FiveFilter
Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2016
- Messages
- 308
I just tested my three relatively new, unmodified compact CBs with a newly acquired Workman 3-P (read: cheap) watt meter and got the following results using a 50 ohm dummy load and powered at about 14vdc from my running truck:
Uniden 520XL = 1.80 watts
Cobra 19 DX IV = 2.90 watts
Midland 1001z = 2.20 watts
ASSuming the watt meter is accurate, it shows the factory settings are well below the nominal 4-watt legal limit. I'm OK with that, and I doubt getting them up to the full 4 watts would make a practical difference. I use the radios only for highway travel to get and give local traffic and road conditions. I've been happy with these radios and the three-to-five foot magnetic antennas I use with them. I remove the radios and antennas when not on the road, so this type of compact and mobile equipment is exactly what I need.
My question: Is there a case to be made for getting the CBs into a shop to achieve the 4 watt limit they were designed for? I.E., will the radios perform noticeably better with that extra watt or two, or is the benefit just theoretical?
One curious thing: I'm told the watts should go up by a factor of about four when a high-pitch screech or whistle is introduced into the microphone with the key down. When I try it with all three radios, if anything the watts go down by a decimal point or two rather than rising significantly. Any idea about what I am doing wrong with my testing for the modulation swing factor?
I will note that I want the radios to sound good rather than loud, so I don't want any "clipping" of modulation limiters or whatever Golden Screwdrivers do. I am not into the whole DXing, loud-and-proud, farting, echoing, Roger-beeping, Tarzan-screaming thing. I just want decent communications about local highway matters via simple, mobile equipment.
Again, I've been happy with what I got in terms of subjective performance. Should I be, in view of my more objective watt meter results?
Uniden 520XL = 1.80 watts
Cobra 19 DX IV = 2.90 watts
Midland 1001z = 2.20 watts
ASSuming the watt meter is accurate, it shows the factory settings are well below the nominal 4-watt legal limit. I'm OK with that, and I doubt getting them up to the full 4 watts would make a practical difference. I use the radios only for highway travel to get and give local traffic and road conditions. I've been happy with these radios and the three-to-five foot magnetic antennas I use with them. I remove the radios and antennas when not on the road, so this type of compact and mobile equipment is exactly what I need.
My question: Is there a case to be made for getting the CBs into a shop to achieve the 4 watt limit they were designed for? I.E., will the radios perform noticeably better with that extra watt or two, or is the benefit just theoretical?
One curious thing: I'm told the watts should go up by a factor of about four when a high-pitch screech or whistle is introduced into the microphone with the key down. When I try it with all three radios, if anything the watts go down by a decimal point or two rather than rising significantly. Any idea about what I am doing wrong with my testing for the modulation swing factor?
I will note that I want the radios to sound good rather than loud, so I don't want any "clipping" of modulation limiters or whatever Golden Screwdrivers do. I am not into the whole DXing, loud-and-proud, farting, echoing, Roger-beeping, Tarzan-screaming thing. I just want decent communications about local highway matters via simple, mobile equipment.
Again, I've been happy with what I got in terms of subjective performance. Should I be, in view of my more objective watt meter results?