Ten Tec RX-340 : Display quirk noticed in 2005 sample / Sync detector continues to be a joke

With a "brand new" 2005 sample I checked out in the summer of 2005, a couple of notes. Note: I do not personally own a RX-340.

The main (larger) display had a nasty to my eyes that was not acceptable. Segments were not evenly lit. The main display is made for Ten-Tec in Korea by Samsung. Being almost a $ 4300.00 receiver , I feel that Ten Tec should be rejecting these when they look this bad (picture below that I took of the actual "test sample" display). There is simply no excuse for this. A sample that I used in the summer of 2001 had none of this and looked fine.

One other side note is that the "Sync Detector" continues to be almost worthless. It simply cannot hold lock, it keeps popping in and out even on the strongest signals with no interference around. It makes for a real aural treat when it's working, but more times than not it does not cut it for my standards. Try again Ten-Tec !

Even with the WJ8711A's sync only being double sideband, it sure holds lock much better over the RX-340 any day (in my view).

Dave N9EWO

Kenwood R-1000 “39.545 Mhz” Display Repair

After years of operation the Kenwood R-1000 can suffer a fixed 39.545 Mhz display and/or a dead radio/display (or it can just go wacky). First place is to check and re-solder solder joints at Q201 and Q203 on the small power supply / PLL board on the underside of the chassis. This is where connector # 12 is located. The two TO-220 devices mounted on the large heat sink and the PC board solder connections can work loose after many hot/cold cycles.

Just as important, be sure and touch up the solder joints involving connector # 12 and the four power rectifier diodes as well as these can cause for bad connections too. Especially so with pin one and two on connector # 12 as these are 5 volt pins closest to the heat sink. In extreme cases all electrolytic capacitors, Q201 and/or Q203 and/or the 4 power rectifiers may need to be replaced on this board. Locate a "Service Manual" for PC board pictures and parts layout. Beyond this, I cannot be of any additional help.

Dave N9EWO