[AMPS] RF Surge Problem

[K4SO@aol.com]

I have replaced two of these in 2 different radios. In both cases, the small 
reed relay to T/R switch was fried and the surge supressor exploded! In one 
case, the rig "listened" to a transmitter (improper multi-transmitter setup!) 
and in the other, lightning was the culprit.

The symptom was normal transmit but no RX, except when using the RX antenna 
port (external).

I pass along the relay failure details, but the important point is that the 
surge supressor was only a couple of dollars, and was an easy repair. The 
relay part number has changed from my documentation as a slightly more robust 
unit is the standard now. Apparently, current production incorporates this 
newer part. Others may lose the this relay and the surge suppressor and 
identify the problem from the symptoms I mentioned. As Phil noted, it was a 
rare case (for me) of being to repair a complicated, modern rig and save some 
$$$ and time in the process.

P.S. Yes I bought a couple of extras of each part for future use. If they 
don't get used, that's okay!

73, Mark 

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/ampsfaq.html
Submissions:              amps@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  amps-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-amps@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm