Magnum S - 980

[357magnum]

Hi all my radio Guru's , I don't ask many questions , but now Magnum has a problem & hoping one of you can point me in the right direction . Just acquired this Magnum S- 980 , Mosfet's are supposedly good , Same with driver . But only putting out 2 watts ? What direction should I look in ? Actually looking for this info for an 81 year old friend's radio , that has no access to a PC . I know nothing about these Radio's , I'm an old junk Cobra Op ! Just hoping Andy or Nomad or someone on here can point me in the right direction ? Thanks Guys , in advance . Stay Healthy & Safe ! 73 & God Bless ! , Leo

 

[Dmans]

Mosfet's are supposedly good

Says a seller?

But only putting out 2 watts

If it has output power, it makes one tend to think all of the supporting circuitry to provide output power is working-save for the output power devices themselves- Mosfet's. Driver and/or Final(s) or both.

73
David

 

[BJ radionut]

Magnum S-980 Service Manual (cbtricks.com)

ERF2030 Replacement Instructions.PDF (cbtricks.com)

 

[357magnum]

Thanks Gary ! Stay Heathy & Safe ! 73 & God Bless ! Leo

 

[BigLou]

Did the old owner use it with a amplifier ? He may have set it at 2 watts to run a low drive amplifier.

 

[357magnum]

BigL , Not sure , I'll have to ask him really not sure ? But I think since he's been in the hobby for a while , he " Should " have checked ? I printed out the manual from BJ & gave to him last week , need to call him . Thanks ! Stay Healthy & Safe ! 73 & God Bless ! Leo

 

[Handy Andy]

Ok, now that you mentioned Andy...Sigh,... I'll see if I can take this up...

But while I gather my wits and materials - do you have a good Dummy load or a good antenna you trust that gives you a low SWR? I mean - the on-air check - being really on the air-side is not what I want to hit the ground running with, simply because if something isn't right, well the results can be...

​

So I'd prefer a dummy load...

So, if you got the manual - look it over carefully, for that radio has variable power too..

​

They also had two types,

The R3 version one at CB Tricks is discrete...

But the R6 version is SMD - tiny tiny parts...

Layouts are similar, and tune-ups are pretty much straight forward...

But if they turned it down, what else did they do to accomplish this to get it that low?

All you really had to do is just turn down the PWR (Center) control on that knob.

IF you have to turn it the PWR control all the way up to get that 2 watts - hmmm...may be more afoot...

So - when you're ready...