[IRCA] SRF-59 Alignment Procedure... Proceed At Your Own Risk!

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,
 
     Recently I have had several requests for a  detailed SRF-59 alignment 
procedure, preferably one that will not send the  hobbyist straight into the 
psychiatric ward.
 
     The procedure below has been simplified as much as  possible, but it is 
still fully capable of putting your nerves through the  wringer.  It should 
only be attempted if you have certain proof that  your SRF-59 has a sensitivity 
problem (relative to another SRF-59), and then  only if you have experience in 
miniature electronic  disassembly/reassembly, patience, good eyesight, steady 
nerves, and  confidence.  The SRF-59 is not a Heathkit, and was not 
engineered for  user-friendly assembly.  Having accepted all the above warnings, feel 
free  to proceed at your own risk:
 
1)  Turn off radio. Remove belt clip, headphones, and battery.
2)  Without forcing, tune dial needle to far left stop (530).
3)  Carefully note the exact position of the dial needle at this  point.
         This is extremely  important for proper dial reassembly!
4)  Remove the two screws from back panel.  This will  accomplish
         absolutely nothing in  making the panels separate.
5)  Repeat to yourself, "This radio only cost 15 bucks."
6)  Place thumbnail in slot between front and back panels at  the
         bottom edge of the  radio.  Work thumbnail in slot repeatedly,
        carefully separating the front  and back panels at the bottom
        edge, first at the left side,  then the right.  This process may
        require several minutes.   Do not use tools!
7)  After bottom edge of radio has significant separation between 
       front and back panels, slowly work up  the left and right side
       of the radio, to increase the  separation. Gently rock the front
       panel back and forth to increase the  separation, without any
       forcing.  Do not use tools!
8)  When proper separation has been achieved between front and
       back panels, the top edge may be  separated by gently lifting
       front panel circular plastic  surrounding the earphone jack, 
       which will complete  the separation of  front and back panels.
       At this point, the dial needle's plastic  gear will fall out of its
       front panel slot, making you think  that the radio is destroyed.
       Repeat Step #5 above.
9)  Carefully reinstall battery in slot, plug in headphones, and  turn
       on radio (center left switch of  circuit board).
10)  Using an RF signal generator (or a live, weak signal near the 
      bottom of the band, after tuning), take  a non-metallic (plastic,
      homemade wood, etc.) flat-bladed  alignment tool and 
      carefully peak the red-slugged IF  transformer for maximum
      clear audio signal.
11) Turn off radio, unplug headphones, remove battery.
12) Separate circuit board from back panel (only one tiny spot
      of glue). This will aid in reassembly.
13) Restore tuner to maximum CCW position, and reinstall 
     orange plastic dial linkage in front panel  slot.  As viewed
     from front, place dial needle in the exact spot  noted in step
     #3 (this is extremely important!).
14) Slowly slide circuit board headphone jack under top  edge
    of front panel, and very carefully work the circuit  board into
    position adjacent to front panel.  Ensure that  battery clips
    do not bind.
15) Carefully check tuner for bind-free operation.  If tuner  binds,
    or if tuner frequency does not match the dial, the  circuit board
    must be removed and dial needle linkage repositioned for 
    correction (this is the trickiest step of the  alignment!)
16) If tuner operation is smooth and frequencies match, you have
    just guaranteed yourself success in this  extremely rough
    alignment! Congratulate yourself repeatedly.
17) Carefully reinstall back panel by sliding top edge under top
    edge of front panel, and very gently (without forcing)  snap
    into place, observing slots along sides and  bottom.
18) Reinstall 2 back screws, battery, headphones, and belt  clip..
19) Turn on radio. Log tons of DX.  Call yourself a  champion!!!
 
 
73 and Best Wishes,
 
Gary  DeBock         



**************************************See AOL's top rated recipes 
(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx