[R-390] Stuck Meter

[Charles Steinmetz]

Larry wrote:

> if it's a radioacitve meter, you need to be careful ....

Aren't all original 390 and 390A meters radioactive?

Does anyone have a documented case of an original 390 or 390A meter that 
is NOT radioactive?

(I realize that the OP didn't state whether his radio has original 
meters or not, so the previous replies saying "IF it is a radioactive 
meter..." may have been contemplating the possibility that his radio has 
replacement meters that are non-radioactive, not necessarily original 
meters that are non-radioactive.)

Finally, to the OP:  No, I don't believe there is anything you can do to 
fix it without opening it up.  There may or may not be anything you can 
do with it open.  One thing NOT to do if you open it is to conclude that 
the pivot bearings need to be adjusted.  In my experience, that is NEVER 
the problem (unless someone has been there before you and done it 
already), and you could make things much worse if you play with them. 
If you get them too loose, the armature may slip out of the bearings and 
you've screwed the pooch.

The problem is almost always the pointer touching the scale or the 
glass, or  "crap in the gap" -- iron filings that find their way into 
the magnet gap and are held there by magnetic force, or other crud.  You 
need to look into the gap very carefully with a high-powered magnifier, 
and remove anything you find with NON-MAGNETIC implements.  I have used 
toothpicks, plastic dental picks, and tape successfully.

Best regards,

Charles