[Boatanchors] Drake MN-2700 Mechanical Issues

[K0DAN]

Robert...

Sorry, I don't specifically remember. I'd take apart my MN2700 to check for you, but it's in installed in a statio console, has a bunch of crap hooked up to it, and I just hate to create a miniproject unless it's an emergency.

However, I am eyeballing my 2700 now: I don't remember all the details, but here's what I can tell recall:

You need to remove the 2700 from the case.

You need to remove the band switch knob and tighten the nut on the shaft.

You need to inspect the badnswitch segments, shaft, couplers, etc. Evaluate what's loose and where the switch rotation is coming from. Tighten factory hardware if appropriate. If you're real lucky, it could be tightening the hex nut under the knob, or existing mounts for the switch wafers. 

Chances are, one of the the switch wafers is rotating. I forget the details here, but seems to me the (front?) wafer floats and if tigtening factory hardware doesn't work, what you can do is put in some thin/long bolts thru available holes in the wafer...but add some extra nuts, washers, star-washers along the stud, you can make hold-down bolts which force the switch segments to get tight with the panel.

I don't remember if you have to remove the front panel, but if it's necessary to do this, it's really not all that bad. Remove knobs & be careful not to crack the plastic. There are screws under the side trim (?) which provides access for panel disassembly. Panel disassembly is a P.I.T.A, however it's not really that bad, and you can probably do the whole disassemble, repair, reassemble process in an evening.

GL es 73

Dan
K0DAN
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Robert Lawson 
  To: K0DAN 
  Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 7:10 PM
  Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Drake MN-2700 Mechanical Issues


  Dan, do you remember if you had to take the whole front face plate and also the chassis front plate off read meter, shafts to all and such?  I hate that Drake recessed all behind the very outer front panel.  

  73 Robert W4RL

  K0DAN wrote: 
    Hi Robert...

    My sympathies (if that's what you're looking for?). Yes, this is a common problem for the MN2700. The good news, its a fairly easy repair, but it requires an hour or two of your time, some disassembly, and some replacement hardware to lock the bandswitch securely so it doesn't rotate with the knob.

    I have done this repair about 3 or 4 times, and the repair usually lasts a year or two, depending on how often you use the bandswitch, and then it inevitably loosens up again and you have to redo the surgery. 

    I don't have pix of the innards of my 2700, so don't remember exactly what I didn, but am pretty sure I added some bolts/washers/lockwashers/nuts to "shore up" the switch against the housing so that it wouldn't rotate. You'll have to open it up, find out where it's mechanically unstable, and add hardware to hold it in place/.

    Good luck es 73

    Dan
    K0DAN
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Robert Lawson 
      To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
      Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 5:25 PM
      Subject: [Boatanchors] Drake MN-2700 Mechanical Issues 


      Howdy Fellas. 

      I have a Drake MN-2700 that has developed a mechanical problem.  The band switch assembly is lose from the front chassis panel.  Yeah, I know it happens with these units, but a first for me.  Anyone out there been there, done that, and have the certificate of frustration?  

      Thanks for the read.  

      73 Robert W4RL 


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