I’m aware you can 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 % , 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 .
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Can someone break down what a peak and tune is
- Thread starter skip searcher
- Start date
Nail clippers and golden screwdriver.
Mike
You nailed it, Mike!
skip searcher:
I wish I could tell you that there is a standard for 'peak and tune' in repair shops. It is like a box of chocolates; you don't know what you are going to get. Some shops might get in your radio with their combat boots on and play havoc by cutting limiters. Which in the long run, you will find is a bad idea. Back in the day, many shops were notorious for either hacking the radio so poorly that they were barely usable, while others were far more conservative and did a fine job
Some radios come from the factory in proper tune, like the Uniden built radios, and hold that state of tune for quite awhile. But Galaxy radios often need a complete alignment a few times over a period of time, especially if they are in a mobile setting.
A radio that is properly tuned to the service manual specs is going to perform its best and meets all of the standards of its engineered build.
AM-only radios can have any number of methods to get over 100% modulation. Cobra radios often employ the 'cap and resistor swing mod'; while another shop might clip the diode to the modulation control, while another shop may add a diode to get the radio to go beyond the stock modulation point. Or disabling the 54mhz trap circuit to trick a watt meter - and the customer - in thinking their radio puts out more clean power. The problem with all of that is that the radio becomes a harmonic noise generator and ceases to be a better radio.
Different methods from different shops with no accountability is the general result.
Turning up the modulation level is best done by just adding a power mic, like the Astatic D-104/M6 Minuteman mic. At least that way, you can control the amount of modulation vs distortion level and have better audio than a stock mic, which aren't very good at all . . ..
skip searcher:
I wish I could tell you that there is a standard for 'peak and tune' in repair shops. It is like a box of chocolates; you don't know what you are going to get. Some shops might get in your radio with their combat boots on and play havoc by cutting limiters. Which in the long run, you will find is a bad idea. Back in the day, many shops were notorious for either hacking the radio so poorly that they were barely usable, while others were far more conservative and did a fine job
Some radios come from the factory in proper tune, like the Uniden built radios, and hold that state of tune for quite awhile. But Galaxy radios often need a complete alignment a few times over a period of time, especially if they are in a mobile setting.
A radio that is properly tuned to the service manual specs is going to perform its best and meets all of the standards of its engineered build.
AM-only radios can have any number of methods to get over 100% modulation. Cobra radios often employ the 'cap and resistor swing mod'; while another shop might clip the diode to the modulation control, while another shop may add a diode to get the radio to go beyond the stock modulation point. Or disabling the 54mhz trap circuit to trick a watt meter - and the customer - in thinking their radio puts out more clean power. The problem with all of that is that the radio becomes a harmonic noise generator and ceases to be a better radio.
Different methods from different shops with no accountability is the general result.
Turning up the modulation level is best done by just adding a power mic, like the Astatic D-104/M6 Minuteman mic. At least that way, you can control the amount of modulation vs distortion level and have better audio than a stock mic, which aren't very good at all . . ..
- New in box stock radio from the manufacturer
CB radio shipped from the manufacturer are produced and tested using their equipment and are adjusted so that they meet or exceed all federal requirements for CB transmitters - (less that 4 watts output, no harmful interference, etc.).
So from the manufacturer your CB radio is set up to work according to all FCC rules and requirements.
So if you want your CB radio to perform as intended by the people that designed and produced it then NO you do not need a "peak and tune".
- What is a peak and tune?
Having your radio peaked means it may be able to transmit slightly further than it would stock. Most radios come with their modulation levels set below 100% and power set slightly below 4 watts (legal maximum) so making these adjustments may allow you to be heard over a longer distance.
However - these modifications also may make your radio technically illegal (if it no longer meets FCC requirements) although there is very little risk of getting in trouble. The modifications if not done correctly can damage your radio and even if done correctly may shorten the lifespan of your radio slightly.
Now tuning can go along with peaking and mean "tuning" your radio for peak performance OR it can also mean what we call an "alignment" which includes checking and adjusting voltages, frequencies, etc. Most shops don't bother doing this when they "peak and tune" your radio, they simply are turning up power and modulation. Out of the box your radio really shouldn't need an alignment anyway.
So if you wanted to get a Radio Example like a Stryker 955 give it a general service what type of work would be carried out and more importantly tools used Meters to check power ,
some type of digital reader to make sure the radio is on frequency what’s the name of this type of Equipment
some type of digital reader to make sure the radio is on frequency what’s the name of this type of Equipment
A true Peak & Tune is available ONLY from certificated
Brothers of The Golden Screwdriver
.
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.
Is that why you keep changing up your radios? I thought you had lost that key fob?
Okay.
Brain working, working, working . . .
(Zip. Nada. No dice).
Busted.
.
Last edited:
SIX-SHOOTER
ICOM CENTRAL.7610,9100,PW-1,HEIL FIN & HEIL PR-781
I leave all of my radios Bone Stock.I don't even unlock the clarifier on a SSB Radio.If it's not broken I'm not having it fixed.
SIX-SHOOTER
SIX-SHOOTER
It is a process in which you pay some one else to mangle and screw up a perfectly good radio and make it illegal to operate.
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.