2980 low AM modulation. Perfect lsb/usb

[Shane300z]

Longtime lurker first time poster. My trusty 2980 has given the gost and looking for some advice.
Was talking sideband and everything reported fine on the PDC600. Switched to AM and noticed my modulation was only about 20% unless i yelled into my turner sidekick then got to about 60%. Bought this unit used many years ago and it has a preamp on it never gave me a reason to open the hood untill last night. Quickly spotted a cut r249, tr51 along with tr32 and some spread coils..Yay me!

ept360014b board
Checked output power on AM I can variable key 1-10 watts but have really no swing. Set on 3w swings to about 5w on a really long audiiiiioo. Set on 10w swings to 12.
Sideband will swing upto around 30-35 watts.
Plugged ext speaker into PA and audio amp works fine no issues there sounds good.
Kinda stumped. Im asuming no swing is due to low modulation. Looking for your guys/gals input on correcting this radio. I can't bring myself to setting it to the side and getting a 2547!
6wheel605 in the cornfields of South Dakota

 

[sp5it]

Show me that modulation proper way. On the scope.

 

[Shane300z]

Yea...sorry don't have a scope. But what i do have is another dosey meter when connected to the 2980 reads the same. When the other 3 radios i have are connected to either meter they read 100% modulation.

 

[sp5it]

cut r249, tr51 along with tr32 and some spread coils.

Looks like you have butchered radio.
I would put it back as factory says and do alignment.
But, without a scope and some other equipment is not possible.
Mike

 

[Shane300z]

That's what i was thinking but even putting it back to stock I dont think will help the issue. Its been hacked up like this for a long time and now has low modulation. So something gave up.