[Swan] Re: 500CX restoration

[Mark Shaum]

> My friend gave me his Swan 500CX and the VX-2 Vox and he was a smoker.
What I would like to do is restore it. So is there a website that shows
what one can do to accomplish this? What type of paint. I also need a
manual. Should make a good winter project.
> john
John,

Printed manuals are available from many of the assorted manual vendors
for the 500CX.  A Google search will yeild several hits. You can also
download free manuals from http://bama.sbc.edu

Regarding smoke-induced staining, I have not had any radios yet that did
not respond well just to a cleaning with mild detergent like warm water
and dish soap.  Stronger cleansers can be used if the yellow
nicotine-induced stains are not removed with a mild detergent, just be
careful around any plastic components or dials.  I use a generic
Windex-like-stuff with ammonia and work on small areas at a time.

If the cabinet is chipped and needs a repaint, a satin black of many
brands is likely a good match.  I believe all of the Swan cabinets were
black.

The front panel is silkscreened, and would be difficult to redo without
a stripping and re-screening if there are major blemishes or scratches.

The Hallicrafters Collectors International site has some good tips on
general restorations.  http://www.w9wze.org/

I have a nice looking and working 500CX and 508 external VFO.  The
external VFO almost makes up for the lack of RIT on the Swan rigs.  I
also have a 700CX with the SS-16 filter option that is undergoing
restoration now that I finally came up with a pair of new old stock 8950
final tubes for it.

One hint, DO rework the power supply as well as the transceiver when it
comes to electrolytic capacitor replacement.  Even if things seem to
work now, old electrolytic capacitors are just time bombs if you plan to
use the rig and not just set it on a shelf.

73! - Mark K9TR