I have a couple of handheld Oricom radios. Not used very often. We just use them for backing or general use, as in lending to a fellow companion to keep in touch in convoy on the road. We also have a radio fitted in the Tug.
Earlier this year while travelling our friends forgot to pack the radio in their truck. We lent them a Handheld. Working fine for most of the trip then this problem started. With the radio ON as the P.T.T. (Press To Talk) was pressed the radio switched of to a blank screen. Tried new batteries etc. to no avail.
Just this week I was checking the other handheld for charge and it was working fine. Picked it up this morning to put it in its case for storage. Switched on pressed the PTT button and it went dead ! Anyone got any clues. Perhaps they are bot ready for the bin. Being about 8 years old they have never had much use.
Here is your chance to get some modern 80 channel ones. I would not worry about new batteries for any of these radios as these old sets should be replaced by June 30 next year when the class licence prohibits wide band sets.
-- Edited by PeterD on Saturday 17th of September 2016 02:42:36 PM
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
8 years ago the may still have been using old style wet electrolytic capacitors, if you can get them open to a stage that you can sniff inside, have a sniff and check for a smell like vinegar. If so try see how far you can make them fly. People think use is a problem, actually no use is worse. These capacitors need voltage to maintain the barrier inside them, loose that and they pass current and heat up, that causes them to dry out. Rob
8 years ago the may still have been using old style wet electrolytic capacitors,
The last hand held radio that I have had anything to do with that had electrolytics in it was the Pye PF2UB radios of the 70s. Everything since that had tantalum capacitors.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I would be most careful where I disposed of the radio if rrober is to be believed (BTW welcome Rob, and this is no criticism of your post). If the capacitors are wet as he suggests they contain polychloronatedbifenels (PCBs) which are not nice at all, i think I got that right (its been a long time since I taught OHS). If so I would leave my beak well clear.
I agree they should be shown how to fly, but into a high temp incinerator may be a better option than the free air.
I believe they are due for disposal.
Again this is no criticism of Rob's post. A word of warning perhaps.
Cheers
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
8 years ago the may still have been using old style wet electrolytic capacitors,
The last hand held radio that I have had anything to do with that had electrolytics in it was the Pye PF2UB radios of the 70s. Everything since that had tantalum capacitors.
Yeah that makes better sense. Its been a long time since the old capacitors although I found them in fluros at a school in 2010... PCBs are deadly.
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Batteries are fine, holding charge for months. Even with new replacement batteries problem is still there.
I am not bothered about replacing the radios just curious to understand why it happened. Due to replace the big old unit in the truck as per PeterD. June 2017 says it's time for new ones. Will buy new unit and a handheld next year.
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 17th of September 2016 04:50:28 PM
I'd reckon they failed due to this extract from Wikipedia:
Planned obsolescence or built-in obsolescence in industrial design and economics is a policy of planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life, so it will become obsolete (that is, unfashionable or no longer functional) after a certain period of time.
No tantalum capacitors was a thing that was iffy to say the least, The Japanese invented a solid type capacitor which is the thing to go for.
The thing I think you will find in these things are a wet type small round aluminium case with a one third black top. But no it was not planned obsolescence, it was the best they could do at the time. Make em fly. A jest gents, yes you are correct, its nasty stuff and it probably has corroded quite a chunk of your board print. Rob
I have an old Uniden "Sundowner" UH 053. here in my hand.
would be a min of 25yrs old.
Still works fine t'ween car and missus.
and 3.5km's from car when I go walkabout.
Used regularly all of it's life. Just installed new battery pack last month.
Batteries are fine, holding charge for months. Even with new replacement batteries problem is still there.
I am not bothered about replacing the radios just curious to understand why it happened. Due to replace the big old unit in the truck as per PeterD. June 2017 says it's time for new ones. Will buy new unit and a handheld next year.
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 17th of September 2016 04:50:28 PM
OK my mistake, I thought someone said wet capacitors. Still be careful how you dispose of them.
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
