Seriously, I want to learn to do it as "right" as I can.
Then this nicely narrows down the choices you want done.
Basically, you want to be able to do this yourself - I kinda' knew that but I had to clarify just what you
VALUE in operating a radio.
You've narrowed down your "pick" list.
Selectivity, Sensitivity (although you may find they do contradict each other. because as you'll find out- both can inject a level of noise and frustration you have to tolerate to obtain these values.)
Good Quality Audio - Not focused on Quantity - QUALITY - makes a difference in approach.
So let's go another level here,
You want DISCERNMENT - not just Reception. You want a low noise floor, but the ability to DISCERN that which may be buried in the noise.
- That brings up filtering.
- Noise abatement - Blanker and Noise Limiter functions.
- Tone
You want CLARITY in your transmitted audio...
So that brings up Filtering - but also Envelope - the amount of what you want in it.
Ok, two aspects that you've narrowed down...
So for many techs - they look at the TX side as a simple Tune to the max level - and in the way many CB radios are designed for this, They (the maker) tell you that in their service manual
- As you will find out. The Radio may "track" receiver reception side of it's generated IF, but you -by following the Service manual- have to tune to the Transmitted side first, to obtain a level of performance you need to maintain for clarity of transmission.
- The IF the radio uses generates both it's receive and transmit - but use IMAGES during detection.
- You have to locate and tune to which image they decided on, doesn't mean it's the best, but FCC dictates the EMISSIONS so that in itself limits the Makers ability to choose the best, or idealized, just the most likely not to interfere and yet, pass - the FCC's own certifications.
- For IF itself may not seem like much, but in using a radio GENERATING a signal to help it receive signals - makes this not just a simple job of filtering this all down - you have to obtain a mixing product of the internal signal the radio makes - to obtain another at a different frequency.
- IF you don't do this right, as in make the radio work properly - no tune up in the world will help it, it's a self-declared mess when it can generate and interfere with others radios just having it on, sitting by them. The FCC doesn't want that.
Here's your challenge...
Many Radio techs will tune the radio to meet/match those specs listed in the Service Manual - but then too, it only serves as a Guide to help you restore it to the health that it had when it was made to factory.
Now here's the part I brought up earlier...
For if one person does your "tune" on the radio you use, yet it's not right - by your standards - who is in the wrong?
Look at that phrase very carefully. Because of where it hit's you, in the pocketbook and in your ability to enjoy operating your radio - both in Reception and Transmission of your signal.
By your standards!
It can cost a lot, in time, money and effort - to only improve your radios ability to be a quality performer by your standards. This may result - in only small percentages of improvement or modification - over similar radio designs - even in the same Brand or amongst the different makers still out there.
So the next step in this - is your desire to spend how much to obtain that which you wish to attain if you just only do some little steps in reception and transmission - but not just at the radio - but to your SYSTEM to attain the lower noise levels and the ability to transmit your signal without causing interference.,
You can have the best radio money can buy, but it's not gong to do you any good if you're using an antenna and system that is about as efficient in radiating a signal as a 50 ohm dummy load...
On top of....
You wanting to tune the radio for the best performance, in the CONDITIONS you operate it in.
So - performance is subjective, Natures' Conditions are not, they are the Challenge in which the radio operates in.
So in light of what you may look for in tune-ups and "How-To-Guides" others may show, but then once it's in your hands - you have the choices, guidance and resources - to make that radio perform like you want it to. Asking "How I do This" is great, but the word "This" can be considered an Adverb, Determiner, Interjection or even a Pronoun - it is the quandary, "This" can be considered the challenge - we can only guide you.
So really, looking to a Magician to see how they do their tricks, isn't going to help you pull this rabbit out of the hat.
You first have to obtain a rabbit.
