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is it possible to increase ssb output on the Tram D201

It looks like the only stuff that is specific to the am and lsb is around the x201 crystal
 
I put another balance modulator board from my other tram in and it did not fix the low am/lsb output modulation. The am keys up about 3 1/2 watts when i whistle into the mic the dead key moves up to over 4 watts and stays until i unkey. i thought the bal mod board swap would fix the problem now im am really confused.
 
I found the tram transmits in manual mode also about the same as the crystal mode. I dont know how it was done though
 
The oscilloscope arrived. it looks like the probe compensated and it passed the self tests it may be working properly.
 
the crystal/manual switch is not working properly.in the manual mode it transmits and the crystal selector changes channels. it receives from the vfo manual receive.
 
I think the usb swinging 13watts is the exception, and the 8-10watt swing on lsb is more normal the other tram is swinging about 10watts on both upper and lower but they are the same. im ocd about fixing things right and everything being even.
 
I feel really dumb, i purchased a new meter. and now i realize The old meter was way off. but it did show that in the new tram the usb has more sensitivity, or response or maybe something else. when i whistle it will swings to 17watts an ahh sound produces about 15watts. on lower side an ahh produces 15watts and the whistle swings 12watts. On the other older tram the ahh sound swings 10watts and the whistle swings 12watts, usb is about equal at 12watts.
 
Swapping the balanced modulator boards between radios would settle one question.

Is the problem on that board, or somewhere else in the radio?

Every circuit that has a way to treat upper transmit differently than it treats lower sideband is on that board.

The factory setup for Manual mode is to make the VFO receive only. Legal requirement for CB. A tuneable receiver is okay, but a tuneable transmitter is not.

If it was never converted to transmit from the VFO, you'll only get the channel on the crystal dial when you key the mike no matter where the manual dial is set.

73
 
Hello All: Good to hear the radio is transmitting for you, good deal. Anyone trying to fix radios with or without the experience and test equipment, is going to half to walk away taking a break at times, due to all things technical that must be considered. Kinda like only those who are trying to make a project work, will get pi$$ed off, and need to walk away at times.

Was working a antenna project hot and heavy once and was so angry at not being able to tune it, I left it for a few days, and returned only after getting a game plan from antenna books and looking over the project once cooled down from melt down mode. These experiences build character, and enable one to tackle more complex projects full well knowing that you will hit a few brick walls.

Jay in the (hot, dusty, dry ) Great Mojave Desert
 
Ok one more thing I need to mention here. When I need to work on a radio or what ever I down load the schematic diagram onto a thumb drive and take over to Staples and have them make me a 24 x 36 inch Blue Print blowup of the diagram and laminate it so that its real easy to read. For the Tram 201A its at:

file:///C:/Users/Owner/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/IE/YARQ5KU2/tram_d201a_sch.pdf
 
I think the usb swinging 13watts is the exception, and the 8-10watt swing on lsb is more normal the other tram is swinging about 10watts on both upper and lower but they are the same. im ocd about fixing things right and everything being even.
This issue is on the balanced modulator. Either the crystal filter or IF offset adjustment has drifted. The frequency of one of these has drifted up and reduced the bandwidth of your LSB signal. This should also have some minor effects on the LSB receive being slightly lower or having reduced frequency response in the tone quality of the audio.
 
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Thank You Jay, for the words of encouragement and wisdom, I really need it right now. and to Shockwave for being a big help figuring out the balance board. I did have a success. i re-capacitor my varmint xl600. i changed out 9 caps. it made a big difference.
 
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Correction: CB Tricks for the Tram Radios:

http://www.cbtricks.com/radios/tram/index.htm

Yeah I liked Shackwave's posting, it makes sense. As he said if one of the crystal osc is off frequency the Filter will have more loss. The Tram diagram shows 250Mv going into the filter and 55 Mv going out, that's a 13dB loss at best, when's it working. So measuring and comparing the two crystal outputs and frequency is a good call.

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert
 
I have downloaded a schematic, i think it is the hand wired . it has the vox sens and delay. and the related stuff. that are missing in the later d201 . That makes it tricky to try and diagnose the transmit loss i have on a third tram i have.
 

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