I had to get a new tuning encoder from the RL Drake coy for my R8B. Once
again Drake's service was superb, from the rapid reply to queries,
preparation of quotes to timely receipt of the part. The part arrived in my
shack two calendar weeks after depositing the funds for the transaction.
Very quick for this part of the world. The vital customs documentation,
often not properly filled out by other suppliers, was correctly filled out
in detail, ensuring a quick passage through customs with a minimal charge.

Americans might be interested to know how much it costs in the third world
to get a tiny part weighing only quarter of an ounce:
$12 cost of part
$23 postage and packing
$20 bank charge for teletransferring funds to Drake's bank in USA
$6 customs clearance and sales tax
_____
$61 TOTAL ..!!!
--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s.
RX Drake R8B, SW8 & ERGO software
Sony 7600D, GE SRIII
BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A.
Hallicrafters SX-100, Eddystone 940
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop

John Plimmer wrote:

I had to get a new tuning encoder from the RL Drake coy for my R8B. Once
again Drake's service was superb, from the rapid reply to queries,
preparation of quotes to timely receipt of the part. The part arrived in my
shack two calendar weeks after depositing the funds for the transaction.
Very quick for this part of the world. The vital customs documentation,
often not properly filled out by other suppliers, was correctly filled out
in detail, ensuring a quick passage through customs with a minimal charge.

Americans might be interested to know how much it costs in the third world
to get a tiny part weighing only quarter of an ounce:
$12 cost of part
$23 postage and packing
$20 bank charge for teletransferring funds to Drake's bank in USA
$6 customs clearance and sales tax
_____
$61 TOTAL ..!!!
--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa

You probably won't have any problem with the new encoder but I've found
a way to make it last much longer. This involves taking it apart and
thoroughly degreasing all the internal parts, especially the contacts.
Use a good electrical cleaner such as DeOxIt. Then relube the internal
parts with an *all synthetic* grease. I use a grease called 'Superlube'.
It may be hard to find in your part of the world but you can order it
online.
The encoder in my R8B has lasted several years since I did this
maintenance. I think Drake may have done something about this encoder
problem because the new ones seem to be lasting longer. How old is your
R8B?


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Serial number is 8 1 129 40060 - I think that's 1998 vintage.
I asked Drake about repairing the old one as you suggest, but they said they
did not recommend that.
As I have to get a skilled engineer to do the job anyway, I figured the
replacement with a new one would be a better bet, but did not realise it
would cost me so much in the end, that is, the high landed cost of the
replacement.

--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s.
RX Drake R8B, SW8 & ERGO software
Sony 7600D GE SRIII
BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A.
Hallicrafters SX-100, Eddystone 940
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop

"starman" wrote in message
...
John Plimmer wrote:

I had to get a new tuning encoder from the RL Drake coy for my R8B. Once
again Drake's service was superb, from the rapid reply to queries,
preparation of quotes to timely receipt of the part. The part arrived in
my
shack two calendar weeks after depositing the funds for the transaction.
Very quick for this part of the world. The vital customs documentation,
often not properly filled out by other suppliers, was correctly filled
out
in detail, ensuring a quick passage through customs with a minimal
charge.

Americans might be interested to know how much it costs in the third
world
to get a tiny part weighing only quarter of an ounce:
$12 cost of part
$23 postage and packing
$20 bank charge for teletransferring funds to Drake's bank in USA
$6 customs clearance and sales tax
_____
$61 TOTAL ..!!!
--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa

You probably won't have any problem with the new encoder but I've found
a way to make it last much longer. This involves taking it apart and
thoroughly degreasing all the internal parts, especially the contacts.
Use a good electrical cleaner such as DeOxIt. Then relube the internal
parts with an *all synthetic* grease. I use a grease called 'Superlube'.
It may be hard to find in your part of the world but you can order it
online.
The encoder in my R8B has lasted several years since I did this
maintenance. I think Drake may have done something about this encoder
problem because the new ones seem to be lasting longer. How old is your
R8B?


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Lucky wrote:

Aren't the Drake R8's better then the R8a's in the regard the optical
encoder is optical in the R8 while mechanical in the R8a and R8b?

In fact, on Ebay, I see the R8's more sought after then the R8a from what
I've seen so far.

Drake claims they stopped making the optical encoder used in the R8
because it had problems. I don't know if it was more or less reliable
than the mechanical encoder in the R8A and R8B. I'm reasonably sure the
problem with the mechanical one is related to the lubricant (grease). I
think it reacts with the metal of the contacts to form a non-conductive
coating. Cleaning the parts and lubing them with a synthetic grease has
solved the problem with mine.


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John Plimmer wrote:

Serial number is 8 1 129 40060 - I think that's 1998 vintage.
I asked Drake about repairing the old one as you suggest, but they said they
did not recommend that.
As I have to get a skilled engineer to do the job anyway, I figured the
replacement with a new one would be a better bet, but did not realise it
would cost me so much in the end, that is, the high landed cost of the
replacement.

Yes, that's a 1998 model. How much use has your R8B had? Are you the
original owner? I'm wondering how long it takes before the encoder
problem can develop. Did you save the old encoder?


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Considerable use +/- four hours heavy use every single day
Encoder started going wobbly after four years
Yes, I am the original owner
Will only do the replacement next week sometime when the engineer has
time - he will also realign the set on a scope + signal generator at the
same time.
Will save the old encoder
Drake Service indicated the replacement encoder is not the same type as the
original.
--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s.
RX Drake R8B, SW8 & ERGO software
Sony 7600D GE SRIII
BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A.
Hallicrafters SX-100, Eddystone 940
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop

"starman" wrote in message
...
John Plimmer wrote:

Serial number is 8 1 129 40060 - I think that's 1998 vintage.
I asked Drake about repairing the old one as you suggest, but they said
they
did not recommend that.
As I have to get a skilled engineer to do the job anyway, I figured the
replacement with a new one would be a better bet, but did not realise it
would cost me so much in the end, that is, the high landed cost of the
replacement.

Yes, that's a 1998 model. How much use has your R8B had? Are you the
original owner? I'm wondering how long it takes before the encoder
problem can develop. Did you save the old encoder?


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John Plimmer wrote:

Considerable use +/- four hours heavy use every single day
Encoder started going wobbly after four years
Yes, I am the original owner
Will only do the replacement next week sometime when the engineer has
time - he will also realign the set on a scope + signal generator at the
same time.
Will save the old encoder
Drake Service indicated the replacement encoder is not the same type as the
original.

That's a lot of use. I'd like to see the inside of the new encoder with
the metal shaft. Maybe I'll order one for an autopsy. :-)


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DesignGuy wrote:

Although I haven't checked to see if it's available, it may be easier to
just replace the whole encoder board rather than attempting
desoldering/soldering over and over. Eventually the circuit traces will be
damaged. The encoder just sits on a tiny 1 inch by inch (approx.) circuit
board.

That small PC board was used for the optical encoder in the R8. That's
why there are parts missing on it with the R8B version. I eliminated the
board and soldered the three wires directly to the terminals on the
encoder.


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starman wrote:

DesignGuy wrote:

Although I haven't checked to see if it's available, it may be easier to
just replace the whole encoder board rather than attempting
desoldering/soldering over and over. Eventually the circuit traces will be
damaged. The encoder just sits on a tiny 1 inch by inch (approx.) circuit
board.

That small PC board was used for the optical encoder in the R8. That's
why there are parts missing on it with the R8B version. I eliminated the
board and soldered the three wires directly to the terminals on the
encoder.

That is indeed the best way to replace the encoder. I recall you mentioning that some
time back, and that is what I did in my previous R8B.

dxAce
Michigan
USA