[Kenwood] TS-530S low RX on 40m

[Richard Knoppow]

    I don't like that. I don't know if tobacco residue would be 
conductive but whatever caused it I would be concerned something 
didn't burn out. I have a TS-520S, not a 530 and don't know how 
much difference there is. Might be completely different. You 
might do a very careful visual inspection of the band switch to 
spot anything that look burned. Since it is not working on only 
one band the problem is already fairly isolated. If the set is 
anything like a Drake, with which I am familar, the crystal band 
oscillator may be weak or at least its injection to the mixer may 
be low.
    If it was working OK before its not likely something went out 
of tune suddenly unless a coil burned up or a capacitor went bad. 
Worth looking at. I can only suggest tracing the signal path. 
Again, I don't like the sizzle.

On 5/14/2020 2:57 PM, Steve H wrote:
> Steve
>
> Yes, forgot to mention I wound up cleaning the bandswitch quite 
> a few times with deox-it. Theres some improvement
> but it appears theres still issues.
>
> I ran into a video regarding "peaking" the coils on the RF 
> board that I wonder if its worth a try.
>
> This radio was owned by a a heavy smoker, so when I cleaned the 
> band switch, and powered up the radio,
> some sizzling and sparking came out monentarily, as I guess the 
> niccotine coating blended with the deox-it
> and took longer to dry than I expected. Luckily no noticable 
> damage took place as I immediately removed power
> and let it dry fully before further tests.
>
> -- 
> Steve Hearns
> KA2PTE
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Sutfin" 
> <stephoto at mind.net>
> To: "Steve H" <teknoskillz at comcast.net>
> Cc: <kenwood at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 4:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [Kenwood] TS-530S low RX on 40m
>
>
>> Hi Steve,
>>  One thing that comes to mind about hybrids is that besides 
>> having mechanical switches and buttons ( my FT-901 has a bunch 
>> ) they still  use the old fashioned band switch. I clean and 
>> 'work' the switches/ buttons frequently as maintenance but If 
>> your issue is not on all  bands cleaning the band switch 
>> contacts is the first place I would  start.
>> 73,
>> Steve k7dna
>>
>> On May 14, 2020, at 1:32 PM, Steve H wrote:
>>
>>> I have a condition where rx on this band seems very low.  
>>> Sort of present on 20m at times too.
>>>
>>> The S meter  barely moves at all, theres no noise level but I 
>>> can  hear stations.
>>> The drive knob kind of behaves like a really wide tuner where 
>>> the signals get higher
>>> as you move it fully ccw.
>>>
>>> When I put the cal signal on, I can hear it but theres no s 
>>> meter  level at
>>> all.
>>>
>>> Other bands seem to have noise levels and the drive / tune 
>>> function
>>> resonates properly, but overall
>>> I think the rx gain seems sort of lacking "robust" is the 
>>> best way to
>>> describe it.
>>>
>>> I posted about this in a Kenwood hybrid group and I think 
>>> they said  its a common problem in most of some of the
>>> hybrids, but cannot recall what they said actually is going 
>>> on  causing it. I remember they said the cal signal ought to be
>>> alot stronger than what I reported.
>>>
>>> I caught alof of flack from them for not "reading the 
>>> manuals"  first before posting for help, then somehow what I 
>>> said as a reply was
>>> studied by the mods, and deemed as "threatening" so I left, 
>>> and  thought I would try here.
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Steve Hearns
>>> KA2PTE
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>
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-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL