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DTB "IF Filter Mod" for RCI 29xx radios?
- Thread starter buickid
- Start date
If it were me I would at least email DTB and ask why is this service needed. He's good for explaining why. And yes I would like a before and after as well.
Camaro1 it would all depend on conditions but on average if the mod gets that white noise out of the RCI Ranger radios and the receive is still high in signal that is what it's all about. If you've been on the radio for a while you know how background noise can go up and down in minutes without touching anything on the radio just the way it is. My feeling is if Dave at DTB is doing the mod he knows it works and helps out the receive because if it didn't work he would not put his reputation on the line for a 25 dollar mod. He comes with all good reports, good feedbacks on his site, sometimes if I have a problem with a radio that is bugging me I drive over 3 hours one way to get to him, there are a lot of other radio repair shops a lot closer so why would I travel 6+ hours?? Because he has done me RIGHT EVERYTIME, HE IS THE MAN. I know a good radio tech when I see one.
Since you mentioned "white noise" I remember reading up on a fix to reduce white noise in these type radios with SMT boards.
I will say at 59 years old I really don't want to be working on a SMT board, I can see just fine but having to work with a magnifying glass isn't fun
Yes I have read about them also but if Dave at DTB has a deal for 25 bucks, for me it's a 10 buck each way shipping so 45 dollars later if the receive is a lot better it sure is worth it to me. If Dave says it's better than it IS!
Sparkys CB Shack Forum • View topic - white noise fix on 29xx series radios
http://cbradiomagazine.com/Radio Reviews/RCI-2950DX/RCI-2950DX.htm
"RCI-2950DX’s are known for one issue and that is white noise. Although some dealers will perform a modification for around $30 to help correct the issue, the fact is that most 2950DX’s you run into will have a lot of white noise in the receive.
While this white noise doesn’t really have a negative effect on the receiving of signals from other stations, for those who keep the squelch down and RF gain up you may find the noise on the annoying side."
http://cbradiomagazine.com/Radio Reviews/RCI-2950DX/RCI-2950DX.htm
"RCI-2950DX’s are known for one issue and that is white noise. Although some dealers will perform a modification for around $30 to help correct the issue, the fact is that most 2950DX’s you run into will have a lot of white noise in the receive.
While this white noise doesn’t really have a negative effect on the receiving of signals from other stations, for those who keep the squelch down and RF gain up you may find the noise on the annoying side."
In that phone conversation, Dave said pretty much the same thing that the CB World Informer page did. He said the traces are too close together and suffer from capacitive coupling, if I recall correctly. Peel off the offending traces and you're golden. Anyway, radio is ordered, can't wait!
The link posted at the beginning of this thread is from a review by Bob's CB. Bob uncovered, and correctly identified the source of this problem (the problem is often referred to as "filter blow-by" - when the IF signal present at the IF filter input can couple around the IF filter - a portion of the IF passband is not filtered by the IF filter, resulting in poor IF selectivity. Circuit layout usually being the most common culprit)
It is interesting to note that Bob's CB performs this modification at no extra charge for anyone purchasing a new radio from his shop.
I agree, it would interesting to see a before and after comparison. Ranger states they cannot duplicate the problem on other units, but Bob had 2 out-of-the-box that exhibited this problem.
If this is a problem with this series of radios, then this really shouldn't be called a "mod" but should have resulted in a factory ECN. It IS possible that a board revision occurred either before or after Bob's review, and therefore not all radios will suffer from this issue.
It's a simple test to check a new, "unmodified" radio for this defect, and if present, should probably be corrected by the dealer prior to the sale, rather than at the time of sale for an additional charge.
Ejpi=-1
It is interesting to note that Bob's CB performs this modification at no extra charge for anyone purchasing a new radio from his shop.
I agree, it would interesting to see a before and after comparison. Ranger states they cannot duplicate the problem on other units, but Bob had 2 out-of-the-box that exhibited this problem.
If this is a problem with this series of radios, then this really shouldn't be called a "mod" but should have resulted in a factory ECN. It IS possible that a board revision occurred either before or after Bob's review, and therefore not all radios will suffer from this issue.
It's a simple test to check a new, "unmodified" radio for this defect, and if present, should probably be corrected by the dealer prior to the sale, rather than at the time of sale for an additional charge.
Ejpi=-1
But then, people wouldn't have that 'feel good' experience of having their favorite tech perform the mod.
You'd think, there would be testimonials galore concerning this mod. I haven't seen squat. Where's all the YouTube videos?
You'd think, there would be testimonials galore concerning this mod. I haven't seen squat. Where's all the YouTube videos?
Well I'm going through Carlisle PA on Thursday on my way for a vacation so I am dropping off my 2950DX for a Dave at DTB mod. I probably won't get a chance to use it before the end of next week, won't be home until then
Is he the one located at the Flying J, or is it the Petro? Been awhile since I was up that way.... I remember one shop was at the Petro, and the other one was at the Flying J.
Actually he is behind the Sunoco right where 81 goes off of that road. He use to be down the road in the basement of that Truck Chrome store