| Author |
Message |
    
Bc910
Advanced Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 580
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 12:28 pm: | 
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Hey all, I just got a used AR3500 I LOVE IT!!!
But 3 of the push buttons don't work! 
Does any one have a clue where I can get some to replace them with?
Thanks
BC |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6595
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 1:24 pm: |
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Bc910,
Sam Lewis (Magnum / RF Limited Owner) Sold all the parts and rights for the AR3300 and AR3500 to another person.
Drop me an e-mail: Tech808@copperelectronics.com
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
|
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1197
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 7:30 am: |
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bc, did you get my e-mail? |
Bc910
Advanced Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 585
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 9:33 am: |
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I got it Pat.
As far as I can tell there is only one place authorized to service them, and I contacted them and found out they have the switches but not the buttons so my search is half over. I may try to contact the other person you told me about today.
BC |
Jms656
Junior Member
Username: Jms656
Post Number: 28
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 7:08 am: |
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I bought my AR-3500 brand new back in the 80's when they first came out and it still works fine. It is one of the best radios I have ever owned. What switches are not working? |
Bc910
Advanced Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 587
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 11:58 am: |
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JMS656
The 10kc, 100kc, and (if I remember correctly) the 1kc down buttons don't work.
BC |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1210
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 6:02 pm: |
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on mine, the 'down' 10kc switches wore out from frequent frequency changes. just had to undershoot the freq i wanted & go up, or use 100hz. yea that got old REAL quick. called chris & things were good
but if up & down wear out, as well as multiple spans, you're outta luck!
have you been able to use it, bc? whaddaya think? |
Slowhand
Member
Username: Slowhand
Post Number: 52
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 11:55 pm: |
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A lot of trouble, but why not trade the 10kc button for one you rarely use? |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1217
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 8:35 am: |
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have you ever looked in there, slowhand! some things you can rig, others are best done once & done right! this is 1 of those things!
not sure if you're familiar with the ar3500 or not, but there's 2 rows of 'buttons' under the 1mhz thru 100 hz range, 1 for up & 1 for down, once 1 goes, there's 7 more that could go at any time. (the 1st 'button' is for scan up & down, & also used to program xmit into 24 mhz range) |
Jms656
Junior Member
Username: Jms656
Post Number: 29
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 8:55 am: |
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Patzerozero, is there some sort of plastic cover over the face of your ar-3500? It looks like it in the picture.
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Jms656
Junior Member
Username: Jms656
Post Number: 30
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 8:57 am: |
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Switch out the 100hz, since the clarifier is unlocked on TX. |
Slowhand
Member
Username: Slowhand
Post Number: 53
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 11:11 am: |
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Yep, i have a ar3500 100 watt version. I don't like to "rig" anything. BUT if the buttons are unavailable, you are stuck with 2 choices, working around that bad button everytime you go 10kc or doing a swap. A third choice would be finding a junk radio to cannibalize, still just as much work, and you are still getting used buttons. Now IF I could find a junk one I'd probably go for it. They are getting scarce in any condition. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1220
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 11:55 am: |
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jms656, that is the FACTORY ORIGINAL PLASTIC COVERING. a bit rough around the edges, & the mic connector, but it's STILL THERE after all these years(& years of heavy mobile use).
the 1/2kc clarifier is LOCKED to receive ONLY from the factory. it mods much the same way as the grant xl(hmmmmm....)with the addition of a choke inline with the tuning varactor giving added slide, however with the 100hz span capability, adding the choke isn't reccomended since it does affect frequency stability. nor is it neccessary, but hey, it's fun to have...
a couple auction sites always seem to have 1 going, & when it sells another pops up. too much $$$ to cannibalize, or else they just go TOO MUCH period.
a LONG time ago, i saw a 3300(with those OTHER even funkier switches)use push button switches on the radios' top cover to replace the worn out stockers. ugly, but he felt the quality of the radio was more important than its looks. |
Jms656
Junior Member
Username: Jms656
Post Number: 31
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 9:15 pm: |
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I never have done any clarifier mods and I was sure my clarifier was unlocked. I bought it brand new! I have a 2kc slide on TX. Just checked it now for sure. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1222
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 10:05 pm: |
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who knows, they may have changed things during different production runs. purchased BEFORE 1988(forget exactly when, was within 1st year of availability)mine WAS locked from the factory, i did unlock it, but it was 'repaired' during its 1st trip to rf limited for another problem around 1994 or 95. never saw the need to do it again, so i left it alone...
spoke to tech 808 a couple times this evening & managed to fire up the 3500 for a quick contact |
Jms656
Junior Member
Username: Jms656
Post Number: 32
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 11:49 am: |
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Maybe I will use mine today for the net. It is not set up through the amp, but it still has a bit of power on it's own!
I bought mine new in 1985. |
Dd18
Member
Username: Dd18
Post Number: 55
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 10:15 am: |
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There is still someone in the US with the parts to fix the tact switches on the AR3500. Contact Sam Lewis at Magnum and he will put you on to them I am sure. I just had all the switches replaced on a green LED AR3500 with the 2.6khz filter and very pleased with the results. Brilliant receiver as Patzero2 et al have been expounding. |
