tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post3992443009390222105..comments2024-03-26T20:17:30.126-07:00Comments on Every Blade of Grass: Why Do My Projects Always Expand?drjimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-71355178599630778022013-09-29T09:23:01.868-07:002013-09-29T09:23:01.868-07:00Typically, you'd pay about $75~$100 to have so...Typically, you'd pay about $75~$100 to have somebody go through a radio like this and do a cleaning and alignment.<br /><br />I don't think Yaesu services these anymore, so you'd have to find an independent repair shop (like me!) to do the work.<br /><br />If it were a Kenwood radio, I'd tell you to send it to Clif at AVVID in Texas. He does outstanding work @$50/hr.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-34896172387542735692013-09-28T23:57:52.267-07:002013-09-28T23:57:52.267-07:00For the want of a nail the kingdom was lost?!?
I&...For the want of a nail the kingdom was lost?!?<br /><br />I'm sure glad you know what you're doing, because I'd be hiring it all out myself.....Jeffrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06873138122305060834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-56160843932556668392013-09-28T21:29:53.196-07:002013-09-28T21:29:53.196-07:00Stephen, I've been doing stuff like this since...Stephen, I've been doing stuff like this since I was 10 years old, so in 50+ years of experience, you tend to pick up a lot of knowledge.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-77650246866434641622013-09-28T21:28:29.014-07:002013-09-28T21:28:29.014-07:00HAH!
The new lamp was about $60, and the RF probe...HAH!<br /><br />The new lamp was about $60, and the RF probe was around $40, so tack on another hundred bucks, and you're close.<br /><br />BUT, I consider these tools, and they cost will be amortized out over all the other things I'll be working on.....;-)drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-34508007657853150002013-09-28T21:25:58.835-07:002013-09-28T21:25:58.835-07:00At 0330 the status is that I had to resolder ALL o...At 0330 the status is that I had to resolder ALL of the connections on the two small circuit boards in it.<br /><br />The point-to-point wiring and soldering is very nice, so I'm guessing whoever originally built this kit had some experience.<br /><br />Most of the solder connections on the board suffered from too much solder, and not enough heat. As I was removing a couple of components that get changed, I noticed some of the connections were loose on the foil side of the board! They had a pretty, shiny solder connection to the lead coming through the board, but the solder had not properly flowed out onto the foil, indicating a lack of heat to get the foil hot enough to allow the solder to flow on to it.<br /><br />I used solder wick to remove the solder, and then resoldered all the connections.<br /><br />The flux in the solder wick is pretty aggressive, so the new solder (Kester "44" 60/40) flowed out very nicely.<br /><br />All the components in the modification have been changed, and a couple of doubtful electrolytic capacitors were also swapped out. Now I'm adding the meter buffer circuit to it. It's a little board that mounts on the studs coming out of the meter, and provides a buffer between the sine wave generator circuit, and the rectifiers that provide the DC to drive the meter. Without the buffer, the rectifiers hanging on the meter act like mixer diodes, and generate spurs that ride along on the sine wave output to the front panel. Heathkit corrected most of the circuit defects over the years, but never did anything about this particular one.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-50078705265601386012013-09-28T21:16:36.988-07:002013-09-28T21:16:36.988-07:00If I was in the surplus equipment business, I'...If I was in the surplus equipment business, I'd be all over the GSA auctions.<br /><br />However, I'm not, so while I look at them once in a while, I have no intention of bidding.<br /><br />I can just see myself getting stuck with a pallet full of dead oscilloscopes, like a friend of mine did.<br /><br />He sure go a good price, though.....drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-84843683739085511342013-09-28T19:55:05.457-07:002013-09-28T19:55:05.457-07:00My head just went, POP. You are too good. Wish I h...My head just went, POP. You are too good. Wish I had a tenth of your tech knowledge. Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09752401490789789451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-53856961871774608272013-09-28T19:50:18.825-07:002013-09-28T19:50:18.825-07:00So far I count $130 to get your $25 radio tweaked ...So far I count $130 to get your $25 radio tweaked and in spec? Not including the RF probe and the ring light/magnifier? <br /><br />Sounds about right, really. <br /><br />SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-14868977591560051942013-09-28T19:22:52.764-07:002013-09-28T19:22:52.764-07:00So at 0300 the status is??? :-)So at 0300 the status is??? :-)Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-70872634131796433592013-09-28T19:22:49.165-07:002013-09-28T19:22:49.165-07:00So at 0300 the status is??? :-)So at 0300 the status is??? :-)Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-27187754790909135792013-09-28T19:04:28.389-07:002013-09-28T19:04:28.389-07:00Do you check the gsa auction site? The "Elec...Do you check the gsa auction site? The "Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Components" tab usually has some neat stuff that goes for decent prices. Got to know what the stuff is worth before bidding as I have seen some equipment go for more than some dealers will sell new stock . One bad thing about the gsa sales is that they do not ship, so you have to figure travel into your bid.jon spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10886632644249920124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-34914773686245729242013-09-28T16:58:11.810-07:002013-09-28T16:58:11.810-07:00Well, I guess it helps that I know what I'm do...Well, I guess it helps that I know what I'm doing.<br /><br />Several years ago I came *this close* to buying what's called a "Service Monitor", which is a fancy box with certain instruments in it built specifically for this kind of use, but I was out at-sea for work, and even though I told my "friend" to hold it for me, he sold it before I got back.<br /><br />The main thing we lose when we don't have what we need on-hand is time, and that's the really frustrating part.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901205574058136834.post-58714079826736669192013-09-28T16:50:19.963-07:002013-09-28T16:50:19.963-07:00BTDT, and it's frustrating. I'm encouraged...BTDT, and it's frustrating. I'm encouraged by how easily you're able to come up with what you need, though. But isn't that the way projects go? At least, MINE always do that...Rev. Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04588179227576383679noreply@blogger.com