TS-570D Receiver drop's out ( RF gain Control problem.)

[N4AEP]

Can't seem to win for losing, This radio is gonna drive me nuts!. Anyway on to the problem, I was browsing the bands as normal yesterday, and all of a sudden, the receive dropped out on the radio. After some trial and error, I found that with the RF gain turned to 10, the receiver would drop out. When I turned it back to 5/6 it would come back in, and stay in up to about 8/9, then drop out again. I left it at 10 for a while and scrolled through 20,40,and 80 and every once in a while the rx would come in, but drop right out again. I have been using the radio since with the rf gain set at about 8.5, and it seems to be fine, but I'm afraid that this could be an early stage sign of some type of major failure. A little research has shown similar issues but they all seem to refer to issues with the ATU unit. I do not seem have an issue with the ATU, as this problem does not go away by pushing the tuner button as suggested, and when taking the atu out of the circuit, there is no change.
My OCD related to radio's seems to be taking hold, and my frustration with some type of problem weekly with this radio is starting to try my patience. So has anyone experienced this issue and know if the fix is worth the cost, or should I just cut my loss, sell the radio, put the money with what I have saved for an amp, and make the trek to Huntsville in a few weeks and just buy a NEW in warranty radio?

[KA1MDA]

Can you turn the AGC off? On a TS-2000 its [FUNC] [AGC]. If possible, try turning the AGC off and see how the radio reacts to the RF gain settings. It's a long shot (and a shot in the dark), but the symptom sounds like it could possibly be a leaking coupling cap breaking down above a certain level, possibly in the AGC loop.

[KA5IPF]

Where is the squelch control set?

[N4AEP]

Squelch control was set at 0, and still had the problem. I did adjust the control which feels a little "sticky" in the 0-2 range but that seems to have fixed the issue for now. I'll continue to watch it over the next little while. I'm not sure if the squelch control is a potentiometer, but I think I could replace it if it continues to stick.
Thanks for the help, Maybe now I'll get to follow through with an amp purchase!

[KA5IPF]

Play with it and you will find that you can set the squelch and turn the RF Gain down and the squelch will open. Adjust the squelch and turn down the gain. It keeps repeating. Dirty squelch pot. PN R31-0615-15. Shows to still be available.

[KE3WD]

Can't seem to win for losing, This radio is gonna drive me nuts!. Anyway on to the problem, I was browsing the bands as normal yesterday, and all of a sudden, the receive dropped out on the radio. After some trial and error, I found that with the RF gain turned to 10, the receiver would drop out. When I turned it back to 5/6 it would come back in, and stay in up to about 8/9, then drop out again. I left it at 10 for a while and scrolled through 20,40,and 80 and every once in a while the rx would come in, but drop right out again. I have been using the radio since with the rf gain set at about 8.5, and it seems to be fine, but I'm afraid that this could be an early stage sign of some type of major failure. A little research has shown similar issues but they all seem to refer to issues with the ATU unit. I do not seem have an issue with the ATU, as this problem does not go away by pushing the tuner button as suggested, and when taking the atu out of the circuit, there is no change.
My OCD related to radio's seems to be taking hold, and my frustration with some type of problem weekly with this radio is starting to try my patience. So has anyone experienced this issue and know if the fix is worth the cost, or should I just cut my loss, sell the radio, put the money with what I have saved for an amp, and make the trek to Huntsville in a few weeks and just buy a NEW in warranty radio?

Obtain a spray can of DEOXIT, attach the little straw to the can and open up the rig, find the back of the controls such as RF, SQ, VOL, and shoot a wee spritz of the stuff into each pot a the slot near the three legs. Rotate each control fully from pin to pin ten or twenty times while the stuff is still wet.

Cleaned and lubed controls often restore not only proper operation, but can put things back into calibration as well, without resoring to the Golden Screwdriver. Clean all switches and rotary switches too while you are in there, don't overspray and don't put any spray into any Main AC power switch at all.


73

[WA9SVD]

Where is the squelch control set?

that was my first thought. The Squelch control should be all the way "COUNTERCLOCKWISE" (minimum) for HF operation. I have the TS-570S(G) (basically, a fraternal twin of the TS-570D) and never experienced the described problem. Our club TS-570 has never had the problem, either.

It's easy to overlook the squelch control, or accidentally move it to cause the problem here.