I just picked up a Pres. Wash. 858 4-pin relic in good shape on a trade, has var. power and does almost 20w. Problem(s) is the mod is low, VR is turned up and mic gain all the way up, tested with an M6B & Tup-9.....should be screamin but the s-meter barely moves unless im whistling in it. 2nd issue is on the recieve or horrible rx. My locals signals are where they should be but garbled up and cookie monsterish (hard to tell who's who kinda) and the needle falls flat, not a squelch but kinda similiar.....bad rx. On SSB rx/tx is excellent, s-meter swings great and rx is great.....I know an old 30yr radio should be re-capped but i really dont want to do every single one....do i? Ive read about the old relay box these old radios have, i will open the clear plastic case carefully and clean the contacts with a match book striker or womens nail file carefully. I will also clean all the controls too with contact cleaner. Any advice is welcome on this old relic.
