Do you fix your own rigs?

[wa9cwx]

As much as I think it would be cool to dig into my FT1000D when it has been bad, I have simply taken it in to AES and cried.

I HAVE repaired SOME of my tube gear, and aligned SOME of the simple things in solid state gear.

But for the MOST part, my radios and I are strangers today, at least as far as our inner secrets go.....

[W0LPQ]

Tube stuff yes, solid state no. Except for the 2M rigs that I built.

Bill, WØLPQ

[kf6rdn]

If my fat fingers fit in it, I'll give it a shot.

[ae1x]

I've worked on all of the radios that I have purchased at one time or another. My most recent projects have been:

Clegg FM-DX, replaced LM380, all displays, and the meter lamp.
Kenwood PS-30, replaced filter resistor that had increased in value.
Rebuilt a RM-20, replaced the final transistor, a 2N7000 switching MOSFET, a 4.7v zener diode, and a trace on the PCB that was blown away.
MFJ-259 analyzer, replaced the LM324 op-amp, and the 7805 regulator.
HA-800B receiver, recalibrated the receiver dial and replaced the scale illumination lamps.

Of course, I have an extensive background in electronics, more than most amateurs these days.

Ken

[KE5FRF]

I would not be scared at all to dig into a rig, solid state, tube, whatever, as long as it is through whole construction, not SMD, and as long as I had a detailed schematic. Unfortunately, I don't own a scope, but I have two at work.. an old Tektronics CRT and a Fluke digital handheld scope, so I would probably take a fried rig to work with a dummy load. Fortunately, 90% or more electronics FAILURES are common sense to fix (in as much as we all know HEAT is usually the enemy of electronics, so high current or power devices with large heatsink requirements are usually to blame)

An OPEN in a circuit will invariably cause full supply voltages to be read across the failed circuit with respect to ground, until you come to or near the failed culprit. This is because full supply voltage drops across infinite resistances (opens) On the other hand, a SHORT will be tougher to trace, but often it is loading devices that short a circuit out, and by disconnecting (smartly) devices until the fuse quits blowing, you can have luck pinpointing a failure. Power supply problems with excessive AC ripple are invariably due to faulty electrolytics, so it is often wise to simply replace all the major electrolytics when a high ESR is suspected especially in old radios. The other problem that is SO common is SIMPLE DIRTY connections or cracked trace or solder joints. Another easy fix.

I LOVE troubleshooting electronics, especially the more challenging ones. And I am far from being great at it, because sometimes my knowledge base isn't broad enough, but by following these FEW techniques, the vast majority of common problems can be isolated!

[w8cbc]

Both, for me.

---tube---

Apache - aligned and adjusted. I still have to neutralise the finals as it drifts around when above 40 metres.

Lafayette HE-45b (six-metre AM rig, subsequently given away) - power supply caps and extensive clean-up.

Collins R392 - Aligned it when it was given to me ten years ago. I've fixed a few things in it along the way such as preselector coils burned by a leaky T/R switch. The thing is something of a btch to work on.

I've rebuilt and restored lots of receive-only tube gear. The pride and joy is a 1934 RCA model 125. It was a basket case when I got it. Now it's the main SW programme listener. Another "keeper" is a 1947 Westinghouse H-113. That one needed a fair amount of work, especially in its FM section. I redesigned the output and B+ circuits to use 6L6s instead of 6Y6s (which were arcing anyway - Whouse ran 'em pretty hot in this design).

---solid state---

Yaesu CPU-2500R (2-metre FM mobile rig, subsequently given away) - cleaned up and de-modified - the P.O. had used it for packet.

IC-751A - Aligned when I got it (BFOs had drifted). VCO3 trimmer cap shorted while I was on holiday /VE3. I had a ceramic with which to replace it. I added a Willco memory board to make it tune 10-31000 kc and give it 1024 memories; that required some minor wiring for bank-switching.

IC-551D - Bad solder joint in the finals' bias string, diagnosed and fixed. Found an intermittent in the PLL section - it's been working since I wiggled a few things in there, I really should go back in and fix it properly. Aligned as best I could. It all works but there's more to do as there's been a fair bit of component drift.

IC-R7000 - rebuilt two from a crate of semibusted parts - I wrote a review about that exercise. I got one performing to spec, the other a fair ways beyond it. Added a custom stereo board to that one and modified the scanning rate.

TS-440S/AT - I've had it apart to figure out why the VCOs unlock when the humidity is high. I figured it out and decided to try and keep it dry. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

---

I've always had to make do and the habit has remained.

For something "modern" like a FT-9000 I might hesitate some before diving in. I'd definitely get the service manual. I have 'em for the ICOMs and the Kenwood. Indispensable.

[WA9SVD]

They make those "surface mount" vacuum tubes so darn small these days...

It's not easy without specialized soldering equipment, and a GOOD quality "dissecting" microscope; 10-40X magnification. (That'll set you back almost as much as an HF rig.) And it's difficult to get some parts, such as microprocessors, and proprietary multifunction IC's. Nowadaze (sic), you need digital circuit tracing abilities and test equipment. Not everyone can afford the test equipment necessary. It's not as easy as the old days, when you could get by with a VOM, an oscilloscope, a signal generator, and if you could afford it, a 10 MHz frequency counter...

I'll tackle anything, but if it includes surface mount components, I'd probably leave it to someone with the proper test and soldering equipment. As important to repairing your own equipment is recognizing the limitations of your ability, and not creating more damage by to exceeding those limitations.

[K9STH]

Fix my own as well as rigs for others.

Glen, K9STH

[w8cbc]

wa9snd: Quote[/b] ]...and not creating more damage by to exceeding those limitations.

I've done that lots of times. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif That's how I learn, and push back those limitations. I won't let something go until I've got it right - especially if I broke it to begin with!

[k4lem]

Can be done, but suggest you know what your doing before you begin. Get a copy of the rig's service manual and hopefully have the appropriate test equipment. I find a DMM, simple as it is most valuable.

That said, I have a dead FT990 that was working great. The unit powers on to level of S meter, but no apparent Rx, TX or display. I assume without proof,

1. microprocessor is not powered up perhaps regulator gone.

This rig is a pain because although a great design, Yaseu gave up support for it years ago.
This you know happens with your PC also. I think much more than two years old, you're on your own. No Tech support.

But, anybody want a FT990 to get working? Make me an offer. I have decided I will work on it as I have time and keep as a spare. I conclude, the trouble is MINOR and a good tech could fix easily. (notice I have not done so yet) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[AG3Y]

I definately could never return to my last job before my accident, in which I hand-built prototypes using SMT down to .0402 size components.

However, I still have a rig or two around using through-hole technology, and if it came to it, I would try to do the repair work myself. Certainly not as easy as when I had feeling in both hands, but worth the try.

I would not advise anyone to work on small SMT ( .0603 or smaller ) unless they had the microscopes and ultra fine tipped soldering equipment mentioned above. A hot plate, some micro-ball solder and ultra-fine tweezers etc. would also be very adviseable.

Just my thoughts based on several years of work experience on those little grains of salt and pepper otherwise known as "components" !

73, Jim

[w8cbc]

Hey 'lem - didn't we discuss that thing whilst I was operating /VE3?

I'd suspect the same things you do - no DC supply to the processor board. What the hey, it can't hurt to measure it.

[KF0RT]

I'll dig into anything. Whether or not the soldering iron sees any use depends on the perceived risk. Unless it's one of those surface mount IC's that has 80 pins in an inch, surface mount isn't too bad.

73, Rob

[WA2ZDY]

I have always maintained my own stuff. And I still have the service manuals for all my Motorola stuff. But now the eyes have aged and I have the shakes so those factors will limit me.

I'll also be smart enough to know my limitations when the time comes that my TS480 needs surgery. For that, once I rule out the obvious, I suspect Kenwood will be on the lookout for a box with my home address in the upper left corner.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (kd8bsr @ May 11 2006,18:06)]wa9snd: Quote[/b] ]...and not creating more damage by to exceeding those limitations.

I've done that lots of times. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif That's how I learn, and push back those limitations. I won't let something go until I've got it right - especially if I broke it to begin with!
There are SOME limitations we can't overcome. If you don't have the proper tools; e.g., it would be foolish to try to work on surface mount circuits if all you have is a 100 Watt soldering gun. That's a limitation that can be overcome. But if you don't have the eyesight or steady hands, for whatever reason, it's better to realize that limitation.

(BTW, I once [ca. 1973] built a digital clock, all 15 SSI integrated curcuits of it, with a 100 Watt soldering gun. Now I know better; I know the limitation of my equipment, the damage it can inflict if used improperly, and my own capabilities. And I've gotten a nice soldering pencil in the mean time.)

[ve2nsm]

Quote[/b] (K9STH @ May 11 2006,21:02)]Fix my own as well as rigs for others.

Glen, K9STH
Same here.

[wb7dmx]

I been repairing ham equipment for over 50 years, not enough room here to list all of them.
smt is a bit more of a challange but does not stop me, just slows me down a bit.

the last one I fixed was a mfj 969 antena tunner that took a lighting hit, got it for free so it was worth fixing, cost twenty five bucks for a new tuning condenser plus some small parts..

[W5HTW]

I've been into my Icom 706 a few times with good success. However, this last time after figuring out where the problem lay, I decided that was for someone with much better eyes and steadier hands than I. So I sent it to a friend, and he did the job. My motto? "SMT is not for me."

On the other hand, have owned literally dozens of tube type rigs and perhaps a dozen transistor type rigs. Never was afraid of any of them. Also did HF radio servicing for the government, and BC transmitter and studio equipment for BC stations. Have been inside gobs of rigs, from 20 watt to 50KW.

But SMT? Not for me!

Ed

[W4HAY]

Tube and early transistor/IC stuff is a pleasure to work on, especially w/ point-to-point wiring. The ol' eyes, like the ol' grey mare, ain't what they usta be

I just got an IC-746PRO and the 4 pages of cover-the-desk-top schematics scared the Hell outta me!

[N8CPA]

The last time I worked on my IC-735, I replaced the power switch. I won't put my claws any deeper into it.

The wife will not allow me to install repair machinery for the newer stuff and Fuji doesn't make parts inserters or solder waves small enough for my basement.

[ka0gkt]

Hmmmm...

McMartin BF3.5K, BF-5K, BF-25K, AM1.

Harris MW1A, MW-25, MW-50 TV30L, FM5

Nautel J-1000, ND-5

RCA FMT-25, TVT-30

Axcera Visionary, Axcera Innovator.

...Oh...You meant AMATEUR gear http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

73 DE KAØGKT/7

--Steve

[k8pg]

K4LEM,the MICROPROCESSOR NEEDS TO HAVE A FORCED RESIT ON THE 990,THATS THE ONLY PROBLEM,FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN DO THIS,BUT" REALLY KNOWS" WHAT THEY ARE DOING OR YOUR RIG WILL BE JUNK,THAT PROCESSOR IS NO LONGER MADE OR AVAILABLE:( I REPAIR ALL MY OWN GEAR:) BUT I HAVE
$ 30.000.00 IN TEST EQPT,SMT IS A BEAR:p http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif I HAVE 3 -990s ALL HAVE THE RCVR DIODE MODS ALSO:)
DE-K8PG-PAUL:p CW LIVES