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Post by mrmagoolew on Aug 21, 2008 21:49:06 GMT -5
Hi, guys, I have a DAK mark 9 that doesn't unkey all the time. Does anyone have any ideas about what may be causing this? I have a D104 mic on it, and I sometimes have to slap the mic key to get the radio to unkey. I've cleaned the mic contacts a few times, with no results. Any ideas? Is this a common problem? Lew
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Post by BionicChicken on Aug 21, 2008 22:05:35 GMT -5
Does the radio stayed keyed if you unplug the microphone?
BC
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2008 22:17:18 GMT -5
Does it have a relay? Sometimes you have to cleaning the contacts with a burnishing tool.
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Aug 22, 2008 7:49:40 GMT -5
Yeah, if the radio has relays they might be sticking or you might have switching problems in the D-104, try another mic if you have one.
Tombstone
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Post by mrmagoolew on Aug 22, 2008 7:57:51 GMT -5
After I get the old Sears Roadtalker 40 SSB radio going, I'll have to get that old radio down off the shelf and check it out. I do have another older D-104 that I picked up last weekend at the flea market. I'll have to check the wiring and see if I can hook it up. Finding the mic is why I finally asked about what could be wrong with the radio. I had the radio open a couple of years ago, and I like that it's kinda unique in that it has a solid state board and a tube final. I hope I can get it going soon. I got good reports when it was half working. It's stock, and it'll stay that way. No golden screwdrivrs will be in it. Thanks, Lew
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Post by BionicChicken on Aug 22, 2008 14:03:37 GMT -5
Yep......................a Pace mobile radio for the receiver and the tube final.
BC
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2008 17:16:26 GMT -5
Mouser has a burnishing tool for about $4. It looks like a file, but it's more of a polisher. It is specifically for relays. It's a must have for any D104, Turner, or relay CBs.
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Post by BionicChicken on Aug 22, 2008 17:36:38 GMT -5
Pulling the relay section out of a D104 and cleaning contacts and replacing it is almost as much fun as wiring a 5 pin DIN plug. BC
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2008 7:24:57 GMT -5
Yes it is ! ;D
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Aug 23, 2008 14:32:30 GMT -5
Ain't that the truth! I hate din plugs and replacing switches in the bottom of a D-104 power mic is almost just as fun, but it goes with this kind of work.
Tombstone
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Post by BionicChicken on Aug 23, 2008 16:18:04 GMT -5
The switches in the bottom of the mike are a piece of cake compared to the ones in the "neck" of them. Everything has to be in the right place to fit right.
BC
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Post by mrmagoolew on Aug 24, 2008 9:24:49 GMT -5
Yea, Mine are in the neck. They are easy to get at, but you still have to be careful not to bend them. I'm still woking on a Sears Roadtalker SSB so one of these days I'll get around to checking this radio out. Hopefully in a couple of days. Thanks, Lew
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Post by mrmagoolew on Aug 25, 2008 17:45:30 GMT -5
Hi, Guys,
I finally got the Road Talker going, so now onto this DAK. I'll keep you all posted as to what I find out. Lew
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Post by mrmagoolew on Aug 26, 2008 20:46:50 GMT -5
Well guys, I have the DAK up and running. It doesn't unkey when I pull the mic plug, so I guess it's the relay or somthing in the radio. I'll be taking the case off tomorrow and checking that relay. I don't remember if it does, but I hope it has the relay in a socket. If so, I'll pull it and see if I can get a new one. If not, I'll have to clean it in place. Lew
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Post by mrmagoolew on Aug 27, 2008 18:30:20 GMT -5
Hi, Guys,
I cleaned the contacts on the relay in the radio, and it seems to be working fine so far. I used a diamond impregnated fingernail file to clean the contacts. I just rubbed it on the contacts real lightly. It must have worked cause everything seems OK. Thanks for your help guys. Now on to the GE mobile.
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Post by BionicChicken on Aug 27, 2008 19:18:58 GMT -5
You best be on the lookout for a replacement relay. The fingernail file will remove the plating on the contacts and they will require cleaning more frequently to keep it working properly. A relay burnishing tool is the item of choice to clean relay cpntacts. A piece of a brown paper bag works good also especially after you spray the contacts with cleaner before hand. Congrats on getting the radio to working again. There is nothing like getting something to going by yourself and being able to talk on it.
BC
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Post by mrmagoolew on Aug 28, 2008 7:07:36 GMT -5
Hi, BC, I didn't know that relays had coatings on the contacts. Oh well, now I know. I only rubbed the contacts very lightly, so I can only hope I didn't do that much damage. The relay is a common size, so I shouldn't have too much trouble locating one if that one starts to act up. I have an old school electronics store nearby, and they should be able to help me out. I had to take the realy apart in order to reach all the contact points. That thing is in a tight spot. If I DO have to replace the thing, I'm going to make some sort of mount for a socket, and remount the relay in a different area. I have a bunch of radios that I haven't used for quite a while, and I'm going to be checking them out over time. Right now, I have a Cobra 2000 GTL warming up. Gotta go check on it. Thanks, Lew
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Aug 28, 2008 14:12:47 GMT -5
Ow, installing a socket and relocating the relays sounds time consuming. Yeah, I agree with Bionic Chicken, most relays and some switches have a coating of silver, gold, platinim, etc. Even with a light rub from that file you probably took the coating off. Yep, after spraying relays I've found that running a soaked piece of paper back and forth through them seems to always work. Just wait 'till they dry or dry the thing with canned air before powering the radio up. Glad that you found the problem!
Tombstone
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
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Post by Sandbagger on Aug 28, 2008 18:44:50 GMT -5
Ow, installing a socket and relocating the relays sounds time consuming. Yeah, I agree with Bionic Chicken, most relays and some switches have a coating of silver, gold, platinim, etc. Even with a light rub from that file you probably took the coating off. Yep, after spraying relays I've found that running a soaked piece of paper back and forth through them seems to always work. Just wait 'till they dry or dry the thing with canned air before powering the radio up. Glad that you found the problem! Tombstone I've found that the best tool to clean relay contacts is a folded up $1 bill. The paper that money is printed on is just rough enough to do the job without removing the contact coating. For those "extra" tough jobs, I'll use a $10 bill ;D
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Post by BionicChicken on Aug 28, 2008 19:10:15 GMT -5
$100 dollar bill works way yonder more better but makes the repair job cost more. BC
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Aug 29, 2008 14:55:27 GMT -5
Wow! I haven't heard of cleaning relay contacts with a dollar bill for years. That was big back in the 1960's when I was a kid, I always thought it was a Pittsburgh thing. I'm leary of that because if the bill isn't clean you could be putting some kind of residue on the contacts and making the problem worse. I haven't tried soaking the bill in tuner cleaner, ha, ha, ha.
Tombstone
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Post by BionicChicken on Aug 30, 2008 7:35:30 GMT -5
I agree with Tombstone on the "bill" having dirt and contaminants on it. There was a report several years ago that said that 80% of the 100 dollar bills in the United States tested positive for cocaine.
Imagine that.
BC
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Aug 30, 2008 7:45:56 GMT -5
Maybe a little cocaine would really perk up a set of relays?? I hope I'm not carrying around any of those dollar bills!
Tombstone
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