[AMRadio] Modern components, or why I like vintage

[CL in NC]

I did not know just how cheaply parts were made, specifically small trimmer caps.  Working on a rig that has a bad SMD trimmer, it is 10MM square, about 5/32".  Of course the exact part is no longer available from Kenwood, it is as gone as the dinosaurs,  so it is substitution time.  For a similar replacement cap, it gives the following warning:

"Maximum 10 cycles: rotation in 180° only (the electrical and mechanical performance is not guaranteed if rotated beyond 10 cycles)"

That means you better find the problem and peak the circuit within 10 half rotations or apparently it is shot.  Now, this one had failed, short to ground, but I put the ol' tuning tool on it to give it a spin looking for a peak from the PLL circuit, nothing, but even if I got something, I probably wore the thing out.  I would hate to see what some of these modern rigs that cost well into the 4 digits,  would actually cost if they put parts in that last.  The flip side, if they make them with such cheap parts, then the rigs must be meant to be thrown away when they fail, so they should be a dime a dozen, ha ha.  Icom is still selling the IC718, and they do not support it with parts or repair.  Kenwood apparently does not even supply parts, you have to go to one of their contract parts vendors. where inquiries usually bring back, "No longer available' as the answer.

Charlie, W4MEC in NC