Shockwave:
Perhaps you can give us a breakdown of how you do RX alignments, a general guide, as I'm sure that myself and others may benefit greatly.
The best advice I can offer is to obtain the service manual. The procedure can vary from model to model. The internet is a good source for free service manuals. At the very least a schematic is useful to find your way around the circuit.
If no info is available and you have to do it blind, start with confirming the PLL or VFO are on frequency. If the rig uses a VFO always adjust the coil for the low end of the band and the cap for the high end. Going over this a few times will bring the entire band into alignment.
I've given up my shortcut on how to align the AM and SSB oscillator stages with the calibrated signal generator and an HF receiver tuning for zero beat. But without the service manual you may not know the frequencies these oscillators are supposed to run at.
You could check the crystals but many use the same crystal for all three and just switch different tuning transformers inline through diodes to tune the offsets.
Without the service manual you'll probably have to tune the RF and IF strip towards maximum gain while observing the noise present in the generator signal. Do one stage at a time and check so if noise creeps in, you'll know what stage was the problem.
If one stage is generating objectionable noise when tuned for max gain, experiment to see which side of max gain (slug further in or out of the coil form) gives the best signal to noise ratio.
It's best to align the IF strip by injecting the signal generator directly into the first stage of the IF. That way you know the strip is tuned to the right frequency. I've seen people get the IF strip so badly aligned, you had to slide off frequency to hear an AM signal that was on frequency.
Remember your IF stage always stays on the same frequency regardless of where the receiver is tuned but the RF strip does not. Most CB RF strips should be aligned in the center of the frequency range they can cover. General coverage receivers will usually have bandpass filters in front of the RF strip that are selected by band. You may find some radios with a front end that is intended to be "stager tuned" to cover a wider bandwidth through one front end.
This means that parts of the RF strip are tuned for the low end while the next transformer may be tuned for mid band and the last stage of the RF may be tuned for the high end of the band. This equalizes the gain throughout the bandwidth of the receiver. These circuits are rare today.
If you're ever faced with having to adjust a potentiometer that you're not 100% sure is going to be the correct one, measure from the wiper to either end with your ohm meter and the radio off. That way if it was the wrong one you can set it back to the original value precisely.
I'm sure there is lots I've missed here due to time and space so I wouldn't consider this more than offering a few pointers. The service manual will cover much more detail. Experience in troubleshooting will help identify where the problem is. Often avoiding a complete alignment since the problem could easily be in a single stage. Good luck. If anyone has questions, ASK.
