Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Amplifiers » Shouldn't my 667V amp do more on SSB than on AM? « Previous Next »

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Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 171
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 2:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is weird. On AM, my 667V keys about 450 and swings to about 525-550. BUT on SSB, The highest I ever see the amp swing to is just under 500. I was always under the impression that the amp should swing a little higher in SSB than AM. This happens on multiple meters, and either in AVG or peak mode. Any thoughts?
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Mayor513
Intermediate Member
Username: Mayor513

Post Number: 104
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 4:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

--I'm not a tech. or anything like that, but check your A.M. PEP. Does it register more watts than on SSB? If so, that would explain why your 667V puts out more on A.M. rather than on SSB. Tell us what your current AM PEP is, and also your current SSB power output.

--I just did a check on AM PEP output with the amp at full power, and then did a check on SSB output with the amp at full power. The amp put out virtually the same amount of power because my AM PEP is the same as my SSB power. Good luck.
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Audiophile73
Intermediate Member
Username: Audiophile73

Post Number: 122
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 4:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The amplifier is not going to more unless your radio does more on SSB. If it were me I wouldn't drive that 667 that hard. I would key whatever it takes to get 150 watts or so dead key out of it. Then let it swing from there. You should be seeing the same pep but a lower key. This will make you sound louder because the RMS power is higher when you key low and swing high. Let me know is this helps and what you see.
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2933
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 4:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

your swing #'s, if PEP, are just about right. you probably also notice it draws more amps on SSB, by lights dimming more, or more idiot lights flashing, etc.

what does the radio ALONE show PEP on AM & SSB...i'll bet it is doing more on AM then SSB, do to some sort of mod, & therefore shows more swing on AM then SSB. don't worry about it.

also, over a distance i don't notice anything wrong with your audio, & not that there is, but when i was in hauppauge yesterday, you were sounding a bit 'pinched'. the 450 dead key tells me why! that amp should not really be dead keying more then 150 watts! you'll still see the same 500 MOL PEP, maybe even a bit more if you reduce the dead key. also helps the amp in longevity! unless you have a fan or 2 on it, it probably gets hot, too. i ran a 667v at 350 dead key, nearly 20 years later, it's still going strong in someone elses mobile! of course there are some melted wires & resistors, but i'd cut your dead key way down, can't say for sure how long the 'newer' ones will take it!
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Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1754
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 5:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

depends on what the radio is driving the amp with.
you may have the radio tuned to key at around 2 watts and swing to 20, but the ALC in the radio is turned down to 10 watts.
if we are talking about the 148GTL, then:
turn the amp off, and see what the SSB watts out are from the radio. if its less than 12 watts, turn VR11 in SSB mode while saying "ahhh" into the mic, until you get about 15-16 watts. i wouldnt push it too much past that point for the radio's sake.
that should bring up the SSB watts out considerably.
also remember that your mic gain setting has alot to do with your SSB wattage out of the radio.

matt
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Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 172
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 7:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It is a 148. How do I lower the dead key on the 148 BUT keep it where it swings to 4-5 watts? I have a dummy load. Should I use RMS or peak when doing this? Thanks.
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Bigfoot
Junior Member
Username: Bigfoot

Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 8:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

TR24-AMC, VR11-ALC, VR10-AM PWR Set vr10 to 2 watts dead key adjust amc for maximum modulation. Then use mic gain (dynamike)for audio quality. DO NOT CLIP THE LIMITER.
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Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 452
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

yup what everyone eles said.also your mic gain on radio drives ssb .in a sense if possible leave mic gain on radio wideopen when on ssb.this will allow full output on ssb.turning back mic gain while on ssb mode WILL reduce pep output while on ssb mode
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Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 453
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 10:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

tr24 is limiter leave it alone if missing but it back
vr7=modulation
vr11=ssbpwr
vr10=ampwr
hope this helps
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 10201
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 5:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Modification List CLICK HERE

Hope this help's,

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9CEF
CVC#2
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Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1766
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 10:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

james, everyone here is basically saying the same things, and im just going to put it all in one procedure for you in case it sounds confusing.
here goes:

take the bottom cover off of the radio, and turn it upside down.
turn the dynamike all the way down.
hook the radio directly to the meter, and then from the meter directly to the antenna.
set the meter to its lowest wattage setting, and set it to RMS.
key the mic and note what the dead key is in watts.
if it is higher than 2 (im sure it is), then
using a jewelers screwdriver, or plastic tuning tool, adjust VR10 clockwise while keying the mic until the dead key sits at 2 watts. no more.
VR10 is in the rear right corner under some wires near the transformer.

now turn the dynamike all the way up, and set the volume on your mic just barely open. i mean just enough to reach 100% modulation on the meter and no more.
key the mic, and while saying "ahhh" into the mic, note what the RMS watts swing to.
turn VR7 in whatever direction increases the RMS wattage.
one way will cut it all out, and the other is where you want yours set. (all the way up)
now switch the meter to PEP, and say, "ahhh" into the mic and note the watts its swinging to now.

now, with the dynamike still all the way up, and the meter set to PEP; turn VR11 until you get about 15-16 watts on the meter. dont push it too far past that.
write down all your numbers, hook the amp back inline, get some readings for AM and SSB with the amp on, and post them here for all to see.
good luck,
matt
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Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 455
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 10:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

well i wonder how it turned out?but 2xanswer his question the best i can .no a amp shouldnt do more on am than ssb,or radio for that matter.but if the radio driving the amp harder on am than id would expect it to put out more on am then.but shouldnt be that way.ssb should do more on amp as well as radio.hope this makes sense an answers your question
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Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 240
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 12:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, I think I kind a figured it out. When using a 667V in AM mode, with the delay off it gives out slightly higher power. When using SSB, and you switch the delay on, even in the manual it mentions that the amp lowers its output power. Strange.
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Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 241
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 1:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Kid Viscious. You mention to adjust VR7 on the 148 ("turn VR7 in whatever direction increases the RMS wattage"). What does this actually control? I ask because I know on a Uniden grant classic, all it controls is the modulation meter on the radio itself, and isn't this the same exact chassis? Thanks.
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Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1878
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 6:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

yes its the same chassis.
there is no modulation meter in that radio.
what you are noticing is that when VR7 is turned one way, you have no modulation, and when its turned the other way, you have lots of modulation.

this is the AMC control, and its set from the factory to be below 100%.
it can be turned up to give additional modulation, but not too much as it will cause distortion of your audio, and people will tell you that you sound muffled, disorted, or downright unreadable.

so when you set it, its best to have a friend (pat or hank would be good trustworthy candidates)
on the other end to tell you when you've gone too far.

if it were my radio, i would turn VR10 down to 2 watts, turn VR11 to 14-15 watts, and turn VR7 all the way up.
HUH? (bare with me)
see, you know how you always run the "dynamike" control all the way up?
thats because it really doesnt do much for you otherwise.
UNTIL, you turn up the AMC (VR7)
now you will need that dynamike control, and most of the time you will find yourself running it at 12o'clock.
this is a hard concept to get for some guys, because they are used to having it all the way up all the time.
they just ignore all the people that tell them how bad they sound.
if the radio squeals with the dynamike all the way up, you'll need to back VR7 off a bit.
each radio reacts just a bit differently.
you'll find the way you like it.
good luck,
matt
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Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 248
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 12:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Kid Viscious. I asked because My Undien Grant Classic does indeed have a modulation meter (A combo rf/mod meter). There is even a switch on the front that toggles between Modulation and S/RF. It is the Old school Uniden Grant with the 6 knobs on the left and meter in the middle.

Basically, I want to apply what you told me on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 10:10 pm:,,,But I want to apply it to my Uniden Grant classic. On this, I believe VR7 controls the modulation meter, because on a madison (Essentially same chassis) VR7 definitely controls the mod meter, and when I turned the VR7 in the classic Grant, the meter either is pinned or not. I don't see an AMC control on my alignment chart for the madison. I do see ALC. Thanks.
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Unit199
Intermediate Member
Username: Unit199

Post Number: 263
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 12:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

THE CLASSIC GRANT WITH 8719 PLL DOES NOT HAVE AMC CONTROL AND ALSO NEVER USE A JEWELERS SCREWDRIVER TO ADJUST ANYTHING OR POT IN RADIO. ALWAYS USE A PLASTIC OR CERAMIC ALIGNMENT TOOL ONLY!

VR-1-AM S METER
VR-2-SSB S METER
VR-3-SQUELCH
VR-4-CARRIER BALANCE
VR-5=TRANSMIT FREQUENCY
VR-6-RF POWER MEYER
VR-7-MODULATION METER
VR-8-FINAL BIAS 50MA
VR-9-DRIVER BIAS 25MA
VR-10-AM POWER
VR-11-SSB POWER ALC
VR-12-ANT WARNING IND

PEOPLE SHOIULD MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION THEY ARE PUTTING OUT IS CORRECT, BEFORE MAYBE DOING DAMAGE TO SOMEONES RADIO BECAUSE OF INCORRECT ADVICE!!!

NO INFORMATION IS BETTER THAN BAD/INCORRECT INFORMATION.

HARVE
Unit199
KB0YVK
CEF210
HAM#10
CVC#18

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