[R-390] R390 (non-A) broken tuning slug

[Kevin McGrath]

With the audio problem 'solved' I'm on to the next issue.


The 16-31 MC bands appeared to be dead. But after listening carefully, I could just barely hear the CAL signals. 

So, I hooked up my ICOM transceiver on the bench next to the R390 and set it to 1 watt output into a dummy load 

(I need to get real signal generator at some point). With no antenna on the R390, the signals from the ICOM were clearly 

heard on each of the 16-31 MC bands, so they were not completely dead. I also noticed that the antenna trimmer had
no effect; and hooking up a short length of antenna wire resulted in no increase in the received signal. It was as if the 

front end of the R390 was somehow 'disconnected' on those bands, but a strong signal could make through to following stages

Consulting the schematic and theory of operation, it appeared that the fault might be in the 1st RF amp  where the
various tuning coils are switched in. I suspected a bandswitch issue in switching in T206 and Z206, the tuning coils for 16-31 MC. 


But then I noticed that the tuning slug for Z206 had broken off. That has to be it! (he says hopefully). With the broken slug, the 1st RF amp is completely detuned in the 16-31MC range. 


That brings up my question: how does one remove and re-install a slug rack in the RF section? Those springs look easy enough to disconnect, but tough to re-connect. And  I would appreciate tips on fishing out the broken slug.

Thanks, 

Kev