HT. You have 90 days (Until July 4th). I can’t guarantee I will keep the Yaesu any longer then that. It has your name on it if you are serious. Pass the Code and Get Tech Plus or higher and I will tell you how to Mod your CB for Tech Plus/Novice 10 meter.
kw7dsp
04-03-2005, 02:20 AM
K8YS
I get a lot of Denvers. I collect also. I will trade Denver for Philidelphia.
KW7DSP@Hotmail.Com
vy2wa
04-03-2005, 04:13 PM
to ai4ep
mods done by an amateur and used by an amateur on amateur bands is legal. all the best,73
I'll try and get the liscense as soon as possible. Thank you for the generous offer kw7dsp I hope I can do it in time. I am though wondering how I would retrieve the transceiver. You live a lot farther south than any low shipping charges.
Do NOT do any internal modifications to the RF Power Output or "channel expansion"! That will render the radios non-type accepted and could result in a large monetary fine issued by the FCC. The radios already come with full RX gain (if I remember right). Please, no TX power or channel expansions mods. The radios the way they are now, are very good (by the way, they are have the appropriate settings).
KB2VXA, I have heard those noise toys on 10 Meters. They were using the 10-codes and other things you would expect on unlicensed bands. Made me suspect they were CBers interfering with OUR bands and communications. Illegal, very illegal.
I have no problem with CBers becoming Amateur Radio operators. You can run a kilowatt and really hit some DX into Japan and all other places around the world (legally)! But, to be able to talk to other around the world would result in you having to study for General and pass the code test (if you are starting Ham Radio all together, you would have to pass the Technician Class exam as well), but you can cheat like I sometimes do and talk on IRLP or EchoLink, but I do enjoy real radio, not internet radio. (I only use it for grins and fun).
73 de kc0tkb
Speaking of which, could someone PM me with info how to modify my Realistic TRC-448 AM/SSB for 10 meters?
73 de kc0tkb
ai4ep
04-08-2005, 01:44 AM
Some of you folks have got to be kidding !!
They sell Ranger 2950 s every day that have 10 meters ( all mode including cw & fm ) at most amateur radio outlet stores...
nah...never mind !!
rofl at the audacity !! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ April 07 2005,20:44)]Some of you folks have got to be kidding !!
They sell Ranger 2950 s every day that have 10 meters ( all mode including cw & fm ) at most amateur radio outlet stores...
nah...never mind !!
rofl at the audacity !! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
huh?
we are not talking about a 10m radio
kw7dsp
04-08-2005, 11:36 PM
Quote[/b] (Gorn @ April 05 2005,21:23)]I'll try and get the liscense as soon as possible. Thank you for the generous offer kw7dsp I hope I can do it in time. I am though wondering how I would retrieve the transceiver. You live a lot farther south than any low shipping charges.
Canada right?
Because it is a gift (You are all witnesses) I can send it duty free and I will pay for the shipping.
kg4yus
04-11-2005, 11:14 PM
Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ Mar. 29 2005,12:58)]Don't forget that mobile antenna with the big, impressive loading coil
I think they are called "ButtMonkeyman" antenners:p
ai4ep
04-14-2005, 04:44 PM
I dont think I have ever seen one... need more info & pictures !!
KE6LYU
04-16-2005, 05:42 AM
I use one of those" mobile antennas with the big, impressive loading coil " on it that was built for CB. I have worked many stations around the world with it and a old well-worn HR-2510 on Ten Meters. You Would be suprised how well they work! Get the bolt cutters out and trim the stinger a little, and they load up just fine on Ten.
73
KE6LYU
kb2vxa
05-04-2005, 04:38 PM
Hi guys,
This reminds me of the battle between Captain Kirk and the Gorn set up by the Metrones. (;->) Now that's out of our systems it's good to see everybody calmed down, Gorn canned the bad attitude and you're actually being elmers.
Frankly he can choose to keep the CB (keeping the golden scredriver out of it) and seek legal ways of improving his setup or become a licensed Amateur on a tight budget as I am. Thanks for guiding him in the latter direction since ham radio has so much more to offer at pretty much the same cost of a more elaborate CB station, I know from personal experience.
"KB2VXA, I have heard those noise toys on 10 Meters. They were using the 10-codes and other things you would expect on unlicensed bands. Made me suspect they were CBers interfering with OUR bands and communications. Illegal, very illegal."
Gee, no kidding, I'm surprised you didn't notice the sarcasm. (;->)
"Speaking of which, could someone PM me with info how to modify my Realistic TRC-448 AM/SSB for 10 meters?"
No need for that, dig out the schematic and put your tech skills to work, that's what I did but not to annoy 10M hams. With older rigs including synthisised all you need to do is change one or more crystals, for newer PLL circuits it involves changing the state of one or more fixed ports. If high, go low, if low, go high, that's all there is to "opening it up". Slight realignment of the RF chain may be in order for maximum efficiency but be careful not to upset the traps in those crystal synths or you'll have spurs all over the place on transmit and receive as well.
That's a pretty good reason why a CBer should keep his hands out of the box, some mods are VERY complicated and WAY beyond inexperienced technicians be they CBers, hams or professionals. Yeah, I once knew a Courrier Royale with spurs right out of the box from the factory, gave everyone in town headaches galore!
Gorn, like my daddy said, "If it's worth doing it's worth doing right." so do it right, study and get your ham ticket, then study some more to improve your tech skills, then study some more. You can never know too much about anything, learning is a life-long process.
kc0rjv
05-19-2005, 02:15 AM
Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ May 04 2005,03:38)]Frankly he can choose to keep the CB (keeping the golden scredriver out of it) and seek legal ways of improving his setup or become a licensed Amateur on a tight budget as I am. Thanks for guiding him in the latter direction since ham radio has so much more to offer at pretty much the same cost of a more elaborate CB station, I know from personal experience.
[QUOTE]
Frankly he can choose to keep the CB (keeping the golden scredriver out of it) and seek legal ways of improving his setup or become a licensed Amateur on a tight budget as I am. Thanks for guiding him in the latter direction since ham radio has so much more to offer at pretty much the same cost of a more elaborate CB station, I know from personal experience.
[QUOTE]
Ok, I think I might be a little crosswise to the law here, and I'd like a check. When I bought my Cobra 148 NW/ST it had what several people called "muddy" TX. I took it to a HAM who ran/runs a Radio shop in Alton, IL, and he "tuned" it for me. It cleared up the audio, gave me a nice clear signal, and with a power mic, I had clean coherant output. Was what he/I did Illegal? He had a "Factory Authorized Repair" sign on his back wall for Cobra. So I thought it was legal, but now I'm not so sure.
Mark
KCŘRJV
Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ Mar. 29 2005,10:58)]Hi good buddies,
Don't expect any ham in his right mind to tell you how to operate illegaly and interfere with other radio services. Any insults you get are well deserved.
Check out the CB websites to find out how to become a freebander, then trot on down to the truck stop and get yourself a strappin' leenyar, power mic with all the noisemakers and echo. Don't forget that mobile antenna with the big, impressive loading coil, it looks cool on your pickumup truck covered with mud and the gun rack behind the seat. One last thing, talk with a phony Texas accent and be sure to insert all those funny words in every sentensce so you'll fit right in and sound like a professional idiot.
Have all the fun you want and when or if you come to your senses we'll welcome you to the Amateur Radio ranks where you can "shoot skip" and run a kilowatt legally. Think "outside the box" and realize the prison you have placed yourself in, you'll hopefully break out into the real world of worldwide radio communications and service to the World Community.
It would be nice to see a child grow up, many of us were once CBers who wanted to widen their horizons. I was that child who grew up and became a man.
Quote[/b] ]Hi good buddies,
Don't expect any ham in his right mind to tell you how to operate illegaly and interfere with other radio services. Any insults you get are well deserved.
Check out the CB websites to find out how to become a freebander, then trot on down to the truck stop and get yourself a strappin' leenyar, power mic with all the noisemakers and echo. Don't forget that mobile antenna with the big, impressive loading coil, it looks cool on your pickumup truck covered with mud and the gun rack behind the seat. One last thing, talk with a phony Texas accent and be sure to insert all those funny words in every sentensce so you'll fit right in and sound like a professional idiot.
Have all the fun you want and when or if you come to your senses we'll welcome you to the Amateur Radio ranks where you can "shoot skip" and run a kilowatt legally. Think "outside the box" and realize the prison you have placed yourself in, you'll hopefully break out into the real world of worldwide radio communications and service to the World Community.
It would be nice to see a child grow up, many of us were once CBers who wanted to widen their horizons. I was that child who grew up and became a man
I just got signed on because I am wanting to expand my radio knowledge. I fully intend to still utilize the CB radio in its correct usage but you then you jump in with "Hi, good buddies". Most know that is not a real nice way to address someone. They have either a callsign or name. You are assuming that all are homosexual by the wording you chose. And if one wishes to continue to utilize the CB radio it certainly does not mean that person is a child. I also don't carry much credence with anyone who has to state that they have 'become a man'! If one is a man, one does not have to proclaim it to the world around. The person asked a simple question. It would show you to be a man if you could have answered it nicely without being derogatory in either tone or words. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
AB8TM
06-10-2005, 05:24 PM
kw7dsp, that is very nice of you! would have been cool if I got the same offer!
imo, the curious types are the type of hams we want to attract.
this gentleman asking how to illegally modify his CB may very well become the next Riley Hollingsworth! i really cannot see the point in ridiculing him when we can encourage him like DSP and others are doing.
does that sound like tree hugging hippy crap or what? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
KD6NIG
06-10-2005, 06:46 PM
Speaking of Audacity:
If you watched the "Dukes of Hazzard" when you were a kid:
1) CB's could work for miles and miles, never had interference, and the handhelds worked as well as the mobiles. In fact, you could use a portable inside a metal object (I recall them somehow driving a tank and having the CB inside it) and it still works great!
2) CB channel 9 did great as the primary dispatch for the Hazzard County Sheriff.
3) The Dukes never figured out that if they monitored Ch 9 they could hear what Boss & Roscoe were up to.
I think sometimes shows like this is what skews peoples reality of what a CB (and a Ham radio, for that matter) can really do.
Listen to what all of these people are telling you. CB is limited simply because of the way it was designed to be, its not really designed to be more than a local service. If you try to overstep the boundries/rules, do so at your own risk, definetely, and don't expect help from Ham operators especially-since most modification affects them, it would be like stealing a stereo from someones car, then coming back to them and asking why it won't play tapes right-you'll get a GREAT reaction, to say the least.
kd5rpo
06-19-2005, 04:40 AM
Quote[/b] ]I fully intend to still utilize the CB radio in its correct usage but you then you jump in with "Hi, good buddies". Most know that is not a real nice way to address someone. They have either a callsign or name. You are assuming that all are homosexual by the wording you chose.
Perhaps you were not an adult in the 1970's. "Good Buddy" was a term used by the truck driving CBers of the era. It had nothing to do with homosexuality. These days it might be used by amateurs as a term of disrespect, but not directly in a sexual sense.
For the CBers who would like a little more fun, look up a local ham radio club, and most likely you will find some helping hands who could loan you some study materials for the license tests.
kw7dsp
06-20-2005, 08:25 AM
Quote[/b] (KD6NIG @ June 10 2005,10:46)]Speaking of Audacity:
If you watched the "Dukes of Hazzard" when you were a kid:
1) CB's could work for miles and miles, never had interference, and the handhelds worked as well as the mobiles. In fact, you could use a portable inside a metal object (I recall them somehow driving a tank and having the CB inside it) and it still works great!
2) CB channel 9 did great as the primary dispatch for the Hazzard County Sheriff.
3) The Dukes never figured out that if they monitored Ch 9 they could hear what Boss & Roscoe were up to.
I think sometimes shows like this is what skews peoples reality of what a CB (and a Ham radio, for that matter) can really do.
Listen to what all of these people are telling you. CB is limited simply because of the way it was designed to be, its not really designed to be more than a local service. If you try to overstep the boundries/rules, do so at your own risk, definetely, and don't expect help from Ham operators especially-since most modification affects them, it would be like stealing a stereo from someones car, then coming back to them and asking why it won't play tapes right-you'll get a GREAT reaction, to say the least.
I must be getting old because that is just the way I remember CB working. Nightly from Coos Bay to Eugene (125 miles), All day everyday from Glenwood to Eugene (over a hill) and Junction City or Cottage Grove or Oakridge (40 Miles Plus). Most days the State police could be reached direct on 9. SSB gave very quite comms at average 25 mile range with no interference and 15 mile to 30 mile Base to Mobile was normal. There was courtesy and organization even in the bigger cities. Most people had call signs and except for occasional skip, always IDed
KG4CLD
05-13-2008, 03:27 AM
Well Gorn,
You'll just have to shop around like the rest of us low budget hams do. I have recently purchased 2 realistic HTX-100 10-meter mobile radios for 1/4 the cost of any radio, legal or otherwise.
I have, in the past, attempted to convert the TRC-433. My hope was to have a low cost AM-base radio for 10 meters. I quickly found out the PLL "CHIP" becomes unstable when voltages are changed or even when introducing an external frequency controller. Its a shame, it's a nice radio.
I heard another ham say that you can find RCI-2950's, but only if you're willing to part with more cash than I would be. My suggestion, and only after you've attained your Amateur license, is search for the older stuff or if you have some tech skills, you might consider buying equipment not working. If you think fixing a broken rig isn't worth your time, You can hear what a 15 dollar ICOM IC-728 sounds like on 20-meters some day!
Dave-KG4CLD
WA9SVD
05-13-2008, 05:42 AM
Smart. Real smart. First of all, if you were actually to get me to buy something from you or go to your site, you didn't leave your contact info. No, I'm not asking for it. Second of all, of all places to post things about that, this is the worst. Go play with your extra knobs on your CB. Maybe you'll be caught on the wrong channel. Oh and try using some punctuation too. It'll at least make you look like your smart.
To set the record straight:
1. The radios you describe can NOT be modified and then legally used on the U.S. CB channels. CB radios are required to be certified by the FCC, and any modification voids the certification any CB radio once had.
2. In the U.S., a licensed Amateur CAN modify ANY piece of electronic equipment (including a "CB" radio) for operation on Amateur frequencies. But once the modification is made, the radio can no longer be used on CB or any other radio service. It can be used ONLY on Amateur frequencies, and ONLY by a licensed Amateur Radio Operator. Once modified, the equipment must STILL comply with the technical standards for spectral purity and harmonic suppression as set forth in §Part 97 of the FCC regulations pertaining to Amateur Radio.
The conversion of a CB radio to 10M is a straightforward technical task.There are any number of schematic services (Free) on the web.Back in the day,73 magazine ran a monthly feature on the how to.Anybody remember the piles of hy-gain boards advertised for conversion?
Having said that, Anybody that wants a step-by-step "mod" will find that most, if not all of the sites aimed at the "Free bander" are crap from a technical standpoint, most involve what appear to be more or less random parts changing to effect more "swing", or some yuckleputz claiming 50w output from a 6w transistor.
Mod em if you got em, But please don't think you are going to end up with more than 4 channelized watts on 10M-which imho is a fun diversion for an experienced op, but may not be a great first project for the newbie.
Rege
WA9SVD
05-21-2008, 06:33 AM
The conversion of a CB radio to 10M is a straightforward technical task.There are any number of schematic services (Free) on the web.Back in the day,73 magazine ran a monthly feature on the how to.Anybody remember the piles of hy-gain boards advertised for conversion?
Having said that, Anybody that wants a step-by-step "mod" will find that most, if not all of the sites aimed at the "Free bander" are crap from a technical standpoint, most involve what appear to be more or less random parts changing to effect more "swing", or some yuckleputz claiming 50w output from a 6w transistor.
Mod em if you got em, But please don't think you are going to end up with more than 4 channelized watts on 10M-which imho is a fun diversion for an experienced op, but may not be a great first project for the newbie.
Rege
Actually, it's not quite as easy. Back "in the day," the typical CB radio was crystal controlled; no PLL to deal with, so the mod was more a matter of tweaks and retuning with an external VFO or crystals.
But the other thing to remember is that Novices and Techs can NOT use an AM transmitter (or transceiver) on 10 Meters. By FCC regulation, (for voice,) they are limited to SSB ONLY, from 28.300-28.500 MHz.
Actually, it's not quite as easy. Back "in the day," the typical CB radio was crystal controlled; no PLL to deal with, so the mod was more a matter of tweaks and retuning with an external VFO or crystals.
But the other thing to remember is that Novices and Techs can NOT use an AM transmitter (or transceiver) on 10 Meters. By FCC regulation, (for voice,) they are limited to SSB ONLY, from 28.300-28.500 MHz.
Actually, No, a PLL is no more or less difficult to move than a crystal synthesiser, In fact, the typical 40 CH CB PLL can be moved to 10M with a single crystal, and the retune of the VCO.
The typical 6 + 4 crystal set up of a 23 channel cb would require 4 crystals,I am not aware of any 40 ch sets that use crystal synthesis.
Whats a crystal ground to your specs cost these days?
With SSB CB radios going for about 30 bucks used,I really cannot image why you would convert a AM CB.
Again, I think that converting a set is a tecnical challenge, Better for a second or third project, But then again,a awful lot of good buddies seem to be able to .
Rege
KF4ICL
05-21-2008, 04:26 PM
this gentleman asking how to illegally modify his CB may very well become the next Riley Hollingsworth!DANG! :eek:
WA9SVD
05-22-2008, 12:26 PM
Actually, No, a PLL is no more or less difficult to move than a crystal synthesiser, In fact, the typical 40 CH CB PLL can be moved to 10M with a single crystal, and the retune of the VCO.
The typical 6 + 4 crystal set up of a 23 channel cb would require 4 crystals,I am not aware of any 40 ch sets that use crystal synthesis.
Whats a crystal ground to your specs cost these days?
With SSB CB radios going for about 30 bucks used,I really cannot image why you would convert a AM CB.
Again, I think that converting a set is a tecnical challenge, Better for a second or third project, But then again,a awful lot of good buddies seem to be able to .
Rege
My error if those are all SSB CB radios...
In the early days of CB, (and when the magazines were touting some of the conversion articles) the PL's were not as ubiquitious as today. Certainly, PLL equipped, and synthesized radios CAN be modified, and yes, it is a bit of a challenge, and I never realized used SSB CB's cost so little; it just MIGHT be a "project" to consider.
I'm not sure I understand your last comment, though. While modifying a "CB ONLY" radio to Amateur frequencies does take a little bit of knowledge and "expertise," there's precious little (of either) needed to simply cut a wire, snip a diode, etc. to enable a manufacturer designed "mod" to extend the coverage of a non-FCC certified CB unit into Amateur frequencies.
With SSB CB radios going for about 30 bucks used,I really cannot image why you would convert a AM CB.
Simple: As a very low-cost beacon transmitter.
Lightning strike blows the rig up? Throw it away and grab another converted set from Ye Olde Pile...
SVD,
What I am trying to say, is that a lot of the hype about conversions and modifications IS driven by the CB crowd, Weather or not we as Hams like it, the fact is there are a LOT of real HACK shops out there,Really butchering up what are really pretty good radios for the $$.
Whats worse is the Ham who may have come from CB (I did in 1977!) has heard of all these terrible (from a engineering standpoint),"Mods",And doesn't know any better.
If some "good Buddy" can figure out how to turn a decent radio into some horribly over modulated, maybe I'm on a good frequency maybe I'm not,400W "biamped Linear"- every time I talk the TV goes blank DISASTER,
Then We owe it to the new guys to give them the straight technical scoop.Your right, It's not as simple a snipping a diode,But there is also a lot of stuff that with some attention to power ratings and filtering would make very servicable- and LEGAL -Ham radio gear.
As a practical matter, For a amateur wanting to experiment CB radios are pretty cost-effective. I have let the smoke out of a few $5 radios, That don't hurt too bad!;)
Rege
WA9SVD
05-22-2008, 07:19 PM
SVD,
What I am trying to say, is that a lot of the hype about conversions and modifications IS driven by the CB crowd, Weather or not we as Hams like it, the fact is there are a LOT of real HACK shops out there,Really butchering up what are really pretty good radios for the $$.
Whats worse is the Ham who may have come from CB (I did in 1977!) has heard of all these terrible (from a engineering standpoint),"Mods",And doesn't know any better.
If some "good Buddy" can figure out how to turn a decent radio into some horribly over modulated, maybe I'm on a good frequency maybe I'm not,400W "biamped Linear"- every time I talk the TV goes blank DISASTER,
Then We owe it to the new guys to give them the straight technical scoop.Your right, It's not as simple a snipping a diode,But there is also a lot of stuff that with some attention to power ratings and filtering would make very servicable- and LEGAL -Ham radio gear.
As a practical matter, For a amateur wanting to experiment CB radios are pretty cost-effective. I have let the smoke out of a few $5 radios, That don't hurt too bad!;)
Rege
I don't disagree with that. a proper mod to almost any radio CAN be made, but it's not a "ten minute" procedure. And a lot of the homespun CB mods DO turn out to be poor excuses for a radio, because no attention is paid to signal quality, distortion, levels, or anything other than sheer max power out.
Some of the "export" or modified CB radios probably would make servicable (and yes, legal) Amateur gear, but there is a big difference between "servicable" quality, and the quality we typically see and expect in properly designed Amateur equipment.
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