Transceiver Troubleshooting Guide

I get one question a lot, to wit, "My radio isn't working! WHAT DO I DO NOW????"

So I put together a simple "things to look for" guide to troubleshooting your transceiver woes.

Find it here http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/

Let me know if you have things that could enhance this document.

Thanks, John Ω

On Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 7:43:56 AM UTC-7, OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
I get one question a lot, to wit, "My radio isn't working! WHAT DO I DO NOW????"

So I put together a simple "things to look for" guide to troubleshooting your transceiver woes.

Find it here http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/

Let me know if you have things that could enhance this document.

Thanks, John Ω

Most electrical problems can be traced to a connector (which may be inside the radio), followed by cabling problems. This becomes exaggerated with age.. I very recently found a solar panel problem that was a broken connector pin). Get a can of electrical contact cleaner and magnifying glass. Look at EVERY soldered connection very carefully (a broken wire going to that solder joint can look very much like it is connected).
The next thing to go are capacitors; the electrolyte in polarized capacitors dries up and they lose their capacitance. This goes especially for aluminum electrolytics (the can shaped ones). Fixing that, however, takes more soldering skills than you may have.

Tom

Inspecting the connectors is the most important item on everyone's list.

But getting inside a radio is not for the faint of heart and I just recommend "send it into a repair shop". The most I have ever done was replacing the fusable link inside a Microaire radio (reversed battery) and that was touch and go. These things are just too compact/complex unless you are REALLY good at this.

About capacitors. The most common aliment seems to be the dielectric expanding due to heat and poor manufacturing, which changes the capacitance. At least you can tell right away because the silver cap has bulged, sometimes cracked. I have repaired many (non aviation) items by just replacing caps..

On Monday, November 6, 2017 at 3:10:45 PM UTC-8, OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
Inspecting the connectors is the most important item on everyone's list.

But getting inside a radio is not for the faint of heart and I just recommend "send it into a repair shop". The most I have ever done was replacing the fusable link inside a Microaire radio (reversed battery) and that was touch and go. These things are just too compact/complex unless you are REALLY good at this.

About capacitors. The most common aliment seems to be the dielectric expanding due to heat and poor manufacturing, which changes the capacitance. At least you can tell right away because the silver cap has bulged, sometimes cracked. I have repaired many (non aviation) items by just replacing caps.

On has to assess their own abilities when attempting these type of repairs. Just getting the back cover off of my laptop can be daunting. Replacing capacitors requires the proper temperature controlled soldering gear (not one of those irons with the AC plug wire coming out the end!) and de-soldering gear. If you haven't done this before best to send it off to a repair shop..

Tom