Clarifier, Locked or Un-locked. What does this mean?

[Klondike Mike]

There seems to be different use of terminology on different posts but you are ok with Receive and Transmit frequency moving together at the same time. Just clarifying some call modifying the clarifier for equal tracking of REC & XMIT Frequency unlocked and some call it locked. Just making sure I'm on the same page with everyone. From post - https://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/vintage-realistic-cb-base-radio.270220/post-861078

Yup. We should remove the words "locked" or "un-locked" from our CB lexicon when discussing the clarifier on CB radios. We have been using these confusing words for the last 50 years. I asked ChatGPT to help out and I asked it the following question; "Provide me with a one word answer for this statement; "moving together at the same time"

It came up with "Synchronized". May I suggest that we use this word when describing a CB radio's clarifier operation.

For example, when a CB radio's receive and transmit frequency move together at the same time with a turn of the clarifier knob, this means we have a "Synchronized clarifier". This would eliminate the confusion from over the last 50 years of what a "locked" or "un-locked" clarifier really means.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

To me, synchronized means that they track exactly. If the radio is a bit out of alignment that would not be the case, hence my preference for the old term "locked" or "unlocked".

 

[midnight special]

back mid 1970s i remember it called strapped,,, i had my radio strapped is what was said

 

[BC Coyote]

back mid 1970s i remember it called strapped,,, i had my radio strapped is what was said

Don't remember that! I had my first SSB rig around the late 1980's and the clarifier was either "locked" or "unlocked" by then. Never heard it called anything else until this discussion came up here on WWDX.

 

[sunbulls]

The term “strapped” in my early days referred to the jumping of wires across various resistors for the purpose of increasing power in the final output stages of tube radios.

The words “locked or unlocked” were never applied to the early 23 channel SSB radios. The clarifiers on those early radios tracked the Rx and Tx together, the same as a free running VFO on a Ham rig. Later, FCC frequency tolerance regulations restricted the Tx frequency, hence the term “locked” (not movable). No one would be confused or arguing over that issue today if the FCC hadn’t started that regulation if the first place. IMO that regulation should have been dropped years ago.

 

[OldTech03]

Well I didn't mean to upset the community I was merely stating that some use the word "locked" to mean the transmit frequency will always be right on 27.385 "Hopefully" drifting aside, others us "locked" to mean "Receive and Transmit" are locked together. I usually just say, Yes grasshopper we must make the receive frequency and transmit frequency become as ONE" Actually I have never said it that way but I may from now on.

 

[guitar_199]

I like the idea of calling the clarifier either "Tracking" or "Fixed".

I know... sigh.... nobody asked!!!!!!!
But to me that is even more descriptive of what is going on.... or, depending on the modification technique, one is ATTEMPTING to make go on.

 

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Glad that this subject was brought up.......
Since the 70's:
"Locked":
* To me, the clarifier has always been "locked" by/from the factory by FCC rule for all new 40 channel radios. There by being right on the TX ("locked") and RX (unlocked) with clarifier at 12 o'clock. BUT over time things change, and Golden-Screw-Drivers make changes ..........
If a SSB radio having a "locked" clarifier is tuned properly, it only needs a clarifier to clear up the RX. Due to drift on many radios with "locked" clarifiers ("Friends don't let friends talk on Galaxy radios."), many radios need to warm up, some going the other way as heat builds up.

Talking to someone off frequency with a "locked" clarifier you will always hear the same from others ...... "Get on frequency!" ... to which they couldn't and always say "Is that any better?" after turning their RX only clarifier .... to hear "NO!" from everyone. Then expected everyone to tune to them......... Some radios have access to the TX as a separate section on the clarifier and that's another mess in itself (best to be "unlocked" for both knobs to a Fine and Coarse).

"Unlocked":
* To get the clarifier "unlocked" by someone that knows how to "unlock" it,
there by properly being able to track RX and TX ....... both being on frequency.
* Then there is the option of "slide":
This was the start of the "slider", to be able to cover the frequencies between channels, by turning the clarifier counter-clock-wise, to include the "A" channels, which also all got "unlocked". This does not stop the warm up time for some radios, but the clarifier can be used in the mean time.

For those that understand I say no more ..... a clarifier does not always need to be at 12 o'clock position to be on frequency and we know why.

Best bet for any SSB radio ....... get it "unlocked"!

_________________________________________________________
New radios:
On my (the new) Washington Mobile 10 meter radio, as are, or should be many new programmable radios with a menu, and/or a hidden menu. I've never used the clarifier on CB channels, I have not used the "unlock" option due to its being on frequency from cold start to warmed up from day one (in VFO mode still no clarifier needed, but not to say it can't be used in "unlock" mode).
Due to my being a ham this changes on any of the ham bands, as there are no channels per-say just frequencies ...... a modified CB radio for 10 meters with a "locked" clarifier has no place on ham bands.

As usual .......... just my 2¢

 

[Klondike Mike]

Well I didn't mean to upset the community ...

No need to apologize. I like the old terms if it meant the same to everybody, but it doesn't.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I will stick with the old way. If we change the words, then people won't learn that either...

 

[Rwb]

i go locked unlocked. i get tired of anymore no mater what it is ,LETS CHANGE IT.
tad off subject but on big trucks all my life its a power divider. your spinning on snow . apply brakes wheels stop spinning flip power divider to lock. ease out on clutch n listen for a loud CLICK all 4 duals are locked. simple. but now its anti slip ,torque control ,inter axel lock. new drivers are confused on this too