Ranger 2950 technical question

[okrobie]

Hello, I have a Ranger RCI 2950 that works great in most respects but it does have a flaw. Occasionally it will automatically "squelch out" that is to say that no matter where the squelch knob is set the "Busy" indicator disappears and the radio goes silent. It is most likely to happen at even numbered frequencies. ie. 28.4000 but the symptom goes away when you tune to 28.4020 or 28.3980 mhz.

If you don't like Rangers or consider them CB junk... don't bother to reply.

 

[kb2vxa]

The cause is likely the same as for ham rigs modded for out of band operation, they were not meant to be modded. Re-programing firmware or worse yet physical changes often cause unexpected results, that is aside from the frequency change other circuits go haywire. Seems to me the Ranger doesn't like 10M so if QRP is what you want find another CB that won't give you grief or simply lower the power on your ham rig to 5W or less.

CB junk? All depends on which CB, some are junk and others aren't. We use modified CBs on 10 all the time and avoid the junk.

 

[okrobie]

I was afraid of that. I have another one just like it that has been modified for expanded frequencies and it works just fine.

Just for grins, I think I'll un-modify it and put it back to the factory settings for 10 meters only.

Wish me luck.

 

[okrobie]

Well, I restored the display to "28.000 to 29.699" and the original symptom remains. (It's merely a jumper change) What also remains is the Citizens Band feature when you push "Lock". All 40 channels.

This "squelch out" problem is really starting to annoy me. It prevented me from working another state today.

I'm beginning to think it's a cold solder joint in the squelch circuit.

 

[kb2vxa]

That too is entirely possible and that's where a can of freeze spray comes in handy. Use it sparingly as not to get it all over the place and test quickly before the board warms up. Patience, not likely you'll find it with the first try but you might get lucky.

I found one in an old 10W Motorola Low Band portable re-tuned for 6M that way, looked like the driver transistor at first but found out otherwise when I stuck a soldering iron in there.

 

[okrobie]

Warren, I found out by searching 2950 mod webpages that my problem is a documented defect with the 2950.

The cure is to replace a 100K ohm R49 with a 33K ohm one. I tried it and it worked about 99%. I still had a symptom when I first turned it on but none since then, after about 10 hours of trial.

Before doing that, I had completely disassembled the front panel and removed and cleaned the contacts on the squelch pot. I also freshened up the solder joints on the pot assembly. That was very educational so I'm glad I did it even though it didn't fix anything.

Thanks for all of your input. I appreciate it.

 

[okrobie]

Forget about the fix. The problem came back with a vengeance today. It is currently staying in the "squelch" mode as much as 50% of the time. I'm pretty disappointed.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Wholeo1955]

Hello, I have a Ranger RCI 2950 that works great in most respects but it does have a flaw. Occasionally it will automatically "squelch out" that is to say that no matter where the squelch knob is set the "Busy" indicator disappears and the radio goes silent. It is most likely to happen at even numbered frequencies. ie. 28.4000 but the symptom goes away when you tune to 28.4020 or 28.3980 mhz.

If you don't like Rangers or consider them CB junk... don't bother to reply.

busy means the squelch is open, when you hear a voice or noise from the squelch open, it says busy