#133

In this video we have a look at the Kenwood VFO-230
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[@pavil58yt]

Neat video. I just retrieved a VFO230 from storage and it won't 'tune'. Was great to find your vid for a reference. TY.

[@cuban9splat]

Good job, Buddy. I think Mike is right about the stuff fixing itself. In the old days when TV repairmen made house calls, the TVs would suddenly start working as soon as the repairman drove up in the driveway LOL. Love the old TS-830 series of equipment. I used to be a major Kenwood fan. Now I favor Yaesu Ham gear. Thanks for sharing this with us all. As usual, you did a stellar job! 73 DE K7RMJ Frank

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Frank, I know what you mean. Same problem when I worked for Curtis Mathis. Only thing you needed was a roll of solder and a iron..

[@N5KDA]

I hate working on problems that are intermittent. Those issues, as you know, are very time consuming You have me hooked on these videos. Thanks for posting them!

[@TheRadioShop]

Intermitted problems can be tough. And like you said they can take up a lot of time. Almost to the point where there is no profit in the repair. But there is one thing different compared to a hobby or living, and that is the pleasure you get from the repair. Very pleased to hear you like the videos.

[@rico1319]

Another great video of some beautiful vintage gear. But then again I'm partial to old Kenwood gear. LOL!! I really cracked up when you said everyone has a bad day, and thats true. It was just a very polite way of saying someone was a sleep on the job that day!! You would sure think that someone would've caught that one? But those other ones that you re-soldered was very hard to fine for me. That microscope really did the trick! Great catch!! You're right, it sure did look like someone else was in there soldering at one time or another. Great idea to go over those and clean it up. Holy smokes the digital readout sure looks a hole lot better also. You sure go the extra mile every time. I was shocked how this VFO looked so different than the last remote VFO you worked on. 😳 Thank you again buddy. Keep up the good work, and most importantly thank you so much for sharing these informative videos. God bless brother and thank you for helping so many of us out!!👍

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Rico. This was fun to work on. Problems as this can be bit of a challenge at times not being able to see the original fault. The display sure looked better with the filter back in place. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Really enjoyed this and learnt a lot. What kind of things to look out for and that you don't always find the fault! I like your laid back way of presenting, gives time to take in what you are saying. Keep up the good work.

[@jaybats7865]

I really enjoyed it Buddy. So much satisfaction in bringing something back into service or even just cleaning up and making it fresh again👍

[@vetterfellow]

Excellent video Buddy, One thing I'd like to know 22:47 is that MY tooth brush ??. LOL.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks. Ah so that was your toothbrush eh? LOL

[@MarinusWillemstijn]

Thanks a very interesting video regardless of the outcome. I have a VF230 that needs repair and not having anyone to do that locally I will attempt myself. Thanks so far. Will be looking at finding the Service Manuals, etc.

[@BatColonyEvictor]

Good stuff! Very informative and interesting

[@mikesradiorepair]

Don't you know by now, stuff is only broke when the owner has it. Blasted stuff fixes itself as soon as it sees a repairman. I swear we just scare it into working. :-) It's may have been one of those poor looking solder joints and it started making good contact after bouncing around during shipping. Thanks for sharing. Mike

[@PapasDino]

Intermittent are absolutely the worst thing to troubleshoot. Speaking of pins on PCBs, I once bought a memory expansion card for my Apple II many years ago and when I got it a portion of the memory wouldn't show up when running a memory utility. Finally found the problem - during manufacture a IC socket had a single pin that bent under and had not gone thru the PCB hole...now that was fun finding! The seller of course told me that his "tech" had tested the board to ensure it was working properly before they shipped it to me...hope he fired that guy. Nice fixes Buddy, hope it makes its way back and works FB for the owner. 73 - Dino KL0S

[@TheRadioShop]

You are right, dont know how many things are brought into the shop that work fine. All that time is spent to find nothing lol. Sure was a bunch of bad soldering in this though

[@TheRadioShop]

Agree Dino. They can be tough nuts to crack. Makes one wonder how does a memory stick make it out the door in that shape. Thanks for watching Dino.

[@IamDerick]

I dislike problems that resolve themselves. They usually come back at the most inconvenient times. Your videos have changed my opinion on soldering on older rigs I guess I just have not seen the volume you have. Most of the stuff I have worked on was MILSPEC and solder connection issues were rare. On the consumer grade stuff, most soldering issues were self-inflicted or a prior owner. Thanks! 73 Derick K7TIE

[@dougmcartin3881]

I've seen unsoldered connection on vintage radios from the 40's and 50's many time as they were hand wired and soldered at the factory. Somebody went off for lunch and forgot where they left off soldering. It happened from time to time and if it was in a non critical part of the circuit, the radio would work and pass QC and out it went. I would have thought the 230 would have been machine soldered so I wonder how it missed that connection. Any way interesting as always. 73 Doug.

[@TheRadioShop]

I agree Doug. I do not think that the missed pad was really a concern as it was just grounding a leg on the IC. Seems HeathKit is the worst for missing solder lol. Due to the fact they were home built. I think the problems here are taken care of now. Thanks for commenting.

[@pierrelataillade7564]

Very nice video buddy, thanks for sharing ..

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for watching.

[@radiobigman47]

there nice vfo to have I could never find one at the time I had my 830 or I just couldn't afford it at the time

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes the 230 VFO's are rare and hard to find. Thanks

[@g1fsh]

Really nice job Buddy

[@TheRadioShop]

As always, thanks Gary.

[@bundylovess]

Nice one buddy big thumbs up my friend

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you allan.

[@GarthWheeler]

hi i am repairing one at the moment and found the same problems i am looking for what wires go where on where the connector goes to the radio, as some of those wires have come off regards garth zs5gmw.

[@PelDaddy]

Thanks for sharing. What was the scrubbing tool used around 23:00 ?? Looked like a metallic Q-Tip?

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks. Oh that is a clear tooth brush. The bristles have been cut short to about 4 mm.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Buddy, Great video. Have watched many videos by you, Mike, Paul, and Peter just naming a few. Just wondering if there is anything you can't repair. :-) 73 WB3BJU

[@TheRadioShop]

Thank you Donald. Feels good to get mentioned with those big names. To answer that quest...Yes. I have to pieces of gear that have run me in. The Fluke 8520 and a TS-930.

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

Nice slick work as usual, pity there wasn't a more definite and conclusive fault to sink your teeth into.....I need to get myself a Microscope!!

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Kevin. That microscope really helps to see the poor soldering. I just need to get all the software tied together so you guys can see better quality video.

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

With so much SMD around these days, it really pays to be able to be able to deal with it and easily. I could see how easy it was to get right in there and attack those areas you were working on. Must be a bit strange at first with the movement, I imagine your movement is exaggerated under the microscope... I remember another one of your videos had you doing some SMD under the scope that was impressive....