Thanks. I just figure with the questionable contacts to the PCB, I might as well completely remove the switch. Hopefully that will prove to be the answer. :)
@@DERB_Seymour_Indiana Ha! I know because I still have my working DX160 from when I was around 16 years old. I don't use it much these days but I remember what it sounded like when the SSB switch was on. Thank you for posting your video. It was fun and you brought back memories.
Yes I knew from the sound what it was, but I must of missed that switch when I originally looked for it. Glad it brought back some nice memories for you. :)
For whatever reason, I found that putting a droplet of WD-40 on the edge (not the flat face) of wafer switches helps them make better contact after they sit for a day or two. Maybe the wafer material swells a bit, I don't know, but it helped an old Simpson VOM work better even before I used contact cleaner.
Thanks DB. Funny you should mention the VOM. I first became aware of the wafer material on rotary switches being affected by certain cleaners when working on an old Heathkit VTVM. The problem I was having was very slow meter movement, at least when I removed any lead contact with the device under test. The needle would not return to zero and it was very slow to move at all. I did some research and as it turned out the problem was due to the rotary/wafer switch retaining some of the voltage kind of like a battery. I completely removed the switch from the VTVM and still could measure DC voltages on some of the contacts. I did a lot of research into this problem and it is caused by certain cleaners like Deoxit and others soaking into the actual wafer material. Ever since then I have been very careful what I use to clean switches like this.
Another weak point of the DX150 and 160's is the front end RF transistor, an FET. Apparently they were quite susceptible to damage from static. especially when connected to an outdoor antenna. I have a DX-150A that was deaf as a post until it was replaced. The original transistor crosses to an NTE-133 FET that is readily available.
Congrats on getting some sound out of the radio. Gives you the incentive to move forward on the project
Thanks Lloyd. Right you are. Now it's more a matter of just tuning and tweaking. :)
Sounds like a good plan! Really cool nostalgic receiver, it’s definitely worth the restoration effort.
Thanks. I just figure with the questionable contacts to the PCB, I might as well completely remove the switch. Hopefully that will prove to be the answer. :)
It's a good looking set. Your plan sounds like a good one!
Thanks Gregg. We shall see. :)
Jeeze! I was screaming at you to switch off SSB! Didn't you hear me?
Thanks, and I'm sure you're not the only one. I noticed when I was editing the video the switch was clearly visible before I figured it out. LOL
@@DERB_Seymour_Indiana Ha! I know because I still have my working DX160 from when I was around 16 years old. I don't use it much these days but I remember what it sounded like when the SSB switch was on. Thank you for posting your video. It was fun and you brought back memories.
Yes I knew from the sound what it was, but I must of missed that switch when I originally looked for it. Glad it brought back some nice memories for you. :)
The radio sounds good, lubricating and cleaning the wafer contacts, hopefully will take care of the dead band, Doug.
Thanks Jim. It sure can't hurt anything I think. LOL
I have the 150 which came before the 160. It is mint.
Thanks for the comment. :)
Looks like a bit of work, but hopefully will fix the problems. good luck
Thanks George. That's the only thing I could think of to address the possible and obvious problems. It seems to all come down to that band switch. :)
For whatever reason, I found that putting a droplet of WD-40 on the edge (not the flat face) of wafer switches helps them make better contact after they sit for a day or two. Maybe the wafer material swells a bit, I don't know, but it helped an old Simpson VOM work better even before I used contact cleaner.
Thanks DB. Funny you should mention the VOM. I first became aware of the wafer material on rotary switches being affected by certain cleaners when working on an old Heathkit VTVM. The problem I was having was very slow meter movement, at least when I removed any lead contact with the device under test. The needle would not return to zero and it was very slow to move at all. I did some research and as it turned out the problem was due to the rotary/wafer switch retaining some of the voltage kind of like a battery. I completely removed the switch from the VTVM and still could measure DC voltages on some of the contacts. I did a lot of research into this problem and it is caused by certain cleaners like Deoxit and others soaking into the actual wafer material. Ever since then I have been very careful what I use to clean switches like this.
Doug clean all roto switches and can see cob webs on cam close up lol.
Thanks, definitely on the list of things to do. :)
Another weak point of the DX150 and 160's is the front end RF transistor, an FET. Apparently they were quite susceptible to damage from static. especially when connected to an outdoor antenna. I have a DX-150A that was deaf as a post until it was replaced. The original transistor crosses to an NTE-133 FET that is readily available.
Thanks. I will keep that in mind. :)
Dx150 and dx160 are a dime a dozen. Almost every ham swap has a few, take your pick.
Thanks, but I don't generally like to walk around swap meets all that much. :)