Pitting current techs to old techs...

[Hawkeye351]

Got a rant!!!

Ok, as many of you already are aware of, the old school techs are passing away, retiring, etc...leaving us current techs to pick up the pieces.

Well, we current techs don't like being compared to old techs, many of which are not with us any longer. We current techs are fixing all the hackery mess your old techs did to these radios to get WATTS out of them, stressing them out. So don't compare us current techs to your old school techs that yanked out 1, 2 and even 3 limiters, slapped in a swing mod or two only to gain no more watts than us current techs can get out of these rigs with just an alignment and all limiters in tact, many times we can get more than your old techs did, and that's with all the limiters intact and no swing mods. Plus the radios run cooler without being stressed out.

Yes, I got called out the other night by someone on the radio that doesn't know the first thing about radios/electronics, hell he doesn't even know what a diode is and what it does. But he felt the need to question me and my work. Most priceless part of the entire discussion is when I told him "the reason I'm fixing these radios around here is for one, none of you know how to fix them and two because y'all have no techs that can do the work any longer. And on top of all that, I'm having to fix the mess your precious old tech created with all these junk mods and crap, and I'm still getting the same watts and at times more watts than your tech could because all he knew was PEAK AND TWEAK, he didn't know how to align a radio. Now, back off, know your role and stay in your lane, you are no comparison or competition for me.". Yes, it made him mad, but so what, don't compare my work to a truck stop hack-a-way shop, they aren't in my league. Not bragging, just telling it like it is.

And also, something else about the discussion was priceless is, I never worked on any of this dummy's radios. And I haven't had not one complaint or blow up from any radio I've done. Everyones radios I've worked on is still out here kicking butt with no issues. I even told that guy that, lol... I told him "listen dude, you hear all my work out here now, hell all my radios are walking all over you, maybe you should have me align yours too so you won't be getting keyed on all the time by my radios, unless you just wanna continue talking your smack". Yep, pissed him off even more, lol...

Note to you users/operators:
Do not compare us modern current radio TECHS to your truck stop hack-a-way everyday techs (lol...). Your tech isn't in our league, and our work over the air proves it.

Peace...

 

[GlocknSpiel]

A very old, retired tech here with some "observations"....

First, don't knock retirement until you've tried it. Any bench guy worth his salt will always TRY to inform their customers. Yet, in the end, you perform the work they WANT to have done in spite of that advice.

I've had to refuse service more times than I could count for that reason, because "there is the right way, the wrong way and the impossible". But still, I have butchered nice radios in the name of 'friendship', after informing a customer that he'll be back to spend more money because it WILL let the smoke out... And them knowing full-well, that they'd be paying me again to undo the same work they wanted done. This is because they said, "do it anyway".

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Please do NOT refer to truck stop hacks as "old techs". Most are not techs beyond knowing which end of a soldering iron to hold onto and know how to make a meter swing. Beyond that, they are NOT techs in the true sense of the word. Having said that, I will tell you that I AM an old tech. I started when I was 14 years old.......almost 48 years ago. I went to school to learn the trade. I worked in commercial broadcasting for 22 years servicing everything from 20 hertz to 960 MHz. I installed several transmitters, both AM and FM, built an AM transmitter site, co-built an FM site, combined two FM sites into one,including the complete assembly of a Nautel Q20 20Kw FM transmitter from a couple of pallets of modules, serviced many VHF/UHF repeater sites for delivering program material, built one AM studio site, moved another AM studio site, and completely rebuilt one AM Master Control studio location that fed FIVE separate transmitters. In my spare time I worked on several amateur radio projects as well as many pieces of CB gear. If that does not qualify me as a tech please tell me what does. When your resume can compete with mine let me know.

 

[Hawkeye351]

I apologize if I offended anyone on here, that was not my intention by any means. I'm just fed up with a couple of my locals (who are drunks) always trying to compare me to their old local tech (whom I got along with fine) who is passed away now. Their old tech (he wasn't really old in age, bout the same as I am, 58) was very good on amps (the best in the state) and he worked on radios. He and I got along great. He wanted me to come to work at his shop a few times but I chose to stay in my lane.

Well, although we got along fine, never said anything out of the way to each other, had respect for one another, it still upsets me when a couple of these clowns like to ruffle my feathers by trying to compare him to me. Every radio that comes on my desk, the owners always make a point to mention that snag was the last one in their radio (which I already know this cause that's where all these locals sent their stuff), which I notice every time I open the covers on them. He may have been about money, but I'm not. These cb'ers have been ripped off for far too long, not just by techs (as I see him now by the work in fixing of his) but also by makers of these papa mods, super mods, etc ..which are trash.

I couldn't have gotten to where I'm at now without the help of you guys/gals on this site, many of which ARE old timers and I acknowledge that fact. Therefore there was no intended hate and discontent directed towards ALL old techs.

I meant no disrespect to you guys/gals, I know my lane, lol.

 

[dave457]

From what you stated I'd consider you more an engineer than a tech but I guess both could apply

 

[nomadradio]

Hard to be a decent tech without some understanding of a product's engineering design. A sharp mechanic has to know why the parts are designed the way they are, even if he lacks the skill to manufacture a piston or a block.

73

 

[tramd]

The words tech and engineer get thrown around on these internet groups all the time. It seems like anyone that does anything to a piece of electronics is suddenly an engineer or tech. Real techs and engineers have a paper to prove they are educated and trained in electronics, just like in any other profession. In many states, such as here in NY, one has to pass a state board exam to hold any job that possibly could harm a person physically or monetarily. In a couple of places I worked at, there were a few that had engineering degrees but couldn't work as engineers because for what ever reason they never took or passed the board exam. They were always given jobs as supervisors of technical departments. In most companies around here and I'm sure in other areas, one has to pass a test given by the company they are trying to get hired by before getting an interview. This really weeds out the so-called techs and engineers from the rest. Plus, the number one requirement is always a diploma. I've seen people get hired because they were someone's relative or friend, and they always seemed to be placed in the engineering or tech departments. I guess they figured that since they installed a stereo system in their car at one time or fixed some piece of equipment once, they were qualified to earn a living as an engineer or tech. After a few months, they were always let go or moved, usually to the stockroom. They just couldn't do the work, and you can't babysit them forever. They have to be able to get the job done on their own and on time. Older techs and engineers have more experience than newer ones. That's why the new guys or gals always shadow the older ones for quite a while after they get hired. I understand that many never have worked for a company, so they don't understand this. Most that claim to be techs or engineers are just actually home hobbyists with no formal education or training but call themselves as such. Sometimes titles are given to them by members of groups. Some Facebook groups have titles such as "Expert". Some may be, but it's obvious to those that are real techs or engineers that most are not. Some of those that wrote those old CB hop up books were not techs or engineers at all. They never used a scope or spectrum analyzer to see the results of their so-called tuning. That's obvious from what they told people to do to their radios. And don't forget someday you will be that "old guy" tech or engineer.

 

[Cable Guy]

I'm a nobody who fixes stuff. I have no other title, although a few locals call me a tech or doc or whatever. I take the toughest cases that other "techs" pass on, because I like the challenge. I have a very high success rate, but I'm slow and in no hurry, preferring to take the scenic route over the freeway. I do what I do. Hawkeye, just do you and ignore anything not conducive to the result you seek. You already knew there are folks that talk crap everywhere. Even the best techs and engineers didn't know anything when they started.

 

[doffo]

I for sure am no tech. I can just solder stuff ok and follow directions/guides, but far from 100% understanding whats going on inside the radio. I just know not to clip a limiter and try not to crank the ALC or AMC pot the entire way. But otherwise I still would need years and years of studying to get anywhere on understanding.

With all my CB radios I own, it is just best for me to do the recapping instead of trying to mail off all the radios that need work.

No matter what hobby we do, there will ALWAYS be someone who will talk their trash.

Lets enjoy our radios.

 

[fourstringburn]

Got a rant!!!

Ok, as many of you already are aware of, the old school techs are passing away, retiring, etc...leaving us current techs to pick up the pieces.

Well, we current techs don't like being compared to old techs, many of which are not with us any longer. We current techs are fixing all the hackery mess your old techs did to these radios to get WATTS out of them, stressing them out. So don't compare us current techs to your old school techs that yanked out 1, 2 and even 3 limiters, slapped in a swing mod or two only to gain no more watts than us current techs can get out of these rigs with just an alignment and all limiters in tact, many times we can get more than your old techs did, and that's with all the limiters intact and no swing mods. Plus the radios run cooler without being stressed out.

Yes, I got called out the other night by someone on the radio that doesn't know the first thing about radios/electronics, hell he doesn't even know what a diode is and what it does. But he felt the need to question me and my work. Most priceless part of the entire discussion is when I told him "the reason I'm fixing these radios around here is for one, none of you know how to fix them and two because y'all have no techs that can do the work any longer. And on top of all that, I'm having to fix the mess your precious old tech created with all these junk mods and crap, and I'm still getting the same watts and at times more watts than your tech could because all he knew was PEAK AND TWEAK, he didn't know how to align a radio. Now, back off, know your role and stay in your lane, you are no comparison or competition for me.". Yes, it made him mad, but so what, don't compare my work to a truck stop hack-a-way shop, they aren't in my league. Not bragging, just telling it like it is.

And also, something else about the discussion was priceless is, I never worked on any of this dummy's radios. And I haven't had not one complaint or blow up from any radio I've done. Everyones radios I've worked on is still out here kicking butt with no issues. I even told that guy that, lol... I told him "listen dude, you hear all my work out here now, hell all my radios are walking all over you, maybe you should have me align yours too so you won't be getting keyed on all the time by my radios, unless you just wanna continue talking your smack". Yep, pissed him off even more, lol...

Note to you users/operators:
Do not compare us modern current radio TECHS to your truck stop hack-a-way everyday techs (lol...). Your tech isn't in our league, and our work over the air proves it.

Peace...

May I ask what certifies you as a Tech?

 

[Cable Guy]

This could get interesting, can anyone define tech as it applies to the field? I mean, is there some industry standard or something that hands you a piece of paper stating you are a tech? I'm a hobbyist, but isn't that the makings of a tech, should someone devote effort in that direction? Who is a tech? How many years of effort are required?

 

[BC Coyote]

Real techs and engineers have a paper to prove they are educated and trained in electronics, just like in any other profession.

Nailed it! If you don't have a piece of paper issued by a legit accredited institution you have absolutely NO right to call yourself a tech or an engineer.
Calling yourself either of those things without actual accreditation is no different than putting MD after your name when you're not a doctor.

 

[Dr. Frankenstein]

sounds like DEI........

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

The FCC rules clearly state that only qualified people can work on radios, but does not define "qualified"...

 

[TM86]

The FCC rules clearly state that only qualified people can work on radios, but does not define "qualified"...

It used to mean you had to have a General Radiotelephone Operator's license, but that got dropped a long time ago. I think now it means that you see the "No user serviceable parts inside" sticker as a challenge.