[Boatanchors] SX-71 dials

[Lawrence Godek]

In overhauling the SX-71 i ended up pulling the front panel off to see 
if i could correct the dial settings on the left side, main tuning 
scales.  In the manual it says to tune the main tuning capacitor to the 
fully meshed position and position the dial pointers to the left logging 
number of 100.  Cinch down the ends of the indicators then apply a drop 
of glue to hold it in place. Well when i got the front panel off the 
bottom of the indicator was floating freely, not even attached to the 
bottom dial string. The dial string is #30 cordage so i wanted to be 
carefull not to damage it as restringing it would be a PIA if you know 
what that means.  Anyway, the bottom of the dial pointer was not even 
cinched down on the cord and the glue had become brittle so gently 
applying pressure with a pair of longnose pliers it was easy to crunch 
the remaining glue and remove it from the dial string.  the top dial 
string was still imbedded with glue but the same procedure, gently 
crushing it with the pliers made it disintegrate and the top dial 
pointer was free.  So instead of having the main tuning dial indicator 
showing at 95 on the logging scale i can now position it at 100 like it 
should be and calibration will be pretty darn close.

The question is, what should i use to secure the ends of the dial 
pointer to the dial string to hold it into place.  You know Murphy, well 
he hangs out around here quite a bit so i want to be careful not to do 
anything to destroy the dial cord.  What would be a good substance to 
secure the dial pointer to the dial string?  I thought about maybe some 
wax but getting melted wax onto that might be a challenge.  Maybe some 
silicon gel?  I don't relish the thought of using super glue which is 
what i have because sure as hell if i do that i''ll have to move it  one 
way or another and then i'm screwed.

Any thoughts?

The panel and glass cleaned up nicely.  Two loose screws in the back of 
the S meter were loose, fixed that.  Replaced all the fixed big brown 
caps and a couple of .005 caps as well.  Now for an alignment.  Oh yeah, 
i found another SX-71 that was looking pretty sad so picked it up and 
took the 2nd converter box off of it and put it on this one of mine.  
Powered it up yesterday and signals received on all bands so i guess i 
got the wiring right. Would like to find or build up a small xtal 
calibrator to install as that feature is not on the receiver.

Larry W0OGH