AR5000 stuck Search key - repair ideas?

[oneirish]

I called AOR Torrance CA today to send in an AR5000A+3 because the top left key - Search, is now not depressing and only works with too much pressure to use without damaging the board. The SCAN and 1 key are also getting worse. I can use remotely for now but hope to get it fixed.

AOR now has a tech come in only once a month in US and is asking AOR Japan if they can get the parts. At earliest if they can it will be December. If they can - no problem I can wait but it doesn't sound at all encouraging. Not a repair even if I had the keypad or parts that I could manage.

Happy AOR customer with fine service in past but I need to find if any other shops or professionals can repair these? Assuming they'd have to have the keypad too - any ideas or help really appreciated.

 

[MStep]

Unfortunately, no information directly affecting your repair, but AOR in Torrance only has a technician come in once a month??? Wow, how the world has changed.

 

[oneirish]

Unfortunately, no information directly affecting your repair, but AOR in Torrance only has a technician come in once a month??? Wow, how the world has changed.

It sure has. Last week another person answering told me they are able to do some repairs and recently replaced an AOR 5000 display with one for a newer model. I figured the same would be true for the keypads but apparently not so. Fingers crossed I can get at least this one fixed or another US AOR repair shop can be found.

 

[MStep]

It sure has. Last week another person answering told me they are able to do some repairs and recently replaced an AOR 5000 display with one for a newer model. I figured the same would be true for the keypads but apparently not so. Fingers crossed I can get at least this one fixed or another US AOR repair shop can be found.

Some 2-3 years ago, I had to have the tuning dial on my DV1 replaced. The unit was still under warranty. The turn-around time was one day, excluding the transit times of course.

Except for the AOR Torrance CA facility, I would be surprised if anyone else in the U.S. does AOR repairs, either in or out of warranty. I just don't think there is an availability of the specialized parts that are used.

If you have been following other threads here, you are likely aware that AOR has been facing an uphill struggle since the introduction of the flawed DV10 portable receiver. There has even been chatter here on RR and on a few other sites, about the viability of the company to weather the current storm. The introduction of the company's "flagship" Alpha II receiver also appears to be in jeopardy.

Incidentally, the AOR rep at the Torrance facility (I believe his name was Taka), has always been incredibly helpful. Not sure if you made direct contact with him, or if he is even still at that facility.

 

[n2pqq]

I called AOR Torrance CA today to send in an AR5000A+3 because the top left key - Search, is now not depressing and only works with too much pressure to use without damaging the board. The SCAN and 1 key are also getting worse. I can use remotely for now but hope to get it fixed.

AOR now has a tech come in only once a month in US and is asking AOR Japan if they can get the parts. At earliest if they can it will be December. If they can - no problem I can wait but it doesn't sound at all encouraging. Not a repair even if I had the keypad or parts that I could manage.

Happy AOR customer with fine service in past but I need to find if any other shops or professionals can repair these? Assuming they'd have to have the keypad too - any ideas or help really appreciated.

You might want to contact this guy.

https://www.radiocruncher.com/

He also has a youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDj4nrHQsfiGO--jt108Cjw

Take a look at this list maybe you can find someone there .

https://www.eham.net/reviews/products/26

 

[oneirish]

Thanks n2pqq, I will indeed talk to him - even if he doesn't do AOR that's a good one to know. The list is fantastic - didn't even think of looking there.

AOR said today they could fix the keypad so all good.

MStep that may be the fastest turnaround of a receiver I know of! AOR replaced the VFO knob on my first AR5000A years ago in about a week but also added a new display with better lighting. They did a great job. So far all the engineers/shops I called have never had to repair an AR5000 or had a request to. That's interesting.

 

[dkf435]

Is the plastic key stuck or is the push switch underneath it bad? Trying to think where my service manual is.


David

 

[oneirish]

David,

Wow, you are an AOR corporation by yourself! I’ll enjoy looking some of those up, I’m not even sure which they are - very, very impressive. The 3000 is next for me to find a good one.

It’s the switch or piece underneath the button (keytop in service manual) AOR said over phone - they haven’t seen it yet to be sure. I wonder though because the SCAN key immediately below it and 1 key to it’s right are also very stiff but have some travel and work ok, not normal but without the heavy pressure SEARCH requires. Seems odd three adjacent keys at top right would be only ones to fail?

This receiver just came from a govt space contractor so I don’t know the history. The other keys all have normal travel and response. I know on my other AOR 5000A I use SEARCH and VFO heavily every day but they still have same response as the other keys.

Service manual online I saw briefly, shows the parts listed as keytops and exploded but I didn’t get to see if it’s a switch or rubber membrane beneath each button. I opened it up ready to pull the front but quickly saw my surgical skills will kill the patient, a lot packed in there. Found numerous wires empty for options or ? so will try to trace those down too - sorry for the long reply.

John

 

[oneirish]

Also AOR US said - not a technician but the very helpful gentleman I spoke with today that Japan would send the parts and they assume it is just the switch or part under the button, not requiring a replacement key circuit board. So I’m hoping that’s correct. I can send you copy of service manual if you’d like or care to see it as PDF.

John