On Jan 27, 2024, at 4:43?PM, Jim Shorney <jimNU0C@...> wrote:

?
I dunno, the TriFlow that I use is a bicycle bearing grease.



The R390 guys like Phil Woods bicycle grease. I have a tube of that as well.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Sat, 27 Jan 2024 15:45:01 -0600
"Gary Follett" <xntrick1948@...> wrote:

I am fortunate to have an ultrasonic cleaner so, once I remove a PTO from a radio, I can sonicate it to get the old grease out and then flow a lubricant in. I might not chose Tri Flow as it is pretty low in viscosity and not intended for durable use applications but I’ll see what I learn next time I need to do one of these.

This would also work well with Collins PTO’s.

On Jan 27, 2024, at 2:56?PM, wb6ogd <garywinblad@...> wrote:

Michael,
Vasoline works for me.
So does light oil (sewing machine type oil).
What is critical is the "squeeze" of the tabs around the edge.

73,
Gary
WB6OGD

On 01/27/2024 11:20 AM PST Michael.2E0IHW via groups.io <blumu@...> wrote:


How does Vaseline perform? ?(Maybe only known in the UK.)
My R4-B is ok at present, but...

Michael 2E0IHW

On 27/01/2024 15:17, Paul Christensen wrote:

We all have our opinions but consider using only newer synthetic
grease.? For mechanical PTO and VFO rebuilds, I’m using Mobile1 and
Valvoline SynPower brands.? Petroleum axle and lithium-based grease has
a short lubrication lifetime.

Likewise, I strongly suggest staying away from pure silicone and
Teflon-based grease like TriFlow.? I nearly ruined a Drake 1A VFO
gearbox after a rebuild with TriFlow. Teflon and silicone lose its
ability to lubricate in conditions of angular pressure.? After spending
a day removing the TriFlow grease, the assembly was re-packed with
Mobile1 (Red) synthetic grease and the assembly moves as smoothly today
as it did after the rebuild ten years ago.

Paul, W9AC

On Jan 27, 2024, at 3:16?PM, Winston Jones <jones_winston@...> wrote:

My advice is based upon past reading of a Ten-Tec thread on freeing up stuck PTOs in Ten-Tec radios.
You do not have to remove the PTO from the radio.
Sometime back, I used this technique on an old Ten-Tec Omni-D I bought with a tight PTO.
First, forget about rebuilding the PTO. Ten-Tec used to sell a rebuild kit which included new bearings, springs, grease, etc. Those have not been available for many years. Anyway, the process was a nightmare, even with the parts kit.
Here’s how I fixed my PTO:
First, remove the knob and flange, per manual instructions.
Use a hypodermic needle to squirt denatured alcohol into the bearing housing on the tuning shaft. Do not use isopropyl alcohol, as it has water in it.
Rotate the shaft from end to end many times to remove the old grease.
Then spray Tri-Flow lubricant into the bearings, and again turn the shaft many times from end to end. It may quite a while, but eventually you will feel the tuning begin to loosen up.
The PTO I fixed is still working well after two years.
I’ve read where many have successfully used this technique.

On Jan 27, 2024, at 2:46?PM, Jack, VA4JP/K0JP <va4jp@...> wrote:

?A new topic? I have searched through many possible sources for an answer and know it is not but I will ask in relation to my specific situation.

I recently purchased a 580 Delta that is in very nice condition, however the seller did not fully disclose an issue with the PTO. The rig functions as it should in all respects save for the hard tuning of the PTO. I have seen it described in a number of ways but I think "like pushing a marble through molasses" is the best. Rotating the shaft has a gummy feel to it and certainly causes me to suspect aging lubricant as the cause. In my search for a definitive answer I found only one mention about replacing the grease with the admonition that it CANNOT be done independent of the PTO rebuild. Is that still the consensus of Ten Tec experts?

This would be a problem for me since I know the rebuild kits have not been available for very long time plus the fact I can no longer do some of the very fine assembly work that was routine for me a lifetime ago. If the old lubricant cannot be cleaned out and replaced with fresh then I will likely have to offer the Delta for sale. That's entirely because I am primarily a CW operator and the difficult tuning, along with a tiny amount of backlash, presents problems in the CW filter bandwidth.

Does anyone have any additional wisdom for me or is "nope, can't be done without a rebuild" the final answer?

Thanks and 73,

Jack, VA4JP/K0JP
Steinbach, MB and Karlstad, MN

Michael,
Vasoline works for me.
So does light oil (sewing machine type oil).
What is critical is the "squeeze" of the tabs around the edge.

On 01/27/2024 11:20 AM PST Michael.2E0IHW via groups.io <blumu@...> wrote:
How does Vaseline perform? (Maybe only known in the UK.)
My R4-B is ok at present, but...

On 01/27/2024 11:20 AM PST Michael.2E0IHW via groups.io <blumu@...> wrote:


How does Vaseline perform? (Maybe only known in the UK.)
My R4-B is ok at present, but...

Michael 2E0IHW

On 27/01/2024 15:17, Paul Christensen wrote:

We all have our opinions but consider using only newer synthetic
grease.? For mechanical PTO and VFO rebuilds, I’m using Mobile1 and
Valvoline SynPower brands.? Petroleum axle and lithium-based grease has
a short lubrication lifetime.

Likewise, I strongly suggest staying away from pure silicone and
Teflon-based grease like TriFlow.? I nearly ruined a Drake 1A VFO
gearbox after a rebuild with TriFlow. Teflon and silicone lose its
ability to lubricate in conditions of angular pressure.? After spending
a day removing the TriFlow grease, the assembly was re-packed with
Mobile1 (Red) synthetic grease and the assembly moves as smoothly today
as it did after the rebuild ten years ago.

Paul, W9AC

On Jan 27, 2024, at 10:27?AM, Rick W4XA <myr748@...> wrote:

?Does the SPR-4 use the "same" crystals as the other Drake (R-4x, 2-x)? receivers?

I think "AF4K" crystals has them for all the Drakes.



Cheers,

Rick



--

73/Rick

W4XA
*Every post is created using Linux

We all have our opinions but consider using only newer synthetic grease.? For mechanical PTO and VFO rebuilds, I’m using Mobile1 and Valvoline SynPower brands.? Petroleum axle and lithium-based grease has a short lubrication lifetime.
Likewise, I strongly suggest staying away from pure silicone and Teflon-based grease like TriFlow.? I nearly ruined a Drake 1A VFO gearbox after a rebuild with TriFlow. Teflon and silicone lose its ability to lubricate in conditions of angular pressure.? After spending a day removing the TriFlow grease, the assembly was re-packed with Mobile1 (Red) synthetic grease and the assembly moves as smoothly today as it did after the rebuild ten years ago.
Paul, W9AC

On Jan 27, 2024, at 8:23?AM, Tom Smith <n5ama@...> wrote:

Where can I find crystals for my SPR-4 receiver? I’m not hopeful that I can find a commercial source. I need a few for the more common ham related frequencies and 1 or two for the WWV ranges.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Tom N5AMA

?

Where can I find crystals for my SPR-4 receiver? I’m not hopeful that I can find a commercial source. I need a few for the more common ham related frequencies and 1 or two for the WWV ranges.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Tom N5AMA