[Boatanchors] B&W 376 Coax Switch

[David C. Hallam]

Marshall,

Thanks for the information and pictures.  The 376 is a little different 
in that the SO-239 connecters are mounted radially around the side of 
the can but probably the same basic construction.  Right now the switch 
is sitting in a small container of diesel fuel immersed up to the level 
of what I think is the switch detent but not the coax connectors.  With 
the increased leverage of a small Crescent wrench, the shaft will turn 
without too much effort.  I can feel when it hits one of the detents.

I will let it soak for a few more days and see what happens.  If the 
switch will not turn in an acceptable manner with the knob on the 
switch, I will cut the back of the can off to work on it.

73
David
KW4DH

On 12/17/2012 12:41 AM, Marshall Dues (K5MMD) wrote:
> Hi, David,
>
> I found a B&W model 375 6 position coax switch at a Texas hamfest a 
> few years ago that also had a frozen switch shaft.  That 'splains why 
> it only cost me a dollar.  I tried the same thing as you by putting 
> Mobil-1 synthetic motor oil on the shaft with the same failed result.
> So, I simply used a can opener and cut around the SO-239 panel end 
> like a can of soup to open it up and was able to disassemble this 
> rather well built switch.  I then used the same Mobil-1 oil on the 
> other end of the switch shaft as well as the captive detent ball 
> bearing and its holder.  I let it soak for an hour then gripped the 
> knob shaft and began rotating it until it turned freely.  This is a 
> quality ceramic switch with solid bus bar conductors that   grounds 
> all coax sockets except for the selected position.  It is important to 
> either resolder the SO-239 end of the can around the edge or solder 
> short lengths of coax cable braid as bonding jumpers to the can 
> because of the need to restore the ground path to the coax connectors 
> when reassembling the case. My one dollar gamble paid off well for me.
>
> Pictures attached:
>
> regards,
>
> Marshall Dues,  K5MMD
> Katy (Houston area), Texas

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