Sangean Emerson ATS803 intermittent tuning shift

I've got an Emerson ( ~ Sangean) ATS803 that has started to mistune.

Example:

Basic commercial FM band tune in 99.1MHz and get intermittent shift in recieved signal as high as 99.9, with no alteration in displayed frequency (reads 99.1).

This gradually worsens (by frequency pull) until the 99.9MHz signal is continuous. To get 99.1MHz signal out then I have to tune displayed frequency to ~ 98.4MHz. This is just a notable example - smaller shifts have been seen (AIR). I've had to retune the display downwards in increments to keep the 99.1MHz reception.

It is physically dependent on something. With the case open, pressure on front display can induce it, though all ribbon cables have a fibre insulator installed to prevent pentration of sharp component leads.

With RF board lifted, there seems no predictable or repeated movement of anything simple that can induce it, but movements of the entire rf board will: This can occur with RF board close or distant. No assembly pressure on cables is required.

Tapping/wiggling cables and connectors doesn't aggravate or repair it. Tapping/rotating the digital tuning assembly doesn't affect the intermitency.

Finger placement/force on RF board doesn't change anything.

It's sitting on the bench open and behaving, but I can induce problem with mech RF board movement or by reassembly at any time.

Ack.

RL

Reply to
legg
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And that is your best clue!

I suspect that there is an intermittent in one (or more) component on the RF board - a lifted leg, cracked leg, cold solder or similar that goes intermittent with heat, vibration, or just plain cussedness. Not knowing (but suspecting) this board is mostly SMT devices, if you have a thin bamboo skewer, you might try tapping on the individual components to try and get to a specific culprit.

Good luck with it!

Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA

Reply to
Peter W.

RF board on the ATS is through hole, I'm not sure how much of the digital board is SMD

Think pre-1987.

The actual reception is fine.

I replaced the clock batteries, seeing as how it was open anyways and reassembled the thing, under operating power, when and while it continued to behave normally.

Issue hasn't recurred, but is expected it to show up again. Squeezing the body in the display area no longer produces the symptoms, though.

Will check the schematic to speculate, in the meantime.

RL

Reply to
legg

Through-hole makes a wonky lead (or trace) even more likely. Anything from a cracked lead, cold solder to no solder at all. Then, check all the traces as sometimes thermal shocks will crack them.

Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA

Reply to
Peter W.

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