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Magnum 257hp On/off Volume Switch Problem

BammBamm

BammBamm

Instigators ...173 on the southside.
May 24, 2010
625
302
93
51
Steger,Illinois
For the past few days I've noticed when I turn on my radio it would have no sound around the center of the volume control area and then last night it did it again but seemed worse, What I mean is at full volume it sounded like 1/4 volume but if I key up and let off key the sound is normal for about 3-5 seconds before going low again if I tune it just right (a little over half volume) it works fine. Is this just a volume pot replacement or do I have bigger issues? I love this little radio and this is my first issue with it and it is used as a base only. Do to surface mount I will not be doing this myself (bad eyes).
 

Rotary pots or volume controls are partially mechanical and are prone to mechanical problems. It could be just dirty or dusty or a warped resistor surface, maybe a loose wiper. Any good repair center can replace it or one of the available technicians near you that may chime on this site.

73 mechanic
 
Get a can of switch and contact cleaner and give it a spray. usually there is a small hole in the control or most of the time you can get some cleaning fluid into it where the terminals are. Spray it and work it back and forth to clean and lubricate it. Radio Shack sells it and it's as good as anything else.
 
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I have that at work! I'm just a little nervous tearing apart this radio as I have bad eyes. My tech told me over the phone to quickly turn the volume up and down with radio off then try it and see if there was a difference. There was / is so now I'm thinking it's just dirty. I will try cleaning it myself.
 
Had one go bad on me. It worked just like described Bamm Bamm. At anything less than about 1/4 volume it had no volume at all. I would wiggle it a bit and get it to work but it was scratchy and kept getting worse, radio ended up taking a crap and let the smoke out around the volume knob area, could have shorted power, but at any rate it took the CPU with it, radio is in the parts bin now, the other 2 257hp's I have both are working great though and have not had the volume issue arise. If the spray doesn't help open the radio and make sure the knob is tight and that it's not got any broken solder joints at the board, they are easily broken off from some past reports I have read, been lucky with the 2 I have left and been taking very good care of them, no more mobile use for mine, I like the optima mk3 better in the mobile. Hope this helps and hope that you get it fixed. God bless.
 
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Got to be careful with some of the cleaners on plasticparts of the radio, Watch the display. some cleaners are ok and safe on plastic but may clean labels off.
 
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Good deal Bamm Bamm!! Glad it was an easy fix and that you took care of it right away. Great radios if treated Properly! I can't bring myself to take the optima mk3 out and put my magnum 257hp back, it does make a nice little base station though and has great "ears"! Anyway glad to see it is fixed enjoy. God bless.
 

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