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I am a new member to this Group and am glad to find it! I own numerous
other Groups so I am familiar with the format.

I have two Kenwood TH-F6A HTs, one I bought just after the product was
announced at the Dayton Hamvention (I was at that Kenwood meeting and
joined in the standing ovation when the 220 MHz capability was announced).

My original TH-F6A continues to work well. I got a second TH-F6A from a
SK friend's estate. It had not been used in over a year and appeared
dead. I could not get it to start despite my best efforts, including the
system resets. Rather than just throw it away, I kept it, hoping I would
one day have a better idea.

Recently, a Yaesu HT with the same functional failure was restored over
a club breakfast by a member who just took it apart at the restaurant
table; he cleaned the keypad contacts and that was sufficient to restore
that Yaesu to normal operation. I tried that same repair on my
non-functional TH-F6A and that restored my HT to operation also!

So, if you have some HT problem, either failing to start or some curious
keypad issue, I suggest you open the TH-F6A and clean the keypad board
contacts and the keypad rubber pads. I used a Q-Tip and anhydrous
isopropyl alcohol. Opening is easy: remove the two slotted nuts around
the SMA connector and encoder shafts, and the two small cross-point
screws visible when the battery is removed. The unit separates into two
parts easily and safely, exposing the keypad contacts.

However, the POWER button on the rubber keypad is cracked, likely
through frequent usage. I want to replace that rubber membrane keypad. I
see that PacParts () has a "Substitute"
Kenwood-branded keypad available:



I wonder if any of you have had this keypad problem and have purchased
this replacement from PacParts, and if you found it satisfactory.

--
Best wishes,

Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, California (SE of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)

The TH-F6A keypad is not a tactile switch. There are gold plated traces
on the circuit board and the rubber keypad buttons are conductive,
forming the keypad switch.

In my failed TH-F6A, neither the gold-plated traces nor the rubber
keypad appeared much contaminated, but cleaning both with alcohol on a
Q-Tip restored the unit to operation. I assume there was some kind of
film on those keypad POWER contacts that prevented operation. In any
event, the unit now continues to work normally after cleaning and
reassembly.

The rubber keypad position for POWER on/off is damaged through long or
perhaps abusive use; this HT came to me from a SK estate. The keypad is
now functional but the rubber is cracked at the POWER position. I have
ordered a replacement, "Substitute," keypad from PacParts and will
report more after it arrives. The "Substitute" keypad is branded
Kenwood, so I believe Kenwood changed the part number and likely made
some change to the rubber keypad since it has a new part number.

The PacParts website is extensive and clearly lists the replacement
parts available. Placing the order was easy and I promptly received
confirming emails. Turns out, PacParts is located in my local Los Angles
area but is nearly across the LA basin from me so I had the order
shipped by USPS "Ground Advantage," the replacement for (no longer
available) First Class Package; I received a tracking number the same
day I placed the order and the tracking info shows the package was
received by the post office. That's prompt service!

Here is a link to the PacParts webpage for TH-F6 parts:



There is a Group for the Kenwood TH-F7; its description shows
the TH-F6 is also covered. However, this Group seems inactive as the
most recent posting was in August of 2023. I asked to join the Group but
have had no reply. This Group was evidently formed by someone in Europe
since it is named for the TH-F7, not the TH-F6, perhaps an unfortunate
choice for maximum interest. Hence, my joining this Kenwood Amateur
Radio Group.

Best wishes,

Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, California (SE of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)

On 5/14/2024 3:56 PM, Bob wrote:
> Was the problem the tac switch under the rubber pad or did the broken
> rubber pad keep the tac switch from operating?
>
> I have not had this problem but have ordered Kenwood parts from them B4.
>
> Let us know how the new part works out
>
> 73, Bob W4JFA
>
...

Note that the “Kenwood TH-F6 TH-F7 Group” is active.? There are recent posts.

73 Dean

Glad some are still here.

73, Bob W4JFA

On Sun, Oct 6, 2024 at 9:09?PM Dean N2AWJ via <dean_gross=[email protected]> wrote:

Note that the “Kenwood TH-F6 TH-F7 Group” is active.? There are recent posts.

73 Dean