• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Missing Key for 9100B AM Optimod

A

Art Sutton

Guest
A few months ago, I purchased a reburbished 9100B Optimod which we're going to use on a Gates Tube transmitter. I'm still in the camp that those 9100 units sound better on tube transmitters than the newer digital 9200 units.

We're missing the key which goes on the front door to the controls.

Any ideas of how I can find a replacement?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Art Sutton
Georgia-Carolina Radiocasting Group
Toccoa, GA
[email protected]
 
Art Sutton said:
A few months ago, I purchased a reburbished 9100B Optimod which we're going to use on a Gates Tube transmitter. I'm still in the camp that those 9100 units sound better on tube transmitters than the newer digital 9200 units.

We're missing the key which goes on the front door to the controls.

Any ideas of how I can find a replacement?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Art Sutton
Georgia-Carolina Radiocasting Group
Toccoa, GA
[email protected]
Click to expand...

Orban would have the key. Surprisingly, one key fits all. Seriously. :D If you happen to know anyone with an 8100A and some other similar Orban box, chances are that key would work just as well. I'm sure you can get a duplicate made using that key. In the meantime, the three Allen screws on the front panel are easy to use to open it up so you can get in and tweak the settings. This comes from personal experience. And yes, the analog processors really sound ba**sy on tube transmitters! IMHO: I find the digital processors sound great but the analog units have a more "warm" and "natural" sound. Good luck, Art!


Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts
 
Peter Q. George (K1XRB) said:
Art Sutton said:
A few months ago, I purchased a reburbished 9100B Optimod which we're going to use on a Gates Tube transmitter. I'm still in the camp that those 9100 units sound better on tube transmitters than the newer digital 9200 units.

We're missing the key which goes on the front door to the controls.

Any ideas of how I can find a replacement?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Art Sutton
Georgia-Carolina Radiocasting Group
Toccoa, GA
[email protected]
Click to expand...
IMHO: I find the digital processors sound great but the analog units have a more "warm" and "natural" sound. Good luck, Art!


Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts
Click to expand...


Another notch in the tree for analog!
 
I am not sure but if the 9100 is the unit I think it is you can take out 3 allen head screws in the front cover and get access to the controls. Try this if you cant find a key.
 
If all else fails, enlist the services of a locksmith, and then replace the lock.
 
I'm on vacation and do not have a key with me, but it's a standard key. If someone can post the number, any really good locksmith can replace it from stock. It's so standard that I once opened an airplane door with it during an ELT hunt for CAP!
 
Several of us used to dupe the Optimod door key, and sell the dupes to programmers for whatever the traffic would bear. The poster above is correct - three Allen screws and the front panel opens. Then simply take the striker off the back of the lock, and leave the door open.
 
The standard Motorola repeater key will also fit.... If you have any two-way radio friends try one of their keys. You might be supprised to see it works.

Good luck!
 
littlejohn said:
Several of us used to dupe the Optimod door key, and sell the dupes to programmers for whatever the traffic would bear. The poster above is correct - three Allen screws and the front panel opens. Then simply take the striker off the back of the lock, and leave the door open.
Click to expand...

Actually, using the allen screw method ensures even more security from curious hands. To get to the controls, they have to take the screws out...not an easy task for someone not technically inclined like a jock! I wouldn't take the striker off the lock.
 
kyscott said:
Actually, using the allen screw method ensures even more security from curious hands. To get to the controls, they have to take the screws out...not an easy task for someone not technically inclined like a jock! I wouldn't take the striker off the lock.
Click to expand...

Oh, I don't know about that. Some jocks are more so than others.
 
OKCRadioGuy said:
The standard Motorola repeater key will also fit.... If you have any two-way radio friends try one of their keys. You might be supprised to see it works.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

No the Motorola keys are 2135 or 2553 or one other which is the rare bird...the Optimod key is the BH754 iirc??? I have one on one of my many keychains along with the Motorola and other keys....same style (Chicago lock) but not same cut....(also there is the similar CH751 used in a LOT of items, Motorola old tube type outdoor cabinets and ROLM CBX telephone systems but it dont open the BH754 locks ;)
 
CW said:
OKCRadioGuy said:
The standard Motorola repeater key will also fit.... If you have any two-way radio friends try one of their keys. You might be supprised to see it works.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

No the Motorola keys are 2135 or 2553 or one other which is the rare bird...the Optimod key is the BH754 iirc??? I have one on one of my many keychains along with the Motorola and other keys....same style (Chicago lock) but not same cut....(also there is the similar CH751 used in a LOT of items, Motorola old tube type outdoor cabinets and ROLM CBX telephone systems but it dont open the BH754 locks ;)
Click to expand...

In this day and age, never assume keys will or will not open locks they aren't designed for. A station I worked for used to keep their CD's stored in an open office, inside a locked four door cabinet. The key for that cabinet could open another cabinet that was storing promotional items. But the key for the cabinet storing the promotional items, could not open the CD storage cabinet.

These cabinets were not ordered at the same time, either. They were bought about 6 years apart.
 
For what it's worth, my Motorola 2135 is somewhat worn down, but seems to open most of the Orban 8100/9100 locks...only one comes to mind that it would not open...had to take the allen screws off of that one.


--
Chris Hall
RF Specialties of GA/Reel Audio Broadcast Engineering
800-476-8943 (office)
229-228-4875 (fax)
229-403-9795 (cell)
[email protected]
www.rfspec.com
www.reelaudio.net
 
They seem to command a real good price from what I've seen as I have been trying to obtain a couple for some low-budget station operators and they usually exceed the budget for late model audio gear.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom