One cause of sticking meters (perhaps mainly of the modern
almost-all plastic kind) seems to be light-weight manufacturing debris
inside the meter. My 253 auto-atu developed a sticking fault after I
did some work that involved removing the front panel to get at the
memory chip. At first I thought I needed a new meter. The thought of the
cost, including airmail and taxes, not to mention transit damage,
provoked me into taking a closer look, and there it was, a tiny plastic
chunk between coil and magnet. There were more fragments loose inside
the case.
Eventually I was able to dislodge the plastic fragment. But its not easy
to do without causing damage .... A strip of thin, but stiff paper
sometimes works if you can get it into the gap and reach the offending
fragment. A bench magnifier or a good glass helps a lot, because its
essential not to foul up the pivots and/or return spring. Don't even
think about dismantling the meter completely, unless you are a watch
maker. Just get the case off, no more. Then put the meter back without
letting any more stray bits drop into the magnet gap.
I suspect this plastics fragment problem may explain why new gear can
arrive with an apparently dud, sticking meter. It maybe depends on how
many times it was inverted or dropped in transit.
Metal fragments in the magnet gap are an ancient problem. I hate them
because the lil' xxxxxxx keep flying back to the magnet. Once again a
paper strip and a lot of patience may work and save an otherwise OK
meter.
The other long time favourite is loose glass. Make sure the front glass
is firmly located against the bezel. I fixed one with two tiny dabs of
superglue, but keep the glue off the visible face, and off your fingers.
Definitely not for the timid ..... Poke around at your own risk, (but if
the meter ain't working, what have you to lose ??)
The author accepts no liability for the consequences of this advice,
especially if you use a chainsaw, vacuum cleaner or compressed air gun.
Maybe someone else has better ideas.
John G3JAG
On 22-Dec-99 R Baron wrote:
>
> Good question about the sticking meter Mike. I,ve noticed from time
> to time in
> this group references to sticky meters. Is this a common Ten Tec
> problem? The
> meter on my Argosy sticks and I find it quite annoying. Some years
> ago I
> obtained a new meter from Ten Tec. I'm not good at soldering so I am
> taking
> the rig to a local electronic repair shop run by a ham who has
> experience doing
> rice boxes. He will install the new meter. I'm not convinced that
> this will
> solve the problem cuz I use a wire antenna out a second storey window
> and I
> have a poor ground. I suspect that rf all over the place might have
> some effect
> on the meter.
> 73,
>
> Richard KF2V
>
> Michael Herman wrote:
>
>> how do you find someone to fix a sticking s meter Mike kc9nf
>>
>> >From: "Schell, Michael" <Michael_Schell@urmc.rochester.edu>
>> >To: "'tentec@contesting.com'" <tentec@contesting.com>
>> >Subject: [TenTec] FS: Corsair I, microphone and manual
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
>> >Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 21:28:42 -0500
>> >
>> >Hello,
>> >
>> >I have a Corsair I with manual and handheld TenTec microphone for
>> >sale for
>> >$450 plus shipping. The 4-pole filter has been upgraded with an
>> >8-pole.
>> >The unit works well and exterior is in very good condition.
>> >
>> >73,
>> >
>> >Mike KF2LF
>> >
>> >Rochester, NY
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >--
>> >FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
>> >Submissions: tentec@contesting.com
>> >Administrative requests: tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
>> >Problems: owner-tentec@contesting.com
>> >Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
>> >
>>
>> ______________________________________________________
>> Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>>
>> --
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>
>
> --
> FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
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----------------------------------
E-Mail: John - G3JAG <patents@dx0man.prestel.co.uk>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: 22-Dec-99
Time: 09:46:13
This message was sent by XFMail
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