[ARC5] 10 meter BC-454 - more

[David Stinson]

Ken:
Intermittant connectivity between the stacked parts of
both transmitter and receiver variable capacitors is 
becoming a common problem.  
Look closely at how a Command Set variable is 
assembled and you'll see what I mean.
All those bits-n-pieces are stacked and pressed
together, then have a thin coating of some kind.
The pressed-together parts get oxidation between them.
Since plates have been yanked out of this one like
so many bad teeth, the problem would be aggravated.

Look first at the little "bar" at the end of the stators
where the wires are soldered.
It is press-fit onto the stator and the mounting stubs
"mushroomed" to hold it.  This is a common place
for the problem.  A hot soldering iron will fix it, but
be very careful not to damage the little plastic balls 
that hold the stator in place.

The first time I saw this was many years ago in a 
BC-454.  The problem there was intermittant contact
to some of the rotor plates.  I used a battery and some
soft copper wire to "spot-weld" the plates to the shaft
and that cured the problem.  I've repaired the 
"connection bar" on transmit capacitors several times.