Re: [IRCA] SRF-59 Alignments: Performing the Service Manual Procedure

Subject: Re: [IRCA] SRF-59 Alignments: Performing the Service Manual Procedure
From: "Saul Chernos" <sauldx@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 10:08:47 -0500
Looked at the instructions, but I'm afraid I don't have the equipment or 
more importantly the patience and nimble fingers to do any of this. I'm 
clumsy as all hell with anything small, though I don't mind risking a $15 
radio ($30 in Toronto until I find cheaper somewhere). As for the recomended 
shrink, perhaps a self-help group will do. For now the SRF-59 will be DXed 
in its own unadulterated naturaal state. I'll have a better feel for what it 
can do at Burnt River, where the conditions are much more sane than at my 
downtown location. (I'm particularly curious to see it perform on FM at a 
few of my FM DX sites up there).

Saul

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <D1028Gary@xxxxxxx>
To: <irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 3:09 AM
Subject: [IRCA] SRF-59 Alignments: Performing the Service Manual Procedure


> Hello All,
>
>     The recent availability of the Sony SRF-PSY03  Service Manual (which 
> has
> circuitry identical to that of the SRF-59) has given  us the ability to 
> turn
> total turkey units into screaming DX birds of prey!
>
>     After performing seven of these full alignments,  and seeing all seven
> units operating at peak sensitivity and DX effectiveness,  it is certain 
> to me
> that the procedure is worth the somewhat tedious  necessity of disassembly 
> and
> reassembly of the tiny little radio.   Unfortunately, however, this 
> process
> does require good eyesight, patience,  steady nerves, and confidence.  The
> SRF-59 is not a Heathkit, and was  certainly not designed for 
> user-friendly
> disassembly, or  reassembly.  Understand that despite these simplified
> instructions, this little unit is still quite capable of sending beginners 
> to the shrink.
> Proceed at your own risk!
>
> 1)  Turn off radio.  Remove belt clip, headphones and  battery.
> 2)  Turn AM-FM switch to AM.
> 3)  Without forcing, tune dial needle to far left stop (530).
> 4)  Carefully note the exact position of the dial needle at this  point.
>       (This is EXTREMELY important for  proper dial reassembly!)
> 5)  Remove the two screws from back panel.  This will  accomplish
>       absolutely nothing in making the  panels separate.
> 6)  Repeat to yourself, "This radio only cost 15 bucks."
> 7)  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!
> 8)  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  horizontally to increase the
>       separation, WITHOUT any forcing.  Do NOT use tools!
> 9)  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 headphone jack,
>       which will complete the separation of  front and back panels.
>       At this point, the back panel may or  may not break off from
>       the circuit board, but it is certain  that the dial needle's
>       plastic gear will fall out of its  front panel slot, making you
>       think that the radio is  destroyed.  Repeat Step #6 above.
> 10) Remove back panel from circuit board, if not  already removed
>      (simply pull apart the small spot of  glue).
> 11) Attach battery to contact spring (negative) and clip (positive).
>      Tape may be helpful in keeping in the  contacts in place.
> 12) Turn on radio (center left switch on circuit board), and plug in
>      headphones.
> 13) An RF signal generator is required to verify frequency
>      coverage from 520-1750 kHz. If you do not  have one, at
>      least verify coverage from 530-1700 kHz by  checking
>      received stations close to these border  frequencies.
> 14) If an RF signal generator is available, set it to 520 kHz,
>      turn the radio's tuner fully CCW, and  peak L3 (the
>      red-slugged can close to the loop stick)  with a non-
>      metallic (plastic or wood) flat-bladed  alignment tool
>      to obtain loudest headphone volume of the  carrier.
> 15) If an RF signal generator is available, set it to 1750 kHz,
>      set the radio's tuner fully CW, turn the  circuit board over,
>      and peak CT1 (3/4) (the upper right trimming  capacitor
>      on the tuner) to obtain loudest headphone  volume of the
>      carrier.  This is a sensitive  adjustment.
>      NOTE: The frequency coverage has been  perfectly
>      set on all seven units as received from  the factory, so
>      lack of a signal generator is not a serious  problem.
> 16) Turn the circuit board over, and use a very small flat-
>      bladed screwdriver to carefully scrape away  all the wax
>      bonding the smaller loop stick coil (the one  closest to
>      the tuner) to the ferrite bar.  Clear a  slide path on both
>      sides of the coil at least .25 inch  long, free of wax, for
>      the next step. Verify freedom of coil to  slide either way.
> 17) Set RF signal generator to 600 kHz, and set radio tuner
>      near 600 kHz (or, if RFsignal generator is  not available,
>      use a live WEAK signal near 600 kHz for the  next step).
> 18) Tune in RF signal generator signal, or the weak live signal
>      on or near 600 kHz. Carefully slide  coil along ferrite bar
>      with a NON-metallic (wood, plastic)  probe to peak the
>      received signal. Perform this step  repeatedly to find the
>      exact spot of strongest, clearest audio  (NOTE: This step
>      is the one most important to improve  factory-unit
>      sensitivity).
> 19) Secure the small coil to this spot with a piece of tape, or
>      small spot of woodworking glue.
> 20) Turn circuit board over.  Set signal generator to 1400 kHz,
>      and set radio tuner to near 1400  ( or, if RF signal
>      generator is not available, use a live  WEAK signal near
>      1400 for the next step).
> 21) Tune in RF signal generator signal, or live weak signal
>      near 1400.  Carefully peak CT1 (4/4)  (the upper left
>      trimming capacitor on the tuner) for maximum  clear
>      audio signal.
> 22) Turn off radio, unplug headphones, disconnect battery.
> 23) 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 #4 above (this is EXTREMELY  important!)
> 24) 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.
> 25) 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  linkage
>      repositioned for correction (this is the  trickiest step
>      in the alignment).
> 26) If tuner operation is smooth and frequencies match, you
>      have just guaranteed yourself success in  this extremely
>      rough alignment!  Congratulate yourself  repeatedly!
> 27) 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.
> 28) Reinstall two back screws, battery, headphones, and
>      belt clip.
> 29) Turn on radio. Log tons of DX.  Call yourself a champion!
>
>
> 73 and Good DX,
>
> Gary DeBock
>
> SRF-59 Tech Trio Junior Member
>
>
>
>
> **************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.
> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
> _______________________________________________
> 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 

_______________________________________________
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
References:
- [IRCA] SRF-59 Alignments: Performing the Service Manual Procedure
  - From: D1028Gary
Prev by Date: Re: [IRCA] Drift Net DX Update From Northern Delaware
Next by Date: Re: [IRCA] Good Distance Calculator
Previous by thread: [IRCA] SRF-59 Alignments: Performing the Service Manual Procedure
Next by thread: [IRCA] JOUB 774 fair at 0843 ut
Index(es):
- Date
- Thread