I've had it with the JCPenney CB Radio

I've officially given up on the JCPenney Pinto SSB radio!

[@robertvance1873]

Sometimes you have to walk away from a project for awhile and come back to it another time.

[@RidgeHikerAdventures]

See my pinned comment. I’m now thinking nothing is wrong with the radio. 73s!

[@RidgeHikerAdventures]

I have thought about the lower wattage output and have reconsidered my initial reaction. I’m now thinking nothing is wrong and the decrease in wattage is the result of replacing a bad capacitor. Before the switch, AM was putting out around 5 watts and sideband around 15 watts. Now I’m a little over 3 watts on AM and around 8 or 9 watts on SSB. I had also noticed that my SWR ran a little higher on this radio. I have to get the mindset out of my head that more wattage equals more power. More than likely I was generating spurious emissions which would explain the higher SWR. The note on the radio said AM was set to 2 watts which also reinforces my suspicions. The suspect capacitor was also one of the highest rating caps on the board. I’ll check the radio out later this afternoon after work and see how it performs. I’ll have to readjust the AM and ACL pots after I’m done replacing the rest of the caps.

[@user-mc3ps5bh4h]

Your comment about the lower power seems likely to me. Three watts am and eight or nine ssb is about right for a radio ( of this time period) tuned to factory specs. You can probably open up the alc and get 12 or so watts (ssb) and still be clean. Getting frustrated at cb radios is common for me so join the crowd Just take a break and try again. If that doesn't work - there is always the handy man's best friend - the GARBAGE can... KR66

[@RidgeHikerAdventures]

@@user-mc3ps5bh4h I was able to adjust the ACL and get the power back up, but a new problem popped up. The receive and transmit frequency are no longer the same. I would never unlock the clarifier on any of my radios. I might try to set the clarifier back to factory if I can figure out how to undo the mod. I'm taking a break from it for now before it ends up in the circular file. Thanks for watching! 73s from 595, Lake Tahoe Nevada.

[@UDX4570PalmSprings-yh1mv]

By chance have you noticed any new solder joints made possibly by a previous owner???. The reason I ask is maybe someone in the past may have made upgrades to the radio by changing caps, and you come along and inadvertently reversed the process???.... IDK strange things happen sometimes, but don't let that discourage you, step away and start on a new project, like making a beam antenna or something?. Great video and thanks for sharing! UDX-4570 Palm Springs,CA 👋 🤠🎙⚡️

[@RidgeHikerAdventures]

Thanks for the suggestions, I've been thinking about removing the clarifier mod and returning it to stock. I don't really care about it being unlocked. I have the spare radio to look at to remove the modifications. Thanks for watching! 73s from 595 Lake Tahoe Nevada.

[@randyguay7115]

Hay dont give up on it that pinto is 10 times better han the 980 . I have 6 of these and they are great. I have just picked up 1 more that needs work. Yesthey are horrific to work on. But man when they work right . They are awesome

[@RidgeHikerAdventures]

I want to get this radio going again. It’s the best sounding radio I have. I’m not quite sure why changing a capacitor messed up the frequency. I’ll definitely have plans to get it running again. Thanks for watching! 73s from 595 Lake Tahoe Nevada.