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Midland 13-892 split-second transmit

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press1280

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Hi all, newbie here working on an old 23 channel SSB rig.

Finding an issue with the transmit function. When I key the mike the meter moves all the way to the right for a split second then goes back to barely above all the way to the left. I had a walkie talkie nearby and would get the initial transmit but nothing more. I did try another mike and got the same result. The relay clicks when the mike is keyed and clicks back when I unkey the mike.

Could this be an issue with the finals or perhaps the relay?
 

DaveJacobsen

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I'm not an expert.
On old CB's,my first thing to replace is electrolytic capacitors. They dry out .
And yes,it could be the finals.
Unless the relay has carbon on the contacts,it sounds like the relay is working; test the connection when you key up...
 

RFI-EMI-GUY

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If this is a synthesized radio, it could be that the transmit PLL/VCO is out of lock. It could be a minor tuning adjustment or a part that is bad. Having a model number would help.

This excellent book can help you troubleshoot.


If the radio is doing that in SSB mode only, it could be a problem in the mike audio. If it happens in AM mode, then a problem with VCO/PLL is where you might start.
 

press1280

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OK so I just played with it some more, seems both SSB modes are working. I had another radio with a meter and my voice came through. On AM mode though, I keyed up and the other radio's meter went up and stayed up, however my voice wouldn't come through at all.
I'm finding other issues with it like the voice floor being extremely low, but then when someone talks it gets super loud. Also, intermittently I would seemingly lose 4 channels at a time, like I'd lose 1-4 temporarily, then later 13-16 temporarily. I'm guessing the channel selector switch may not be making contact?
 

chief21

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When I key the mike the meter moves all the way to the right for a split second then goes back to barely above all the way to the left.

In general, a 23-channel rig would have to be pretty old and many of the components could be out of spec or completely bad. And if you're using SSB, the meter would move only with your voice when using SSB, as there is no carrier.
 

WB9YBM

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Finding an issue with the transmit function. When I key the mike the meter moves all the way to the right for a split second then goes back to barely above all the way to the left. I had a walkie talkie nearby and would get the initial transmit but nothing more. I did try another mike and got the same result. The relay clicks when the mike is keyed and clicks back when I unkey the mike.
Could this be an issue with the finals or perhaps the relay?

Without seeing the schematic, it's hard to tell but one possibility is that the radio has an SWR sensing circuit that's either sensing high SWR because of an antenna problem, or a malfunction in this particular circuit itself. Your relay sounds like it's doing what it's supposed to. If your finals were bad, the meter wouldn't move all the way to the right even for a split second.
 

press1280

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Oddly I tried again the other day and now AM seems to work. Does anyone have SAMS #158? Trying to figure out what all the RVs control. On CB tricks there is an RV 305 listed for AM modulation but I've looked up and down at the schematic (also on CB tricks) and it's not there OR on the radio that I can find.
 

krokus

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Contact cleaner for switches. Burnishing tool for relay contacts. Control cleaner for the pots.

As already mentioned, electrolytic caps are going to be dry, most likely.
 

slowmover

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Contact cleaner for switches. Burnishing tool for relay contacts. Control cleaner for the pots.

As already mentioned, electrolytic caps are going to be dry, most likely.


Recommendations on those supply items?

CAIG De-Oxit is a new favorite of mine, but I wouldn’t categorize other items I have as being electronics-suited.

Thx

.
 

krokus

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Recommendations on those supply items?

CAIG De-Oxit is a new favorite of mine, but I wouldn’t categorize other items I have as being electronics-suited.

DigiKey is a good source. They carry a variety of Caig products. I did not see a burnishing tool on there, but some contact cleaner could work. A dollar bill can be used, too.
 

press1280

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Thanks, I will take the advice and replace the caps. I see several large assortments on Amazon that covers all the caps I need for this rig. Are these typically OK or are there certain caps I should avoid?
Also, maybe a dumb question but does "modulation" refer to transmit, receive, or both?
 

press1280

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One other question, how often do crystals go bad?
I have another same unit, and channels 1-4 and 8,12,16,20, and 23 seem to be dead. I looked up and found this corresponds exactly to the 23.330 and 14.947 crystals.
 

krokus

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Thanks, I will take the advice and replace the caps. I see several large assortments on Amazon that covers all the caps I need for this rig. Are these typically OK or are there certain caps I should avoid?
Also, maybe a dumb question but does "modulation" refer to transmit, receive, or both?
Technically, the modulation would be for transmit, and demodulation would be for receive. Most CBers only worry about the transmit side, as that makes their signal "louder" but can be overdone, to the point of distortion.

I have no idea if the caps on Amazon are any good. Do you have a link to the specific option you are considering?
 

krokus

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WB9YBM

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As already mentioned, electrolytic caps are going to be dry, most likely.

Well, it's a possibility I guess...maybe, kinda, sorta...but on the other hand I've got a transceiver built in the mid 1970s that works fine, all original caps (as far as I can tell everything's still within spec). So...did I get lucky? Or is someone running the "Doom and Gloom" scenario up the flagpole further than we need to? (Or a bit of both?) :unsure:
 

press1280

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What would be the tell tale signs the caps are bad (other than visible damage/leakage)?
 

cmdrwill

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AKA bad antenna..... Or antenna that is the wrong frquency 'band'.
 
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