Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

[TowerTalk] "Stuck" relays, was: Rising SWR Update

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] "Stuck" relays, was: Rising SWR Update
From: n2mg@eham.net (Mike Gilmer, N2MG)
Date: Fri Jan 31 08:39:35 2003
One of my two RCS-4 units exhibits this characteristic.  After not being used 
for several weeks, it sometimes needs to be cycled through 
the several positions to "clean" the contacts.  I have yet to 
physically clean the relays but if/when I do, the business-
card/cleaning-solution method is the way to go.  I hope its former 
owner did not abrade the contacts...

Keep files, emery, sandpaper and anything abrasive FAR away - use of 
those will destroy the contact's (ultra-thin) plating and the contacts 
will tarnish VERY quickly and will therefore need more frequent 
"cleaning" from that point forward.  With the low current that 
receiving involves, this can be vitally important.

I have also seen the inside of at least one RCS-8V where the relays did 
not fully engage.  You could sometimes see an air gap between the 
contacts.  The relays needed to be "re-sprung" to get them to be 
reliable.  Again, its former owner may have done something...no way to 
know...

Mike N2MG


> > You may want to try opening the RCS-8V remote box 
> > and cleaning the contacts.
> > I recommend a business card sprayed with a contact 
> > cleaning solution on both sides.  Just run it 
> > beween the contacts a couple times.
> >
> > I have the RCS-4, and have had to do this about 
> > once a year.  The symptoms telling me this is due 
> > are just what you describe.

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
  • [TowerTalk] "Stuck" relays, was: Rising SWR Update, Mike Gilmer, N2MG <=