Can someone break down what a peak and tune is

[skip searcher]

Usually, just a check to see if it is properly aligned should be enough for best performance.

Don't let ANYONE sell you on the idea that removing the AM Limiter and disabling the trap circuit are good ideas.
Nothing could be further than the truth.

If the limiter is removed in a SSB radio, it play havoc with the transmitted voice audio and renders them practically useless on SSB. Every once in a while, I will still hear some station coming in that is practically unintelligible, and I know the limiter was removed. Been there; done that - as they say.

Spreading the coils in the 54mhz trap circuit will show more watts on a watt meter. But beware. Those few 'extra watts' aren't even on the same channel that the radio channel indicator diplays. Watt meters are dumb, in the sense that they just sense the amount of power coming thru; but cannot tell just where freq that power is actually going. It is usually done by the worst shops that are just trying to impress their customers with bigger wattage numbers and it only serves to pollute the airwaves, ruin your radio, and drain your wallet.

Ok so to see if it’s properly Aligned and a power check on different modes Would the radio need to be opened up and the cases removed

 

[Robb]

Ok so to see if it’s properly Aligned and a power check on different modes Would the radio need to be opened up and the cases removed

A shop that uses a spectrum analyzer should be the ones that will do the best job, since all work performed can get such testing and verification.
Not to say that an experienced tech with the right gear can't get similar results. The can. But most fly-by-night radio shops done out of the back of a van will be ones to avoid.

I recommend that you watch a few videos of 'MikesRadioRepair' on YT.
You will get a pretty good idea of testing and repairs.
Watch enough of it and you can be brought up to snuff.

 

[skip searcher]

I’ve done a bit of research which is in Gary Indiana at a truckstop the guy is highly recommend by drivers and base station operators has good reviews,

 

[Big Kahuna]

If you're buying a new Stryker 955 don't let anyone do anything to it. It should work fine out of the box and that radio has plenty of power and audio when it's bone stock. If you buy it from a shop just have them do the 11 meter conversion and that's it. No peak and tune.

As mentioned before - don't let someone inside your radio unless it's broken and needs repair.

 

[TM86]

Peak - common misspelling of "peek". The process by which they take off the covers and peek inside your radio.

Tune - crank everything to 11 to make the meters move as much as possible without regard for stress on components and/or disabling the needed filtering of harmonics.

 

[Slowmover]

Most newer radios don't need this bullshit. I can see adjusting output for use with an amp. If you can resist it, you'll save money.

Can resist it

Bear a relation with, to capacit?

Do both and frustration is one-half off?

Don’t touch them silver case screws!

.

 

[9C1Driver]

Best bet is to buy your radio from a shop that does good quality tech work. With the Stryker 955 they should convert it and then run it through testing and see if it's on frequency and modulation is at 100%.

Next up they can check the receive to make sure it's in line with what it should be. After that they should check the low and high AM dead key levels as well as FM and SSB power levels just to make sure they are in factory spec levels.

They will look the inside of the radio over for any solder areas that need touched up. They might also make sure all screws that mount the board are tight as well as the antenna connector.

Most newer radio's are surface mount so some of these things should be good. Like any product some radio's that are built on say wednesday have less problems then a friday or monday radio. At the factory they are "ballparked" in so to speak, some better then others. Many CB radio's out of the box are only at 60-70% modulation, close enough so down the assemble line it goes.

I prefer to have a good local tech check any radio I get out, some need very little done and some need some things adjusted.

 

[Slowmover]

I’ve done a bit of research which is in Gary Indiana at a truckstop the guy is highly recommend by drivers and base station operators has good reviews,

The guy down IH65 towards Indy from Gary has a rep. Steel (something)

But Gary itself died before WWII. Not a good sign. And those truckstops are worse than bad.

I’d drive to Q5 Communications in Madison, WI before either.

Not saying you’re wrong.

But my experience is that it COULD be the type radio tweak where it sounds loud but disappears in 2-miles. Common all over USA.

.

 

[SIX-SHOOTER]

I’ve done a bit of research which is in Gary Indiana at a truckstop the guy is highly recommend by drivers and base station operators has good reviews,

Because the majority of them have no clue how it is done and that it should be done on the spectrum analyzer along with a wattmeter and it does not actually increase your distance of transmitting or receiving.It is a total waste of money and a Rip Off. Save your money for something important.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

If I ever bought a new 955, I would get it from Bob's CB.

https://www.bobscb.com/shop/product...Warranty-Only-10-Meter-Mobile-Amateur-Radios/

 

[Handy Andy]

I’m aware you can (I Think you meant BUY) a Radio stock but most shops offer a peak and tune is this really required as the Radio manufactures there Aligned and modulation is set 100 % ,

In simpler terms - the radio was manufactured to meet, when used, a specific set of requirements ...

The main one?

• That it works out of the box it came in...
• You can talk on it, meaning a working Microphone
• Receives CB channels including all 1 - 40 channels (as stated on the side of the box)
• All Features listed on that Box - work as intended for the user, Operator.

Now a lot of people are telling you the end of the movie - even before you got in line at the popcorn stand to even get started...​

It is prudent to save your Sales receipt and any and all documentation in that box, the included Hardware and cords for power and accessories including the Microphone ALSO including the Owners manual...

What do I say to what you listed above?

No, they do not set Modulation to 100% - they set it so the radio works - within 100% not necessarily AT 100%.

Aligned? Yes, because they will have a DOA radio that will cost them money if it's returned for Warranty because the Quality control people forgot to finish the job and the end user got an earful - of laughter - because the radio doesn't work.

Did you ever notice that the Radio information "packet" which includes the Warranty Card, a Quick Start Guide and IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS - CALL US FIRST 1-800-xxx-XXXX ???

I've done that before, had a nice time being put on hold and Forced To listen to some music that isn't particularly my favorite but it's not meant for fidelity in todays' Telecommunications equipment...

• What you get into is a Directory "tree" and from that - what you'll get is someone being paid a wage to handle complaints and offer to read from an Indexed Menu something similar to a FAQ - may or may not speak your language fluently without a heavy accent.
• During this time you will be reminded that you're important to them and that if you need more assistance please see our website at... - and you can even register your product on line
• So right now? It would have been a good idea to locate and read that owners manual - for it contains several areas of information that you can request while your on the phone - while on hold...
  • - need a Bracket - ask for it...
  • Microphone? May ask for a new one.
  • Knobs - nice to have an extra set...
  • Cords, well do you need extra?
  • Anything you may want a duplicate of - might be wise to ask here for they can ship it to you to help you - because they don't want you to return it or ship it back - they want you to keep it - even if the initial intent was to make it a Wheel Chock and Door stop.
  • - Schematics? Well ask, they may charge but get a copy - won't hurt. If they say no, just remind them that the radio doesn't seem to work right and you may need to return it.
    • Watch and listen to how they react - don't let them Bully you...

Back to your statements...

...so some of you Radio guys break it down what it is these shops do I was told by a radio shop it would take 15 minutes to do and what type of Equipment would be used .

Well, this is where it gets fun...

You can ask for a demonstration by the shop owner - but realize they get annoyed if you play "I want That One" and it's a new sealed in box - box with a radio in it - you might want to cough up your wallet to show your'e serious - else the shop may get stuck having to return the radio to be rebox'ed...not the best way to start out a sale but to each their own...

They usually have an "Open Door" policy where you can see the radio operated and all the features - show you that it works (oscilloscopes, Frequency Counters, External Speakers even a Monitor Radio to hear what they sound like)

• - but if they say, well I can do some extra wok and improve or make it last longer

Whoa! - better start grabbing your wallet and car keys because you may need to leave in a hurry...because - wait for it...

You may hear a clearing of the throat - a cough or two - muttering or mumbling ...​

• I can send out the radio to a guy that will do the work and the tune up and extra stuff (channels Echo features not normally on the front of the box) so if you pay for it now I'll go over it with them and you'll have it tomorrow.

SKREECH....

It's time to leave, for what they are doing is PADDING the sale - extra fluff and stuff.

• Things .you may or may not need done - you are far better off to have them prove the radio works out of the box and then decide at a later time if you can trust their work in support of what their mouth gets them into trouble with - later on as part of their support AFTER the sale.
• Did you also notice too, that saying... oh, we can do that right now for XXX but it may need to come back and finish XXX because the guy that does it isn't here right now...

If they say it costs more later, or to accomplish what they put the foot in their mouth over in getting you to pay for it (that added feature) requires more time - then you know you're dealing with questionable practices for they are not as honest as they seem, why would they charge you more AFTER the sale? Remind them of their support policy and if you have to charge more, have them explain it. OR even charge in the first place, it's their reputation - not the Radios'. You can get another radio - unmolested and works out of the Box - somewhere else.

• Think about the above really hard, for it means that the NIB (New In Box) radio may be placed back in that box and YOU get another radio like that one, only it's from someone else's sale that went sour and they fixed the radios but have had to REPLACE the radio to keep the customer happy.
• You may be getting someone else USED equipment only shined up to resell to people like you because you didn't see the serial number or any identifying marks or scratches in the initial visit to see the condition that radio was in.

It's called bait and switch - you get another identical radio - but not the one you saw that was in that pretty box, just close to like it., but with fingers that have been in it and on it.

Realize that they have to make money on something, but - t how much and with what - you need to decide that level of interaction for yourself.

So now you have SOME of the preview and part of the (many forked) plot, you may now get back in line for extra butter with that popcorn...

 

[unit_399]

Talk about "extra fluff and stuff."

- 399

 

[skip searcher]

If I ever bought a new 955, I would get it from Bob's CB.

https://www.bobscb.com/shop/product...Warranty-Only-10-Meter-Mobile-Amateur-Radios/

Are you Affiliated with the store.

 

[skip searcher]

The guy down IH65 towards Indy from Gary has a rep. Steel (something)

But Gary itself died before WWII. Not a good sign. And those truckstops are worse than bad.

I’d drive to Q5 Communications in Madison, WI before either.

Not saying you’re wrong.

But my experience is that it COULD be the type radio tweak where it sounds loud but disappears in 2-miles. Common all over USA.

.

Over clocked Electronics is the name of the shop the guy has an honest reputation Amongst drivers for doing a fair job and not high balling anyone , I called into Q5 on a couple of occasions he is upstairs in the truckstop an older guy possibly a ham radio operator by looking at the Equipment he had , it’s ok if your running up that way the shop in Gary is on a major east west interstate that carries a lot of truck traffic .

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Are you Affiliated with the store.

No not in any way. I have never bought anything from him either. It is just my opinion from what I have heard that they do good work.