I did some fine tuning, and john AD5YE is right. But most importantly I monitored the current on PA Vin. After setting bias to read 100mA, I increased counter clockwise R136 until my meter showed just over an AMP with a not too loud hello like the instructions says. But the instructions don't tell you to adjust R136. My amp meter was working and showing the expected readings just like it was supposed to. The audio is now plenty loud and clear like you would expect to hear from a regular radio. At least I know my meter does work right after all.
I think this is where I should have started at the very beginning. And I recommend someone with low power output, and low amp meter readings try this adjustment before re-building the board. Jerry might have been right about people pulling off?perfectly good BAT54 dual diodes. But mine only worked on one side after removing it. And board's got that leaky RF thing Mr.Farhan talks about in the what's new about this Bitx 40 article, and why he changed it. And the biggest birdie on 7.200 I have ever heard. I'll be looking into a proper replacement part for it.?
I would really like to hear from someone else about RV1 and R136 adjustments for optimum signal strength. You definitely?will need a bigger heatsink when you do this. But it shouldn't get crazy hot if you adjust it to the recommended settings of 100mA no audio, 1AMP with a long aaahhh.
