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paulz
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# Posted: 17 Oct 2020 03:07pm
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I bought a new Sangean portable radio for the cabin. If fell off the shelf while I was doing something. Still works but the digital display is blank, mostly. I have it apart but still functional. Once in awhile the display comes on. I have poked, prodded and twisted the circuit board around to no avail, can't find what connection or thing is causing it.
Is there some other method of finding out what's causing it?
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ratfink56
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2020 06:01pm
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Have you used a magnifying glass to view the circuit board? Sounds like a solder connection which could be very difficult to spot. Shooting in the dark here.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2020 08:50pm
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Is it possible to prod board while powered? Use non-conductive rod? Might find weak connection this way. I’m guessing surface mounted components? Might be tricky to resolder... If conformal-coated board you’ll have to scrape coating off to solder. No fun...
Old tube gear is so much easier to repair!
SE Ohio
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paulz
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2020 11:22am - Edited by: paulz
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Thanks guys. Yeah I did looks the solder joints with a loupe and poked at them while powered up. No luck.
So I trashed it. I thought it would give the best reception at my cabin but it was really no better than the $10 USB rechargeable radio I have been using in it's place.
I try to fix everything I can but with electronics is a different ball game for me, and sometimes just not worth it .
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2020 01:36pm
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If you are using AM or shortwave, a long wire (60-100’) hung high, brought in and looped around the radio will boost signals in a big way. An outside fm antenna hung high can help FM reception.
Some radios are more sensitive than others, too. Sometimes one can find a GE Supertuner or Supertuner 2 at a thrift shop for under $10. Great for am/fm long distance signals
SE Ohio
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 12 Nov 2020 12:00pm
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Quoting: SE Ohio If you are using AM or shortwave
Took your advice and hoisted a wire up a tree this morning, at least 50' (can't see where it's hooked to the green rope). Helps AM in a big way, FM too a bit I think. Just have to run it into the cabin now.
Thanks SEO
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 12 Nov 2020 12:45pm
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Congrats on raising an antenna! You’ve got a nice vertical antenna. If it were horizontal it would favor from “broadside†directions, vertical isn’t picky about direction.
Keep in mind this antenna can pick up a static charge on windy snowy or stormy day. It can give you a zap! You might use a wire with alligator clip to connect to your outdoor wire, leaving disconnected when you are away.
FM might prefer a simple “dipole†antenna either indoors or outdoors, outdoors above roof level will give better reception. This will favor the “broadside†directions for reception. Turn to maximize your favorite stations.
I have several good AM music stations near my cabin. I listen to shortwave at night, logging many international stations. I listen to a little FM too.
Enjoy! Let us know what distant stations you receive. From Ohio I can usually pick up Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, NYC, Toronto, etc most evenings. You might do even better?
SE Ohio
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2020 09:19am
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I've played around with a dipole a little bit but not for radio. When we first started using the cabin, before the days of cheap internet, I had a small TV getting over the air broadcast. Still have it, but the only station it pulled in is now defunct. There is another low power station I should be able to pull in with some effort but now that I'm paying $30 a month for the unlimited fiber internet at the cabin we just use that.
I will be searching for radio stations with this new antenna wire. Without it I was limited to one AM station. I pulled in a couple others quickly yesterday in my brief test.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2020 10:33am
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So, how did you 'connect' it to the radio?
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SE Ohio
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2020 11:26am
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Just wrap the antenna wire around the radio a few times. Signal will be inductively couple to radios internal antenna! I find just bringing antenna wire close will up volume one some radios
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2021 06:21pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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I'd bet a solder joint has broken. If you cant see it, then a light tap at each joint. With the real new stuff and all being surface mounted, tough deal, but the older stuff, its doable. A broken solder joint with a powerful magnifying glass, you can see it, it can arc too, dont expect to see a shower of spark, but you will see a small black ring around the joint. Keep in mind, it could be another joint broken too, not at the digital display solder joints. Most likely is where a connector or wire harness is soldered into the board. Be careful with the heat, get in and out fast.
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