[Kenwood] Wanted: dead DC/DC converters from TS-850

[NR1DX]

As has been well documented here on the list one of the more chronic 
failures in the TS-850 is the little DC/DC converter board. Because they 
are relative cheap, less than $15 including shipping most of us just 
replace the whole assembly and move on. At some point in the future we wont 
be able to get them anymore, its just a fact of life most of our 850's will 
last longer than Kenwood's spare parts supply for the radio.

Here is what I want to do. I have a "spare" barbones TS-850 here that I 
originally bought as a parts radio, that I have been slowly nursing back to 
health. I finished up the receiver before Christmas and started in on the 
transmitter, bingo you guessed it needs a DC/ DC converter which will 
likely be here by Friday. As I was removing the old one today I was struck 
at how few components there were to trouble shoot. I plan to install a 
socket where the DC/DC is now and use this radio to see if I can trouble 
shoot some DC/DC boards so we can get at the root of the problem plus have 
a way to fix the little buggers down the road some day when we can't get 
them any longer.

What I need are some additional DC/DC boards that have failed and been 
removed. They need not have the lead frames attached any longer. Just put 
them in an envelope with a couple of card board stiffners on either side 
and mail them first class to me for $.37. Once  I have deduced the failure 
mode I will share with all here on the list. I am good in Calboook, QRZ or 
email me for my address


Dave
NR1DX
nr1dx@arrl.net

"A man who picks a cat up by the tail learns a lesson he can learn no other 
way" .... Mark Twain