Palomar Skipper 350 2879's low power

[Lkaskel]

Hi Gang,
I have on the bench a Skipper 350 and it is like new clean. The issue is that it is putting out about half power. I took the bottom cover off, drove it with about 4 watts and a little tone for mod and checked the transistors with my fluke infrared thermometer. One pill was getting warm the other stayed at room temp. Is it safe to say that the pill is bad or is there something specific to chase that may be causing it to only load one pill?

Thanks as always!!!

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Possibly, the cold pill is dead? I assume there are no burnt resistors or anything? If you could post a couple of pictures, that might help too.

 

[Lkaskel]

Here are a few pics of the component side of the board. I checked the resistors on the base side of the transistors and they all were good. Also, I checked the base of both with the scope while transmitting and they were both receiving a similar signal/measurement. I think the pill may be bad.

 

[nomadradio]

The 'scope's usefulness comparing the collector of each transistor is limited.

The output transformer will carry RF from the working transistor across to the non-working transistor. Only one side of the output transformer will have RF current pumping into it, but you'll still have RF voltage on both sides. And that's all the 'scope can show you is RF voltage.

Pulling base and collector of each transistor loose from the pc board will allow hooking a transistor tester up to each. No need to unsolder the emitter leads until you are sure you need to remove the part altogether.

73