OPINIONS ON MY UNIDEN MADISON BEFORE AND AFTER ON THE O-SCOPE

[loosecannon]

If the radio were here, i would suggest to you that we get rid of that external VFO unit and put that VFO knob where the headphone jack used to be. right now it looks like your noise toy is occupying that space.

since there is already a hole drilled in the back of the radio, i would probably move the noise toy control to back there.

also, i noticed in the old youtube video that the radio was muting in between channel changes when using the VFO and im sure that is quite annoying when you are trying to scan the band looking for skip. it forces you to tune slowly.
i would fix that for you.

I never did like where the freq counter got positioned, so i would want to move it to the center of the window and black out around it for a more professional look.

I am sorry we couldn't work it out last time Sonar, i would have loved to have gotten it all good for you.
LC

 

[rabbiporkchop]

Looks pretty nice at 1k. It would be interesting to sweep it from 300 Hertz to 4K to see what it looks like everywhere in between.

 

[Tallman]

Unfortunately I wound up in the hospital on Sunday evening. I just got home today and feel like I got beat up buy a baseball team using aluminum bats. As soon as I am well I will post some photos and or some videos of the Madison working the way it shown in the o scope waveform. I did not do the work myself. I will read my OP but I could have sworn that I did mention that. If not I do apologize. I just want you guys to know that if I ever post anything of something that I repaired myself I will make a point of it. Otherwise someone else did the work. As in this case. I'm dying over here! Thanks for all the information

Sorry to hear about a medical crisis. I hate being in the hospitals, but then I have a fresh bunch of people to toy with. I always have fun with the nurse's ask me about my hearing and vision. "What who said that?" is my standard reply. Usually gets a chuckle and some times a good belly laugh.

 

[Sonar]

Sorry to hear about a medical crisis. I hate being in the hospitals, but then I have a fresh bunch of people to toy with. I always have fun with the nurse's ask me about my hearing and vision. "What who said that?" is my standard reply. Usually gets a chuckle and some times a good belly laugh.

How serendipitous my friend. Unfortunately I have been hospitalized once again. It's not serious. It's more of an observation that has to do with the battle I've been going through for a few years now. I should be out of here in four days. I am enjoying the nurse immensely. In a nice way. And in all honesty they seem to be enjoying my very boisterous verbose Brooklyn New York way. Every single one of them immediately knew upon the shift change where I was from as soon as the first words exited my mouth. I must say that hospitals in New Jersey are nothing compared to hospitals in New York. And when I say New York that includes all 5 boroughs. The rooms are clean. As clean as one would keep their own house. The doctors are second to none. The emergency room runs like a well-oiled machine. And although it's no fun being hospitalized it certainly makes it a lot easier being here then it would have been for me had I been in a NYC hospital. Thanks for thinking about me my friend. And in all honesty without insulting anyone I'm not very big on prayer. I am a Roman Catholic, but have been feeling very agnostic as of late. But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't appreciate any of my ww DX Brothers throwing in a little prayer for me. I still have some answers about the work that was done to my Madison. LC might have some concerns although I don't think they're major. At least I hope not. So I'm going to go ahead and shoot right to his reply to my post and added pictures. And try my best to answer his questions. Which in all honesty might be a little difficult considering the medication I'm on and more importantly my lack of knowledge when it comes to the equipment we enjoy using 4 hour hobby. 73's my brother and God bless. I'm sure will correspond again shortly. PS you guys have truly become like a second family to me. I've been a member of this site for almost four years now. I've been a member since approximately the third day I began unpacking equipment that was packed away in 1987. And although I can't do any or at least 99% of repairs or even the simplest adjustments due to my disability I certainly have learned a lot without actually even wanting to. And that is actually something I have learned to enjoy. Even though I can't do the work being able to pass knowledge on especially to people on air knowing that what I'm telling them is written in stone is something that makes me happy. I'm one of those people who enjoy giving. I might be one of the very few people on Earth who actually give people gifts on my birthday. I always insist on never having birthday parties. And that request was made at the age of 14 years old. My family and friends have respected that request ever since. I haven't had a birthday cake in 41 years. And that's just the way I like it. A birthday card and a happy birthday is what makes me happy. What makes me happier than that is taking everybody out to eat for my birthday. Even if that means dropping $2000 (which is what it cost me last year.) I consider myself very fortunate being able to do that once a year.I'm not rich by any means but I just put a couple of hundred dollars away every month knowing that when my birthday comes around I will rent a nice room in my favorite New Jersey Italian eatery and enjoy 4 hours of conversation food and some good vino. 73 * now on to answer my brother from another mothers questions about the work that was done to my Madison. Peace out 4 now.

 

[Sonar]

Looking closely at the MFJ Frequency counter I am wondering what it was looking at.
If it is that far off frequency you will need the PLL aligned. The Frequency indicated on the scope is not what should be coming out of a CB radio.
Have you made contact with radio?

I am familiar with the way the mfj frequency counter works. It only shows the true frequency on the dead carrier. Once modulation or a tone is added the frequency counter goes to my knowledge wherever it wants.I guess the easiest way to explain it as the mfj 828 frequency counter only reads the true frequency of the unmodulated dead key carrier frequency. So the fact that it's reading what it is is not worrying me. It's showing that frequency only because there is a tone being added. If the picture was taken while the Madison was dead keyed it would show the actual frequency that the transmitter is transmitting on. I hope I am correct in my conclusion. I did do a bit of research before I purchased it and that's one thing I not only learned about the frequency counter on the 828 but also understood that's the way it worked. I don't understand why it does that all I know is that's the way it works. I hope that helps answer your concern.

 

[Sonar]

You never can get a perfect waveform with the limiter out. It is impossible. You can get close but not perfect.

So the fact that the limiter was reinstalled is a good thing. Correct?

 

[Handy Andy]

Yes!

And Best Wishes for a Quick Recovery - However, I do understand that there is something of a boomerang effect when dealing with Nurses...

Infectious - isn't it?

 

[Tallman]

I am familiar with the way the mfj frequency counter works. It only shows the true frequency on the dead carrier. Once modulation or a tone is added the frequency counter goes to my knowledge wherever it wants.I guess the easiest way to explain it as the mfj 828 frequency counter only reads the true frequency of the unmodulated dead key carrier frequency. So the fact that it's reading what it is is not worrying me. It's showing that frequency only because there is a tone being added. If the picture was taken while the Madison was dead keyed it would show the actual frequency that the transmitter is transmitting on. I hope I am correct in my conclusion. I did do a bit of research before I purchased it and that's one thing I not only learned about the frequency counter on the 828 but also understood that's the way it worked. I don't understand why it does that all I know is that's the way it works. I hope that helps answer your concern.

Not worried anymore since some of our friends on this board explained to me that the MFJ frequency counter was not meant to be a laboratory grade counter. Sorry about the confusion and any perceived slight. I spent way too much money on test gear and did find the best I could afford at the time. That's why I tell people buy the best you can afford without taking food off of the table.

Every now and then I get a call from the medical establishment and they will ask, "Am I talking to
Mr. Tallman?" I always answer you are talking to what's left of him.

When they ask about religious affiliation I say I'm a reformed Druid. If no oak trees are available I can pray at bushes.

I do refer to my self as a recovering Catholic. I left the church over ideological differences. I did not believe that I had to have a go between myself and God. God hears my prayers.

My own mother told me I was going to hell because I did not believe the pope was a Holy and Sacred man. I said he is just a fortunate priest who worked his way up the corporate ladder.

 

[Sonar]

If the radio were here, i would suggest to you that we get rid of that external VFO unit and put that VFO knob where the headphone jack used to be. right now it looks like your noise toy is occupying that space.

since there is already a hole drilled in the back of the radio, i would probably move the noise toy control to back there.

also, i noticed in the old youtube video that the radio was muting in between channel changes when using the VFO and im sure that is quite annoying when you are trying to scan the band looking for skip. it forces you to tune slowly.
i would fix that for you.

I never did like where the freq counter got positioned, so i would want to move it to the center of the window and black out around it for a more professional look.

I am sorry we couldn't work it out last time Sonar, i would have loved to have gotten it all good for you.
LC

There's no noise toy installed and this Madison LC. I think you might be mistaken that yellow box for a noise toy. That yellow box is the control that controls both a.m. and SSB carrier adjustment on the knob that was placed where the 1/4 inch headphone jack used to be. That was done by our friend when he originally recapped, and found the bed traces on the frequency counter. He also installed the vfo.

As far as any issues with the vfo. There are none. I have gotten so used 2 using it that it actually works perfectly for me. It actually clicks through the speaker with each detent. Just like the radio did and does from the factory Channel selector knob. When you change The original Channel selector you get that clicking sound through the Uniden /president bookshelf speakers with each change of the channel. That's exactly what happens with the vfo. I could actually look away and know if I'm on channel 20 18 clicks put so me on 38 ect ect ect. And that's once again without even looking at the frequency counter. I could do that all the way up to 28.085 (without looking) and just listening to the clicks coming through the speaker knowing exactly where I'll be. Does that make sense?

When you say muting I'm assuming you mean the very short 100th of a second or so when there's no received sound as the frequency is advanced or retarded. it's such a short amount of time that it absolutely doesn't bother me and I am 100% used to it. As a matter of fact if you did not mention it I didn't know that that it's something that shouldn't happen. The same thing happens if the vfo is turned off and I use the original 40 channel channel selector. As I advance or retard the original Channel selector I get those large clicks through the speakers.

The problem with moving the vfo would involve moving the original PLL (correct?) I'm only going to explain it for others who might not understand how that particular vfo works because I know that you yourself LC know exactly how it works.
The original PLL is unplugged. The wire that leads from the vfo dial to a board that has legs on it matches the exact configuration of the PLL input plugs (legs.) That PLL gets plugged right on top of the aftermarket vfo. So moving it would have to include moving the original PLL module and socket that the PLL plugs into.
Now my question is does anything I said make any sense? I'm just trying to recall what the original restorer of the radio told me. And we both know who he is. That's about as much as I know about the Madison. I was actually surprised that our friend didn't let me know that the audio limiter was removed in the Madison when he refurbished it. I did bring the Madison to a local in order to install a new final. That was about two years after our friend did the original rest though. He did a horrible job replacing the final. He installed the final without doing any biased adjusting afterwards. He basically dropped in the final and buttoned-up the cover. Now back to our original restorer. There is a small possibility that the local golden screwdriver who installed the final took it upon himself to remove the audio limiter without letting me know. I think that is most likely the case. I am fairly certain that our friend would have let me known when he restored the Madison originally that there was no audio limiter in there and would have asked me if I wanted him to replace it. And of course my answer would have been absolutely yes. I have to search around but I think our friend did take a few (on top of the YouTube video which is of the Madison in operation) photos of the restoration after everything was done besides the video. But I don't have those photos. He might still have them listed on his Google+ page. Although I recently received a message that Google plus is going belly-up. And if that happened already the only way to find out if that limiter was in there when he restored it would be to ask him if he recalls whether there was one in there or not. Or better yet if he can go back in his photo album of work and take a look. He's done so much work since that radio has been restored I doubt he remembers anyting about small details such as whether the limited was in there or not. I would lean more on the side of when he restored it there was a limiter in there. Like I mentioned above I am fairly positive he would have either told me whether I wanted one reinstalled or he just would have done it as part of the restoration.
How did I do LC? PS. I still haven't removed the radio from the box. I just haven't been well enough to do so. I also used the 350Z in the high position with the 2340 for the first time ever. I got a bit long-winded and for the first time in my life heard what a capacitor sounds like when it pops. There was no smoke in this case the pop was not a loud bang and I think since I'm going to have to open it in order to pack the tubes to ship it out I can take a picture of that particular capacitor and who knows maybe I might be able to replace it myself. I absolutely know that it was a single capacitor. And I am almost 100% sure the reason why it blew was because I was using it in the high position with the sonar and Demco at two and a half Watts dead key and almost 18 Watts pep.not to mention and almost 3-minute long-winded key down. 3 minutes!very foolish mistake. I rarely ever key down for longer than one minute, and that's probably too long. But never had a problem in the low position. Probably a little too much for the old bird. To my knowledge those capacitors were changed out at one point in it's lifetime. And if I'm correct they were changed no longer than 4 years ago. I don't know why I decided to use the 350Z in the high position that evening. It made absolutely no difference on the other end. On the low side it works perfectly. 125 watts dead k swinging to 500 p e p on my wm1 (with 1 1/2 Watts dead key 18 pep.) Always with excellent audio reports. Just a dumb freshman mistake. In the high position it would dead key 375 watts and peek to 500. Stupid stupid stupid! would it be okay for me to send you a photo of the blown capacitor? If you could tell me which one it is and where I can get it and guide me into soldering it and I think I can actually do it myself. I do believe there are only two leads coming from each capacitor. And if that's the case I'm fairly sure I can do it myself. Although in all honesty I did want to send it out for another reason. I recently noticed that the 350z wasn't keying up until I actually modulated. this has been degrading because at one time the snap of the 2340's relay would actually be loud enough to kick the relay right into action. Now when I depress the microphone the relay only kicks in upon the first sound that goes through the d104 of then yhrouth the 2340's audio section until it reaches the amplifiers relay. Then it keys up without issue and stays keyed until I let go of the chicken choker. Let me know what you think. I'll get those pictures taken as soon as I get out of this hospital. I'll probably be out by Friday but will take the photos on Saturday or Sunday. If it's something you think I could take care of myself as far as the relay and the replacement of the single capacitor maybe I'll give it a go. Otherwise I'll just send it out. Thanks for everything LC. I truly appreciate everything you've done for me over the past almost four years. I'll post those photos on Saturday or Sunday. I'll take some very detailed pictures of the whole amplifier. I'm sure the capacitor paper is blocked up somewhere on the chassis. Like I said it did not explode with a bang but more like a little pop. No smoke and no smell.

 

[Sonar]

Was the Mic level at the same in both pics

I could ask. But at this point it would be a moot question. The radio sitting in my shack boxed up. I won't be at the q t h until Friday or Saturday. And even then I probably won't be up for opening it and giving it a test run. if there's any issues that I don't like the gentleman that did the work will absolutely take it back and pay for shipping cost in order to take care of anything that I'm not happy with. That I'm sure of. I just get the feeling that I may have misrepresented or confused people by posting those photos. I should have asked him specific questions about the photos and what he did as opposed to posting the photos and asking you guys. Another lesson learned. I just haven't been feeling all that well and talkin isn't one of my best points when I'm in this way. Thanks a lot brother 73 for now.

 

[Sonar]

The truth is out there...

This is true. I just hope it's not on a parallel universe. LOL 73's my brother

 

[Tallman]

I could ask. But at this point it would be a moot question. The radio sitting in my shack boxed up. I won't be at the q t h until Friday or Saturday. And even then I probably won't be up for opening it and giving it a test run. if there's any issues that I don't like the gentleman that did the work will absolutely take it back and pay for shipping cost in order to take care of anything that I'm not happy with. That I'm sure of. I just get the feeling that I may have misrepresented or confused people by posting those photos. I should have asked him specific questions about the photos and what he did as opposed to posting the photos and asking you guys. Another lesson learned. I just haven't been feeling all that well and talkin isn't one of my best points when I'm in this way. Thanks a lot brother 73 for now.

I know exactly what you are saying about communicating when you are feeling bad.
I tend to be short tempered when feeling bad. The wife knows how I'm feeling by the look on my face and steps quietly through the possible blast radius. Today for example the light is kicking my butt, vision distortions and light sensitivity means before too long I'm going to take some serious drugs and spend the rest of the day snoozing.
But it's just another day in the adventure.

 

[Sonar]

If the radio were here, i would suggest to you that we get rid of that external VFO unit and put that VFO knob where the headphone jack used to be. right now it looks like your noise toy is occupying that space.

since there is already a hole drilled in the back of the radio, i would probably move the noise toy control to back there.

also, i noticed in the old youtube video that the radio was muting in between channel changes when using the VFO and im sure that is quite annoying when you are trying to scan the band looking for skip. it forces you to tune slowly.
i would fix that for you.

I never did like where the freq counter got positioned, so i would want to move it to the center of the window and black out around it for a more professional look.

I am sorry we couldn't work it out last time Sonar, i would have loved to have gotten it all good for you.
LC

LC. I am curious as to what you're referring to as the noise toy. Is that the small yellow box located to the left of the PLL/vfo?
As I mentioned in a previous reply the Madison doesn't have a single noise toys on it That yellow box is the only thing that I could assume you're thinking might be a noise toy. Is that the case? (Yellow box circled in red?)

 

[loosecannon]

Hi Sonar.

just got back to this thread.
Yes, that yellow box is what i assumed was a noise toy.
from what you just told me i think now that it is what is known as a 'super talk' module, which was a sort of swing kit that was marketed by a place called Thomas Distributing way back when. you can find the install instructions in the old "master mods" books. (you can find them here on the forum)

the thing about these modules is that they are not just a variable power control.
they contain diode that makes the radio swing to maximum wattage from any deadkey.

normally, if your mod limiter is intact with the modulation set to 100%, if you turn down your deadkey to 2 watts, the radio would swing up to about 8 watts PEP.
does yours do this?
or when you turn the deadkey down to 2 watts, does the radio still swing up to 12+ watts PEP?
please check this, as i could be wrong about which unit you have.

here is the history of your madison as i know it.

you sent it somewhere, let's call it Tech #1, to have the VFO module installed, and Tech #1 didn't know there was a broken trace on the VFO board, and thus, could not get it to work right.

so, the radio was sent to Tech #2, who was able to make the VFO work.

after that, you ran the radio for a long time, and decided that you wanted it put back to stock so you could install an assymod board in it.
so you sent it to tech #3 who's pictures are in this thread.
Tech #3 saw that the mod limiter was removed and replaced it.

so, my questions to you are:

1. who re-capped and aligned the radio?
2. was the re-cap and alignment done before or after the installation of the VFO?
3. who installed the variable power/"super talk" kit? when?
4. was there anyone's hands inside the radio in between the time you sent it to Tech #2 for the VFO problem, and when you sent it to Tech #3 to be put back to stock and replace the final?

im more just curious, and would like to know who did what.
LC

 

[loosecannon]

also, to answer your questions:

yes, the channel muting is standard from the manufacturer and is there for FCC certification. they did it so that you can't talk in between regular channels by setting the channel selector switch in between two detents.

so both the stock channel selector, and your new VFO will have this muting.
if you remove one part from the radio, the muting goes away and you can tune your radio much more like a ham radio, allowing you to scan through the band looking for DX contacts without having to wait each click.
let me know if you want to do this and ill tell you which part to remove.

no, you would not have to move anything that is inside the radio in order to put the VFO knob in the headphone jack position. all it would involve would be putting whatever PC board is inside that black plastic case, inside the radio, and there is plenty of room for that.

yes, i can guide you on how to replace a cap inside your amp, but i am hesitant to do so because of the DEADLY voltages that can be in there even when the amp is off.
you won't get a second chance at that cap replacement if you touch the wrong things.

LC