Cobra 148 GTL lower DK?

[Shadow]

Hey guys, does anyone know if there is a way to lower the dead-key on these PC-412 GTLs without compromising the peak output? It's bad enough that they only put out 20w max on AM so I'd like to preserve as much of that as possible.

The radio already has a freq. expansion board and an unlocked clarifier from the previous owner and these are the mods I have done to it so far:

Turned VR7 all the way up and the modulation is at 80%, Turned up VR10 & VR11, and adjusted L38 for max output (which is almost all the way out)

AM dead-key @ 8w, PEP @ 20w

SSB PEP @ 25w

[Rick]

You should never adjust L38 as in is the 54 MHz trap. It may look like you are getting more power but you are putting out more spurious emission, which only lead to trouble.

[Shadow]

Actually L38 was already adjusted when I got the radio, the wax had been removed. Is there any way I can put it back to where it's supposed to be?

[Rick]

You need to get it setup at a workshop that has a Spectrum Analyzer.

Tune any PA stage, should always be done with the Spectrum Analyzer.
There all too many people, which just tune in to a power meter with a dummy load and this look very impressive, but all you are doing is fooling you self.