[TenTec] Triton IV tuning problem

[Scott / W4PJ]

It's a common problem.  The old grease inside the PTO assembly gets hard
with age.

Ten-Tec made a rebuild kit for the PTO and if you follow the directions
carefully, a trepid home-brewer can do it, but it would help to have a few
"honey I shrunk the kids" small sets of extra miniature fingers to get it
all to go together.  Do it over a box so you won't loose the ball bearings
when they fall out of place several times before you get them all together.
Unfortunately, one of the kits I got had a poorly machined shaft and had a
little wobble that bugged me.  I ended up rebuilding again with the original
shaft sans wobble.  It was easier the second time.  =8^D

I remember a thread on one of these lists where the discussion was about
heating up the entire PTO assembly with a hair dryer and flushing out the
old goop with LPS or some other solvent and then squirting some type of
spray grease inside.  I don't remember the particulars.  Check the list
archives.

I would be very careful not to get lubricant on the vernier mechanism,
bearings and race, or the whole thing could slip and defeat the purpose.  It
works with friction.  There are places you absolutely do NOT want grease.

I'd call TT and talk with Garland Jenkins or Larry Worth.  They both have
been very helpful on the phone over the years keeping my Tritons on the air.
It's been several years tho since I needed their help.  There's also a
fellow named McCoig I think that helped me also.

Oh, another thing. It's a good thing for the dial string rubber band to be
at rest when not in use.  By that I mean turn the PTO knob all the way
counterclockwise when you're not on the air.  Over time the rubber will
stretch and you will need to re-do the string mechanism. A real PITA that
can be avoided or at least delayed for years.

Have fun with your Triton, I enjoy mine.

Good luck.

Scott / W4PJ


----- Original Message -----
Triton IV tuning problem


   > Ron,
   >
   > I had a Triton IV (when you talk to Ten Tec its a 540) with remore VFO
and
   > both tuned easily.  Check with Ten -Tec on the lubrication <snip>
   >
> > Hi,  I am new to the list so maybe this question has been answered
before.
> I have a Triton IV and remote VFO both of which have very stiff tuning.
It
> would seem to be a lubrication problem.  Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Ron, KB0WAR