Galaxy DX99V Frequency Counter shows 24.xxx

[nomadradio]

Have a look at the 10.24 MHz crystal. If this radio is old enough, could have been built with a bad one. There was a production run or two in the late 90s that had this production goof. Found myself selling a year's supply of that crystal in a month.

73

 

[Jim5570091]

I touched up all the solder joints around the 10.240 crystal. And the jump to 24.xxx has stopped. But I have noticed I can push in lightly on the channel selector and it will drift away from the selected frequency. It comes right back on frequency once it makes good connection. I inherited the radio from my late Uncle. He was a chain smoker. Should I use some contact cleaner in the selector switch? How is the best way to get cleaner inside the switch?

 

[nomadradio]

A proper control cleaner containing a light lubricant is best for the channel selector. Any control that has contacts that wipe one metal surface against another needs a light film of lubrication to reduce wear from metal-on-metal friction. Common product description is "control cleaner" rather than a dry no-residue contact cleaner.

Marginal solder connections in that kind of radio earned it the name "Galaxy Syndrome" around here. If it has one of the rogue 10.24 crystals you may find that you just "shocked" the crystal back to working again. If it quits again soon, that's a sign.

Best of luck and 73

 

[Jim5570091]

I forgot to follow up on this. Cleaning the selector switch totally eliminated all issues that remained. It’s even stable on SSB other than the normal temperature drift. Thanks for all y’all have done.

 

[nomadradio]

Rock on! Always good to hear that a plan came together. Congratulations for sticking with it.

73