Galaxy DX86V mods

[Rebel Outlaw]

That's a great point Slowmover, and I'm with you.

Base station - check
Vehicles-check
Radios to distribute to family-check
Mobile antennas-check
Extra base antennas-check
Spool of 8x-check
Crimp connectors-check
Tons of other aaccessories-check

Sounds crazy, but look around......

Better to be caught prepared

But you bring up the pastor, something I hadn't considered....

Doesn't sound crazy to me! It is reality. I always rather be prepared for nothing than the alternative!
@Slomover is right about the pastor as well; don't forget that the church is a sacred place and there are some good pastors, in my area as well(one in particular, stood up to intimidation by the local cops and had them leave immediately).
I am 100% with you and Slomover on this and, the more people stick together and help each other, the better.
73

 

[Slowmover]

I don't believe there has ever been a service manual in the public domain. I used the 979 information. I just got my second one in Friday. Everything checked out good with it after the conversion. I am going to do the roger beep mod, and then it's going in my truck.

So, where stands the DX-86V saga?


.

 

[Eldorado828]

Question asked while "the good, the bad, and the ugly" plays in the background.

 

[Eldorado828]

So, where stands the DX-86V saga?


.

@Shadetree Mechanic had some good reports on his, think he said he even bought a second one.

I've considered one myself but don't have the extra coin right now.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

So, where stands the DX-86V saga?


.

I just put my 3rd one on order. I put one in my truck in place of the Anytone 5555, and the other is in the shack making a guest appearance. The third I will function check and stick it back in the box to go with the other new radios I have started to stockpile.

The 86v out of the box is not wide band tuned like other exports. It seems to be tuned for the CB band and the uppers and lowers as the C,D,E band switch would suggest. I have compared it to my new 959 and was kind of surprised. The 86v flat out has more transmit audio. I suspect that the 959 is built in such a way as to make the FCC happy, the 86v having no restriction on modulation gets louder. The modulation turned up on the 959 all the way will barely do 100% and it still clamps the audio some. Maybe this is the difference, because the 86v will start to box car a little over half way up. I know that nobody wants box cars, but the "Attack" speed of the limiter is different too, and this will let you get big without getting scratchy sounding. I set the modulation with a scope and a monitor radio with headphones. The Aries power mic gets loud and sounds clean at a setting of 2 on the mic. The sideband audio is excellent too and I have not done any mods to the sideband power yet. Can the 959 be modified to have the same audio? Probably. The dual finals and extra channels can also be added to a 959, but this causes the price to go up. The 86v also is quieter in the receive than the 959, maybe its just the 959 that I got, I don't know. But both 86v radios are this way. The 86v is also not a Galaxy sailboat of the olden days, it warms up quickly and stays there all day long.

The icing on the cake is that CBWorld has the 86v in stock for a little less than $200. I almost bought a Lincoln, maybe next time.

 

[Slowmover]

I just put my 3rd one on order. I put one in my truck in place of the Anytone 5555, and the other is in the shack making a guest appearance. The third I will function check and stick it back in the box to go with the other new radios I have started to stockpile.

The 86v out of the box is not wide band tuned like other exports. It seems to be tuned for the CB band and the uppers and lowers as the C,D,E band switch would suggest. I have compared it to my new 959 and was kind of surprised. The 86v flat out has more transmit audio. I suspect that the 959 is built in such a way as to make the FCC happy, the 86v having no restriction on modulation gets louder. The modulation turned up on the 959 all the way will barely do 100% and it still clamps the audio some. Maybe this is the difference, because the 86v will start to box car a little over half way up. I know that nobody wants box cars, but the "Attack" speed of the limiter is different too, and this will let you get big without getting scratchy sounding. I set the modulation with a scope and a monitor radio with headphones. The Aries power mic gets loud and sounds clean at a setting of 2 on the mic. The sideband audio is excellent too and I have not done any mods to the sideband power yet. Can the 959 be modified to have the same audio? Probably. The dual finals and extra channels can also be added to a 959, but this causes the price to go up. The 86v also is quieter in the receive than the 959, maybe its just the 959 that I got, I don't know. But both 86v radios are this way. The 86v is also not a Galaxy sailboat of the olden days, it warms up quickly and stays there all day long.

The icing on the cake is that CBWorld has the 86v in stock for a little less than $200. I almost bought a Lincoln, maybe next time.

The Galaxy DX-86V is unique. Glad to hear I’m not alone in that feeling (now, an assessment). Thx.

In a step up from a starter radio to one with dual-finals & SSB-capable (plus avoiding wiring/coax problems by adding an amp) this may be the Best Recommendation for a mobile — especially a truck driver — where space and AM performance are important.

It is not a dual final 979.

Where more power isn’t a needed crutch to overcome vehicle deficiencies — has a VG mobile antenna system — this is worth comparing to ALL other choices

.

 

[Slowmover]

@Shadetree Mechanic had some good reports on his, think he said he even bought a second one.

I've considered one myself but don't have the extra coin right now.

What ought to be in your big truck, huh? (to retain fully stock appearances).

.

 

[Slowmover]

959 & 979 are comparable?

86V & 99V2 are probably comparable?

But not so much crossways?

If, first, we divide by single versus dual finals; and, second, see if the split suggested holds water per other parameters.

But, (cough), only one is a side mic.

To my mind, (in owning all four), THERE IS A KING.

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[Slowmover]

But The King has a court of retainers, lackeys and nobles to support his transparency to best effect.

 

[Rebel Outlaw]

I just put my 3rd one on order. I put one in my truck in place of the Anytone 5555, and the other is in the shack making a guest appearance. The third I will function check and stick it back in the box to go with the other new radios I have started to stockpile.

The 86v out of the box is not wide band tuned like other exports. It seems to be tuned for the CB band and the uppers and lowers as the C,D,E band switch would suggest. I have compared it to my new 959 and was kind of surprised. The 86v flat out has more transmit audio. I suspect that the 959 is built in such a way as to make the FCC happy, the 86v having no restriction on modulation gets louder. The modulation turned up on the 959 all the way will barely do 100% and it still clamps the audio some. Maybe this is the difference, because the 86v will start to box car a little over half way up. I know that nobody wants box cars, but the "Attack" speed of the limiter is different too, and this will let you get big without getting scratchy sounding. I set the modulation with a scope and a monitor radio with headphones. The Aries power mic gets loud and sounds clean at a setting of 2 on the mic. The sideband audio is excellent too and I have not done any mods to the sideband power yet. Can the 959 be modified to have the same audio? Probably. The dual finals and extra channels can also be added to a 959, but this causes the price to go up. The 86v also is quieter in the receive than the 959, maybe its just the 959 that I got, I don't know. But both 86v radios are this way. The 86v is also not a Galaxy sailboat of the olden days, it warms up quickly and stays there all day long.

The icing on the cake is that CBWorld has the 86v in stock for a little less than $200. I almost bought a Lincoln, maybe next time.

Glad to hear you like it Shadetree Mechanic! I was wandering if you did any mods at all to it, like Andy suggested earlier, or if you just used it out of the box. Yes I am also trying to stockpile as well(for obvious reasons). How is the SSB drift?
The 86v is an attractive package (I would use it for 11m) because of not having extra bells and whistles, and good power without an amp. Right now, in my area just can't get a 959 (all out of stock).
Of course, the 86 ain't a side mic(sometimes we have to make sacrifices).
73.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Glad to hear you like it Shadetree Mechanic! I was wandering if you did any mods at all to it, like Andy suggested earlier, or if you just used it out of the box. Yes I am also trying to stockpile as well(for obvious reasons). How is the SSB drift?
The 86v is an attractive package (I would use it for 11m) because of not having extra bells and whistles, and good power without an amp. Right now, in my area just can't get a 959 (all out of stock).
Of course, the 86 ain't a side mic(sometimes we have to make sacrifices).
73.

I have not done any mods yet. Just put them on frequency, adjusted the modulation and ALC. The sideband drift is not a problem in these newer radios. My old 99v is a Cadillac, but it drifts a noticeable amount until it is fully warmed up. The 86v has a little drift warming up, but nothing worse than my old Cobra 148 GTL.

I think the whole "Side Mic" thing started many, many years ago. Back in the day when a mic could come from most anywhere on a radio, like the bottom or the back. There was a gal named "Side Mic Sally" who caused quite a stir. The questionable things about her are indeed quite unmentionable, and therefore became good gossip. Sally was eventually able to live down her reputation as she is no longer with us, but the radios made with a side mic are still around to enjoy the fame. The fame now mostly reduced to a wives tale that is squaked about only in the beauty parlor at the end of town.

The 86v is showing that "Side Mic" is a thing no more.......

"Never judge a radio by its mic jack" 808

 

[Slowmover]

. . doth the pretender whistle us a tune?

 

[Rebel Outlaw]

I have not done any mods yet. Just put them on frequency, adjusted the modulation and ALC. The sideband drift is not a problem in these newer radios. My old 99v is a Cadillac, but it drifts a noticeable amount until it is fully warmed up. The 86v has a little drift warming up, but nothing worse than my old Cobra 148 GTL.

I think the whole "Side Mic" thing started many, many years ago. Back in the day when a mic could come from most anywhere on a radio, like the bottom or the back. There was a gal named "Side Mic Sally" who caused quite a stir. The questionable things about her are indeed quite unmentionable, and therefore became good gossip. Sally was eventually able to live down her reputation as she is no longer with us, but the radios made with a side mic are still around to enjoy the fame. The fame now mostly reduced to a wives tale that is squaked about only in the beauty parlor at the end of town.

The 86v is showing that "Side Mic" is a thing no more.......

"Never judge a radio by its mic jack" 808






Thanks. That was helpful! I was mostly concerned about the drifting(good to hear that it’s about the same as the old 148). I think it’s hard to bit for a small package powerful CB(converted of course) since the alternatives are all SMT.
I will use my imagination about the unmentionable things regarding “Side Mic Sally” but thanks for clarifying!
Even though it ain’t a side mic, I think that Slowmover would agree that I can make an exception, and just go ahead and get one(and then there is always one more right?)
73.

 

[groundwire]

Ok I figured out what the deal is. The fine clarifier is RX only. The coarse clarifier is TX and RX. So my question is, how do you adjust the tx when the rx can be changed on a different knob? On a side note, it does over 40w peak on AM. Only a little over 20w on SSB. This is with an ALC adjustment on SSB, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference in power. The biggest difference is what I hear on my monitor radio.

Another question is this:
Is it worth adjusting the SSB transmit cans? Or should I leave well enough alone. It seems that the SSB power should be close to AM peak?

My new one is exactly the same. 45w pep on am bu ssb is only about 25w pep. Alc pot does nothing. Did you do an alignment to yours? Did the ssb power come up?

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

My new one is exactly the same. 45w pep on am bu ssb is only about 25w pep. Alc pot does nothing. Did you do an alignment to yours? Did the ssb power come up?

I never did anything for the power. I didn't do a complete alignment either, just put the transmit on frequency with my SDR on my computer. Haven't had time to do the clarifier or Roger beep either. Just stuck it in the truck for now.