Viewers of this video should be warned that isopropyl alcohol can remove paint (IE face place lettering) and cloud or have other detrimental effects on plastics (IE the face plate). I'm with Mike in using it on my own bench, but but usually only on the inside and just make sure you are careful not to use it on lettering, paint, or some plastics. I would absolutely avoid using it on your face plate at all, and really I wouldn't use it externally at all. The glass cleaner is a great suggestion externally! Over all, it is said about anything you apply as a cleaner... test on an inconspicuous place first, because if it ends up causing damage, then at least it's not on a prominent spot that you will easily see. Mike, I love your videos!
And for the final polish on plastic lenses of meters and such, use the white heat sink compound. It is very very fine and will leave the plastic perfectly clear. I sometimes have to use auto sandpaper starting with 300 and ending with 1000 and then a rag with heat sink compound. Afterwards, wipe the meter with a dryer sheet to take away the static that effects the meter needle. It will stay there in the future. 👍
Glad you explained what happens when you use a garden hose to wash out a radio. Been watching a guy on you tube do that to a bunch of old cobra base stations. kept wondering what the hell was he thinking.
Somewhere in all of my files I have an article from Tektronix that shows one of their techs pressure washing an old tube type oscilloscope. Apparently that was their repair shop cleaning process. Pull off the covers, pull the tubes, pressure wash with deionized water (might've been demineralized or both), bake in an oven. I haven't been able to make myself do that. Ever. Probably won't. I know I won't do that with solid state electronics. Things were made different back then. Since black and brown show polish work so well (great tip!) I wonder if neutral would bring back the shine of other colors, like Heathkit green.
I was thinking just what you were saying to mount them on the reverse and make the legs a little longer to give them some air space. You could even put a glob of silicone on the big resistor to soak up some of the heat.
Mike, Good info. The Staticmaster brush, I've heard that the radioactive material will decay after about 10 years and then it's time to get a new one. 73 WB3BJU
My Madison had that exact digital clock issue. It was a good thing because it led me to discovering that there was not only a frequency counter replacement but that counter led me to a vfo. eBay seller fastrack*09 had them both available when you (mike) installed them. of course it doesn't change the way the rig sounds receiving or transmitting but having 128 channels and the frequency counter definitely doesn't hurt. Especially the looks. I guess that add-on modification puts it as close to a Cobra 2000 as the Madison can be.
So, remove the X-formers and wiring and you can turn the hose on the radio??? I love the cases for the J.C. Penney's radios. They're almost always wood grained metal. I love the shoe polish tip. I shined many a shoe 'n boots when I was in the USMC. I'm also a Vietnam vet.
Can I use the alcohol with a brush you mentioned to clean the PCB? I've got a Craig L-232 that I would like to restore coz when I saw your video replacing a crystal on that Uniden Madison, I noticed that they are at least 90% the same that is why I am motivated to fix mine.
YOU was working on a Uniden Madison AM/SSB CB radio, and on the front where the Microphone connects YOU had a self made Microphone jack and like to know how to make it and what is used for????
What did you clean the face with?? If u don't mind me asking. I've got 4 cobra 148s faces that I want to clean up without damaging them . Please guide me?
I am currently dealing with a used smokers radio. (Yaesu FT-101) I made the mistake of not asking before I hit the buy it now button so my bad. When I opened the shipping container I nearly barfed. It has been airing out in my garage for 3 weeks now. It smells better but I know as soon as I take it inside and/or power it on the odor will be back.. Trying to decide if it is worth cleaning it or selling it with full disclosure and counting it as a lesson learned... I am shocked to hear folks putting radio chassis into dishwashers and hosing them off but some guys swear by it. I also read a person who filled his radio with cat litter (hopefully clean litter) and let it set for a few weeks before emptying it out. :)
Iam D One way to speed up the smoke smell removal is with dryer sheets. Take a large plastic container or trash bag and put the radio in it with a couple dryer sheets and in a matter of days you will have a spring fresh smelling radio.
I know this is a late reply but believe it or not dishwashers are used in production of circuit boards to clean off the flux. They use deionized water and non bubbling soap. After cleaning they are put in a drying oven.. I know because I did it for years :) Before that we used freon tanks until they outlawed the use..
I just got one of these radios. But only the clock is working. I turn the cb power switch on & nothing happens. I would love to get it working again. Any help?
I have a President Madison D858, President Wasington D858, President Dwight D, D858, and a Uniden Madison, MB8719. Which one would you like me to send you first? I don't know how to work on them, but I sure love your videos.
Mike, I live in Baltimore and am getting ready to move to Florida. As I stated before, I have a couple of Madison's a Dwight D and a Washington. I also have a Uniden Pro 810 .I would like you to re-cap and fix anything else that needs to be done. I want to sell most of these to help put a few dollars towards my move. How do I contact you?
Can you supply that with a 1 mega watt linear amp? Just watched a video on WRMI 1.4 mega watt short wave station in FL. Yeah, good for you to have quit smoking. I, too, have quit smoking after my heart attack and triple by pass surgery in Oct. of 2019 and a stroke back in July 15, 2018, which left my right hand and right foot kinda numb. Can you send me a copy of Sams Photofact 265, I believe it is of the J.C. Penney's 6241 radio? I also need a schematic for the J.C. Penney's 6247. I'd be glad to pay for copying and postage.
i have a Washington and the volume on off control is scratchy and finicky what is the best easy way to clean it. i have a can of spray electronic cleaner and hope that will work..
When will multi-mode CB Transceivers use double balanced QSE/QSD hardware for SSB modulation and demodulation driven of a (40.980mhz for 10.7mhz) and (36mhz for 9mhz).
Hey Mike, I sent you a couple emails a couple weeks ago and a message on here. Just trying to get ahold of you about working on some radios for me. I know you're a super busy guy, and I don't want to hound you, but what's the best way to get ahold of you sir? Thanks in advance!
Hey Mike why would my Madison work fine all day till I shut it off. And when I turn it on it Powers up for a second and then goes off. If I let it sit for a bit it's fine again.
No power at all, no lights etc. or does it not receive and transmit? If it's not receiving and transmitting the PLL may be coming out of lock, a oscillator (crystal) not starting back up, etc.
Thanks for the fast reply. I found the problem. It's the power cord where it goes in to the radio. One side of the wire must have a break I'm guessing.
Viewers of this video should be warned that isopropyl alcohol can remove paint (IE face place lettering) and cloud or have other detrimental effects on plastics (IE the face plate). I'm with Mike in using it on my own bench, but but usually only on the inside and just make sure you are careful not to use it on lettering, paint, or some plastics. I would absolutely avoid using it on your face plate at all, and really I wouldn't use it externally at all. The glass cleaner is a great suggestion externally! Over all, it is said about anything you apply as a cleaner... test on an inconspicuous place first, because if it ends up causing damage, then at least it's not on a prominent spot that you will easily see. Mike, I love your videos!
And for the final polish on plastic lenses of meters and such, use the white heat sink compound. It is very very fine and will leave the plastic perfectly clear. I sometimes have to use auto sandpaper starting with 300 and ending with 1000 and then a rag with heat sink compound. Afterwards, wipe the meter with a dryer sheet to take away the static that effects the meter needle. It will stay there in the future. 👍
Glad you explained what happens when you use a garden hose to wash out a radio. Been watching a guy on you tube do that to a bunch of old cobra base stations. kept wondering what the hell was he thinking.
Snake Radio Customs washes his radios with a garden hose.
Snake Radio Customs had some videos of him doing it.
My radio had the same clock issue. Its fixed now thanks to you. great video. Is that a 33 ohm resister.
Thanks for the tips. I live your videos!
Somewhere in all of my files I have an article from Tektronix that shows one of their techs pressure washing an old tube type oscilloscope. Apparently that was their repair shop cleaning process. Pull off the covers, pull the tubes, pressure wash with deionized water (might've been demineralized or both), bake in an oven. I haven't been able to make myself do that. Ever. Probably won't. I know I won't do that with solid state electronics. Things were made different back then.
Since black and brown show polish work so well (great tip!) I wonder if neutral would bring back the shine of other colors, like Heathkit green.
I was thinking just what you were saying to mount them on the reverse and make the legs a little longer to give them some air space. You could even put a glob of silicone on the big resistor to soak up some of the heat.
Looks great Mike
Mike,
Good info. The Staticmaster brush, I've heard that the radioactive material will decay after about 10 years and then it's time to get a new one. 73 WB3BJU
Donald D'Egidio
Yes, they have an expiration date. The radioactive strip is replaceable and can be purchased from Staticmaster.
My Madison had that exact digital clock issue. It was a good thing because it led me to discovering that there was not only a frequency counter replacement but that counter led me to a vfo. eBay seller fastrack*09 had them both available when you (mike) installed them. of course it doesn't change the way the rig sounds receiving or transmitting but having 128 channels and the frequency counter definitely doesn't hurt. Especially the looks. I guess that add-on modification puts it as close to a Cobra 2000 as the Madison can be.
ZOO YAWK hey bud can you you send me a link to where to find that frequency counter is ?
wow mmm shoe polish , something that I will try , never tried the garden hose yet lol.
So, remove the X-formers and wiring and you can turn the hose on the radio??? I love the cases for the J.C. Penney's radios. They're almost always wood grained metal. I love the shoe polish tip. I shined many a shoe 'n boots when I was in the USMC. I'm also a Vietnam vet.
Can I use the alcohol with a brush you mentioned to clean the PCB? I've got a Craig L-232 that I would like to restore coz when I saw your video replacing a crystal on that Uniden Madison, I noticed that they are at least 90% the same that is why I am motivated to fix mine.
YOU was working on a Uniden Madison AM/SSB CB radio, and on the front where the Microphone connects YOU had a self made Microphone jack and like to know how to make it and what is used for????
You could also spray the covers Again
What did you clean the face with?? If u don't mind me asking. I've got 4 cobra 148s faces that I want to clean up without damaging them . Please guide me?
I am currently dealing with a used smokers radio. (Yaesu FT-101) I made the mistake of not asking before I hit the buy it now button so my bad. When I opened the shipping container I nearly barfed. It has been airing out in my garage for 3 weeks now. It smells better but I know as soon as I take it inside and/or power it on the odor will be back.. Trying to decide if it is worth cleaning it or selling it with full disclosure and counting it as a lesson learned... I am shocked to hear folks putting radio chassis into dishwashers and hosing them off but some guys swear by it. I also read a person who filled his radio with cat litter (hopefully clean litter) and let it set for a few weeks before emptying it out. :)
Iam D
One way to speed up the smoke smell removal is with dryer sheets. Take a large plastic container or trash bag and put the radio in it with a couple dryer sheets and in a matter of days you will have a spring fresh smelling radio.
Thanks I will give it a try!
I know this is a late reply but believe it or not dishwashers are used in production of circuit boards to clean off the flux. They use deionized water and non bubbling soap. After cleaning they are put in a drying oven.. I know because I did it for years :) Before that we used freon tanks until they outlawed the use..
Gotta luv the puffers . lmao . They smell so good !!!! PUKE !!
I just got one of these radios. But only the clock is working. I turn the cb power switch on & nothing happens. I would love to get it working again. Any help?
I only one one last version of madison nice radio I got on and off button disable in because I use vol on and off mike
I have a President Madison D858, President Wasington D858, President Dwight D, D858, and a Uniden Madison, MB8719. Which one would you like me to send you first? I don't know how to work on them, but I sure love your videos.
Mike, I live in Baltimore and am getting ready to move to Florida. As I stated before, I have a couple of Madison's a Dwight D and a Washington. I also have a Uniden Pro 810 .I would like you to re-cap and fix anything else that needs to be done. I want to sell most of these to help put a few dollars towards my move. How do I contact you?
Can you supply that with a 1 mega watt linear amp? Just watched a video on WRMI 1.4 mega watt short wave station in FL. Yeah, good for you to have quit smoking. I, too, have quit smoking after my heart attack and triple by pass surgery in Oct. of 2019 and a stroke back in July 15, 2018, which left my right hand and right foot kinda numb. Can you send me a copy of Sams Photofact 265, I believe it is of the J.C. Penney's 6241 radio? I also need a schematic for the J.C. Penney's 6247. I'd be glad to pay for copying and postage.
i have a Washington and the volume on off control is scratchy and finicky what is the best easy way to clean it. i have a can of spray electronic cleaner and hope that will work..
When will multi-mode CB Transceivers use double balanced QSE/QSD hardware for SSB modulation and demodulation driven of a (40.980mhz for 10.7mhz) and (36mhz for 9mhz).
Can YOU do a video on how to clean a Radio when YOU take to top cover off and find it to be filthy with dust and crime.....
I like the Zep 505, but you have to water it down.
Hey Mike, I sent you a couple emails a couple weeks ago and a message on here. Just trying to get ahold of you about working on some radios for me. I know you're a super busy guy, and I don't want to hound you, but what's the best way to get ahold of you sir? Thanks in advance!
YOU have some kind of Mic modification and like to know how to make one as a tester instead of a Mic
nice ... i have one very good radios
Hey Mike why would my Madison work fine all day till I shut it off. And when I turn it on it Powers up for a second and then goes off. If I let it sit for a bit it's fine again.
No power at all, no lights etc. or does it not receive and transmit? If it's not receiving and transmitting the PLL may be coming out of lock, a oscillator (crystal) not starting back up, etc.
Thanks for the fast reply. I found the problem. It's the power cord where it goes in to the radio. One side of the wire must have a break I'm guessing.