[Central-Electronics] 100V VFO help

[K6JEK]

Thanks Joe, Tom, Dennis, Bob, Stu, for the advice.  All of the problems 
I mentioned earlier -- grease, foam, ball bearings, electronics are 
solved or dismissed.  There is a new one but I'll get to that in a 
minute.

The actuator was really rough before I started.  I pulled it apart and 
did not see a problem -- no dried grease, bearings seemed fine, nothing 
obviously wrong.  I took Bob's advice, replaced the bearings and the 
spring, put the thing back together and the actuator is smooth as silk.

The slug alignment problem was an illusion.  With the actuator mounted 
holding the lead screw, the slug moved in the coil form just fine.

I cleaned out the disintegrated foam.  Castrol SuperClean and a little 
scrubbing with a toothbrush removed the old glue.  I replaced the foam 
with fiberglass insulation -- the thin stuff sold for wrapping pipes.  
With a little trimming it fits in nicely. I didn't glue it.

I left the electronics alone.

The new problem:  The ball reducer.  Isn't that what the reduction 
drive for the knob is called?  I cleaned it out, re-greased it and 
reassembled it.  But it either slips or grabs -- doesn't turn the dial 
at all or turns it like the main tuning.   I haven't noticed any advice 
on this piece.  I'll see what I can figure out about this tomorrow.

Bob's website is dandy.  You should all look at it:

http://www.isquare.com/personal_pages/ce-pto-rebuild.htm

Stu pointed out that the 100V is a marvelous piece of mechanical and 
electrical engineering.  I agree completely.  And it's fun to operate.

Thanks,

Jon