Which Radio to Mod Next?

[8113 Northern MN]

Having just successfully modded a Galaxy DX-959 Mosfet Version with dual Final IRF520s....channel kit..upgraded Votalge regulator and AM Amplifier...opened clarifier...swing mod, I am now having to decide which of my radios to Mod next.

Galaxy DX949 Mosfet Version. Already has Blue Viagra-B board channel kit. Schottky diodes for better RX. Upgraded Voltage regulator. I have the 520s and all the parts to do the dual 520 final mod to this as well.

Bone stock never been even opened until I just opened Cobra 138 XLR. I almost felt bad when I looked at the screws and realized they had never seen a screwdriver. The inside is absolutely pristine and looks brandnew. Not really sure the mods available to this radio.

Also Bone stock Cobra 148 GTL. I have a Digimax Lite kit that came out of my old Cobra 148 GTL that I thought of putting in this and possibly trying to upgrade to Mosfets. I am being told that AM and LSB sound good on this radio but USB is not sounding correct. Not sure if this is a over time usage problem that I can correct or not. All of the pots on the board still are set in their factory position with the red glue unbroken. Bigger "L" pots show no sign of having seen a screwdriver.


So need some advice. If you had this radios in front of you which radio would you do and what Mods would you preform to get the most out of it?

 

[Robb]

Try fixing your 148 - instead,
Learn from it . . .

 

[2FB327]

If I could be so lucky. Stock is good, Like Rob said fix the sideband issue and have one nice radio.

 

[357magnum]

My thoughts exactly but I hid in the weeds waiting for somebody more qualified ! lol

 

[M0GVZ]

Schottky diode mod is a bit of a waste of time. I've yet to test a receiver on a CB that cannot produce a SINAD of 12dB at -120dBm which is well below the noise floor for pretty much most people on the planet. To put in some context, a SINAD level of 12dB is perfectly clear to listen to, perfectly understandable and with just the slightest hint of hiss starting to creep in. It is far from hard to copy. Most CBs got to that level at around -126dBm which is below the noise floor of everyone on the entire planet.

The Schottky diode mod is one of those things that has gained traction because people seem to be under the apprehension that because they're changing something it must make it better but as has been proven time and time again with the $1 vs $1000 speaker cable blind tests, it makes little difference with any difference only being in the mind of the person who has paid to have it done.

 

[Sideways]

If those radios are both bone stock, I'd leave them that way. Its pretty rare to find either one of those radios that haven't been touched. If you just want a radio to mod, why not find a cobra 29ltd classic, tons of mods for those radios and can be found for 20-30 bucks on ebay

 

[w9cll]

I would get you ham ticket and not worry about modding anything.

 

[Sideways]

TE="w9cll, post: 493104, member: 29506"]I would get you ham ticket and not worry about modding anything.[/QUOTE]
Modify, repair, experimenting with radios is half the fun imo. It lets you learn, at least some what, how radios work. Its a good feeling when someone compliments your radio knowing youve
done all the work yourself. Or get a ham ticket, radio, plug n play and start talking, that's cool too. Whatever makes your putter flutter

 

[Robb]

I think it is important to lean to fix radios. But that is me. Anyone can be just an appliance operator. If you are into radio; then learning how to solder is imperative. Using that soldering skill to fix a radio is the logical next step. Start out at an easy level as you like.

However, he did break that radio trying to mod it. Perhaps he should try to put it back to stock using the schematic for that radio. He can learn more by repairing it than anyone can modding a radio. Once again, IMO . . .

 

[8113 Northern MN]

Robb,

The spare 148gtl was originally a bit outta whack after attempting to hook up a frequency counter. I fixed that problem and then had it running fine. A short time later a friend of mine wanted to see how the channel kit (Digimax Lite) was set up inside it and got a case of slippery fingers with a small screwdriver. It was dropped inside the radio while it was on and from what I could tell blew out the finals. ( Dropped in new ones and it was working but had a bit lower then previous output power. Could have been just needing a tune at that point). Because I really enjoy modding and dislike doing it after someone else has had their fingers inside it already, I chose to just use the old 148 as a parts radio for the modding of the new one I found.

Im currently working with someone who has supposedly found a way to mod the 148 to cover 28.000-28.5000. Waiting on a detailed step by step explanation to be written out for me to follow.