Stryker 497HPC capacitors question

[Repo87]

I was checking out videos of inside of Stryker 497HPC radios and noticed a few changes in the past year.


Here is inside of stock Strkyer 497HPC made in 2024
4700uF 16v capacitors and small resistor next to right 4700uF 16v capacitor.








Below is a Stock Stryker 497HPC made in 2025
6800uF 16v capacitors (no small resistor next to right capacitor)






Radio shop custom upgraded older Stryker 497HPC
The shop switched from 4700uF 16v capacitors to 6800uF 25v capacitors







Can upgrading capacitors increase radios watts?

 

[TM86]

The larger caps are there to keep your radio from clipping on the positive peaks. Or at least delay when that happens. Might gain you a couple of extra Watts average, but if you're driving your radio hard enough for it to matter the finals will probably die prematurely from overheating.

 

[Repo87]

The larger caps are there to keep your radio from clipping on the positive peaks. Or at least delay when that happens. Might gain you a couple of extra Watts average, but if you're driving your radio hard enough for it to matter the finals will probably die prematurely from overheating.

The shop that "upgraded" the capacitors from 4700uF 16v to 6800uF 25v and tuning radio shows 200watt PEP on that shop meter. I'm no radio tech but that seems odd to me.

Most shops that modify that radio show like 150watt PEP. They upgrade finals and use a maxmod.

 

[TM86]

Yeah, I can't speak to what they did to get that reading. I'd say hook it up to a different Watt meter and a spectrum analyzer to make sure all those "extra" Watts are on frequency and not a harmonic or three. If it's clean, give the shop props.

 

[Repo87]

Yeah, I can't speak to what they did to get that reading. I'd say hook it up to a different Watt meter and a spectrum analyzer to make sure all those "extra" Watts are on frequency and not a harmonic or three. If it's clean, give the shop props.

I don't have any test equipment like that. I'm just a newbie looking things up and had questions.

 

[TM86]

I don't have any test equipment like that. I'm just a newbie looking things up and had questions.

Then we'll have to fall back on the old "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

If multiple shops are claiming 150W and one guy claims 200W, somebody's probably doing it wrong.

Anyways, at 150W vs 200W, the most anyone would see on the receiving end is maybe 1/4 to 1/2 of an S unit.

 

[BC Coyote]

tuning radio shows 200watt PEP on that shop meter. I'm no radio tech but that seems odd to me.

We call those Dosy Watts.
Or perhaps the shop's meter was, um, peaked and tuned LOL!

 

[9C1Driver]

Then we'll have to fall back on the old "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

If multiple shops are claiming 150W and one guy claims 200W, somebody's probably doing it wrong.

Anyways, at 150W vs 200W, the most anyone would see on the receiving end is maybe 1/4 to 1/2 of an S unit.

Actually you have to double your power to gain 1/2 an S unit.
Here is a cool chart.

Power in Perspective | CB Radio Magazine

POWER IN PERSPECTIVE - CB WATTS AND DISTANCE In today's CB world being heard by someone else on the radio can be difficult. There is considerably more interference than there was 20 years ago. CB radios themselves aren't really built to talk very far but many CB radio enthusiasts modify their...

cbradiomagazine.com

 

[TM86]

Actually you have to double your power to gain 1/2 an S unit.
Here is a cool chart.

I knew if I got it wrong one of you would have the good stuff.