| Author |
Message |
    
Sinker
Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 55
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 5:28 pm: | 
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Can a Variable Power Control or Dial-A-Watt be done to the Texas Ranger 696F SSB Base Station?
If so will Copper do this mod if I send it back to them (as it has already shipped to me). It hasn't arrived yet but should this coming week. I do not have anyone here who I would trust to do it and would be very reluctant to do it myself plus DO NOT want to void the warranty.
I would like to be able to turn down the power to run an amp but only on occasion as I plan on normally running just the base but would like to have my options open. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7036
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 6:59 pm: |
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Sinker,
Yes a variable or dial a watt modification can be done.
Sorry but the Copper Tech does not do Modifications so you will need to find a local tech near you.
Personally I would suggest doing No Modifications until your Ranger Factory Warranty expires.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 828
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 7:50 pm: |
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That's not a good idea as it would take
only one time to forget to turn down the
power control and booom goes your amp.
Plus, it would void your warranty.
I suggest if you have a big enough power
supply is to purchase a 6 position switched
KL mobile amp.
|
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7038
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 8:11 pm: |
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We have never found any need or reason for variable power.
I set our Dead Key at 2-1/2 watts and it Swings 19 watts.
We use it with everything and have never had to change anything.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Sinker
Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 56
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 8:41 pm: |
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I just am unsure what the radio will come with doing. It may be fine as it is, guess I will find out next week. Thanks for the info as I DO NOT want to void the warranty.
Not in a huge rush as I won't have the LMR-400 for 3 weeks but I hope to have everything set up and ready for its arrival. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7042
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 10:08 pm: |
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Sinker,
If you plan on using a Low Drive Amplifier just back the Dead Key power down to 2-1/2 to 3 watts and you will have No Problem.
If you plan on using an Amplifier with it tell them when you place your Order so the Copper Tech can set it for you.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Sinker
Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 59
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 6:32 am: |
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Tech808,
Unfortunately the radio has already shipped. I had them do the Tune & Peak as well.
If I sent it back to them would they turn the dead key down for a reasonable fee?
How will this effect the usual operation of the unit as I do not want to use the amp all the time, in fact only on rare occasions.
Seriously looking at the KLV-1000 Base Unit but how hard is it to adjust the TUNE & LOAD as I have NEVER used a tube amp before???
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2201
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 7:49 pm: |
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It comes with instructions.Bigbob |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1472
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 9:07 pm: |
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quickly key mic & adjust 1 for highest output. key again & do the same with the other. repeat steps til power output is MAX.
808 stated it only takes 3 seconds to retune when you change freqs because you are already SO CLOSE. going from 38 to 13, you should only have to nudge each knob a hair once or twice, & you'll be there.
come on now, bigbob, sinkers a guy, he don't read no stinkin' instructions |
Wally38
Junior Member
Username: Wally38
Post Number: 24
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:39 pm: |
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I took my Ranger 696f to the local truckers CB shop for a variable RF and they said it would take about an hour. I came back and they told me it couldn't be done.
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Sinker
Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 70
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:52 pm: |
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Patzerozero - Got that right, if I'm reading instruction you can pretty much count on the fact that I messed something up BIG TIME... |
Rob5mike
Intermediate Member
Username: Rob5mike
Post Number: 174
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 10:58 am: |
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Go to CB Tricks and check out how the variable power is wired up on the DX959 and do your 696f the same way.I did my TR396 and TR696FD1 just like the DX959 and it works perfect. |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 836
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 12:24 pm: |
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A variable power control on the 696f.
What wattage would you get??? Would it
go down to say 1 watt on low and 4 watts
on high? (AM mode) Just curious Thanks |
Rob5mike
Intermediate Member
Username: Rob5mike
Post Number: 175
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 6:09 pm: |
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Thats what I have mine set at Road warior!The reason for doing it is I use different amps with the radios and the variable power works great to set the dead key. |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 841
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 7:48 pm: |
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yeah, i figured that's what you guys were
getting for wattage after reading more posts.
That's cool.
|
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1481
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 5:00 pm: |
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the proper way to set up your amp is to vary the radio output(dead key) til the amp dead keys at builders, or transistors, rated output.
(3 different 2 x 2879 amps key 80 watts carrier with different inputs from SAME radio, from 1 watt to 3 watts...)
having variable on radio makes it easier then opening it up to change amps. if you use the same amp, variable isn't as neccessary... |
