Andrew VK3BFA wrote:

Erk - hi all,

you need to get a very basic book on radios, and read up the theory -
it will improve your fault finding no end. (probably mid 70's ARRL
handbook would be a good primer)

The sig gen is irrelevant at this stage - you have already proved that
by observation of the S meter during Cal (thats one of its functions
along with calibrating frequency)

Also, unconnected wires and/or smoke are a basic radio no no.

This is going to be hard --- to try and fix a radio by remote
control, but will give it a try if you want to persevere.

73 de VK3BFA Andrew

I'm not so sure that any book would help with a specific model problem.
After all, the OP is a licensed ham wih a callsign and *should* be
savvy enough to look for where the smoke came from.
At this point of troubleshooting it would seem that OP would be equally
served with a book on "Olifactory Recognition" inasmuch as an
electronics book. One cannot simply read a 30 year old ARRL Handbook
and fix a complicated modern radio.

-Bill

-ex- wrote:
Andrew VK3BFA wrote:

Erk - hi all,

you need to get a very basic book on radios, and read up the theory -
it will improve your fault finding no end. (probably mid 70's ARRL
handbook would be a good primer)


I'm not so sure that any book would help with a specific model problem.
After all, the OP is a licensed ham wih a callsign and *should* be
savvy enough to look for where the smoke came from.
At this point of troubleshooting it would seem that OP would be equally
served with a book on "Olifactory Recognition" inasmuch as an
electronics book. One cannot simply read a 30 year old ARRL Handbook
and fix a complicated modern radio.

-Bill

Hi Bill,
no, the arrl book wont tell you how to fix a kenwood ts-120 - but it
will provide you with the basic theory of

1) how it works and
2) how to start logical fault finding.

Unless you have at least block level understanding of what is in front
of you, then you wont have ANY chance of fixing it.

Besides, by modern standards, the ts120 IS an old, simple radio, and
SHOULD be able to be serviced in the home workshop. You just need to
have enough basic radio theory to start working your way through. The
license qualification gets you on air - thats all. And most people
forget the theory unless it is subsequently applied in practice.

To me, at any rate, the 'fun' bit of AR is building and getting things
to work - I have no real interest in talking to people on air !

And RF is my field of interest - digital is a mystery, and am quite
content to ask for help and guidance if I have a problem.

73 de VK3BFA Andrew