[GreenKeys] Data Tek 9600 Repairs

[George B. Hutchison]

GreenKeyers - -- -

Please recall my comments about the test jacks on the 9600 and how they will 
break the solder joints where they penetrate the circuit board.

Today I went through mine and discovered some lifted foil on one of the 
terminals on the distortion input jack, and likewise on the bottom jack of 
the three keyer loop jacks.

Using some appropriately sized bus wire I strongbacked all of the tender 
foil and ran the end of the bus wire through a nearby via in the vicinity of 
(and same circuit) as the problem jacks.

After getting all the jacks back in place noticed a gap between the bottom 
of the bezels and the front panel. Using some rubber gasket material made 
some little cushions that are slightly larger thaat the bottom of the bezels 
that willhelp reduce the potential for damage due to over exuberant 
insertion of test cables.

Some observations include the realization that the circuit board closest to 
the main panel is stressed (bowed) in the vicinity of the meter due to the 
meter terminals being a greater height above the rear of the front panel 
than the switches and other paraphernalia that are part of the mounting 
arrangement. Not really well done mechanically.

Also discovered that all of the dip switches on the front panel are 
socketed, not soldered in. Had one of the little levers on one switch broken 
so decided to fix it. The switches can be removed by carefully pulling with 
a pair of thin long nose pliers. Alternately give each end of the switch a 
little tug pulling it straight out.

Radio Shack has eight position dip switches for $2.79. The pins are a wee 
bit shorter than the original switches but they fit perfectly. Also, the 
individual switch actuators are rockers as opposed to the taller levers. 
Less chance of  breaking them off.

W7TTY