Navaho TRC-431 output power issues

[lowlytech]

I have a TRC-431 when hooked to my MFJ 874 meter that shows about 0.5 watts of output. First I recapped every Electrolytic and replaced the 3 or so tantalum caps without a change. Thinking that something was wrong with the finals, I replaced the NEC C1909 and still had the low output. I then replaced the NEC C1957 and still low output on the MFJ874. I do notice that the on the air light never comes on when hooked to the output meter, but if I hook an antenna directly to the unit the on the air does light.

Wondering if anyone else has had an issue with the TRC-431 like this and maybe it just doesn't like the 874 meter. Thinking now that maybe nothing was wrong with the unit. I don't seem to have any CB activity in my area and can't really do just standard transmit tests to see if the unit really does work at the full 4 watts. I have another CB base station (TRC-434) that does measure a hair over 4 watts when hooked to the 874, so I know the meter does work to some degree.

Thanks..

[sonoma]

Do you have the equipment to do an alignment as the radio would need, this can help find what area is not working.

[lowlytech]

I don't have a service manual as well as having no experience doing an alignment on a radio. I do have an o-scope, freq. counter, signal generator, and a few other RF things but I wouldn't know what values were correct or what to adjust.

[sonoma]

go to cbtricks and look at the secret cb books. they have some tune up info for this radio. or at least do a google search it will bring up a lot of info for this radio to align the tX portion.

[sonoma]

this radio shows to be in the Sams cb237 book if you can find one or if some one has one here and would share the info. I have not seen one of these radios in about 20 years. I see there is some radios for sale on the auction site.

[MDYoungblood]

It is possible it is a power supply problem, if you can try hooking it to a external supply and see if the output is better. I can't remember the models that were having this problem back in the day.

3's

Greg

[lowlytech]

It is possible it is a power supply problem, if you can try hooking it to a external supply and see if the output is better. I can't remember the models that were having this problem back in the day.

3's

Greg

Will try to get a 12Volt supply wired up and see if it makes a difference. Due to work, it probably will be this coming weekend before I can attempt it.

Thanks..