How can I Tune a stock radio?

[Dirty Duck]

is there a way to tune a radio with just a 3 window Dosy meter?

I have a 4 watt uniden pc66.

 

[BC Coyote]

No. You would need a much more accurate SWR/Peak reading watt meter....Dosy is entry level and not known for accuracy. You would also need a good multimeter, a dummy load, and possibly a basic signal generator as well as a set of plastic alignment tools....metal will shatter the ferrite cores of the coils. Your power supply needs to be well regulated. Of course, you wouldn't attempt such a thing without knowing the actual alignment steps in the correct order!

But beyond all that, no amount of tweaking and tuning is going to make a PC66 sound any louder on receive. You might get another watt or two out of it, but keep in mind that in order for the person hearing you to get 1 more S unit, you would need to quadruple power. You would need to multiply power by 16 to get 2 S units increase. That PC66 might make 5 or 6 watts, but it sure won't do 16 or 64 watts LOL!

If you really want to get out better it is all about the antenna. Whether you are a mobile or a base you want the best antenna you can get. If you've done that and you still have trouble being heard, buy an RM Italy amp.....they're cheap and will give you a boost up to 80 watts or more.

 

[nomadradio]

tune a radio

So, ahh... What's the objective here? If more transmit power is the desire, you won't see enough increase for anyone on the other end to ever know. The receiver's S-meter doesn't respond at all like your wattmeter. You'll need to double your transmit wattage before the S-meter at the other end shows a difference. A small difference, at that. And if improving the receiver is the desire, you need a weak steady signal for that. Once the S-meter rises above a 3 or 4, it tends to "flatten" the peak reading when turning the alignment adjustments. A weak signal is necessary to see a clean, sharp peak response when turning a tuning slug.

If it's broke, that would be something worth fixing.

There's always the rule of the shadetree mechanic. "If it ain't broke, keep fixing it until it is."

73

 

[Dirty Duck]

The point of my experiments is that I’m just starting to learn to work on radios.

I’m not gonna learn by not trying stuff out.

I have a soldering iron, helping hands, a solder sucker and 1 dosy meter. I can’t afford a whole lot of tools yet so a Dosy is what I got.

I know some day I’ll screw up a radio but that comes with the program of learning.

 

[FlyBoy50]

The point of my experiments is that I’m just starting to learn to work on radios.

I’m not gonna learn by not trying stuff out.

I have a soldering iron, helping hands, a solder sucker and 1 dosy meter. I can’t afford a whole lot of tools yet so a Dosy is what I got.

I know some day I’ll screw up a radio but that comes with the program of learning.

We all have to start somewhere and elaborate shop equipment is pricey. Buy yourself a good modern radio to talk and receive on and then you can experiment on your old radio with your Dosy. I have 3 Dosy meters and have made a lot of adjustment with them and haven't screwed up a radio yet but I use caution and never over-estimate my ability. But then again I never plan on being a professional with out Professional Training, but I've sure had some fun learning along the way. There is a good bunch in here that give you good pointers. Listen and learn.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

The first thing you will need is more information. The schematic can be found here:

CBTricks.com Uniden Radio Index

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Here is a thread about the pc66:

Thread 'Uniden 66XL help and tune tips' https://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/uniden-66xl-help-and-tune-tips.250682/

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Is yours an XL? I didn't realize that there are two different pc66 radios.

 

[AudioShockwav]

Is this the only radio that you have?
So you might be able to "touch up"
Modulation a little, I don't think you're going to be able to make a drastic improvement but here you go( found on the web)
I don't recommend removing/ clipping modulation components, Adjust them.
Go slow, take your time, double check your work.
I used to buy yard sale Radios to work on for the experience, no big loss if I mess up a $5 yard sale radio, and if it gets fixed, even better.

73
Jeff

 

[sp5it]

I have a 4 watt uniden pc66.

You can't polish a turd.
Leave it as it is.
Mike

 

[FlyBoy50]

This will help with adjustments.

RadioMods Uniden / President Adjustments Page

 

[Dirty Duck]

Is yours an XL? I didn't realize that there are two different pc66 radios.

I have a pc 66xl. I figured that was the only one myself.

It has a Philippine board in it.

It is nowhere near my only radio or project but, I do use this one quite a bit. I currently buy cheap old radios to practice diagnosing.

 

[tramd]

You don't tune electronics unless you have a piece such as a radio with a VFO and you are tuning in stations. Cars and musical instruments are tuned. Electronic devices are aligned.

 

[M0GVZ]

The point of my experiments is that I’m just starting to learn to work on radios.

I’m not gonna learn by not trying stuff out.

I have a soldering iron, helping hands, a solder sucker and 1 dosy meter. I can’t afford a whole lot of tools yet so a Dosy is what I got.

I know some day I’ll screw up a radio but that comes with the program of learning.

For calibrating and tuning radios you need at a minimum:

DUMMY LOAD
Frequency counter, and not just one of those CB goes to 6 digits.
Power meter, and in order to measure SSB properly one that has a proper peak hold function that requires power to work and not just put the backlight on.
FM and AM Modulation meter
SINAD meter
RF Signal Generator
Tone generator.
Oscilloscope

Ideally you'd buy something that has it all in one like the Marconi 2955B Radio Test Set.

 

[FlyBoy50]

Marconi 2955B Radio Test Set.

Just a brief look at that instrument looks like 2-3 thousand dollars. That will separate the men from the boys ! LOL I think I pooped my knickers ! LOL I think I could buy a good radio cheaper. HAHA