22A mod

[mastervipertech]

I am looking for some information on what back in the day of 23 channel radios was referred as the 22A channel mod.
I have a 23 channel Craig mobile radio and I want 27.235 or channel 24, I am under the impression that it is a simple cut on the channel selector switch to open up 27.235 on the dead spot between channel 22 and 23 .
I do not have the schematic for this radio either as there is not much info on this radio.
Any info would be appreciated.

[Sandbagger]

Feb 9, 2011 19:19:15 GMT -5 mastervipertech said:

I am looking for some information on what back in the day of 23 channel radios was referred as the 22A channel mod.
I have a 23 channel Craig mobile radio and I want 27.235 or channel 24, I am under the impression that it is a simple cut on the channel selector switch to open up 27.235 on the dead spot between channel 22 and 23 .
I do not have the schematic for this radio either as there is not much info on this radio.
Any info would be appreciated.

The infamous channel 22A mod varies depending on the radio model. On some radios, a simple cut of a jumper was all it took. On most radios though, there was an open gap on the channel selector wafer that had to either be filled or another switch contact had to be fabricated to "jump" that gap. Some radios had as may as 4 gaps.

My brother had a Craig radio back in '76, and I remember putting 22A in it for him, so it wasn't too difficult.

[rifleman]

What is the model number of your Craig ?

[mastervipertech]

The model# on the back side is 16358253, another label on the side of the chassis with the covers off is 240269.
I think it is from the 1976 era but am not sure. I just like the style of the radio and it would go good in my 76 ford truck.
The local channel for this area is 24 hence the desire to do the mod but not change the radio to much.

[SIX-SHOOTER]

I'm NOT sure if that radio has the copper wafer behind the channel selector knob but if it does it's VERY EASY.Just cut a small piece of wire(solid core)of about a number 8 or 10 wire & beat it flat with a hammer.Trim it to fill in the piece of the copper that was removed between channels 22 & 23 & solder it in the slot.Works great on several models over the years including a REALISTIC TRC-30A NAVAHO.Hope this works for that model as well.

SIX-SHOOTER
OT66

[Sandbagger]

Feb 13, 2011 19:52:09 GMT -5 SIX-SHOOTER said:

I'm NOT sure if that radio has the copper wafer behind the channel selector knob but if it does it's VERY EASY.Just cut a small piece of wire(solid core)of about a number 8 or 10 wire & beat it flat with a hammer.Trim it to fill in the piece of the copper that was removed between channels 22 & 23 & solder it in the slot.Works great on several models over the years including a REALISTIC TRC-30A NAVAHO.Hope this works for that model as well.

SIX-SHOOTER
OT66

That will work, and I've done it that way in years past. The thing you have to be carefull with is when you solder the jumper in, to make sure that there aren't any solder "globs" left on the selector plate. The solder needs to be as flat and smooth as possible. Any rough areas can cause the switch finger to bend out of place resulting in selector failure.

And alternative method that works is to bend a piece of stiff wire roughly into the shape of a contact finger. Solder this new finger to the same contact tab as the common switch finger and align it to contact the selector contact wafer slightly offset from the original contact finger. If done right, the new finger will retain contact with the switch wafer when the original finger is sitting in the gap in the blank spot on the switch.

[crazybob]

LOL...I remember, back in '75, filling in the gap on my brand new Browning SST, with solder, then fileling it down so that I could go to the "secret" channel!

[Sandbagger]

Feb 14, 2011 16:06:51 GMT -5 crazybob said:

LOL...I remember, back in '75, filling in the gap on my brand new Browning SST, with solder, then fileling it down so that I could go to the "secret" channel!

By the time people got done opening up that channel in everyone's radio, it wasn't so "secret"any more....

[mastervipertech]

I want to thank you all for your advice. I was able to do the mod and sure was glad to see 27.235 come up on the freq counter when I was done.
Thanks again.