Anyone know where on the bearcat 880 (surface mount version) I could pick up the +8v transmit only source for the RFX95HD? Also, Any tips on installing this module on the 880?
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RFX95HD on a Bearcat 880 help...
- Thread starter Hawkeye351
- Start date
Doug at Custom CB was the first to do an Rfx-75 to an 880 radio and market it as an option years ago. If your stuck you might give him a call, maybe he would at least offer up some tips. I don’t think he does YouTube videos.
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I would check for voltage that switches with a volt meter. Probe the traces around the output transistor, should be something to see.
The front end of R208 in front of the final (offset between driver and final) has 8v on it in transmit and 0 volts in receive. The opposite (back side) lead of R208 has around 3.15v. So I guess I'll tap into the front lead of R208. The other wires are simple to find and wire up. I will have to detune the radio output a little before keying up on the amp cause right now the key is at 6w, that's too much key in my opinion to be shoving into these RFX kits.This is my first surface mount install, wish me luck, lol...
Well, it turned out great. Little more PEP swing compared to deadkey than I like, but it works and sounds great.
Output:
PEP - 135w
Peak - 90w
Average - 60w
Carrier - 12w
Warms up a little quicker than I like though. I may detune it a little to bring that average down some, which should bring the pep down to a sufficient level so as not to warm up so quick.
Output:
PEP - 135w
Peak - 90w
Average - 60w
Carrier - 12w
Warms up a little quicker than I like though. I may detune it a little to bring that average down some, which should bring the pep down to a sufficient level so as not to warm up so quick.
Well, detuning it only brought the carrier down to 10w, and the swing only came down to 130w PEP. Although it doesn't warm up as quickly, and the swing seems more responsive to voice now. Ok, whatever works, lol... Already tested it on the air and I got great reports from bases and mobiles that the signal is strong and the audio is stronger but crystal clear, and that's on the stock Bearcat 880 handheld mic.
Now off to a Japanese style Galaxy DX-33hml, can't remember the actual name of it off hand, brand name starts with an "S" (Japanese name). Looks just like a 33hml though, it's old and needs fixing plus recapping and alignment.
Now off to a Japanese style Galaxy DX-33hml, can't remember the actual name of it off hand, brand name starts with an "S" (Japanese name). Looks just like a 33hml though, it's old and needs fixing plus recapping and alignment.
Update:
Owner picked it up, took it home, hooked it up to his base setup, only 50w, then called me and brought it back for me to check out, I told him to bring his watt meter also so I could check it out.
Evaluation:
Radio works perfectly fine, still doing 130w PEP. No issues at all with the radio.
Thought I would check it on MY other watt meter (it's a peak). Shows 50w peak, with 28w average.
Checked it on HIS meter (Dosey TC-4002). Shows slightly less than 50w peak, with hardly no average.
I unhooked everything, gave him his radio and watt meter back, told him it's just the difference in meter outputs, take it home and try it out, regardless of what your watt meter says, guarantee you'll be pleased with the signal and audio reports.
He took it back home, called me an hour later and told me he dropped it on the floor, now it won't key at all, not even indicating on the display it's Transmitting, the receive will drop when I key it up, like the tx/rx switching circuit isn't working. I checked all the obvious, my solder connections for the amp wires to the board, everything is good and firm. I checked the back of the mic socket for a crack in the board or busted solder joints on the mic socket to mic board pins (6), all looks great. Tested the mic and tried shorting out pins 1 and 5 of the mic circuit, nothing, only the receive stops like I'm keyed up transmitting but doesn't have any indicator on the display and no output.
Hmmmm, and they won't let us have the schematic. Oh well, it's a surface mount, not much I can do, I'll try though.
Shame, was a kicking butt radio for a few days. Still receives great though.
Owner picked it up, took it home, hooked it up to his base setup, only 50w, then called me and brought it back for me to check out, I told him to bring his watt meter also so I could check it out.
Evaluation:
Radio works perfectly fine, still doing 130w PEP. No issues at all with the radio.
Thought I would check it on MY other watt meter (it's a peak). Shows 50w peak, with 28w average.
Checked it on HIS meter (Dosey TC-4002). Shows slightly less than 50w peak, with hardly no average.
I unhooked everything, gave him his radio and watt meter back, told him it's just the difference in meter outputs, take it home and try it out, regardless of what your watt meter says, guarantee you'll be pleased with the signal and audio reports.
He took it back home, called me an hour later and told me he dropped it on the floor, now it won't key at all, not even indicating on the display it's Transmitting, the receive will drop when I key it up, like the tx/rx switching circuit isn't working. I checked all the obvious, my solder connections for the amp wires to the board, everything is good and firm. I checked the back of the mic socket for a crack in the board or busted solder joints on the mic socket to mic board pins (6), all looks great. Tested the mic and tried shorting out pins 1 and 5 of the mic circuit, nothing, only the receive stops like I'm keyed up transmitting but doesn't have any indicator on the display and no output.
Hmmmm, and they won't let us have the schematic. Oh well, it's a surface mount, not much I can do, I'll try though.
Shame, was a kicking butt radio for a few days. Still receives great though.
What a turn of events, maybe the PLL is out of lock? Or maybe a cracked solider joint somewhere, try pushing on the board with a plastic tool with the mic keyed.
Tried the pressure on the board trick earlier, no change. Receive is great, seems like PLL is working.
Thank you
Thank you
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