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Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack

Post Number: 190
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 4:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What is included in the DX-959 tune up?

I am gettibng ready to get a radio this week, I think and I would like the modulation to be peaked out and the clarifier unlocked. What about it?
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 3183
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 4:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Crackerjack,

The Peak & Tune will be setting everything to Factory Specifications.

Sorry but the Copper Tech does not Unlock the Clarifier or any other Modifications that can possibly void your factory warranty.

Hope this helps.

Lon
Tech808
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Therealporkchop
Junior Member
Username: Therealporkchop

Post Number: 41
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 7:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Not all the modifications can be found there, but most of them can. Here is one you won't find there. This is probably the one most everyone really wants for this radio anyway...

RF Output Increase Modification

This modification will allow the DX959 & DX949 to exhibit the RF output and swing of the Galaxy DX-series 10-meter radios. The board was always capable of this type of output; it was simply choked off by the design engineers in order to meet FCC 11-meter specifications.

The first thing you need to do is turn up VR14 which is the AM high power variable. If you've already done the modulation improvements, you should be able to dead key about 8-10 watts and swing around 15 watts. 18 watts is probably the best you'll get (using a peak-reading Bird wattmeter). Now, perform the following modifications:

Remove C218 (3pf) and discard.
Change C216 (470pf) to a 1000pf (100V mylar-type)
Remove C210 (470pf) and discard.
Remove C199 (560pf) and reinstall it in the C210 spot.
Adjust your dead key to around 5 watts. I was able to achieve average peak swing readings of around 35 watts. Depending on the audio input (voice or whistle), I was able to whistle myself to readings of over 40 watts peak! This is just about the same performance that I got from performing the 1N4001 diode heavy swing modification. Like I alluded to earlier, this new radio has "the stuff." You just have to work slightly harder to get at it
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Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin

Post Number: 314
Registered: 2-2004


Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 10:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Therealporkchop,
so far that is the only mod that I have done to my 2547(same board as the 949-959)and the locals I talk to around here said it gave the radio the Saturn sound and swing!havnt done it to the 959 yet,as a mater of fact the covers havnt even been off that radio yet!
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Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear

Post Number: 227
Registered: 3-2002


Posted on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 9:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dindin, and therealporkchop,

There is one thing I have noticed about these boards in the DX2547/949/etc. When doing a peak and tune on them or doing this mod, you will want to uncoil a spring marked as "L29" It's in the back of the board near the final. There is a good reason for this. First, when trying to get more power out of this board, L29 chokes it out. By uncoiling it a bit, you'll notice a respectable power increase, And your power supply won't heat up as bad. If the radio stays cooler, it lasts longer. I did this with the DX2547. made a marked improvement.
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Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin

Post Number: 315
Registered: 2-2004


Posted on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cuddlebear,
Now that you mention it I did tweak L29 when I did the mod.It wouldn't swing a half watt till I did.
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Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear

Post Number: 229
Registered: 3-2002


Posted on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 5:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yup, I hear ya Dindin.

Did you by chance reset your meter on the modulation/power by the way? I know your far from stupid. But many people forget this when doing the L29 mod. The radio meter gets outta whack and gives you false readings. Has to be re-calibrated. At least mine did. The meter was pretty accurate to my external till I did L29. I simply love this radio though. Once you get it set up right, it's a great performer.

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Therealporkchop
Junior Member
Username: Therealporkchop

Post Number: 46
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 11:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, I must confess. I don't have this radio yet, my brother-in-law has one. I did that mod to his radio and he stretched a coil or two in that radio. I'm no fan of opening coils myself, so I told him it was his and he could do it. I still haven't got his radio to swing past 25 watts though. So I don't know how you guys got it to swing anything anymore than that, but how about share with me if you don't mind. I saw this post while hunting mods for his radio and I had the one listed and I thought it would help out. Then I did it and I'm not happy with my results. I own many Galaxy radios, 33,44 and 77. I had a 93T and wasn't happy with it, so I sold it. I'm looking to buy one of these and I want a 99. What kind of power can you Copper tech's get outta this radio? If I buy it from Copper and pay for the peak-n-tune, what will I get?
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Northstar
Junior Member
Username: Northstar

Post Number: 37
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 12:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The mods above are not even close to what you should do to these radios.
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 3311
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 5:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Northstar,

Could you please tell us what Mods are not even close and what they should be or the correct procedure for performing them?

From you above post I can only assume that you have some experience with the 959 radios and I am sure the Forum Members would be happy to have the correct information available to them.

I am not sure of the: RF Output Increase Modification listed above, as I have never tried it.

Lon
Tech808
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Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin

Post Number: 320
Registered: 2-2004


Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 7:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Northstar,could you elaborate on your statement?The mods Cuddlebear and myself are referring to only apply to the rci EPT069610C board.the same board used in the DX949,DX959,DX2547 and a few others I wont list because other manufactures using this same board specked different components which would give different results.all this mod does is give the radio more linearity in its output instead of choking it down.
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Northstar
Junior Member
Username: Northstar

Post Number: 41
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 8:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Changing the above parts will increase the rf out power some but mostly just makes the cb wattmeter dosy's etc swing more. These radios If the mic amp circuit is changed these radios will really modulate. Aligning the radio in every spot on the transmitter and IF Stage's will do alot as well. You can do alot of component swapping but alot of it is not necessary.
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 3334
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 6:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Therealporkchop,

You are 100% correct as a lot of the Mods that are out there are not posted on sites.

This is where your Hands On Experience with this Mod is helpful to the Copper Forum Members who are looking for Mods for this radio.

It appears that you have the main Trick for these radios.

As I mentiond in my above post I have never tried this Modification so I cannot comment on it but your First Hand Experience is what will help people.

But as with ALL NON-FACTORY MODIFICATIONS YOU ALWAYS PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Lon
Tech808

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