How hard is it to change the FC and channel leds to the blue ones on a Galaxy 959 radio. I have a set coming and just wanting to know what im getting into here and any tips would be very helpful.
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Galaxy DX-959 blue led's
- Thread starter basstracker1970
- Start date
RatsoW8
Supporting Member, W9WDX ARC Member - WD8T
I did a couple of 959's two years ago. The meter bulb is easy. The channel display is medium difficulty if you have some good soldering skills and very fine tip, controlled heat soldering gun. If you can handle some fine solder work you'll be good. It's also a big help to have a one of those desk lights with the magnifying lens in it to work on the channel display. The pins are very small. I think they made them larger when I was younger 
The channel display is simple. The frequency counter is a little trickier. The key is to change out the LEDs one at a time (don't pull all the red ones out before putting in the blue. That way you'll ensure that each new one you put in will be flush with the others AND be the proper distance from the face plate..
[Edit]: I forgot to ask... did you buy the blue plastic for the face plate as well (you'll need it)?
Just replaced a channel LED in an old President Grant because one segment was a little intermittent. It was no cake walk; took over 1 1/2 hours. Had to take the whole front of the radio apart. It was very tedious work.
Can only imagine what the frequency counter must be like to change out. But if you have the spare time and money to do it; then go for it. That will take some time and a heapin' helping of patience . . .
Can only imagine what the frequency counter must be like to change out. But if you have the spare time and money to do it; then go for it. That will take some time and a heapin' helping of patience . . .
I would just send it in to Doug at Custom CB, he seems to be the 959 Guru and can do most anything to one. RFX, dual mosfets, blue lights, receive mods, Viagra board, and probably anything you can dream up. Just saying, it's fun to tinker I guess on a 20 dollar radio, you want your main radio done right leave it to a pro.
My big question is all the soldering you have to do for both the channel and fc done on one side of the board or are they soldered on both sides.
RatsoW8
Supporting Member, W9WDX ARC Member - WD8T
I would pay heed to what was said abouve. If you've never done this before there is a good chance to bugger the radio up pretty good. Find a few old non working radios and practice on those first before diving to the 959. Or send it to someone with experience. It would be nice it these mods were plug and play but that's not the case here.
I am very good a soldering and have all the proper tools for it. I was just wanting to know if all the soldering is done on the side of board where the pins come through or do some of them solder on the other side of board. As for soldering i have been messing with electronics for 25 years and I can solder very well that's not my worry. I just haven't mess with the galaxy 959 lights before and was just trying to get some tips and insight on doing the job right. I work on all my radios myself. Thank you and 73'sssss
Been awhile since I worked on a 959. But IIRC, you would probably have to remove the FC module. There are a row of pins on the bottom of it that will allow you to slide the ass'y - up and out. Plus, having to remove a couple of wires to be fully disconnected from the radio as well.
DO NOT bend those pins! You will really screw this project up if you are fighting taking out/putting in the new LED's and bend/mangle those pins. Cut a piece of soft Styrofoam to fit the length, height, and width of the pins and carefully/gently/gradually sink them in w/o bending them once it is out. This will give you some measure of security from bending the pins into this foam while replacing the LED's. Use a great amount of care putting it back in too.
DO NOT bend those pins! You will really screw this project up if you are fighting taking out/putting in the new LED's and bend/mangle those pins. Cut a piece of soft Styrofoam to fit the length, height, and width of the pins and carefully/gently/gradually sink them in w/o bending them once it is out. This will give you some measure of security from bending the pins into this foam while replacing the LED's. Use a great amount of care putting it back in too.
ZMAN,
replacing the channel LEDs and the freq counter LEDs on a galaxy style radio is not impossible, but it is also not for the first timer.
the PC boards are double sided, plated through, and very cheaply made.
(look up "plated through" if you dont know what that means)
if you do not have a good desoldering tool (not the red bulb from radio shack), and know how to use it very quickly and efficiently; you stand a good chance of ruining the PC board for the displays.
if you are already very experienced at soldering and de-soldering delicate PC board traces, then the process goes something like this:
1. disassemble radio, front faceplate, and bracket.
2. gain access to both sides of the display PC board removing/unsoldering anything holding it in place.
3. using a soldering iron and desoldering tool (or desoldering station if you have the bread) remove every bit of solder from each of the freq counter LEDs and the channel display. the LEDs should all but fall right out.
if they seem stuck in place, DO NOT PULL ON THEM!!! you must desolder the pins again to make sure you got ALL the solder out of the holes.
4. put new LEDs in place, and solder.
5. change value of correct resistor in dimmer circuit for desired brightness level.
6.change lenses to correct color. (the stock orange lens in the 959 will make blue LEDs look green)
now, that may sound easy enough, but if you overheat the board, or pull one or more of the "plated through" metal cylinders out, then you are going to have to hack the radio back together, and you better be darn good at reading schematics/ diagrams.
bottom line, this job is usually best suited to those who are willing to replace your radio should they screw it up.
LC
replacing the channel LEDs and the freq counter LEDs on a galaxy style radio is not impossible, but it is also not for the first timer.
the PC boards are double sided, plated through, and very cheaply made.
(look up "plated through" if you dont know what that means)
if you do not have a good desoldering tool (not the red bulb from radio shack), and know how to use it very quickly and efficiently; you stand a good chance of ruining the PC board for the displays.
if you are already very experienced at soldering and de-soldering delicate PC board traces, then the process goes something like this:
1. disassemble radio, front faceplate, and bracket.
2. gain access to both sides of the display PC board removing/unsoldering anything holding it in place.
3. using a soldering iron and desoldering tool (or desoldering station if you have the bread) remove every bit of solder from each of the freq counter LEDs and the channel display. the LEDs should all but fall right out.
if they seem stuck in place, DO NOT PULL ON THEM!!! you must desolder the pins again to make sure you got ALL the solder out of the holes.
4. put new LEDs in place, and solder.
5. change value of correct resistor in dimmer circuit for desired brightness level.
6.change lenses to correct color. (the stock orange lens in the 959 will make blue LEDs look green)
now, that may sound easy enough, but if you overheat the board, or pull one or more of the "plated through" metal cylinders out, then you are going to have to hack the radio back together, and you better be darn good at reading schematics/ diagrams.
bottom line, this job is usually best suited to those who are willing to replace your radio should they screw it up.
LC
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