Communications Equipment / Radios

Gdetrailer wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
Well I gotta defend linear amps since I used to build them back in the day. Legal or not, built and set up right, it's not the equipment (usually), it's the user and how they use it, and anyone around the band in the late 60's-early 70's knows that; But sometimes 3W just doesn't do it. The foul mouth truckers were there but they were rare and usually hung on 19, with the music playing and jamming kids on 7. It was usually a good time. Too bad the "element" seems to migrate there but I guess it keeps most of them off the ham bands (yeah I know.. That's why I said "most")

Defend away, but that doesn't mean it was right, legal or used "correctly"..

Per the FCC "rules" (and YOU of all folks should be painfully aware of them) has never allowed more than 5W (THAT IS FIVE WATT) INPUT power to the final output stage of ANY radios that were destined to be used on the 27 mhz CB "band"..

That 5W input to the finals due to losses in heat meant the absolutely highest output allowed was 4W FOUR WATTS to the antenna.

Typically the finals were slightly less than stellar in the heat so you would often end up with the output to the antenna about 3.5W..

Then there was folks who would overdrive the audio.. YES, FCC HAS LIMITS on the max modulation.. Over modulation buy folks ended up with FCC REQUIRING manufacturers to build in MODULATION LIMITERS.. Often limiting the CB to 50%-60% of the legal modulation limit..

Overmodulation caused severe splattering of adjacent channels.

Yeah, many years ago, I was deep into CBs, not to mention could have taken a few more classes and tests to be certified on repairing commercial and non commercial radio equipment..

Kinda what I said: most problems were caused by the user. And we all drive the speed limit too, regardless.

BTW- Before my commercial radio days I spent 5 years at Pace Radio, and the only modulation limiters I ever ran into were the limits of the design (not "limiters", simply weak audio design). That's why the Turner +2 and pre-amped D-104's, etc. were so popular.