FYI about encoder and other "Quirks" of the SAT800M
I email Drake and Eton with this and their responses:
Hello,
I have a few questions about this receiver.
The Encoder has skipped a little, does that mean the encoder is faulty?
On FM @ 87.90 there is a slight thumping.
The Low BATT flashes about 4 Hrs later after putting in New batteries, I would like to use rechargeable batteries.
The SN is: S8008005754, The radio was made August 2000 if that is the serial numbering goes, but I have the original power supply that say’s: Apr / June 2002 and it has the brass support for the VFO but the dial wobbles.
The Volume control does NOT have static when turning.
Are these problems I have to worry about?
How much would it be to fix it?
Thank You,
Hello,
Drake does still service the 800 receiver. Labor cost is $30 per quarter hour. Typical repair cost is in the $150 to $250 range. Drake can call you with an estimate should you request.
No prior authorization is required, and the shipping address follows.
Drake does not have improved volume, bass, treble and squelch controls or knobs. So this cannot be improved upon.
The encoder does sound faulty, as it should not skip as you describe.
The low voltage battery threshold sounds like it needs set. This would be addressed in the course of repairing the unit.
The "thumping" that you describe is normal, and would not be corrected.
Please advise if you have further questions.
Regards,
John Kriner
R.L.Drake LLC
ATTN: Service
230 Industrial Drive
Franklin, OH 45005
ok let me think about it but thank you for the information, I actually cleaned the encoder and it does not look worn and it doesn't skip as bad right now, is there a replacement Encoder (part) that isn't plasitc? The old encoders had a metal shaft, these are plasic.
Are there improved knobs and a VFO knob?
I thought that there were new knobs that protrude on the shaft to prevent wobble.
The tuning knob wobbles, is there a replace ment tuning knob?
Thanks
No, there are no improved knobs available, whether it be for the volume etc. or main tuning. Also, the encoders that Drake stocks all have plastic shafts.
Regards,
John Kriner
This response is from eton:
Thanks for your email . The wobbling bass, treble and squelch isn’t a serious issue, but you could have it checked if you wish. The encoder skipping is normal. I don’t know what causes the thumping on 87.9 MHz but unless you need that frequency to pick up a station it’s probably not a problem. The flashing of low battery may be a problem and this would require troubleshooting. You can use rechargeable batteries, but they must be charged outside of the radio.
If you would like to have the radio serviced, please contact the R.L.Drakd Company, noted below.
R.L. Drake Service Department
230 Industrial Drive
Franklin, OH 45005
Phone: 937-746-4556
Email: servicehelp@rldrake.net
Hi Walter,
Thank You for your reply.
I cleaned the encoder for my SAT800 and adjusted the little "Fingers" inside the decoder last night so it does not skip "AS BAD" but isn't that a documented problem with these units? I've heard way back when that drake was "Fixing" the skipping problem but it was happening again on units.
also do you or drake (I have been in contact with them via e-mail) have a VFO tuning knob that I can buy? either the bearing in mine are wearing out of it was like that way back when.
The battery flashing is because there is a resistor that is too high (battery power is 9Volts, when the voltage dropps to let's say 8.9 Volts it clicks off when it should click off at 7.7 volts) but doing the changing is involved.
Thanks,
I’m sorry but we don’t know of any ‘documented’ problems. We don’t have any VFO tuning knobs, but Drake may be able to replace one for you. I don’t know if they will sell it to you.
Walter Hess
Technical Support Manager
Etón Corporation
1015 Corporation Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA
U.S. 800-872-2228; CANADA 800-637-1648; telephone: + 1 650 903 3866; fax: + 1 650 903 3867
www.etoncorp.com
This respose is from RL Drake:
Hello,
The main tuning knob is Drake part number 394-0288W. Price is $12.73 plus shipping. A $5 handling fee is also added to each order.
If you'd like to place an order and pay by credit card, please call (937)746-6990.
Regards,
John Kriner
I email Drake and Eton with this and their responses:
Hello,
I have a few questions about this receiver.
The Encoder has skipped a little, does that mean the encoder is faulty?
On FM @ 87.90 there is a slight thumping.
The Low BATT flashes about 4 Hrs later after putting in New batteries, I would like to use rechargeable batteries.
The SN is: S8008005754, The radio was made August 2000 if that is the serial numbering goes, but I have the original power supply that say’s: Apr / June 2002 and it has the brass support for the VFO but the dial wobbles.
The Volume control does NOT have static when turning.
Are these problems I have to worry about?
How much would it be to fix it?
Thank You,
Hello,
Drake does still service the 800 receiver. Labor cost is $30 per quarter hour. Typical repair cost is in the $150 to $250 range. Drake can call you with an estimate should you request.
No prior authorization is required, and the shipping address follows.
Drake does not have improved volume, bass, treble and squelch controls or knobs. So this cannot be improved upon.
The encoder does sound faulty, as it should not skip as you describe.
The low voltage battery threshold sounds like it needs set. This would be addressed in the course of repairing the unit.
The "thumping" that you describe is normal, and would not be corrected.
Please advise if you have further questions.
Regards,
John Kriner
R.L.Drake LLC
ATTN: Service
230 Industrial Drive
Franklin, OH 45005
ok let me think about it but thank you for the information, I actually cleaned the encoder and it does not look worn and it doesn't skip as bad right now, is there a replacement Encoder (part) that isn't plasitc? The old encoders had a metal shaft, these are plasic.
Are there improved knobs and a VFO knob?
I thought that there were new knobs that protrude on the shaft to prevent wobble.
The tuning knob wobbles, is there a replace ment tuning knob?
Thanks
No, there are no improved knobs available, whether it be for the volume etc. or main tuning. Also, the encoders that Drake stocks all have plastic shafts.
Regards,
John Kriner
This response is from eton:
Thanks for your email . The wobbling bass, treble and squelch isn’t a serious issue, but you could have it checked if you wish. The encoder skipping is normal. I don’t know what causes the thumping on 87.9 MHz but unless you need that frequency to pick up a station it’s probably not a problem. The flashing of low battery may be a problem and this would require troubleshooting. You can use rechargeable batteries, but they must be charged outside of the radio.
If you would like to have the radio serviced, please contact the R.L.Drakd Company, noted below.
R.L. Drake Service Department
230 Industrial Drive
Franklin, OH 45005
Phone: 937-746-4556
Email: servicehelp@rldrake.net
Hi Walter,
Thank You for your reply.
I cleaned the encoder for my SAT800 and adjusted the little "Fingers" inside the decoder last night so it does not skip "AS BAD" but isn't that a documented problem with these units? I've heard way back when that drake was "Fixing" the skipping problem but it was happening again on units.
also do you or drake (I have been in contact with them via e-mail) have a VFO tuning knob that I can buy? either the bearing in mine are wearing out of it was like that way back when.
The battery flashing is because there is a resistor that is too high (battery power is 9Volts, when the voltage dropps to let's say 8.9 Volts it clicks off when it should click off at 7.7 volts) but doing the changing is involved.
Thanks,
I’m sorry but we don’t know of any ‘documented’ problems. We don’t have any VFO tuning knobs, but Drake may be able to replace one for you. I don’t know if they will sell it to you.
Walter Hess
Technical Support Manager
Etón Corporation
1015 Corporation Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA
U.S. 800-872-2228; CANADA 800-637-1648; telephone: + 1 650 903 3866; fax: + 1 650 903 3867
www.etoncorp.com
This respose is from RL Drake:
Hello,
The main tuning knob is Drake part number 394-0288W. Price is $12.73 plus shipping. A $5 handling fee is also added to each order.
If you'd like to place an order and pay by credit card, please call (937)746-6990.
Regards,
John Kriner
