Maycom EM-27 flashing channel digits

intercept · Post by **intercept** » Monday 7th Jul 2008, 6:53

Hi

I'm hoping that someone here has seen and fixed this before...

My previously fine vehicle mounted Maycom EM-27 has stopped working. The displayed symptoms are that the channel number digits now start flashing a few seconds after channel selection, and there is no reception or transmission. Volume, RF Gain & Squelch knobs have no effect, there is no audio from the speaker. The display switches to Tx when the PTT is depressed and other display functions work OK.

I've opened up the case and thought I'd found the problem as one of the speaker wires was frayed at the PCB end and looked as though it might short to the other speaker line. But alas, tidying that up has made no difference.

Has anyone else experienced this failure mode? Does anyone know what the flashing channel digits means? What did you do to fix the radio?

Many thanks

John

absorbentgnome · Post by **absorbentgnome** » Wednesday 9th Jul 2008, 1:48

Hi there intercept

The channel display flashes if the PLL is unlocked. The PLL is at the bottom left corner of the main PCB with the radio facing towards you.

The varicap diodes can sometimes fail causing this, I had a Maycom that would not lock on the lower channels until they were replaced, thanks to some advice from Rick. Its quite a fiddly job, but I still have that radio so I can post a picture if required.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wednesday 9th Jul 2008, 6:38

Also check for volts at each side of R102 it should be about 8 volts, I have had R102 go open circuit.

You can test the VCO, by checking the voltage at the junction of R107 and R108 the voltage should go up has you go from channel 1 to 40, if it not check the voltage at the Base of Q100 the voltage should go up has you go from channel 1 to 40.

intercept · Post by **intercept** » Wednesday 9th Jul 2008, 9:32

Thanks Gents, I'd have a look at the levels in the PLL, but it appears to be buried in the waxy goop used to prevent fiddling with the pot-cores. Any tips on how to remove it?

Additionally, what lettering is on the varicaps? I can't see any semiconductors with 251 on them...

Rick - in another thread you were able to supply the appropriate varicaps for this radio. If I need them do you still have stock?

Thanks

John

intercept · Post by **intercept** » Wednesday 9th Jul 2008, 9:45

Am I right is suspecting that the PLL components are beneath the wax in the photo?

intercept · Post by **intercept** » Wednesday 9th Jul 2008, 11:18

Goop now removed, the board is as in the new photo.

You can test the VCO, by checking the voltage at the junction of R107 and R108 the voltage should go up has you go from channel 1 to 40

TP1 has constant 2.67V regardless of channel selected

if it not check the voltage at the Base of Q100 the voltage should go up has you go from channel 1 to 40.

The 2nd arrow is where I have tested this (is this the correct point?). I has constant voltage, about 45mV regardless of channel selected.

Also check for volts at each side of R102 it should be about 8 volts, I have had R102 go open circuit.

R102 measures 9R9, so it looks fine.

Does this mean that the varicaps are kippered? If so then Rick - do you have any left?

Thanks

John

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wednesday 9th Jul 2008, 11:28

I will check later today, I may have some lift.

What is the voltage each side of R102?

intercept · Post by **intercept** » Wednesday 9th Jul 2008, 12:02

What is the voltage each side of R102?

8.02V and 7.91V (on the Q100 collector side)

absorbentgnome · Post by **absorbentgnome** » Thursday 10th Jul 2008, 1:10

Hi Rick, its been a little while! Hope things are ok with you

Been really busy with new job here so there hasn't been much time for fiddling with radios

John - If you google the varicap part number (KDV251S) that is on the circuit diagram you should be able to get a datasheet for it. It is from a Korean semiconductor company.

edit: here's the link http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datashe ... 251M_S.pdf

That has the markings on. From what I can remember I think they are marked Q3 - please double check these details though as I am remembering this from about a year ago.

edit: They are certainly marked Q3.

Let Rick help you with the faultfinding process before deciding they're knackered though. Also in the pictures there looks like there is some sort of residue by one of the varicaps, thats not the wax. Check to see if that residue is conductive in any way.

Dan.

intercept · Post by **intercept** » Thursday 10th Jul 2008, 1:53

Thanks - there are definitely some semiconductors labelled Q3 on the board.

I'd managed to get the datasheet of Rick's preferred Sanyo equivalent (below), but that doesn't give the case markings. I've just scoured the component drawers in the lab at work and found 3 types of varicaps, BB405B, BB505B and BB212. A quick look at their datasheets and a comparison of the capacitance transfer curves suggests that none appear appropriate replacements for the 251.

Cheers

John

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thursday 10th Jul 2008, 3:39

Yes I have some varicaps.

CodfishCatfish · Post by **CodfishCatfish** » Sunday 17th Aug 2008, 13:22

Hi I had noticed after a period (and a bit of searching) Maycom recalled loads of sets due to the Mic wiring having too much sleeve removed inside the plug thus shorting. As there is 8v present you may want to check you mike plug pins outs are as follows.

1 : Modulation White
2 : Receive Black
3 : Transmit Red
4 : Mic Functions Blue
5 : Ground Braid
6 : 8Vdc Supply Green

if they have shorted they normally take out the 2 x 10mH inductors (green bodied Brown Black Black Silver) soldered to the rear of the display various revisions were soldered in different places but all concentrated around the mic socket.
Also if my memory serves me right check NJU3713 at pin 16 should be 5v when PTT depressed.

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