PRO-43 sudden key failure

[DaveNF2G]

This afternoon I found that the only keys that work on my PRO-43 are Scan and Manual. I've tried flipping the keylock slider back and forth and turning the radio off and on with no success.

The radio has not been off its shelf in months and I turn it on practically every day.

Has anyone seen this happen before?

 

[Al42]

But you don't press the keys every day. The key contacts could probably use a little cleaning.

 

[dollar]

I have had the same problem with my Pro43 making it virtually useless. How does one clean the contacts?

 

[Al42]

If the keypad is typical:

Take the radio apart.

Take the keypad out of the radio.

Take the keypad apart.

There should be 1 layer that's a plastic sheet with silver dots (about 1/8" to 1/4" diameter) on it, one for each key. Carefully clean these dots. A Q-tip and Tarnex (Tarn-X? - the liquid used to clean silverware) works best, since it's totally non-abrasive, and the silver is very thin.

Also dust off (or blow clean) the sheet that sits on the silver dots. It should have carbon of some sort on it, also 1 piece per key, and the dust, if any, will cause multiple keys to be "pressed". (This layer may be the one the keys themselves are on, and it'll be made of some sort of conductive polymer or rubber. Or it may be a separate sheet, with just carbon dots.)

Put it all back together and you should get another year or two out of it - until the next time it needs to be cleaned.

 

[dollar]

Thanks for the tips on cleaning the key contacts - I'll give it a try.

 

[K5MAR]

Keypad failure is common with the 43. Unfortunately, I don't think the replacement keypads are available any longer.

Mark S.

 

[DaveNF2G]

It cleared up as mysteriously as it started.

 

[Voyager]

It cleared up as mysteriously as it started.

In light of the fact that all buttons were involved except SCAN and MANUAL, I suspect it was/is the keylock contacts that may need cleaned. I don't have a '43, but does the keylock NOT work on those two keys?

Joe M.

 

[AndreniW]

In light of the fact that all buttons were involved except SCAN and MANUAL, I suspect it was/is the keylock contacts that may need cleaned. I don't have a '43, but does the keylock NOT work on those two keys?

Joe M.

Not too sure, but on my Bearcat BC100XLT, and my PRO-95, both their keylocks lock ALL buttons, including SCAN and MANUAL.

Andrew
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