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Post by husker on Jul 18, 2008 10:56:33 GMT -5
I am restoring a RCA co-pilot base which was filthy with nicotine on the outside. I used this stuff called Krud Kutter from Home Depot, and it was amazing. Not only did it disolve the nicotine, but it didn't harm any paint or plastics, and the smell is a non-issue. www.krudkutter.com/originalkrudkutter.aspIf anyone is into restorations, this is a must have. I cannot believe the before and after using this stuff. SO you don't see any issues on these old circuit brds? I am in the process of doing 4 trams ( yea I know..I got alot of work ahead ) 1 Browning MkII and a MkIV Does it clean inside all the dust and crap on the inside of the radios as well??
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Post by husker on Jul 18, 2008 8:19:48 GMT -5
Not really. Here is a link giving some info on the tube. I've seen the metal encased tubes work better in some radios and glass better in others. My experience using them in a Tram radio is that they did not do as well as their glass counterparts. Of course your experience may vary. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6L6BC Very cool, thanks for the link! I did catch me by surprise when I saw them as well. But the radio that had them is a mess. It has serious grounding issues, if the top lid touches anything metal, for example the D104, there is a ton of static and it sounds kinda scary..
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Post by husker on Jul 17, 2008 22:17:00 GMT -5
So can I assume they are a better version?? Better meaning tougher and maybe longer lasting?
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Post by husker on Jul 17, 2008 21:28:13 GMT -5
Ok, so I have finally decided that I can't fix the entire world today So maybe I will start with one thing at a time. So with that in mind I decided that I have a wonderful, but well used D201 that would be a great place to start. It has a awesome receiver but puts out 9+ watts dead key so I know I have work to do. I have attached a pic of my BA brd from this radio, if you look in the top left corner you can see the green brd has turned black from heat, so i figured I would see what I should look at to replace here. Also when I touch the cover to anything metal I get static(grounding??) and I did find what looks to be a cut foil on the bottom side. Please review these pics and I would love any advise I can get! thanks in advance
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Post by husker on Jul 17, 2008 21:11:50 GMT -5
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Post by husker on Jul 17, 2008 14:01:21 GMT -5
Man ain't that the truth. My wife just sees the UPS guy coming and start complaining about all the "Started" projects I have.... Well I actually can get the original PDL stacking kit that was made for the PDL's..so it's from the factory. Of course that doesn't mean it will work
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Post by husker on Jul 16, 2008 20:46:32 GMT -5
Mark4, that is one thing I will set your mind at ease with. Even when it comes to home repair, power is something I have ALOT of respect for. When I was 8 or so I tried to plug a train set billboard( 12vdc) into a wall socket. After I finally could stand up I noticed I was across the room! Not ever again! even though that was 38 yrs ago I still remember it like yesterday. I have a very healthy respect for anything related to AC or even DC.
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Post by husker on Jul 16, 2008 8:35:39 GMT -5
Spitfire its not called junk...its all equipment....some is just in better shape than the other! Its all good! lol And Husker I have a new in the box Moonraker IV, but I dont want to sell it right now. Sure tease me with it ;D
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Post by husker on Jul 15, 2008 9:25:45 GMT -5
I agree 100% That's why I am asking so many questions..I am extremely concerned ( scared ) to start poking around inside. I want in the worse way to restore these wonderful radios, but I just don't have the knowledge ( or the time either). I guess I am looking for a quick fix when there is not a realistic one. I just wish I had the experience many of you folks have, heck I would love even 20% of your brains! I continue to print out posts for reference!!!! thanks to all of you! Bob
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Post by husker on Jul 15, 2008 8:13:32 GMT -5
It would be a nice to have item if someone would actually create a "tune up" kit so to speak for these old radios. Many not a kit, but a kit per type of radio. Many of you folks know so much about these old radios that you could just about do this type of thing in your sleep. I only wish I could get all your knowledge and bottle it !!
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Post by husker on Jul 14, 2008 22:35:30 GMT -5
Ok, guys I need some help with what looks like a huge receive issues with both my D201A's. Please keep in mind I am a beginner when it comes to working on radios. I have replaced v400 and v401, but the receive section is still very weak. I was reading about a specific resister that also needs to be replaced. If one of you incredabily smart guys tell me which one and what to use( where to find the actual new part) I will try to fix the issue myself. Ireaaly want to learn to work on these old radios and I will do the best I can if someone is willing to help me.
Thanks folks!!
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Post by husker on Jul 14, 2008 16:22:23 GMT -5
NO kidding..seems like every Tram/Browning I see any more says that they are "Like New, Mint condition" when you can clearly see they are not...Heck there was a Tram that the seller said had "just been gone through" and was in mint. I asked him what exactly that menat and he refused to answer......scumbags...
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Post by husker on Jul 13, 2008 11:56:24 GMT -5
The rope is designed to keep the elements from "singing" when the wind is blowing them. This is a common problem with the Wilson (who first suggested to put rope in the elements) and Maco antennas. Both are the basically the same antenna since Maco bought Wilson out. The singing is just a vibration of the elements and will eventually add to making the elements more brittle. The Avanti antennas had the wire tips on the end of the elements are were not subject to the singing effect. One thing to note on putting rope in the elements is to make sure the bottom of the elements is open so water can drain out of them. I've seen a waterlogged rope in an element cause some strange problems with an antenna. On another note the stock Gammas on the Moonraker 4 were rated at 2Kw. I've put more wattage than that into one without any problems but make sure the reflected power is low. Tuning the antenna at mid point of the band should let you be able to go up/down 40 channels without a lot of change in reflected power. BC Interesting, that would make alot of sense. So that is something I wouldn't have to worry about with the PDL II's due to the elements being fiber glass?? thanks
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Post by husker on Jul 13, 2008 11:46:50 GMT -5
Ok, guys I need some help with what looks like a huge receive issues with both my D201A's. Please keep in mind I am a beginner when it comes to working on radios. I have replaced v400 and v401, but the receive section is still very weak. I was reading about a specific resister that also needs to be replaced. If one of you incredabily smart guys tell me which one and what to use( where to find the actual new part) I will try to fix the issue myself. Ireaaly want to learn to work on these old radios and I will do the best I can if someone is willing to help me.
Thanks folks!!
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Post by husker on Jul 12, 2008 12:59:04 GMT -5
I use a Moonraker 4 and have never had any problems. I do suggest doing the manila rope on the inside of the elements to make them last longer. As far as power, I have dumped 1KW plus in the past into it and have had no problems. I also sometimes hookup my RCI to it and needless to say the freq capabilities they have and for as far as being broadbanded enough for "normal" CB freq, plus or minus 40 channels, I dont see much change in SWR's although there is some. #smilies-42774# #cbop# #american# #glow# What would the rope do to help? Sounds interesting
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Post by husker on Jul 12, 2008 12:57:19 GMT -5
The neons work well but as some have stated they just make the meter happy. With the few watts gain you get it's just a judgement call on whether to do it or not. But they do work. The thing about Brownings I have seen is they won't talk the wattage that a Tram will but will drive an amplifier harder. I'm just wondering if others have noticed this also. The Mark III's seem to drive an amp to higher output than just about any other radio including the black radios that I have seen. I see someone has the statement that " Happiness is a warm tube". I couldn't agree more. BC The 6L6GC tube in the Tram is capable of a bit more carrier power out than the Browning. But, I've seen Trams modified with a "Hi/LO" power switch, and to be honest, while putting out a 10 watt carrier might look impressive on a wattmeter, the modulation power is not enough to modulate it with the same punch as a stock 4 watt carrier. It just doesn't look as nice on the scope. I actually drop the carrier power on mine down to 2.5 watts and let the modulation swing. It's far more punchy that way, and the amp takes care of amplifiying the whole shooting match. I do the same thing with my Browning. One of my 201A's has the Hi/Lo switch. It will go fro 3.5-4 on lo to over 10 on hi. After reading what many of you have been saying about pushing the radio and thinking of how old these girls really are, I figure pushing it that hard will do nothing but bring about an early death of the already worn out parts. So I never use the Hi setting...
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Post by husker on Jul 12, 2008 0:19:51 GMT -5
On the other D201A I have the AM audio is bad. The SSB audio is wonderful. So I followed the manual and replaced V400 and V401, but nothing changed. Anyone know if this is something I can fix or do I need to find a tech....
thanks
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Post by husker on Jul 11, 2008 16:24:21 GMT -5
I will post a pic of the tubes so you guys can see them if you want
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Post by husker on Jul 10, 2008 21:41:43 GMT -5
And of course the 201's..... they still need some love. One radio at a time!
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Post by husker on Jul 10, 2008 21:37:56 GMT -5
The MkIII All I need now is a Mic!
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Post by husker on Jul 10, 2008 21:36:24 GMT -5
A pic of the Tram 201A's
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Post by husker on Jul 10, 2008 13:16:00 GMT -5
I agree 100000% I have plenty of other toys that go to 40 or whatever..I want to keep these old girls exactly as they are! I did notice that the receiver is WAY more sensitive then the Trams...I was hearing stuff with way better strength then i was with the Galaxy or even the Trams..Now I just need to find a Mic for this old girl to see how she sounds. Another strange question guys, one of my Trams 201's has these black hard case tubes in it. Are those the military types?? Again, I can't thank you guys enough for all the info I have received!!!!! I would venture that those "metal" tubes are some sort of industrial or military equivalent. Interesting your remarks about receiver sensitivity. In my experience, the D201 has one of the hottest receivers out there. But age can cause the sensitivity to fall off. If you can't set the "S" meter for S9 with 50 uV of input signal before the adjustment pot max's out, that's a clue that there's something not quite right. My own Tram was like that, until I put all new receiver tubes in it. Before, the sensitivity was about average for a CB rig. But once I put the new tubes in it, I found out what an exceptional receiver really was. There are also some receiver resistor values that change due to long term use with maximum rated current running through them. Another D201 I'm currently restoring had all new tubes in it, but still the receiver was only "average". Then I found the 100K resistor feeding B+ voltage to the 5.8 Mhz crystal oscillator (V301B) had drifted up to around 1Mohm. This resulted in a weaker than normal oscillator output. Replacing that resistor put that receiver in the "hotter than hot" sensitivity category. It now hears down to the limit of my signal generator (.04uV). The Brownings are normally pretty good as well, but I haven't seen one yet that'll outdo a good working D201 on receiver sensitivity. I have a funny feeling both my 201A'a need alot of love. But you really have to know where you have no business going and having me attempt to do any trouble shooting at the level you speak of would end up VERY bad...I know my limits
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Post by husker on Jul 10, 2008 10:27:35 GMT -5
Well I can't find a old, but new in box Moonracker, but I have one PDL and I can buy another old, but new in the box....does that make sense?? Could just be cause I am a bone head
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Post by husker on Jul 10, 2008 10:24:35 GMT -5
I agree 100000% I have plenty of other toys that go to 40 or whatever..I want to keep these old girls exactly as they are! I did notice that the receiver is WAY more sensitive then the Trams...I was hearing stuff with way better strength then i was with the Galaxy or even the Trams..Now I just need to find a Mic for this old girl to see how she sounds.
Another strange question guys, one of my Trams 201's has these black hard case tubes in it. Are those the military types??
Again, I can't thank you guys enough for all the info I have received!!!!!
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Post by husker on Jul 10, 2008 0:08:47 GMT -5
Ok, I already have an older "used" PDL and I can buy a brand new old stock one along with the orginal stacking kit. If I do this will it work with one antenna being old and one being old but in "new" condition? Also I have heard this is a kick -butt setup...is it guys??
thanks
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Post by husker on Jul 10, 2008 0:06:19 GMT -5
You guys have been awesome with help on my Trams, now I have a few questions about my MKIII. First, when I bought it I didn't get a mic. But I have never seen the two hole jack..is that normal for the MkIII?? Also what does the "HF" mean and the HF Freqs on the transmitter dial?
thanks guys!!!!
(after I get this old girl running I am going to work on the MKIV I have )
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Post by husker on Jul 9, 2008 9:34:28 GMT -5
Hey, if yours holds up under regular use, who am I to criticize? I guess maybe yours was made on a Wednesday afternoon, maybe? What makes them fail is wear and tear, mostly. If you don't spin it very often, it will last longer. More than once I've recomended using the slider, to minimize the number of times the crystal knob gets spun. The more times it gets turned, the sooner it breaks down, in my experience. 73 makes sense, also I understand better the "like new" statement and why Ebay folks use that with some of these old Trams. I can't thank you enough for the insight! I do have a brd with a silver tuner on it, how hard is it to replace the brd with the tuner chrystals and all.....
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Post by husker on Jul 7, 2008 22:43:15 GMT -5
I was going through one of my 201A's tonight and I never noticed, but the entire power section has had the Caps replaced, the B/A brd re-built and some other resisters look to have been replaced. The radio works very well, alittle weak on the receive compared to my other 201A but still works. How can I tell if it has had work???
But it also has the black tuner. I did find a brd with a silver tuner in the parts I have..is it easy to replace?
Also what is the bedst way to cleanout the volume control (static) do I remove it completely and clean it or can I spray in where it sits?
thanks for all the help guys!!!
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Post by husker on Jul 7, 2008 15:34:42 GMT -5
I see, so one of the Trams I have has the black channel selector, but it works pretty good and has for the8 yrs or so I have had it...could it be a muntant Or am I just sitting on a time bomb waiting for it to blow??
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Post by husker on Jul 6, 2008 23:20:59 GMT -5
Thanks, nope..not remotely interested.. but I do have a question. If I did have a very good radiooverall except for the channel selector, what could I do?? If I had a "good" one from another radio could I transplant it..or do I need to get a new circuit brd and start over?? thanks
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