[Premium-Rx] Wrong Rocker Switch on your WJ 8711-1 or 8712-1?

[Steve Pappin via Premium-Rx]

Wrong Rocker Switch on your WJ 8711-1 or 8712-1?

This happens a lot: A radio will come in from the UK. The owner claims that 
the power switch lamp has burned out while the seller insists that the lamp 
is fine. Both the 8711-1 and 8712-1 use a red lighted rocker switch with a 
neon bulb. The dropping resistors for them are dependent on line voltage. A 
switch for the UK will not light in the USA and a switch for the USA will 
light briefly just before it burns out in the UK.

There are two different switch assemblies for these radios, one with the 
120V lamp and one with the 220V lamp. Both have the same Molex connectors 
and are physically interchangeable.

The later versions don't use the AC mains for lamp power. Instead there is a 
separate +5V line powering an LED inside the power switch. The switches are 
physically interchangeable but there is no +5V lamp harness on the -1 
radios. You can make one that intercepts the front panel power connector. On 
the 8711-1 an in out arrangement is required. The 8712-1 does not use the FP 
power connector and that cable lays unused inside the chassis. Some of the 
8712-1's have a service board with a 3 pin Amp connector. You can make a 
cable that connects +5V from that connector to the LED.

I am not an advocate for radio modifications especially when a change 
becomes permanent. In certain situations it makes sense to upgrade in order 
to make a radio usable. The best upgrades are always reversible. Many people 
are unlocking their 8712-1's by turning them into 8712A's. Why not? 5 IF 
bandwidths upgraded to 66 IF bandwidths. Better audio recovery. All of the 
8712A capabilities. A new lighted power switch and the serial cable comes 
off the rear panel. You can always change it back.

Best Regards,
Steve 


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