Hi Jeff, et al--
My PTO's have virtually no backlash, which is what you are describing. I
respectfully suggest that you get the rebuild kit and do the job again,
unless the problem is just that your main tuning knob's setscrew is not
tight.
Also make sure that you have tightened down the plastic spring holder on the
outside rear of the PTO. If its screws are loose, it will not apply
sufficient pressure to force the bearings against the bearing race.
Answering your questions, the bearing race can become scored where the
bearings rub it, if the grease has given up the ghost. The holes in the
outer shaft tube can also become worn, I would think, and either of these
problems could cause backlash. In general, smooth is good with all those
parts.
Since you have done the job once, it will be much easier next time.
Luck and 73 from Mike N4NT@wireco.net
----- Original Message -----
From: JEFF S JOHNSON <aa8ve@juno.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, November 12, 1999 8:32 AM
Subject: [TenTec] Care and feeding of your PTO.
>
> Hello all,
>
> Having never used a new Ten-Tec with PTO tuning I'm not sure what one is
> meant to feel like. The one I have is was slipping a bit when cold so I
> cleaned it and re greased. I noticed on the inner tuning shaft, the
> race for the reducing bearings looked a bit too smooth like it had some
> wear.
>
> After putting it all back together everything seems to run nice and
> smooth it holds frequency well and the shaft does not slip. However I do
> notice at times it is difficult to zero in on a SSB signal, there is a
> very slight amount of back and forth play in the main tuning knob that I
> notice when fine tuning. If I hold the dial skirt and rock the tuning
> dial back and forth there is some play in it, I'd say it's about equal to
> 1/2 of a grad on the dial skirt. I'm thinking this may be due to the wear
> in that shaft not allowing the bearings to seat tight. Just wonder if
> this could be fixed with a rebuild kit or is it somewhat normal?
>
> It would be nice to know of an indicator such as this to know when to get
> a rebuild kit or just do the cleaning.
>
> So what say, everyone with a PTO. Here's the 25 dollar question. How
> much play is there at the outer edge of the main knob when you hold the
> dial skirt steady and lightly roll the main tuning knob back and forth?
> More or less than one 1Kc grad or none at all?
>
> This is really no bother to me but it may give me a good reason to work
> on the rig again.
>
> 73 and Thank you, Jeff aa8ve The worlds biggest TEN*TEC fan!
>
>
> On Thu, 11 Nov 1999 22:35:54 -0500 "Michael O. Hyder" <N4NT@wireco.net>
> writes:
>
> You will be able to tell if it is a problem
> > when
> > you tune in a CW signal and it warbles around the frequency. Then
> > if the
> > PTO is used a long time after that, some parts in it can become
> > scored or
> > otherwise worn.
> >
> > A re-greasing will fix the problem unless the parts are worn.
--
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