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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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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