RCI-2990 Can't Adjust Low AM Carrier Deadkey

[Bull Ranger]

I am stumped as to why my service tech can't lower my RCI 2990 deadkey. He had the radio for nearly a month and said he just couldn't find the problem. As it stands now, I'm showing a deadkey of nearly 25 watts with the RF power turned completely down. I've turned down the mic gain and everything else I could think of. It's got great modulation swing and talks it's butt off with the watts it's putting out, but it just defies trying to lower the Low Power to a reasonable 5 or 6 watts. I'm using an Astatic D104 mike too. Any ideas on the malfunction?

 

[Robb]

Q: Did you get it this way? Was it purchased used? Modified?
Trying to sort out what someone else has done and how they did it is always a good mystery.

The old axiom states: if it ain't broke - don't try to fix it...
You did say that the radio talks its butt off - that's great.
Isn't it?

I know that radio should be able to adjust down to 4 watt dead key; I have friends that have the same radio as you. Did the finals get changed out? There are a lot of variables to the problem you pose. Can you fill in all the blanks?

 

[WR0220]

The carrier for the high setting is probably adjusted too high. Lower it down and the low setting should also drop.

 

[9C1Driver]

I would think the guy would know and have tried, but like wro220 just said. You have to adjust both the high and low pots together to get the dead key to go low.

That said factory alignment suggests the low dead key level be set at 10 watts. People always try to run the dead key too low on these. 8 watts low and 40 high is pretty good.

 

[Bull Ranger]

Unrealisticlly Low Dead-Keys

I would think the guy would know and have tried, but like wro220 just said. You have to adjust both the high and low pots together to get the dead key to go low.

That said factory alignment suggests the low dead key level be set at 10 watts. People always try to run the dead key too low on these. 8 watts low and 40 high is pretty good.

Thanks for the comment 9 and I agree with your notion about people always wanting ultra-low dead-key's. I just want a dead-key that I can accurately set my S's, that's all. But I'll keep your suggestions in mind.

 

[hotrod]

I would think the guy would know and have tried, but like wro220 just said. You have to adjust both the high and low pots together to get the dead key to go low.

That said factory alignment suggests the low dead key level be set at 10 watts. People always try to run the dead key too low on these. 8 watts low and 40 high is pretty good.

i agree

 

[mackmobile43]

The carrier for the high setting is probably adjusted too high. Lower it down and the low setting should also drop.

You are absolutely correct, I do the same thing with the 2950dx, just put the power knob to low and then turn the high carrier pot down until the low carrier is attained.

 

[Bull Ranger]

You are absolutely correct, I do the same thing with the 2950dx, just put the power knob to low and then turn the high carrier pot down until the low carrier is attained.

Been there, done that! Still have a 25watt carrier with the RF to the left. Maybe I should just let it be and let sleeping dogs lie, eh? Anyway, this is something I picked up cause some dillweed needed some fast cash. Can't verify the unit's stock integrity...you know how children like to play with golden screwdrivers. Aside from the high DK, this dog is a hunter. My true love is my Cobra 2K GTL hooked into a "Sweet 16". I push it with a 100 watt Texas Star. That's supposedly pushing 30,000 watts out the top of my JoGunn 8. Pigeons & doves litter the ground around the base of my tower when I crank this baby up full power.

Anyway...thanks for your input.

 

[DIRTYWHITEBOY]

I am stumped as to why my service tech can't lower my RCI 2990 deadkey. He had the radio for nearly a month and said he just couldn't find the problem. As it stands now, I'm showing a deadkey of nearly 25 watts with the RF power turned completely down. I've turned down the mic gain and everything else I could think of. It's got great modulation swing and talks it's butt off with the watts it's putting out, but it just defies trying to lower the Low Power to a reasonable 5 or 6 watts. I'm using an Astatic D104 mike too. Any ideas on the malfunction?

sounds like your "tech" should have checked the am regulator.

 

[hotrod]

You are absolutely correct, I do the same thing with the 2950dx, just put the power knob to low and then turn the high carrier pot down until the low carrier is attained.

this also works
with rf at highside adjust vr15 to 30-40 watts
with rf at lowside adjust vr19 to 5 watts [or what ya want
adjusting vr15 alone will lower your lowside but gotta adjust the vr for
the lowside after ya adjust the highside first

 

[hotrod]

this also works
with rf at highside adjust vr15 to 30-40 watts
with rf at lowside adjust vr19 to 5 watts [or what ya want
adjusting vr15 alone will lower your lowside but gotta adjust the vr for
the lowside after ya adjust the highside first

this is the non dx version i forgot they changed thier vrs
am low=vr15
amhigh=vr13
sorry for the confusion adjust the same as above

 

[Bull Ranger]

this also works
with rf at highside adjust vr15 to 30-40 watts
with rf at lowside adjust vr19 to 5 watts [or what ya want
adjusting vr15 alone will lower your lowside but gotta adjust the vr for
the lowside after ya adjust the highside first

Don't you mean VR13 rather than VR19? Seems to me that one should be alongside the highside adjustment.

 

[Bull Ranger]

this is the non dx version i forgot they changed thier vrs
am low=vr15
amhigh=vr13
sorry for the confusion adjust the same as above

Yeah HotRod...I guess I shoulda mentioned it was a non-DX version of the 2990. But anyway...I took your advise and now my low DK = 4 1/2 and high DK = 40 (+-) 2 or 3 watts. Thanks for the help.

Bull Ranger 73's

 

[hotrod]

i screwed up but did post for both the 2990 and the 95dx
im glad ya got it figured out though