Slight hijack, but I tend to hear far more radios off freq on 38lsb than I do in the “freeband”.
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Uniden 980 off frequency.
- Thread starter red97k1500
- Start date
Slight hijack, but I tend to hear far more radios off freq on 38lsb than I do in the “freeband”.
Now don't get me wrong. Earl could get long winded, and I didn't have to be talking to him. I just had to wait until he got on the air and set my receive while he talked to someone else.
I talked to him, but not necessarily just to work my adjustments.
Old fellow liked to talk.
I offered to build him a Moxon beam a couple times and he flat out refused. His A99 was only about 20' up at the feedpoint, but he got out very well. He said he didn't need it. The antenna is still there completely covered in green lichen.
I talked to him, but not necessarily just to work my adjustments.
Old fellow liked to talk.
I offered to build him a Moxon beam a couple times and he flat out refused. His A99 was only about 20' up at the feedpoint, but he got out very well. He said he didn't need it. The antenna is still there completely covered in green lichen.
Might As "whe'el" Document this...
New board...
Newer Board...Parts Side
Unsolder two "Common thru - hole" Resistors by Filter Cap and Clarifier Header - disconnect the Power to Fine and Coarse Clarifier...
Locate Clarifier Header - Find Diode D306 and 0 Ohm resistor - remove...see above...
Locate Header on FOIL SIDE...
Locate 3rd Pin in from Right as shown for Clarifier Header - Solder wire to that 3rd Pin then route across to opposite side...
It is worth Mentioning: The two Resistors you unsolder - you may want to use one of these in series with the wire (Solder in-line) to help keep Clarifier CENTERED
--------------------Older UNIDEN 980 Board - Pre 2014 -------------------------
Locate Jumper to Clarifier...
Note two wire loops...
Cut wire that heads back to other wire loop - in above - its' white (Vertical orientation)
VERIFY that 3rd wire in from LEFT as board is oriented in Photo - Red wire on header to LEFT
Check, AND VERIFY 3rd wire in - HAS NO RX VOLTAGE...
LOCATE and Remove RT351 - TX FREQ - REMOVES TX VOLTAGE
Wire 8 Volt Constant to 3rd Pin in - with series resistor (READ BELOW) to prevent an overvolt and possible damage to your clarifier circuit - which this mod does void the warranty...
To me this mod is ok...but you really need to be careful with your 8 Volts
VID work MikesRadioRepair at Youtube...
Graphic Blandishment - @Handy Andy
I'll demonstrate that in a different post as time allows. It's similar to what I did for the Emperor TS-3010
---------------------
Ok, other news...
Go to this VID in YouTube, locate the 6:00 minute mark and LISTEN!
He makes an announcement - so his shop is not going to cater to us - he is going in a different direction and so the Announcement was made.
I wish him well, BUT being in the "Repair trenches" I do not envy his job, but I also know too, that he will be well supplied with resources he needs to complete whatever his tasks may be from all of this.
Good Luck Mike - we will miss your presence - and the efforts you have done to make our lives better.
You're going to a different place, but the world may benefit more from you being there in your new endeavor.
All the best!
New board...
Identify First...
The process...
Starting from Upper Left over to Upper Right...
Middle Left To Middle Right...
Lower Left to Lower Right...
Older board,
Note the different layout and lots more parts
Clip wire
Remove TX pot...
Steps...The process...
Starting from Upper Left over to Upper Right...
Middle Left To Middle Right...
Lower Left to Lower Right...
Older board,
Note the different layout and lots more parts
Clip wire
Remove TX pot...
Newer Board...Parts Side
Unsolder two "Common thru - hole" Resistors by Filter Cap and Clarifier Header - disconnect the Power to Fine and Coarse Clarifier...
Locate Clarifier Header - Find Diode D306 and 0 Ohm resistor - remove...see above...
Locate Header on FOIL SIDE...
Locate 3rd Pin in from Right as shown for Clarifier Header - Solder wire to that 3rd Pin then route across to opposite side...
--------------------Older UNIDEN 980 Board - Pre 2014 -------------------------
Locate Jumper to Clarifier...
Note two wire loops...
Cut wire that heads back to other wire loop - in above - its' white (Vertical orientation)
VERIFY that 3rd wire in from LEFT as board is oriented in Photo - Red wire on header to LEFT
Check, AND VERIFY 3rd wire in - HAS NO RX VOLTAGE...
WARNING
IF RX VOTLAGE STILL PRESENT - STOP AND POST YOUR RESULTS HERE!
SO WE CAN UPDATE AND WORK WITH YOU TO RESOLVE THIS!
Proceed once the 3rd PIN from LEFT in above PHOTO has no RX voltageSO WE CAN UPDATE AND WORK WITH YOU TO RESOLVE THIS!
LOCATE and Remove RT351 - TX FREQ - REMOVES TX VOLTAGE
Wire 8 Volt Constant to 3rd Pin in - with series resistor (READ BELOW) to prevent an overvolt and possible damage to your clarifier circuit - which this mod does void the warranty...
To me this mod is ok...but you really need to be careful with your 8 Volts
- - you may find that you will not have slide stability (Scrunched tuning range to one side)
- - that is because of the non-linearity of the voltage being applied to the Varactor in the oscillator circuit
- - this means you have to use a DROPPING resistor to hold back the 8 Volt constant
- - it will slide better and give you back your center slot
- - but the value to accomplish this varies as to where and what was "Tuned" to get the "Center slot" to begin with.
- So expect something from 1K to as much a 5.6K values - sub in until you obtain the "Best center" - wire in SERIES to the 3rd leg.
- Start by using 1K then increase to bring you closer to center slot - remember both Outer and Inner need to be centered to get this to work and slide linearly - if you don't the Slide will worsen on colder days and take longer to obtain your center if the temperatures are cold - takes a long time to drift back...So you know.
- You can even (if careful) use the TX Trim pot to trim this voltage to obtain, get back, your center slot, use it to adjust - and then - measure and insert appropriate FIXED value to satisfy your design.
VID work MikesRadioRepair at Youtube...
Graphic Blandishment - @Handy Andy
I'll demonstrate that in a different post as time allows. It's similar to what I did for the Emperor TS-3010
---------------------
Ok, other news...
Go to this VID in YouTube, locate the 6:00 minute mark and LISTEN!
He makes an announcement - so his shop is not going to cater to us - he is going in a different direction and so the Announcement was made.
I wish him well, BUT being in the "Repair trenches" I do not envy his job, but I also know too, that he will be well supplied with resources he needs to complete whatever his tasks may be from all of this.
Good Luck Mike - we will miss your presence - and the efforts you have done to make our lives better.
You're going to a different place, but the world may benefit more from you being there in your new endeavor.
All the best!
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Quite ironic you linked a video from Mike who in the last year he was posting them spent a lot of his time posting videos undoing modifications like this.
I'm all for doing a modification if there's any actual improvement to be had but with this there isn't. HELL IF YOU ACTUALLY READ THE TEXT AT THE BOTTOM IT STANDS MORE CHANCE OF RUINING YOUR RADIO THAN IMPROVING IT. If you want a rock solid stone cold guarantee you'll be transmitting off frequency then do a mod like this. And the best part is that you'll need to have a frequency counter permanently hooked up to the radio because after every time you've contacted someone and twiddled that knob you'll need to key up again and twiddle it again to get you back on the correct frequency for that channel because clearly from the text at the bottom centering your clarifier knob is no guarantee you'll be on the right frequency. And it gets even worse. Because of the lack of guarantee of voltage stability and component value drift because of heat even if you do mess about with chucking more resistors in line to try to compensate for this stupidity to try to adjust it so that when you've centered the clarifier you're on frequency there's still no guarantee. Not only that but it also screws with how the clarifier works so you'll have more adjustment on one side than the other so you may find that depending which side of centre gets screwed up the most you may not actually be able to tune in another station at all.
Nobody but nobody needs the TX modding so you can adjust it with a clarifier knob. Nobody. It's absolutely and utterly pointless on a channelised radio and as I've explained many times just results in people chasing each other up and down several kHz if both sides have done the same.
And yes I'm well aware amateur HF rigs have XIT controls but that control does not function the way you make CBs do nor is it for the reason many who get CBs modded with this stupid mod seem to think. The idea of a XIT or RIT on an amateur radio is to provide a convenient quick and easy way to work split frequencies on a single VFO where you or the other station are transmitting on one frequency whilst receiving on another several kHz away, something DX stations often do.
I'm all for doing a modification if there's any actual improvement to be had but with this there isn't. HELL IF YOU ACTUALLY READ THE TEXT AT THE BOTTOM IT STANDS MORE CHANCE OF RUINING YOUR RADIO THAN IMPROVING IT. If you want a rock solid stone cold guarantee you'll be transmitting off frequency then do a mod like this. And the best part is that you'll need to have a frequency counter permanently hooked up to the radio because after every time you've contacted someone and twiddled that knob you'll need to key up again and twiddle it again to get you back on the correct frequency for that channel because clearly from the text at the bottom centering your clarifier knob is no guarantee you'll be on the right frequency. And it gets even worse. Because of the lack of guarantee of voltage stability and component value drift because of heat even if you do mess about with chucking more resistors in line to try to compensate for this stupidity to try to adjust it so that when you've centered the clarifier you're on frequency there's still no guarantee. Not only that but it also screws with how the clarifier works so you'll have more adjustment on one side than the other so you may find that depending which side of centre gets screwed up the most you may not actually be able to tune in another station at all.
Nobody but nobody needs the TX modding so you can adjust it with a clarifier knob. Nobody. It's absolutely and utterly pointless on a channelised radio and as I've explained many times just results in people chasing each other up and down several kHz if both sides have done the same.
And yes I'm well aware amateur HF rigs have XIT controls but that control does not function the way you make CBs do nor is it for the reason many who get CBs modded with this stupid mod seem to think. The idea of a XIT or RIT on an amateur radio is to provide a convenient quick and easy way to work split frequencies on a single VFO where you or the other station are transmitting on one frequency whilst receiving on another several kHz away, something DX stations often do.
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Thank you for posting this - I see I need to clarify...
Points noted!
Don't worry, not taking this as a flame - because the ramifications of this are far reaching - the mess is already out there, - the fire can spread, the mess gets bigger as more people try to do that which they haven't done or are not prepared for.
Watch this Vid (MikesRadioRepair)
You can see it by Clicking Here
Newer Radio - two resistors are pulled - one for COARSE and one for FINE - then a RX diode and the "Shorting jumper" that "Quiets" the RX lead from its' voltage mixing in with TX side (the noise and trickle that occurs due to voltage drop across diodes in this switching circuit feed)
Older Radio - requires wires to be cut, which if they were wise, they would not have put them in such an obvious spot...not for me to decide this - others did it. I'm just the Janitor...Welcome to IBM...
Then watch this one...at least at the 3:30 min mark - and LISTEN. (LesCOM)
You can see it By Clicking Here
Both of these vids aren't done by me, they're done by someone else - I'm not here to flame anyone - but popular mods and information for a popular radio like the 980 - people are going to TRY and do the work these guys have done, following their footsteps...
If anyone has done work for clarifier mods, this becomes the concern because things can go wrong...and in the worse possible order.
Unlock clarifier - one of the next to most popular mods to a CB radio - if counted - as compared to ripping out the Limiter.
Let's get back to the tasks at hand, this is about doing it right, not just their way the vids show, its' about the CAUTIONS and PROBLEMS they had along the way that we can avoid if we just pay attention..
Points noted!
Don't worry, not taking this as a flame - because the ramifications of this are far reaching - the mess is already out there, - the fire can spread, the mess gets bigger as more people try to do that which they haven't done or are not prepared for.
Watch this Vid (MikesRadioRepair)
You can see it by Clicking Here
Mike offsets - pauses - issues several cautions, while his Video plays, do you need to watch? Yes - as grueling as it may be, the words spoken are very important for anyone to take precautions BEFORE attempting this mod.
Sidebar over this, an entire thread here was LOCKED But why? Well, if you listen to his 6 minute mark, you'll find that now he's gone in a different direction - IT may be a CONFLICT OF INTEREST if he continues to repair other radios - using his resources he can cause a "double jeopardy" in his job with "double dealing".
He simply does NOT have the time.
Sidebar over this, an entire thread here was LOCKED But why? Well, if you listen to his 6 minute mark, you'll find that now he's gone in a different direction - IT may be a CONFLICT OF INTEREST if he continues to repair other radios - using his resources he can cause a "double jeopardy" in his job with "double dealing".
He simply does NOT have the time.
Newer Radio - two resistors are pulled - one for COARSE and one for FINE - then a RX diode and the "Shorting jumper" that "Quiets" the RX lead from its' voltage mixing in with TX side (the noise and trickle that occurs due to voltage drop across diodes in this switching circuit feed)
Older Radio - requires wires to be cut, which if they were wise, they would not have put them in such an obvious spot...not for me to decide this - others did it. I'm just the Janitor...Welcome to IBM...
Then watch this one...at least at the 3:30 min mark - and LISTEN. (LesCOM)
You can see it By Clicking Here
Do you hear his warning ? The OSCILLATOR goes unstable as you raise it (Clarifier voltage) to 8 volts
This means the voltage the oscillator needs to tune it's range can be easily exceeded if you are not careful!
This can signal damaged parts rendering the radio useless before the mod is ever finished!
I cannot care how other people feel about a particular use of a mod or not - if you are the "not," then don't and stay "don't'" - However if you can provide help and caution - go ahead - but remember these mods has been out there FOR YEARS!
Don't flame the one trying to keep others from making these same mistakes!
This means the voltage the oscillator needs to tune it's range can be easily exceeded if you are not careful!
This can signal damaged parts rendering the radio useless before the mod is ever finished!
I cannot care how other people feel about a particular use of a mod or not - if you are the "not," then don't and stay "don't'" - However if you can provide help and caution - go ahead - but remember these mods has been out there FOR YEARS!
Don't flame the one trying to keep others from making these same mistakes!
Both of these vids aren't done by me, they're done by someone else - I'm not here to flame anyone - but popular mods and information for a popular radio like the 980 - people are going to TRY and do the work these guys have done, following their footsteps...
- It's not about me, it's not about those that don't want to do the mod or never to have work done to accomplish that...
- This is about those that will, no matter what anyone says...
If anyone has done work for clarifier mods, this becomes the concern because things can go wrong...and in the worse possible order.
- IF you have a problem, then talk to the OP - I'm here trying to prevent the loss of Magic Smoke that may occur if those that DO - DO.
Unlock clarifier - one of the next to most popular mods to a CB radio - if counted - as compared to ripping out the Limiter.
Let's get back to the tasks at hand, this is about doing it right, not just their way the vids show, its' about the CAUTIONS and PROBLEMS they had along the way that we can avoid if we just pay attention..
Again, flame if you must...
However, this isn't about me or others that don't do the mod, it's about those that have the dreams wishes desires - DETERMINATION to do this to their radios - whether we like them to or not, we cannot stop them - only help and point out if you don't know, then don't attempt - find someone whom will.
However, this isn't about me or others that don't do the mod, it's about those that have the dreams wishes desires - DETERMINATION to do this to their radios - whether we like them to or not, we cannot stop them - only help and point out if you don't know, then don't attempt - find someone whom will.
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Interesting to see this comment.
The consensus here is always that an unlocked clarifier is absolutely necessary.
I don’t run one, ever, and don’t feel like I need it.
Like I said above...it’s far more common for me to hear off freq radios from the US than from anywhere else.
You pretty much never need an unlocked clarifier.....unless you own a Galaxy SSB radio and then it's mandatory 
You pretty much never need an unlocked clarifier.....unless you own a Galaxy SSB radio and then it's mandatory
LMAO. My first SSB experiences where being chastised as I tried to make contacts on my SuperStar 3900
Is the real question 'do I need an unlocked clarifier?'
If everyone's radio was tuned by the same shop and never lost its tune due to being shipping or getting bumped around or not being affected by different temperatures or encountering a conversation with two or more other radio stations.
Then yeah, a clarifier doesn't need to be unlocked.
But obviously, it really doesn't work out that way.
It is essential to have an unlocked clarifier.
If everyone's radio was tuned by the same shop and never lost its tune due to being shipping or getting bumped around or not being affected by different temperatures or encountering a conversation with two or more other radio stations.
Then yeah, a clarifier doesn't need to be unlocked.
But obviously, it really doesn't work out that way.
It is essential to have an unlocked clarifier.
Not to be rude if it’s just one radio take to a tech and save money on buying equipment unless you are going to start doing repairs
Edit: for the time being I actually trust this more for putting a uniden 980 on frequency, than buying a 30-40 year old counter on eBay that may or may not work at allOn my cobra 2000 the clarifier is factory, I plan to leave it that way, same thing goes for my Philippines and my Taiwan 148gtl, and my grant xl. Basically most of the time if I get a radio that hasn’t been moded or hacked on, I don’t mod or hack on it. I don’t like the made in Malaysia 148gtls and the one that I got was a basket case.I felt zero guilt about doing every mod I could find on the internet to it, just to try them out to see which ones worked.Sometimes you just have to try it yourself, find out the hard way. If this radio tx’d On frequency I would have never taken the covers off of it. But when you can’t talk to anybody on it with out them getting mad about you being way off frequency, or just ignoring you. I feel like any thing I do to it would be an improvement. I might try unlocking it just as an experiment. To me that’s half the fun of this hobby, its experimenting, and messing with old radios.
When waving a hand at billy bob joe bob, in Skip land and having a four word qso on 38 lsb. while 100 other people are trying to talk at the same time on the same frequency gets old lol. I’ll get one of my old radios out and work on it.
Like others have already stated, in a perfect world where everyone’s radio tx’ed on the same frequency there would be no need to ever mod the clarifier.
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- No one is chatting at the moment.