I have a Tram 201A receives and transmits fine on all channels when in crystal position but when I switch to manual channels 31 to 35 on VFO are not working also no receive in any of those channels when in selector position 31 to 35. The only thing common with all those channels is they use x119 crystal 16.6585 freq. Is this the problem?????
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Tram 201A no receive on channels 31 to 35 ?????
- Thread starter Jimbo165
- Start date
Replace that crystal and see if it works
AFTER you do a very thorough visual inspection and continuity test to make sure no loose, cold, or broken wires going to that crystal socket.
Does this radio have the original black crystal selector with the sharp, square corners on the plastic housing?
Or does it have the improved gray-color selector with the rounded corners?
The 16.5585 crystal is the most-likely culprit. They do in fact fail, eventually. Have a close look at the trimmer cap for that crystal. Those trimmers will famously seize up. When you crank the adjustment screw hard enough there is a loud "CRACK!" sound when it frees up and turns. That is the sound of the solder bond breaking on that adjustment screw. When that happens, the capacitance of the trimmer drops to near zero, and this can cause trouble by itself. Have a close look at the trimmer for that crystal and see if the whole mechanism turns along with the adjustment screw. If only the screw head turns, and NOT the small circle that surrounds it, the trimmer cap is probably broken.
If you have the older, black crystal selector this could be the beginning of the end for that component. It was famous for going bad after a month or two when the radios were being sold new in 1977-78.
Our usual advice for anyone with the black selector is to use the VFO and leave the crystal knob alone. The life of that selector is dictated by how many times it gets turned. When it goes bad, channels will drop out, and eventually you'll have two channels running at the same time, or the wrong channel.
If your radio has the black selector and it still works, this is because the mileage on that knob is still incredibly low. Be nice to it.
73
Or does it have the improved gray-color selector with the rounded corners?
The 16.5585 crystal is the most-likely culprit. They do in fact fail, eventually. Have a close look at the trimmer cap for that crystal. Those trimmers will famously seize up. When you crank the adjustment screw hard enough there is a loud "CRACK!" sound when it frees up and turns. That is the sound of the solder bond breaking on that adjustment screw. When that happens, the capacitance of the trimmer drops to near zero, and this can cause trouble by itself. Have a close look at the trimmer for that crystal and see if the whole mechanism turns along with the adjustment screw. If only the screw head turns, and NOT the small circle that surrounds it, the trimmer cap is probably broken.
If you have the older, black crystal selector this could be the beginning of the end for that component. It was famous for going bad after a month or two when the radios were being sold new in 1977-78.
Our usual advice for anyone with the black selector is to use the VFO and leave the crystal knob alone. The life of that selector is dictated by how many times it gets turned. When it goes bad, channels will drop out, and eventually you'll have two channels running at the same time, or the wrong channel.
If your radio has the black selector and it still works, this is because the mileage on that knob is still incredibly low. Be nice to it.
73
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