[ARC5] [Milsurplus] BC-348, brought 2 out of storage, past 20 or so years.

[David Stinson]

In the BC-348s of all models, the anti-backlash
gear ( the gear on the end of the tuning cap which
is split into two gears with a spring designed to hold
tension between the gear and the worm shaft connecting
to the tuning knob- gets slimed with
""Uncle Buster's Gooey-Lube" which dries into
something akin to embalmed caramel, preventing the
anti-backlash gear from doing its job.

Take the rigs out in  fresh air.  Remove any source
of flame or ignition.Get some Ronson Lighter Fluid
(naphtha in a yellow and red bottle) from
Waldo World (usually near the tobacco).

Give the split gear a good soaking to dissolve the old lube.
You may need some light-gauge typing paper to run between
the gears to help clean-out the crud.  Patience will be rewarded.
Once the split gear is completely clean, the two halves should
be slightly spread apart by the spring in the gear's tension.
It should hold pressure so that the two halves of the gear press
the worm gear threads between them and remove any backlash.
Use a small jeweller’s screw driver point to flex the two gears
and then pull the screwdriver up and out.  The gear should
"snap-back" to it's tension position freely.

For a better idea of this process, here's a short video I
did years ago for the same problem in the TCS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYgCUokEgDg

If backlash is still a problem and the gear is not
under tension against the work gear once cleaned,
someone lifted the cap to reposition the gear
and fumble the jog.  Write again and
we'll go over what to do about that.

GL OM ES 73 DE AB5S




On 8/3/2025 5:30 PM, jphutch60bj wrote:
> Smart people:
> For both sets: When operating the Main Tuning
> capacitor, on any band, with BFO engaged,
> I get wobbly squeal, squeak in my audio output?
>
> I don't recall that happening back in the day.
>
> My thoughts are
>
> 1.    Re-Tighten the tuning capacitor down.
>
> 2.    Could be Some sort of build up between the main tuning capacitor 
> and the chassis?  Clean the Cap and mounting areas
>
> Am I sniffing the the correct direction,  if not, any suggestions as 
> to the cause?
>
> Thanks
>
> JPH
>
>
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