Kenwood TS430s

[Bombero]

When I purchsed this rig, the dial would not function correctly and the previous owner thought maybe the encoder was bad.

He gave me a new encoder and I just installed it.  When I powered the rig up with power and A=B buttons, the freq meter is going crazy.
It is almost as if it was scanning through everything.

Any ideas on what my next step would be?

Thanks

[nomadradio]

Leaves two possibilities. Either the new encoder is bad, or you have a solder short between connections on the new encoder.

Don't know what else would do this.

Oh, and the display on this radio is not a frequency counter or "meter". The numbers you see on the display come from the computer program that reads the tuning knob as an input, and shows the frequency it TOLD the radio to go to. This is called a "program display". Looks like a frequency counter, but it's not.

73

[w3kq]

First,

Make certain that the MS (memory scan), and PGS (program scan) switches to the right of the tuning dial are not depressed or stuck "in".

Here's a few more things to try... this will help narrow down what the problem might be. 

With the power off, go to the control board and pull the connector numbered 23 on the board. This is a 4 pin connector, and it is the encoder assembly input to the control board.  Pull it here instead of at the encoder assembly, to make certain there are no "modifications" made by a previous owner somewhere between the encoder assy and the control board input.   2 of the pins are the encoder assy's output (pins 2 and 3).  Pin 4 is  +5V, and pin 1 is ground. 

Now, if that doesn't stop the "scanning",  the next step is to pull connector 18 on the control board (Again, with the power off.  Please don't remove or replace any connectors with the power on - too great a chance for an "uh o" and it only takes a second to remove the power - I actually pull a lead at my power supply - even with the switch off, there's still voltage present in the chassis).  This is a 3 pin connector, with two wires actually used (according to the schematic).  These are the MD and MU inputs to the control board coming from the mic connector.  These lines are used with a properly equipped mike to change the frequency "up" or "down." I've seen instances where one of these lines are grounded, thus putting your radio into constant "scan."  There are bypass caps on the actual mic connector between the MD and MU pins and ground - one could have shorted.... or I've also seen where someone "worked" on the mic connector and ended up with either a solder bridge, or connected the wires to the wrong place.  Also, a pinched wire to ground on either the MD or MU line will cause constant scan as well.  By pulling connector 18 at the control board, you're eliminating that potential problem.

If after pulling connector 23 and 18 lose from the control board you're still seeing the same problem,  you can pull connector 27 on the control board.  This is the input from the front panel switches controlling program and memory scan.  Even if one of the switches is "stuck" on, you'll eliminate these inputs to the controller board by pulling connector 27.

Remember where the different connectors go (a ultra fine Sharpie is a real help here for numbering the mating connectors) and let us know how you make out.

Good Luck,

Rick

[Bombero]

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