Radio Saga

[KSMITH1@mailgw.sanders.lockheed.com]

Hi All:

For those of you waiting with bated breath (or BMW breath for that 
matter) to learn how I fared with my radio problem previously reported 
(no AM, LH panel lamps bad), I have the following to report.

Upon testing the continuity of the lower antenna amplifier coax to the 
rear pillar amplifier I found no continuity.  The reason was (are you 
ready for this) the two coax cables were reversed at the rear of the 
radio.  Needless to say, this finding resulting in a significant 
savings over my expectation.

With respect to the lamp repair, thanks to all who responded, giving 
needed advice, expecially Ray Calvo, who defined the appropriate Radio 
Shack lamps saving me experimentation time  (P/N 272-1154 for the 
record).  Although I haven't checked them in night conditions, the 
display now lights during the day nicely.  The repair had been tried 
before, but the doer made a subtle error.  He tried light emitting 
diodes (LEDs), without using a series resistor.  Lifetime would be 
predictably short.  (Also, the brightness would not be expected to 
track the incandescent lamps.) 

For those planning this lamp-replacement task, solder on extension 
wires first and use shrinkfit to insulate the solder joints.  Use a 
heat gun, not a match to shrink them. The only refinement still 
lacking is the use of the orange booties on the lamps that adjust the 
color balance.  These were observed on the RH panel lamps and I 
presume they were on the original LH lamps.  I don't suppose they are 
available from anywhere?

Thanks again

***                 ...Kirby    (Kirby A. Smith)                 ***
***              ksmith1@mailgw.sanders.lockheed.com             ***
***              [=]    kirby.smith@lmco.com                     ***
***  Opinions expressed herein are entirely those of the author. ***