[BARC-List] Long time radio storage

[na1i at comcast.net]

Hello Mike: 

KE1MC makes some good points, particularly concerning the time factor. Years ago electrolytic and paper capacitors were notorious for drying out. With the newer polymer based capacitors we no longer have that problem and it's likely that you do not either. However, batteries do have a shelf life, even the lithium polymer and variants. It might be worth trying a new battery. Sometimes an old expended battery, even if it expended on the shelf, can interfere with proper operation. There are often more than one section within a battery and if one section quits, the unit may power up, but will not function properly. 

Another factor you may be experiencing is a limitation on programmable chip life. It's generally considered that the average life of an EPROM is 10 years. Other programmable chips also have a life span for retaining their programming. If the PROM containing your radio's system has expired, even resetting the radio will not bring it back. I have a calculator made by National Semiconductor that I bought in the middle 1970s and an HP Pocket PC that no longer work for that very reason. If that is the case you may have to contact Kenwood and see if they can reprogram it for you or replace the board. If that step is necessary, I would recommend checking the economic feasibility before proceeding. 

I hope this helps to give an understanding of what might be going on with your radio. 

73, 
Linda, na1i 


----- Original Message -----

From: "Paul Beltrani" <spamgrinder at gmail.com> 
To: "KE1LU" <ke1lu at myway.com> 
Cc: "BARC List" <BARC-List at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, September 1, 2015 9:24:07 PM 
Subject: Re: [BARC-List] Long time radio storage 

Given so little to go on, I'd guess that it's less likely to way it was 
stored and more so that it's been 10 years. Anyone who's restored antique 
tube gear is familiar with capacitors drying out. The supports for 
speaker cones degrade. Variable resistors oxidize. In short, things can 
degrade over time. 

Start with some basic troubleshooting. You've noted it powers up. Can you 
get audio out the headphone jack? Is there an external speaker jack or 
some such on the back that's bypassing the audio? Did you bump the standby 
switch and put it transmit mode? 

I'm not familiar with that specific model but a quick net search turned up 
an owners manual which included some schematics. 

-- Paul Beltrani 
KE1MC 



On Tue, Sep 1, 2015 at 1:59 PM, KE1LU <ke1lu at myway.com> wrote: 

> Hi all, 
> 
> Can storing a radio in it's box for a long time, unused for that entire 
> time, damage the radio? 
> 
> I have a Kenwood TS-140S that's been in a box for over 10 years, 
> totally unused. Not a damp basement or hot attic, but in a closet in 
> my living space. So no extreme heat or humidity. 
> 
> Decided to take it out for a look, and try it out. 
> 
> Powers up, controls work, display looks good, etc. But no audio out at 
> all. No background 
> noise as I tune around while connected to a dipole, keys don't 
> generate the beeps that they used to. 
> 
> I set all the controls as the manual suggests for initial 
> receive. Tried the microprocessor reset. 
> 
> Any ideas as to what the problem might be? 
> 
> Thanks, Mike 
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