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Uniden PC66 giving me fits

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Kevin83165, Jan 21, 2012.

  1. Jan 21, 2012 #1
    Kevin83165

    Kevin83165 Light Load Member

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    Nov 24, 2011
    Herrin Illinois
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    I have a PC66 that I bought used from a CB shop back in the mid 90's. It already had the roger beep and echo built in there is a dial coming out the top to adjust it.

    I quit driving for almost 15 years and this radio has sat a long time. It has also been bounced around a lot moving and it even rode behind my pickup seat for awhile so I am surprised it even comes on still. Another sin,,,,, before I read up on radios in this forum and elsewhere I bought a cheap antenna from a truckstop less than $20, and it has not been tuned either.

    Surprisingly the radio comes on still and I can hear other people just fine but when I transmit I see the orange TX light come on but I can no longer hear myself like I used to, and none answers a radio check so I am sure its not transmitting. I am just wondering if anyone had any simple advice before I give up on it that I can try. I know I need a better antenna but would that stop me from hearing myself?
     
    Kevin83165, Jan 21, 2012
    Kevin83165, Jan 21, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jan 21, 2012 #2
    Mad Dog 20/20

    Mad Dog 20/20 Heavy Load Member

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    Could as simple as a loose/broken wire on the mic/mic connector.
     
    Mad Dog 20/20, Jan 21, 2012
    Mad Dog 20/20, Jan 21, 2012
    #2
  4. Jan 21, 2012 #3
    Kevin83165

    Kevin83165 Light Load Member

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    Nov 24, 2011
    Herrin Illinois
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    I never even stopped to think it might be the mic, ill see if anyone around me has another one I can try
     
    Kevin83165, Jan 21, 2012
    Kevin83165, Jan 21, 2012
    #3
  5. Jan 21, 2012 #4
    SkyHawkTexas

    SkyHawkTexas Bobtail Member

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    Jan 15, 2012
    Galveston, Tx
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    Ok got them numbered and how it could be. Like the post before me... check the mic and I hope this is the problem. If not

    You need to get a swr/power meter. See if you have output. If you do continue on and set your swr..... If you see only a dead key power output but no forward modulation power output.... This could mean several things...

    If you find you have power output and forward modulation... high swr's then they are not answering you because most of your power will be coming back to your radio.

    If you find you have just a deadkey wattage but no forward modulation wattage.... Then you have a bunch to check

    1 your echoboard may have became disconnected from audio chain from being bounced around in the p/u behind your seat. You will have to check the wiring to see if they have came loose and disconnected.

    2 you could have dirt inside your potentiometers (Mike gain, volume etc etc etc) A good clue if they are dirty will be the volume when you are turning it up will sound scratchy. (Easy fix) Go get some contact cleaner and spray it inside your potentiometers.. working the knob back and forth while spraying it in them.... DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE DISCONNECTED THE RADIO FROM POWER>>SO YOU DO NOT SHORT OUT ANYTHING ON THE BOARD. BE SURE THAT IT HAS DRIED UP BEFORE CONNECTING POWER BACK UP TO PREVENT THIS

    3 you could have a cold solder/trace somewhere along your audio chain... (Not so easy fix! You will have to be patient and good with a gun... soldering gun that is... even though I have found at times being handy with a real gun to shoot the radio can become handy also.)
    You will have to look at all solders joints on bottom of radio. See if you can spot any that have became desoldered. You can check to traces and solders by taking the insulated side of a screwdriver (handle) and apply a small amount of pressure on to the board while watching the powermeter to see if you notice any difference... Usually when you find the problem... You will see the difference on power output from what it was before... Also note you must be talking into the microphone while doing this....

    Good luck to you on this... And shame on you for letting that 66 sit for so many years not talking....
     
    SkyHawkTexas, Jan 21, 2012
    SkyHawkTexas, Jan 21, 2012
    #4
    Kevin83165 Thanks this.
  7. Jan 21, 2012 #5
    Kevin83165

    Kevin83165 Light Load Member

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    Nov 24, 2011
    Herrin Illinois
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    Oh, one more thing I forgot to post. I know that were not supposed to go by the built in SWF meters but the one in my radio is max and stays maxed if this is any indication of anything. Some times it goes to about 3/4 but its most of the time on max
     
    Kevin83165, Jan 21, 2012
    Kevin83165, Jan 21, 2012
    #5
  8. Jan 22, 2012 #6
    Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

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    LOL....yep, when you get out of trucking, you can always take your old CB radios, hook them to an ac/dc power supply (or battery), make a simple dipole for next to nothing, and make a base station out of it. For not much money or time.

    A Uniden PC66 that was my first real CB. Here's a pic of it:
     

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    Turbo-T, Jan 22, 2012
    Turbo-T, Jan 22, 2012
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