[JRC] JST-245 PS Demise

[k2kw-8 at adelphia.net]

I've been getting a few pesonal messages on my last posting, and thought I would share some things from my conversation with Universal Radio, who is the only JRC repair shop left in the USA.

Many of the parts in the power supply are unique (proprietary) parts. These 
unique parts are no longer available, even in Japan.  That's one of the 
reasons that lead JRC to stop making the radio - they could no longer get the parts. 
 
So if you have a blown power supply, fixing it all depends on what's wrong with your PSU.  If it's a common part, maybe it 
could be repaired.  If it's one of the unique parts, you will not be able to get 
it repaired. 

I had a number of blown components, of which a few of them were in the oscillator circuit.  Universal Radio didn't want to even begin to try replacements due to the difficulty of getting a switching oscillator ckt working.
 
Ultimately, Universal Radio said my pwer supply cannot be fixed - JRC USA even called Japan to see if 
they could get the parts.  No luck.  So they are sending my radio back 
unrepaired. 

Of course my timing was impecable!  About 1-2 weeks ago, Universal Radio sold their 145/245 power supply they kept around for testing (scrounged from broken 145/245's people didn't want to get repaired).  They got $450 for it!
 
Unless someone on the list has an idea on an outboard 60v 30a power supply, I will just strip out all the filters, monitor, etc (I have a loaded one!) and sell them, and then sell the radio for parts - that is IF somone wants it!  Otherwise, it goes in the trash... 

Now, that PS may not be so far fetched, as I remember that the Fin-Fett DXpedition amplifiers used a 50v 50a switching power supply.  
 
73, Kenny K2KW