[Amps] AL-80A - Won't tune on 160m.

[Bill Coleman]

> On Sep 4, 2016, at 6:07 PM, George Hall <n2cg at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> Greetings Bill and the group,
> 
> I have a late model AL-80A build in mid 1989 just a few months before MFJ bought Ameritron and soon after replaced the AL-80A with a total redesigned AL-80B which is still in current production with some change along the way.  According to Carl KM1H On Nov. 28, 2015 QRZ.COM AMPS Forum the band switch wafer that usually burns out is the 160m contact solder terminal.  To prevent this from occurring a #8 brass flat washer is placed over the 160m terminal and soldered in place (see attached photo with yellow highlight and red circle area - sorry for the photo of a black and white picture ... that’s all I have and I don’t remember where I downloaded it from).
> 
> My AL-80A had this #8 brass flat washer installed as Carl said, but I have a feeling earlier production AL-80A models did not.
> 
> However you replace the burnt 160m band switch contact, if you AL-80A does not have this brass flat washer in place, then I strongly suggest you do so.
> 
> 73, George  N2CG   

Thanks for the picture, George. 

No, my AL-80A did not have this washer. I’ll certainly add it when I make the repair.

Hey, for anyone that is interested, I wrote up my latest mis-adventure with the AL-80A on my blog. It details the reason the AL-80A is back on the bench:

http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com/2016/09/uh-oh.html


Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901