The AM Forum

hi from tim...was going to fire up my dx60b...no b+.  closer examination shows that the wafer switch is broken...dont know how, or when. i have a junker dx 60, which i will swap out the switch. but...once done, is there a better way to key the tx, without rotating the switch...dont want to break the replacement...

..tnx..
..tim..

..sk..

Somebody gave me one that had a broken function switch.  Apparently a common problem.  I ended up giving it away to someone else (inadvertently; I shipped it out and the jerk never paid me what we had agreed, or even acknowledged receipt, but I was out only the shipping charge and a couple hours work).  Even though it looks like a simple single-section ceramic wafer, I understand a replacement is pure unobtanium.

I had a broken band switch on the DX60B. Their is front wafer and the rear wafer where the oscillator inductors are attached. In any case, it was a clean break in the ceramic. Removed the wafer completely and I used LOCTITE super glue on each half of the broken section. Applied light pressure in a vise for an hour. Reassembled wafers on their shaft and is as good as new.   

73 Alan

"is there a better way to key the tx,"
Well I dont know better but this eliminates using the switch each time. I use a plug in the key jack and either a key or now I have a sewing machine food pedal (on off kind not speed control kind.) It works on AM just the way a key works on CW. You can sit and listen all morning reading the mail with the set on AM position then push the switch and talk .Now the "on tune standby am cw" switch does not need to be touched all morning while you are having your morning coffee and qsos. I have been using it all the times I have talked to you. The radio doesnt know the difference. Who said DX60Bs dont have push to talk?
How did I decide to to this? I have built a few homebrew rigs and discoved this was a real practical way to control the TX.  I have also used it on my twin 6L6EH Linears if I wast happy with the idle current on the higher bands when using my HMBRW transceiver. That is the footswitch in my hand  plugged into the CW key jack. Es klappt gut!(it works good) Sorry but it is a "Grundig" foot switch!
Don VE3LYX

I changed the microphone jack to a later Heath three pin and built an antenna switch that made switching the mode unnecessary. Worked great with a SB-301 receiver. Schematic attached.