[TenTec] Common Band Module Problems?

[Kevin Anderson]

I have two Scouts, with the longest one in my house going back to 2001 (and that was bought used), with an Argo Scout currently as my active radio, and so far no module has outright failed on me yet.  Like another poster commented, I always keep one module in each radio at all times, which protects against dirt, dust, and oxidation.  And I keep the unused modules always in the little zip-lock bags that they came in (although not sealed shut) , and then those organized in an open Glad plastic food container, one for each radio, so they have little opportunity to collect dust or dirt.

Every now and then I will have a module get "squirrely" on me and appear not to work well.  The VFO not changing frequencies is an obvious indication, although once recently that part worked and the radio appeared to function, but I didn't seem to have much or any output at all.  Usually when this happens, the module is just a tad out and not full seated in the radio.  So far all I've needed to do was take the module out and re-insert it again, making sure the module is all the way in, which on my radios means just slightly, a millimeter or two, recessed into the radio. (That little distance between fully inserted and not seems to make a huge difference from what I can tell.)

Like others have said, inserting gently with the final pressure with the thumb while holding the radio in place works the best.  And taking the modules out is with steady, but gentle, use of the built-in lever.  Knock on wood, but so far I haven't broken a handle yet on a module, although that possibility does have me feel a tad nervous every time.

Kevin, K9IUA

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Kevin Anderson, Dubuque IA USA, K9IUA 
k9iua (at) yahoo (dot) com
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