My FT50 is about 10 years old, you have to press the orange on-off about 10 times before it will come on...Has anyone removed the orange rubber on-off and maybe cleaned something behind it and then re-attached it...Thank You
For a worn out membrane switch, the best course is replacement. Second is the reconditioning paint.
Now you can call me a hack, but I have gotten switches working again by gluing a piece of metal foil to the membrane nubbin'. I use the mylar layered foil from shielded comm cable as it seems to be the most durable. Cut out a small dot and dab on some contact cement. Have gotten some junker radios back on the road this way...
The FT-50 has a known issue with its power button. You can take it apart and clean it but thats only the first step, the next step is a new keypad membrane or a membrane switch repair kit which you use to repair the contact on the back of the button so it once again works. The coating on the back of the rubber power button wears off and then it quits working, or you have to push it hard and wiggle it around to make it work. Just like a worn out tv remote control, been there before also, usually the volume or channel buttons wear out from use.
There is companies that make a membrane repair kit, its generally a paint pen type setup, you clean the rubber button off, apply the new coating, let it dry, clean the circuit board contact area and then re-assemble. It will work as long as the coating lasts and you will be repairing it again. Nice thing is though the repair coating usually lasts for years and years of use.
I'm doing this from memory as it's been several years since I've had an FT-50 apart.Wonder if you have to take the radio metal back off to slide it in?