the professional magazine for electronics and …6 computer software for service center management...

THE PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE FOR ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTER SERVICING

ELEGT11011*,mang & Tochnology FEBRUARY 1993/$3 00

Computer software for service center management

Where are they now? On site servicing

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Frustrated With

Servicing The

"Tough Dog" VCRs?

Are You Ready For Today's VCR Challenges?

You know the scenario all too well. A customer brings in a VCR for service with the simplecomplaint that the picture is noisy. But down deep in the pit of your stomach you wish it wouldbe something else, maybe "It won't load a tape, or it won't rewind". You'd even wish the customerwould have said "it plays for a few seconds and then stops".

But a noisy picture, that could be anything from a problem in the servos to bad video heads, ora tape path alignment problem, to a defect almost anywhere in the luminance circuits.

What do you do after you've carefully and thoroughly cleaned the heads - several times - only to findthat the same symptom has not gone away?

What would you do next if you had one of these VCRs in your shop?

Inspect the heads further? Check the servos? Give the customer a high estimate?

Order new heads? Suspect a mechanical problem? Other?

Are you equipped to profitably service today's VCRs and camcorders? Sencore's new VC93 All Format VCRAnalyzer answers the technical troubleshooting challenges you face when servicing VCR/camcorder playbackand record circuits.

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With the VC93 All Format VCR Analyzer...Now, You Can Isolate An3 Play back Or Record Problem In .All VCRs, In LessThan Half The Time It Presently Takes!

Equip your bench for servicing all consumer VCRs with the only all -formatVCR analyzer.

Eliminate guesswork with dynamic VCR head signal substitution for allconsumer formats.

Quickly isolate Hi-Fi stereo audio problems with exclusive Hi-Fi stereo headsignal substitution.

Pinpoint any luminance, chrominance, or audio problem with phase -lockedanalyzing signals.

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Automatic servo analyzer allows you to catch servo defects in a fraction ofthe time presently required - (patent pending)

Built-in Split Field test pattern generator permits stand-alone operation.

Additional test patterns and RF/IF troubleshooting capabilities are availablewhen used in conjunction with the Sencore video analyzing system.

Special troubleshooting features complete the VCR Servo sub -bias supply Standard video and audio line outputs Autoranging DCV and PPV meter Output signal monitor

Expandable for future and increasedapplications.

analyzing package:

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page 56

FEATURES

6 Computer software for servicecenter managementBy Conrad PerssonComputers have revolutionized op-erations of every kind of business.This article will help you gain infor-mation on what type software mightbe right for your service center.

11 Servicing consumer electronicson siteBy Homer L DavidsonServicing of consumer electronicproducts in the home has becomelargely a thing of the past .How -ever, some products can still be ser-viced economically on site. Thisarticle will provide you with somehelpful tips on how to handle on siteservicing.

16 Troubleshooting microwave ovenhigh voltage circuitsBy Homer L DavidsonServicing microwave ovens can bedangerous. A great deal of cautionmust be taken when working aroundac power line voltages and dc volt-ages up to 4.5kV. This article will be

THE PROFESSIONAI MAGAZINE FOR EUCTIONItS AND CONIRMII SE MONO

ELEGT11111116Servicing & Technology

Volume 13, No. 2 February 1993

page 63

helpful for those who service micro- 50 Video Cornerwave ovens. Video Update: Setting VCR head

switching21 Where are they now?

By Victor Meeldijk 55 Troubleshooting TipIn the 1980's and 1990's many com-panies merged, were acquired or 56 What Do You Know Aboutwent bankrupt. In this article you Electronics?will find out what has happened to More on the AM radio detector forsome of the companies you may be IR remotesfamiliar with.

DEPARTMENTS

2 Editorial

3 News

4 Literature

27 Profax

46 Successful ServicingIn an economy where businesses arestruggling to find new ways to turnservices into profits, diversificationin servicing is one of the most viableoptions. In the field of electronics ser-vicing, technologies which used to bethe domain of specialty service orga-nizations are now fair game for moreaggressive centers.

49 Test Your Electronics Knowledge

60 Books

61 Audio CornerDigital Compact Cassette

63 TechnologyZ-axis adhesive tape

64 Products

66 Readers' Exchange

68 Advertisers' Index

ON THE COVEREvery consumer electronics service

center has a great deal of administrativework: filling out forms, preparing claimchecks, keeping track of the status of eachproduct being serviced, making out thebills. An inexpensive personal computerwith the right software can perform mostof these tasks, freeing technicians andmanagers to perform their tasks moreefficiently. (Photo courtesy Sencore).

ebruary 1993 Electronic Servicing & Technology 1

Editorial

The computer as expert

The first computer built in the UnitedStates was used to compute trajectoriesfor artillery. This information was com-puted, then arranged in tables so that theU.S. military knew how to aim its guns inorder to hit a distant target.

This computer, ENIAC, for electronicnumeric integrator and calculator, wasprogrammed by expert mathematiciansand their helpers, as the computationswere being done, by rearranging wiresthat connected parts of the computer.

The computer was a huge affair, madeup of vacuum tubes, consumed a greatdeal of electrical power, and because ofthe low reliability of tubes, it failed reg-ularly.

But it did its job and it did assist the wareffort.

Today, no doubt, a microcomputercould do the entire job much faster. And,in fact, no doubt, a microcomputer builtinto an artillery piece could instanta-neously compute or look up a trajectorybased on input data and set its own angleof fire. But then that would probably stillbe less sophisticated than the militaryweapons that currently exist.

As computers, which are now tiny, andwhich can now store their programs inter-nally, increase in power, and memoriescontinue to shrink in size and grow incapacity, computers and the softwarewritten for them, continue to become,increasingly, a part of our lives; fre-quently in ways in which their existenceis not evident.

For example, most high end TVs,VCRs and camcorders have a micro-processor or two in them. The faxmachines that over the past three or fouryears seem to have appeared everywherewould not be possible without micro-computers. The entire concept of com-pact disk requires computers to convertthe music information to digital bits that

are recorded on the disks, and to convertthe bits on the disk back to music.

Compact disk interactive (CDI) is amethod of recording text, voice, graphicsand music on a compact disk in the formof digital bits. In some of these cases, theidea of software gets a bit murky. Forexample, in the case of CD there's soft-ware in ROM (read only memory) thatdirects the operation of the player, thenthere's the "software" on the disk that isconverted to music in the case of CD, ortext, music, etc., in the case of CDI.

Another place you'll find tiny comput-ers and their software is in the cellulartelephone.

And of course, all of those video games:Nintendo, Sega, Genesis, are nothingmore than tiny computers that use thesoftware contained in those game car-tridges to create the pictures and soundthat keep the kids entertained for hours onend.

As the power of computers continuesto increase, the memory capacity contin-ues to expand, the price of the hardwarecontinues to decrease, and the sophisti-cation of the software continues toincrease, more and more tasks can be per-formed by computer.

We have reached the point where, inmany cases, the cost of the computerhardware is no longer an issue. The costof the computer is so low that it is aninsignificant part of the overall cost of theproduct, and in many cases it's even lesscostly than the less versatile, less func-tional, hardware it replaces. The cost ofmuch of the software is also becomingless.

Technology is at a point now that near-ly every process that can be economical-ly realized by a computer and the appro-priate software is either being done by acomputer or being studied for possiblecomputerization.

With this level of computerization,there is hardly a consumer electronic ser-vice center that couldn't benefit fromautomating their operations. A powerfulpersonal computer such as the 386 or 486along with, say, 4 megabytes of memoryand a hard disk drive capable of storing100 megabytes or more of memory canbe purchased for around $2,000. The soft-ware can be purchased for anywherebetween a few hundred and a few thou-sand dollars.

And for the most part, the software hasbeen written either by people who are ser-vice technicians or managers, or by soft-ware experts working closely with ser-vice technicians and managers. Becauseof this, much of the software is intuitive,and so requires little training to make itwork.

And one thing that most users find outis that, on balance, using a computer tomanage the business doesn't cost; it pays:in reduced paperwork, more efficienttracking of products through the serviceprocess, readily availability of serviceinformation such as technical tips.

In essence, computerization allows acompany to benefit in several ways:applying a good software package, or acombination of software programs, is likehiring an expert manager, a file clerk, anexperienced technician and more.

Today's computers are everything thatfirst computer was not: small, energy effi-cient, reliable, affordable, simple to oper-ate. And while that first computerrequired that the programmers be there atthe site to do the programming, today'sstored program computers allow that pro-gramming expertise to be recorded on afloppy disk and made available to anyonewho wants to buy it.

2 Electronic Servicing & Technology February 1993

NewsField test of long distance

HDTV broadcastZenith and AT&T demonstrated that

digital high -definition television(HDTV) broadcasting can bring high -quality, snow -free, interference -free TVpictures to a broader service area thanconventional TV broadcasts. In the firstlong-distance over -the -air field test of anall -digital HDTV signal, Zenith andAT&T conducted a broadcast from a TVstation in Milwaukee 75 miles to Zenith'stechnical center in Glenview, Ill.

The late -night field test of the "DigitalSpectrum Compatible" HDTV system,broadcast on Milwaukee Public Tele-vision Station WMVT Channel 36, wasthe first ever terrestrial broadcast of dig-ital TV signals using low power over longdistances. The test also showed that dig-ital HDTV can provide high -quality,noise -free pictures even in the presenceof interference from conventional TV sig-nals on the same channel.

The primary broadcast service area(Grade B contour) for conventional ana-log TV signals on WMVT is 48 milesfrom the transmitter. The Glenviewreceiving site is on the far fringe recep-tion area of the Milwaukee station, andeven with an antenna tower atop theseven -story building, the conventionalanalog signals are very noisy or snowy.

Using less than one -tenth of the powerused to transmit a full -power conven-tional analog TV signal, the test success-fully transmitted and received digital sig-nals - without noise, snow or ghosts. Thetest showed that the system's unique dig-ital compression and transmission tech-nologies can eliminate the so-called "cliffeffect" a total and abrupt loss of the TVpicture and sound that could be caused byerrors in transmitted digital data at longdistances from the transmitter.

The companies plan to share the fieldtest data with the Federal Communi-cations Commission's Advisory Com-mittee on Advanced television Serviceand its HDTV Field Test Task Force.

Summit meeting heldA third summit meeting among mem-

bers of the three national service associ-ations consisting of the National Asso-ciation of Service Dealers (NASD) a

division of NARDA, the ProfessionalService Association (PSA), the NationalElectronic Service Dealers Association(NESDA), and several state organiza-tions including the California State Elec-tronics Association (CSEA), the Tele-vision Electronics Service Association(ESDA) of IL, the Independent WarrantyServicers (IWS), and the Appliance Ser-vice Dealers (ASD), was held in Chicagoon October 4, 1992.

The industry Summit decided to forma permanent group called the "Service

Industry Council" for the purpose of col-lecting information, identifying industryproblems and finding possible solutionsfor those problems. This group will con-tinue to meet on a regular basis to addressthe needs of the service industry.

The environmental committee reportstated that as a result of indecision on thepart of governmental agencies the man-dated technician certification programhas been abandoned. The resulting con-troversy that continues to grow in the ser

(Continued on page 62)

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NOIFSSIONN MAGAZINE 101 EIECTRONICS AND COAAPUIER SERVICINGLiteratureDemonstration package available for

virtual instrument softwareNational Instruments announced today

that a free demonstration package is avail-able for the new LabVIEW for Windowsgraphical programming software. Thedemonstration package includes softwareand a guide that gives the user a compre-hensive look at the software but does notrequire previous knowledge of it.

Based on the full -function version ofLabVIEW, the demonstration packagedescribes fundamental concepts, gives anoverview of the system, and guides theuser through hands-on examples. In thefirst section, the user learns about theproduct and explores a completed virtualinstrument (VI) program. In the secondsection, the user builds a VI from scratch.The third section contains a variety ofexamples demonstrating how the soft-ware addresses different applicationneeds. The last section also describes theGPIB, VXI, and Instrument Driver VIlibraries for controlling over 115 GPIB,VXI, ad RS -232 instruments using thecompany's interface hardware; the DataAcquisition VI Library for controlling thecompany's PC plug-in data acquisitionand signal conditioning hardware, and theData Analysis Library for processingacquired data.

The demonstration package is availablenow on 3.5 in. high -density diskettes andrequires a 386/33 PC with a 387 coproces-sor (486 recommended) running Micro-soft Windows Version 3.1, 8M memory,and VGA or Super VGA video adapter.

Power Protection catalog on diskAvailable from Best Power Tech-

nology, Inc. is a new hypertext catalog ona disk that is free of charge. The full -color, interactive disk is a virtual ency-clopedia of information on protectingcomputers and other sensitive electronicsfrom power problems. Featuring an easy -to -use, "point and click" user interface,the catalog instantly responds to eachuser's information needs with more thantwo megabytes of helpful information. Inaddition to a complete description of thecompany's line of power protection prod-ucts, the catalog includes a number ofinnovative features.

Unlike many computer -based "cata-logs" this one features actual on -screencolor product photography, so users cansee the devices being described.

Many of the photographs and diagramsin the presentation are interactive; userscan click on anything they see in thegraphic to get more information on it. Byclicking on a button, users can invoke aUPS Sizer. The program asks questionsabout the computer system the user wish-es to protect, calculates total VA load andsystem growth, and makes specific prod-uct recommendations based on the criti-cality of the user's application The UPSSizer can also be run as a stand-aloneDOS application.

Interface handbookA new handbook, IPC/92, describes

Interference Phase Cancellation, a prac-tical method for suppressing interferencewhich occurs at the same frequency as thedesired signal or which occurs so close toit that application of conventional filtersis impractical.

IPC/92 summarizes the phase cancella-tion theory, describing six most commoninterference problems, 15 different exam-ples, solutions and product instructions.Some areas discussed are co -channelreception, ghosting due to relfection, in -channel harmonic reception, widebandnoise across low band channels, undesiredadjacent FM carriers and microwaveinband interference. The handbook alsoexplains methods applicable to CATV andother broadband cable systems, interfer-ence to VHF -microwave receivers, inter-ference to TVRO installations and inter-ference to UHF/cellular paging.

Fume extractor brochurePace Inc. announces the release of the

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ELECTRON°Servicing & Technology

Electronic Servicing & Technology is edited for ser-vicing professionals who service consumer electronics

equipment. This includes service technicians, field ser-

vice personnel and avid servicing enthusiasts who repair

and maintain audio, video, computer and other con-sumer electronics equipment.

EDITORIALNils Conrad Persson, EditorJeffrey Uschok, Assistant Editor

CONSULTING EDITORSHomer L.Davidson, TV Servicing ConsultantWilliam J. Lynott, Business ConsultantVictor Meeldijk, Components ConsultantJohn E. Shepler, Audio ConsultantSam Wilson, Electronics Theory Consultant

PRODUCTIONElizabeth Ryan, Art DirectorBarbara Terzo, Assistant Art DirectorSusan Reale, ArtistEdmond Pesonen, Electronic Composition Mgr.Dorothy Kehrwieder, Production ManagerEmily Kreutz, ProductionPat Le Blanc, Phototypographer

BUSINESSRichard A. Ross, PublisherJonathan C. Kummer, Associate PublisherDorothy Kehrwieder, General ManagerFrank V. Fuzia, ControllerCatherine Ross, Circulation DirectorMelissa Kehrwieder, Data Processing ManagerCarol Licata, Data ProcessingDenise Pyne. Customer Service

SALES OFFICEElectronic Servicing & Technology76 N. Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801516-681-2922; FAX 516-681-2926

Jonathan Kummer, Advertising ManagerEmily Kreutz, Sales Assistant

Member, Electronic

NESDA Servicing DealersAssociation

AFSPAp. INTERNATIONAL

ASSOCIATION FOR SERVICES MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCEP.O. Box 12487Overland Park, KS 66212913-492-4857

Electronic Servicing & Technology (ISSN 0278-9922)is published 13 times a year by CO Communications,Inc. 76 N. Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801. Telephone(516) 681-2922. Second class postage paid atHicksville, NY and additional offices. Subscriptionprices (payable in US dollars only): Domestic-oneyear $24, two years $40. Foreign countries-one year$30, two years $52. Entire contents copyright 1993 byCO Communications, Inc. Electronic Servicing & Tech-nology or CO Communications, Inc. assumes noresponsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Allow sixweeks for delivery of first issue and for change ofaddress. printed in the United States of America.

Postmaster: Please send change of address notice toElectronic Servicing & Technology, 76 N. Broadway,Hicksville, NY 11801.

CO Communications, Inc. is publisher of CO The RadioAmateur's Journal, Popular Communications, Com-puterCraft, CO Radio Amateur (Spanish CO), COAmateur Radio Equipment Buyer's Guide, CO AmateurRadio Antenna Buyer's Guide. Popular CommunicationsCommunications Guides, and Electronic Servicing &Technology.


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Computer software for servicecenter managementBy Conrad Persson

in just a few short years, the personalcomputer has revolutionized the opera-tions of every kind of business. Not manyyears ago, if you went into your doctor'soffice, or any of a number of small busi-nesses, when you gave them your namethey went to a file cabinet and pulled outyour records. Today they ask you for yourtelephone number, punch a few buttonson a computer keyboard and your recordappears on a monitor screen.

Just a few years ago, a few visionaryconsumer electronics service centers rev-olutionized their administrative proce-dures by computerizing. They recognizedthat a personal computer, or a network ofpersonal computers, would be perfect fortaking care of all of the administrativetasks that are required in a service center.Since that time, more and more servicecenters have converted from the old cum-bersome paper approach to entering in-formation, tracking products through theservicing process, preparing parts orders,preparing invoices and billing, to a com-puterized system that does all these thingsbut has the added advantage of allowinginstant access to any of this informationat any time from any place in the servicecenter.

More than just service centermanagement

Now service centers are turning overeven more and more tasks to the comput-er. One example is the filing of servicetips. Traditionally, many service centershave file drawers full of service tips. Thepersonnel at the service center carefullydocument every service procedure theyperform; the symptoms of a problem ona particular set and the nature of the trou-ble found. They file this information,along with tips they receive from manu-facturers and other sources.

In the exceptionally well -managed ser-vice center, this information is properlyfiled and accessible when a product isbeing serviced. In the less well managedPersson is editor of ES&T.

service center, sometimes the informa-tion desired can be found, and sometimesnot. Even in the well managed servicecenter, however, the process is cumber-some, and if one service technician has aparticular tips file, it might not be avail-able to another technician who needs it.

There are programs available now notonly for storing and retrieving these techtips, but they have hundreds or even thou-sands of symptoms and cures already ina data base. A service center that buys oneof these programs can then add the prob-lems they have encountered, along withthe solutions, to this existing data base.By filing all of these service tips in a com-puter data base on a networked comput-er system, all the service tips, those devel-oped in house as well as those providedby the program, are available readily toany technician at any time, using just afew keystrokes.

Diagnostics, tooWhile computers are helping service

centers file and retrieve information,computers that require servicing are alsoproviding service centers with a source ofrevenue. Many service centers haveadded personal computers to the list ofproducts that they service. Unlike prod-ucts such as TVs, VCRs, CD players, etc.,computers can tell the servicer what'swrong, to a certain extent at least.

When a personal computer is exhibit-ing a problem, but some of the vital por-tions are still functioning, it's possible toput a disk into the computer that containsa software program that was written sothat it exercises certain portions of thecomputer, and reports back if everythingis working properly, or provides a reportof the nature of the problem if a problemexists.

Here's a rundown of the software aswe know it

Whether you've been computerized forthe past five years, or plan to computer-ize next year, whether you have all yourservice tips on a computer or have been

thinking about doing it, or whetheryou've been servicing computers foryears or think you might get into it one ofthese days, this article is published hereto provide you with some useful infor-mation. What follows is a description ofsome of the features of some of the soft-ware mentioned above, accompanied bya list of companies who offer this soft-ware for sale.

Service center managementService center management software

provides support for the servicing facili-ty in just about every aspect of the busi-ness. With one of these packages, whena product is brought in for service youenter the customer's information and thenature of the complaint. If this is a repeatcustomer you may just have to type in hisphone number, and the rest of the infor-mation is brought up automatically fromthe computer database.

Here's a rundown of some of the fea-tures of a software product that providesa broad range of service center manage-ment capability. Because software suchas this can vary considerably in its useful-ness, depending on the particular needsand management style of the managers,we recommend that before making a com-mitment to purchase such a system thatyou compare the features and ease ofoperation of several packages. Anotherimportant consideration, of course, iscost. The least expensive of these pro-grams cost a few hundred dollars. Themost expensive may cost several thou-sand dollars. As with any other product,the purchaser must weigh the product'sfeatures against the cost and determinewhich is best for a particular application.

To help you decide which one of thesesoftware packages would be best for you,many of the companies listed here offer ademonstration program that you can tryout before you buy. Most of these demoscontain all the features of the softwareproduct so you can determine if it willmeet your needs. The only limitation of ademo package is in the record storage fea-


ture. Typically, a demo will only let youstore 10 or so transactions.

One manufacturer, BGI, will send afully featured package as a demo for$14.50, on the understanding that the per-son who orders it will pay the remainderof the full list price if satisfied.

Job tracking/schedulingAs the customer's job information is

entered into the system, the computerautomatically creates a job ticket andstores the information. Now you can doseveral things:

Easily handle customer phone in-quiries. Just enter the customer's phonenumber or name and the job informationappears on the screen.

Instantly access a job's current statusjust by supplying the appropriate codenumber.

Get detailed job status information. Maintain a complete history of each

unit by serial number or by customernumber.

Call up a summary schedule that letsyou see the whole day's schedule at aglance.

Schedule on -site service by territory. Obtain a printout of both technician

routing sheets and a management sum-mary sheet.

Inventory managementThe inventory program gives you the

individual parts movement by the month,cross reference data, prices, quantity anda reorder report. By checking the move-ment record, you can adjust quantitiesordered to make sure you have adequateinventory of parts without accumulatinga large inventory of slow -moving parts.By coupling this information with manu-facturer's shipping time, you can orderreplacement parts early enough to cutdown on back orders.

InvoicingWith some programs, you may enter

repair descriptions and labor pricingahead of time. The information is then onrecord allowing you to automaticallyinvoice by making number selections forrepair descriptions and labor prices. Inaddition, this program segment allowsyou to print both customer and standardNESDA or NARDA invoices and toautomatically print post cards informingcustomers of the status of their unit.

Codes and tablesUser -defined codes and part pricing

tables let you customize your system andspeed up data entry. All the technicianneeds to do is to press a special key to seethe list of possible code entries. Theyinclude codes for unit types, brands, man-ufacturers. technicians, status of jobs;e.g., parts on order or estimate, customerapproval, return shipping method, salestaxes, vendors.

Forms and reportsA service management software sys-

tem can save you time and money in sev-eral ways by doing much of the paper-work for you. First, a valuable technicianwill have to take less time away fromrepair work to do paperwork. Second, youonly have to enter the customer data once.After that. the computer will automati-cally generate the information in the prop-er format to match your different forms.Finally, the various computer generatedreports allow you to see where yourmoney is going and how fast.

Some of the forms and reports that areavailable are: management reports, suchas daily work in process report, workcompleted not picked up, technician unitreport, technician productivity report,production detailing report, job tracking/scheduling. Also available are invoicingreports, warranty and service literatureinformation and inventory management.

Yet more computer helpAs powerful as these computer pro-

grams are, one thing is absent from theircapabilities: input from and communica-tion with the manufacturers. At least onesystem now includes communicationwith the manufacturers as part of their fea-tures: OASIS by KeyPrestige.

OASIS provides information from sub-scribing manufacturers to service centers.Once a manufacturer subscribes to thissystem, a manufacturer's specific database is created and continually main-tained, service centers can access this dataand obtain information on claims, partsavailability and pricing, technical bul-letins and more, as authorized by the sub-scribing manufacturer. A service centerthat wishes to access this system onlyneeds to have a PC and the appropriatecommunications software.

When the user connects with the cen-tral source mainframe, they instantly

have access to all authorized information.The screens are all menu driven and easyto use, and on-line help is available,according to the company.

Current menu optionsA user can make as many or as few

inquiries as desired with each dial -up ses-sion. Status can be checked with one orseveral subscribers on the followingitems:

Claims - A user can inquire about thestatus of warranty claims. Included in thisscreen is all the necessary claims infor-mation. A window at the bottom of thescreen will display any additional infor-mation that is applicable, including anyreason for rejection or non-payment.

Parts - This screen will display partnumbers, descriptions, availability andapplicable prices.

Bulletins - This feature offers userstechnical information to assist in repairs.Users can order bulletins or print them in-house while on-line.

Future optionsAccording to the manufacturer, options

that will be added to the software in thefuture are parts ordering, electronic trans-mission of warranty claims, specialannouncements, and more.

A caveatA service management system won't

make your business run any smoother allby itself, any more than an oscilloscopewill diagnose a problem in a product. It'sa tool. You have to learn how to use it andteach other people in your business howto use it. And you have to use it consis-tently and correctly.

One other comment: these systems areprobably not for every servicing facility.A low -end system, software only to runon your own PC may cost several hun-dred to over a thousand dollars. A highend system for a large shop, software orsoftware and hardware, may cost severalthousand dollars. On the other hand, if ashop is large enough to use one of thesesystems, and the people who will use itare dedicated enough to making it work,the benefits may well far outweigh thecost.


Service Center ManagerBusiness Management Software

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Electronically file warranty claims throughKeyPrestige Inc., the nations largest independentwarranty claims processor, providing an automatedlink to many electronics manufacturers.

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Service managementsoftware companies

Active Software1208 Apollo Way, Suite 507Sunnyvale, CA 94086408-732-1740Fax: 408-732-1749


Advanced Technology Group205 Regency Executive Park Dr.,Ste. 306Charlotte, NC 28217704-521-8113Fax: 704-521-9711


America West C&ESage Data Systems1900 Elk StreetRock Springs, WY 82901307-382-5663800-542-9378Fax: 307-382-7323


Astea International Inc.100 Highway Dr.Chalfont, PA 18914215-822-8888


Automated Systems, Inc.4827 Pioneer Blvd.Lincoln, NE 68506402-489-2717Fax: 402-489-2370


BGI Co.50509 Hollyhock Rd.South Bend, IN 46637Phone/Fax: 219-277-8762


Cahill Electronics160 Main Street, PO Box 568Kingston, NH 03848603-642-4292Fax: 603-642-7941


Computer Transaction Systems(RepairWare)PO Box 56North Weymouth, MA 02191617-331-6968800-332-6968Fax: 617-331-6969


Core Software, Inc.26303 Oak Ridge DriveSpring, TX 77380713-292-2177Fax: 713-298-1492713-298-1492


Custom Data AssociatesPO Box 10903Baltimore, MD 21234410-668-9594Fax: 410-661-3942


Foothill TV & Electronics(Sync Pulse 1)7730 Foothill Rd.Tyjunga, CA 91042818-353-9595Fax: 818-353-7016


Fundamental Services1546 Peaceful Lane N.Clearwater, FL 34616813-584-2610Fax: 813-585-0021


Ideal Computer Systems1320 Second Ave., SECedar Rapids, IA 52403319-362-2662Fax: 319-362-4305


KeyPrestige, Inc.11065 Knott Avenue, Suite BCypress, CA 90630714-893-1111Fax: 714-893-7997


Magic Solutions, Inc.180 Franklin Turnpike, 2nd FloorMahwah, NJ 07430201-529-5533Fax: 20 I -529-2955


MCSS, Inc.20975 Swenson DriveWaukesha, WI 53186414-798-8560Fax: 414-798-8573


Ogment GroupPO Box 781Lafayette, CA 94549510-284-7372Message or Fax: 510-284-4 142


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Premium Parts +PO Box 28Whitewater, WI 53190800-558-9572Fax: 414-473-4727


Sencore(Service Center Manager)3200 Sencore DriveSioux Falls, SD 57107800-736-2673 Ext. 238Fax: 605-339-9374


ServiceWare Corporation2212 Gladwin Crescent, Unit D2Ottawa, OntarioCanadaK I B 4S6613-521-7391Fax: 613-521-7391


NESDA(Service Control System II)2708 W. Berry StreetFt. Worth, TX 76109817-921-9061Fax: 817-921-3741


Service Management of ft t arc931 Sunset Blvd.West Columbia, SC 29169800-756-7035Fax: 803-791-8521


Service Systems International, Ltd.8717 West 110th Street, Suite 600Overland Park, KS 66210913-661-0190800-826-4351Fax: 913-661-0220


Sidon Data Systems18007 South MitchellIrvine, CA 92714714-553-1131Fax: 714-553-1133


Soft -Serve, Inc.757 North 22nd St.Mesa, AZ 85213Phone/Fax: 602-835-2243


Service Tips programsAnaTek Corporation(Computer monitors)PO Box 12004 Limbo LaneAmherst, NH 03031800-999-0304603-673-4342Fax: 603-673-5374


FixFinderTCE Publications10003 Bunsen WayLouisville, KY 40299502-491-8110


High Tech Electronics1623 Aviation Blvd.Redondo Beach, CA 90278310-379-2026800-289-3001Fax: 310-379-9608


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Higher Intelligence Software, Inc.60 Farmington LaneMelville, NY 11747Phone/Fax: 516-643-7740This company also offers custom softwarefor the service industry.


Diagnostics/utilities

Fessenden Technologies116 N. 3rd StreetOzark, MO 65721417-485-2501Fax: 417-485-3133


Gibson Research Corp.35 JourneyAliso Viejo, CA 92656714-362-8800Fax: 714-362-8808


Micro 2000, Inc.1100 E. Broadway, Third FloorGlendale, CA 91205818-547-0125Fax: 818-547-0397


SyncPulse7730 Foothill Blvd.Tujunga, CA 91042818-353-9595Fax: 818-353-7016


Track MateDiagnostics and disk drivemaintenance5305 East Shore DriveConyers, GA 30208800-486-5707Fax: 404-922-804-1


Windsor Technologies, Inc.130 Alto StreetSan Rafael, CA 94901415-456-2200Fax: 415-456-2244


On-line systemsTechnical Information ProcurementSystem(Online computer system for tech tips)PO Box 1681Forest Park, GA 30051-1681Phone/Fax: 404-968-3715System Phone: 404-968-6600 E-7- I




Servicing consumer electronicson site

By Homer L. Davidson

Servicing of consumer electronicsproducts in the home has become largelya thing of the past. Modern TV sets andother consumer electronics products areso sophisticated that most service proce-dures require tools, test equipment andinformation that are only available in thewell-equipped service center. Moreover,a large proportion of those products aresmall enough and light enough that theycan be brought into the service center bythe customer.

However, some products can still beserviced economically on site if not morethan two trips are required to finish thejob, and payment is collected before thetechnician leaves the site. Paymentarrangements should be made when thecall is booked in. Of course, if the cus-tomer has been with you for years, it'sanother story.

Logging in the callThe service center employee who logs

in calls for on site service should betrained to ask for specific information thatwill be helpful to the technician who willperform the on site service. What specif-ic information to ask will be determinedby the individual service manager, but thefollowing represents some of the infor-mation that will be helpful to the techni-cian for any on site service call:

What is the brand and model and typeof product?

What is the screen size? Is it a console, table model, portable,

projection set? What are the symptoms?

Davidson is a TV servicing consultant for ES&T.

Figure 1. Minor service can be completed on site. Here a technician is replacing defective diodesin an RCA CTC140 chassis.

How long has the problem existed? Has the set been moved or discon-

nected recently? Have you had any problems with the

power system, or did the problembegin just after a thunderstorm?

If the questions reveal that it is aportable or other small product, the tele-phone person might be instructed to tellthe customer that he or she can save a tripcharge by bringing the unit in.

Scheduling on site serviceIn a small service center where a tech-

nician does both bench servicing and onsite service, it should be determined whattime of day is best for the technician tomake on site calls. I prefer the afternoon,since the mind should be bright and clear

in the morning to tackle those tough jobs.Larger service centers may have outsidetechnicians who take calls all day long. Aregular servicing route may take certainsections of town or country on given days.

How many house calls can be made ina day? Owners of some large service cen-ters say 8 or 10 calls a day is necessaryfor a decent profit. But in the case of asmall service center, the technician canonly take the morning or afternoon forcalls, while the other half is reserved forbench time.

I have made many on site service calls,each of them different from the others. Insome cases I was able to perform the ser-vice on the spot. In other cases it was nec-essary to return the product to the servicecenter so that it could be serviced on thebench. The following narratives of some


of my experiences may give other read-ers some insights into on site servicing.

Call 1 - Old faithfulOne RCA XL100 console TV that I was

called out to service exhibited two unre-lated symptoms. The main problem wasthat, intermittently, the set refused tooperate. According to the owner, some-times when the set was inoperative rap-ping on the side of the cabinet wouldcause it to begin working. The othersymptom was that the remote workedsometimes, and refused to work on otheroccasions.

Mr. Jones had been giving the cabineta rap with his cane or a swift kick for days.Now the TV set would remain silent forlonger hours, and sometimes would notrespond at all when rapped. After settingfor several hours, it might start up againwhen either the switch on the set waspressed, or when the on/off button on theremote unit was pressed.

Our experience with this particularXL100 chassis was that this type of tunercontrol problem was fairly common onsets that were 10 or 12 years old. Thischassis has a slanted push button assem-bly with tuner control module in onepiece. In fact, "old faithful" (CTC92W)frequently developed symptoms causedby cold solder joints

I removed the back cover and droppedthe tuner -control assembly down. Turn-ing the assembly over provided easyaccess to the PC wiring and componentcontacts within the tuner. As I had donein the case of several other XL100 chas-sis in the past, I resoldered the outside andground connections, as well as all the con-nections at the bottom half of the entirearea.

After re soldering these joints with asoldering gun and rosin core solder, Iturned the set on. It operated perfectly. Iflexed and carefully tapped on the tunerassembly to see if I could make the symp-tom return. The chassis never missed abeat. I returned the intermittent remotecontrol transmitter to the service center tobe serviced at the bench.

Call 2 - A horizontal white lineThis was one of those exceptions to the

rule that a portable set should be broughtinto the shop by the customer. Mrs. Smith,the owner of this portable set, is confinedto a wheelchair.

Figure 2. The defective vertical deflection IC (X0238CE) in a Sharp 19SB6OR model was replacedwith a TCE SK7653 universal replacement.

The only thing that showed on thescreen of this Sharp 19SB6OR portablewas a horizontal white line. Mrs. Smithhad been listening to the sound with nopicture for several weeks.

Because the screen showed only a hor-izontal white line, I quickly concludedthat the problem had to be a defect some-where in the vertical section.

Rather than just picking up the set andbringing it into the service center, I decid-

ed that as long as I had made the trip to thehouse, I might as well attempt to service iton site. After removing the antenna cablesand VCR connections, and pushing the petdog aside, I removed the plastic back cover.I turned the set on and turned the bright-ness control up as far as it would go. Therewas only a white line. The sound was good,but there was no vertical sweep.

I examined the fairly new Sharp chas-sis, trying to locate the vertical output cir-

Figure 3 Soldering all terminal connections under the flyback area solved the intermittent con-dition in this RCA FM2722T model.


cults. Since the chassis was only two orthree years old, I assumed that the verti-cal oscillator or count down circuits mustbe in a large IC. No doubt the vertical out-put must be on a separate heat sink.

Sure enough, the vertical output com-ponent was located at the outside edge ofthe chassis on a separate heat sink (Figure2). I was fairly confident that this IC mustbe defective and the cause of the symptom.

I looked up the X0238CE vertical IC inthe TCE solid-state replacement guide.The SK7653 was listed as a replacementfor the X0238CE vertical IC. When Icalled the service center and asked for thispart, the parts clerk went to look for it. Ashort while later, the service center calledback that this part was not in stock, butthe local distributor had it in stock.

After picking up the replacement IC, Iquickly installed it and turned on the set,holding my breath. I breathed a sigh ofrelief when the picture appeared. Adjust-ing a few controls placed the color pic-ture back to normal. I sure lucked out onthis one.

Call 3 - Intermittent RCA FM2722I was having breakfast at a small restau-

rant when one of the regular waitressestold me that she was having trouble withher TV set. She was one of three sisterswho worked here. She gave me their newhome address and told me that her sister,Sarah, would be home all day. So I wasable to make the call at my convenience.

Sarah complained that the set would gooff, sometimes sound was there andsometimes not, with a black screen. Atother times, the FM2722T table modelwould run all day and half the night.

When I first turned the set on, the pic-ture and sound were normal. The TV setplayed perfectly for five minutes and thenwent out. When I turned the cabinetaround to get at the back cover, the pic-ture and sound reappeared. Loose con-nections, no doubt.

After removing the back cover I pushedaround on the flyback's shield. the pictureand sound would come and go. Afterremoving two chassis end screws, I wasable to turn the chassis up for easy view-ing (Figure 3).

Flexing the PC board under the flybackcaused the picture and sound to come andgo. This naturally suggested cold solderjoints or other connection problems.After I resoldered all the solder joints in

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that area and turned the set back on, thepicture had returned to normal.

Call 4 - Dead setThe next call was on a KMart KS -1976

model. There was a great deal of dustgathered over each component. Becausethe set was completely dead, I suspecteda blown fuse, or low voltage or horizon-tal output problems.

I replaced the 4A ac line fuse, but thechassis remained dead. I located anotherfuse in the B+ circuit (1.25A) and re-placed it. The chassis still remained dead.This fuse was right alongside the flybacktransformer.

A quick voltage test at the B+ fuse indi-cated no voltage at this point. No doubt adefective diode or switch was at fault. Acontinuity check from the line voltage fuseto the bridge rectifier circuits revealed anopen circuit condition. When I closelyexamined the area around the fuse andbridge rectifier, I noted a large white lOWresistor standing upright. A resistancecheck showed that this resistor was open.I replaced R701 with a 50, lOW resistor.When I turned the set on, the B+ fuse blew.I removed the spent fuse and made someresistance tests on the related circuitry.

A quick resistance check on one sideof the B+ fuse clip indicated a voltage

Figure 5. Resoldering all three diode connections upon a SIP diode board solved the intermit-tent off/on problem in this RCA CTC140-SN chassis.


discharge through the DMM. When Iplaced the test probe on the other fuseclip, I read a low resistance, under 20052.The cause of this low resistance could bea leaky output transistor, since this cir-cuit feeds the flyback transformer pri-mary winding.

Sure enough, the horizontal output tran-sistor had a leakage of 0.130 to chassisground. The horizontal output transistorwas located on a separate heat sink boltedto the metal chassis. I removed Q603 fromthe circuit to determine if the transistorwas leaky, or if the problem was the diode.Testing the transistor out of the circuit.with the DMM, indicated leakage betweencollector (metal) and emitter terminal.

To determine if the damper diode andflyback winding were normal, I made aresistance check from the collector sock-et to ground. There was no leakage here(Figure 4). A quick continuity check fromthe base terminal to chassis read around2752. A resistance test from the emitterterminal to chassis ground indicated adirect short. This was normal.

I called the service center and the partsclerk determined that the faulty transis-tor, Q603, could be replaced with a GE -38 replacement. As luck would have it,there were two on the truck. Replacingthe horizontal output transistor, two fusesand a IOW resistor restored the set tooperation. Just in time for lunch.

Call 5 - Intermittent off/onIn this 27 -inch RCA console, the pic-

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Figure 6. Solder each diode terminal to correct the intermittent off/on problem.

cure and sound would sometimes pop offand then back on, or the set would some-times just quit. Sometimes the set wouldoperate all night long. Usually, theCTC140-S2 chassis would always comeon, with or without the remote controlunit, and after running for several hoursmay pop off.

We had observed this problem in sev-eral of these same chassis in the past. Inthe first case we encountered, we broughtthe set into the service center. Carefuldiagnosis revealed that the problem wascaused by bad solder joints on the SIPdiode board. The problem was corrected

by resoldering these joints. Now when weencounter these symptoms on one of thesesets, we can go right to the circuitry that'scausing the problem and correct the prob-lem. No need to bring the set to the ser-vice center.

The CTC140 chassis must be pulled outto get at the SIP diode board (Figure 5).Six soldered pins under the chassis mustbe released to remove the small diodeboard. Carefully examine the solderedends of each diode for cracks in the sol-der joint. Thoroughly solder each diodeconnection, by adding new solder to eachterminal (Figure 6). But , don't let on to

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Figure 7. When this Curtis Mathes CM81 console was subjected to a higher than normal line voltage, several components in the low voltage cir-cuit were damaged. In addition, several sections of the PC wiring were burned.


the customer how easy it was to fix theset; let him think you are a genius forrepairing this large TV set in a total of 30minutes.

Call 6 - AC line problemsAlthough the next call was only 1-1/2

miles north of town in the same area, theproblem turned out to be quite different.Since yesterday's rain storm, every elec-trical appliance in the house was dam-aged. A large tree branch had fallen overthe power lines to the house. Somehowthis caused a higher than normal voltageto be placed upon all equipment that wasoperating at the time.

Mr. Smith, the homeowner was watch-ing TV when the storm hit. When the treecame crashing down on the power line,the TV set flashed and went out, the VCRwent up in smoke, and the ceiling fanstarted spinning faster than normal. Itcontinued to race until it was turned off.

Mr. Smith called the electrician at once.After the electrician had restored normal

power, he checked all the electricallyoperated products in the house. Not onlywere the TV and VCR inoperative, therefrigerator would not come on, the stereoplayer was dead, and two small radios didnot work.

Because the radios, stereo player andVCR were not turned on when the powersurge hit, the damage to them must havebeen caused because their small powertransformers were connected directly intothe circuit with the ac switch on the sec-ondary side.

A cursory examination of the CurtisMathes CMC81 console TV set gave theimpression that little damage had beendone, so I replaced only the line and B+fuse and then turned the set on. When Idid so, a puff of smoke rose from the set.My first thought was that this might indi-cate the bridge diodes were damaged.Even the voltage isolation resistor (1.50)was open (Figure 7).

If I had only pulled the chassis up andlooked at the bottom PC wiring, several

minutes could have been saved. Therewere at least three different strips of PCwiring ripped from the board, tied to chas-sis ground. This set had to go in for a com-plete estimate. It looks as though thispower surge may call for a total TVreplacement.

ConclusionIn order to be profitable, on site service

should be completed in less than one hour.The on site technician must work effi-ciently and with great determination.Evaluate the symptoms with the screenand speaker before tearing into the chas-sis. Look for those simple problems thatoccur most of the time. If handy, takealong the correct schematic.

Be polite, courteous, and alwaysadmire the customer's plants, hobbies,children, house flowers and dog. Don'tforget to smile before collecting the ser-vice bill. You may be asked personally tocome back the next the TV refuses tofunction.

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Troubleshooting microwave ovenhigh voltage circuits

By Homer L. Davidson

Servicing microwave ovens can bedangerous. Extreme caution must beexercised any time the technician worksaround ac power line voltages and dc volt-ages up to 4.5kV. Always remember thatthe power transformer, capacitor, rectifi-er and magnetron tube have high voltageson them when the microwave oven isoperating (Figure 1).

Some manufacturers warn against tak-ing any voltage tests within the high -volt-age section. Of course, the TV technicianworks around picture tube voltages up toor over 35KV. But remember, the highvoltage in the microwave oven is capableof delivering high -current as well, whilethe current that a TV set can deliver is lim-ited. Extreme care must be used whileservicing a microwave oven.

Before taking off the back cover, re-move your wrist watch. Make sure thatthe oven is unplugged at all times whenchecking continuity and resistance andreplacing components. Before makingany tests, discharge the HV capacitor withinsulated handle screwdrivers. Remem-ber, you can be severely shocked or killedif the high -voltage capacitor is not dis-charged.

WARNING! Before attempting anyservice, or any time the cabinet has beenremoved, the microwave oven should beunplugged and the high -voltage capaci-tor discharged. Sometimes you may haveto use two well -insulated screwdrivers ifyou cannot get one blade across both ter-minals. Again, any time the oven has beenplugged into the power line, once youagain turn it off, before you work on it,discharge the HV capacitor.

Basic HV circuitThe high voltage circuit in a typical

microwave oven operates on the voltagedoubler principle. Ac voltage (120V) isapplied to the primary winding of the HV

Day plain is a TV servicing consultant for ES&T.

Figure 1. Do not touch anything: hands, tools, or test leads to the oven while operating.

transformer, which provides output of2000V to 6000V peak voltage. The HVdiode rectifies the high ac voltage to oper-ate the magnetron tube from 1800Vdc to4500Vdc (Figure 2).

The typical half cycle doubler circuitwith capacitor and diode is connected inthe secondary circuit of the HV trans-former. Another transformer windingprovides a filament voltage of 3.1Vac to

HV TRANSFORMER

120VACPRIMARY

r FILAMENT3.1V TO 3.3V

HV CAPACITOR

WWIBLEEDER

SECONDARY2000V TO 4500V

MAGNETRON

HV DIODE

Figure 2. The basic high -voltage doubler circuit with transformer, high -voltage capacitor anddiode.


120VAC

mid

CONTROLLER

15A FUSE

40W LAMP BULB -

TRIAC

CAVITYTHERMALCUTOUT

PRIMARY

MAGNETRONTHERMALCUTOUT

HVCAPACITOR

SECONDARY

HVTRANSFORMER

MAGNETRON

Figure 3. A 40W pigtail socket light bulb, or ac meter connected to the primary winding of the power transformer indicates if primary circuits arenormal.

3.3Vac to the magnetron. Some ovenshave suppression filter chokes and bypasscapacitors to reduce radiated noise thatwould interfere with radios or TV sets.On most ovens you can tell if the mag-netron is oscillating by looking for hori-zontal firing lines across the picture of thekitchen portable TV.

You may find a bleeder resistor of 9M52to 10M51 across the high -voltage capac-itor. When the oven is off, the HV capac-itor is discharged in about 30 seconds. It'swise, however, to always discharge thecapacitor by placing a short across it. Donot assume that the bleeder resistor willdischarge the HV circuit.

HV circuit componentsThe HV circuit consists of the HV

transformer, capacitor, diode and mag-netron. A failure of any of these compo-nents may result in a blown fuse, noheat/no cooking, or intermittent cookingsymptoms.

When 120Vac is applied to the prima-ry winding of the HV transformer, highvoltage developed by the secondarywinding is applied to the voltage doublercircuit. The primary winding voltage maybe applied via an oven or high voltagerelay and triac assembly. You can moni-tor this primary voltage ( 120Vac) with a40W pigtail light bulb socket or ac meter(Figure 3). If the meter registers 1 15Vacto 120Vac, or the light bulb is bright, youknow the primary circuits of the oven arefunctioning.

Typical faults that cause the trans -

Figure 4. Checking the high -voltage capacitor resistance test witha small DMM.

former to be defective are: an open pri-mary or secondary winding, poor con-nections or shorted windings. When yoususpect that the transformer is faulty, dis-charge the HV capacitor before checkingcontinuity or resistance at the transformerterminals.

The primary resistance should be lessthan 20 (around 0.1552). The secondarywinding may measure from 500 to 1000.The filament winding for the magnetronmay read less than IQ (0.0010 to 0.50)with leads disconnected.

The high -voltage capacitor may openup or become leaky. A shorted high -volt-age capacitor may blow the main fuse. Tocheck this component, discharge the HVcapacitor. Remove wires from both ter-minals. Set the ohmmeter to R X 10,000

Figure 5. Do not use a small DMM or VOM to measure high voltage in themicrowave oven. Use the DMM only for continuity and resistance mea-surements.

February 199:3 Electronic Servicing & Technology 17

Figure 6. The original Magnameter was invented by Nick Parnello of Figure 7. The Magnameter has a yellow area up to 2kV, a green areaRockford, IL. from 2kV to 4.5kV, and a red area from 4.5kV to 10kV.

scale (Figure 4). The meter needle shouldgo up and slowly downward, then settleat infinite ohms. Now reverse the testleads. If the capacitor is normal, the meterindicator should go up and down asbefore. The meter should read infiniteresistance for each terminal. Replace thecapacitor if its resistance is below 10K11,or if the body becomes warm.

Usually, if the HV diode is defective, itbecomes warm or leaky. Sometimes theHV diode becomes open. To evaluate thecondition of the diode, start by discharg-

ing the HV capacitor. Set the ohmmeterto R X 10,000 scale. Apply test leadsacross the diode terminals. A normal HVdiode should read infinite in one direc-tion, and with test leads reversed, aboveI0KS2. If the diode has a lower resistanceor runs warm after the oven operates, it isdefective. Replace it.

Magnetron testsTypical magnetron defects are weak

operation, or shorted, leaky or open fila-ments. Intermittent cooking may be

caused by burned or poor filament con-nections, intermittent internal filaments,or a defective magnetron. An overloadedmagnetron may operate intermittentlybecause the thermal cutout alternatelyopens and closes the circuit. The defec-tive magnetron may arc internally, aroundthe metal gasket or between the antennaand the adjacent chassis, caused by acracked glass antenna tube.

The defective magnetron may bechecked by observing the symptomswhen water is heated in the oven, or by

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Figure 8. Disconnect the cathode terminal (+) of the HV diode in theoven and place the 1052 resistor (furnished with tester) in series to chas-sis ground. You may find a 1012 resistor in some ovens.

making resistance and HV checks.Discharge the HV capacitor. Remove theHV terminal wires. Set the ohmmeter toR X 1. Place meter probes across the fil-ament terminals with the filament wiresdisconnected. The meter should read lessthan IQ (0.020 to 0.0350).

Now set the meter to R X 10,000 andmeasure the resistance between each fil-ament terminal and common ground. Themeter should show infinite ohms at eachterminal. If any lower resistance is mea-sured, the magnetron or HV diode may beleaky. Disconnect one end of the HVdiode and test again. A shorted diode mayblow the 15A chemical fuse.

Dividing the circuitsThe primary or low voltage circuits are

found ahead of the primary winding of thepower transformer. The HV circuits areknown as the secondary circuits. Monitorthe low voltage circuits with a pigtail 40Wlight bulb or ac voltmeter across the pri-mary winding of the transformer. Youmay assume the low voltage circuits areworking if the power line voltage is foundat this point. Usually, ac voltage is appliedto the winding through an oven relay con-tacts or triac component.

Resistance measurementsCritical resistance measurements of the

HV components may reveal a defectivecomponent. Discharge the HV capacitorbefore making resistance measurements.A low resistance measurement from thefilament of the magnetron or the top ofthe HV diode to chassis ground may indi-cate a leaky magnetron or diode. Dis-connect one end of the diode and check

DIODE FUSE-0

Figure 9. When the microwave oven keeps blowing the fuse, clip theCircuit Saver across the fuse holder and just reset the circuit breaker,instead of replacing those expensive chemical fuses each time.

the resistance of each component. A nor-mal circuit will read infinite here, exceptin cases where the circuit features aI OMQ resistor across the diode terminals.

Measure resistance or check continuityof the power transformer windings. If theHV winding is shorted, this resistancewill be less than 5052 and the transformerwill run warm or red hot. Completely dis-connect the HV winding. If the trans-former runs too warm without a load,replace it.

A leaky or shorted magnetron may keepblowing the fuse or overheating. Higherthan normal HV at the filament terminalsmay indicate open filaments within thetube. If you suspect this to be the case,discharge the HV capacitor, disconnectthe filament from the circuit, and placetest probes across the filament terminals.If the filament is intact, you should mea-sure less than IQ.

Checking the high voltageBE VERY CAREFUL IN TAKING

HV TESTS WITHIN THE MICRO-WAVE OVEN. DO NOT ATTACH ANYTEST PROBES, OR TOUCH ANYCONNECTED TEST PROBES, WHILETHE OVEN IS OPERATING.

First, discharge the HV capacitor.Connect the test lead to the top side of theHV diode or magnetron filament termi-nals. Correct high -voltage measurementat the filament terminals of the magnetronmay indicate the voltage -doubler circuitsare normal. Remember, the positive sideof the HV diode is at ground potential.

The high -voltage within the oven maybe checked with a HV dc meter, high -voltage probe, or a Magnameter. The reg-

ular VTVM (found upon most TV servicebenches) with the high voltage probe willindicate if high voltage is present.

Do not hold the probe in your hands.Make sure that the probe is well insulat-ed from the oven metal base, and that theground wire is clipped to metal chassis.The Magnameter is a useful tester tocheck high voltage and current within theHV circuits.Do not attempt to use a smallDMM or VOM to measure HV in themicrowave ovens (Figure 5).

Meter damageSince the second edition of my book,

"Microwave Oven Repair" has been pub-lished, I have received letters from fourdifferent technicians with damaged testinstruments. The first two instrumentswere a small VOM and DMM that weredestroyed, while taking HV measure-ments. Most small VOMs or DMMs willnot measure over 1000Vdc, and the low-est HV found in the microwave oven isabove 1.5KV.

One technician had used a 3kVdc volt-meter in testing out several microwaveovens without any problems. The meterwas damaged beyond repair when the HVdiode was open, placing raw 3800Vacdirectly upon the dc meter terminals.

The fourth technician used an expen-sive bench DMM with a maximum3000Vdc voltage measurement. He for-got to reconnect the ground end of the HVdiode that he was testing earlier whilemaking continuity tests. When the testerwas connected for HV test, the meter wentup in smoke. He returned the meter forfactory repairs but in the end, had to re-place it. The damage was just too exten-


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sive for economical repair.Be safe, use only a VTVM with HV

probe or a Magnameter for HV tests with-in the microwave oven.

Magnameter testsThe Magnameter was primarily de-

signed to check high voltage and currentwithin the HV circuits. A correct nega-tive voltage at the HV diode indicates thatthe HV circuits are normal. Simply flipthe toggle switch to the low reading andmeasure the current pulled by the mag-netron. No current measurement indi-cates the magnetron is open. Lower cur-rent than normal may indicate a lowemission tube. Higher than normal cur-rent may indicate a leaky magnetron.

The new meterThe Magnameter is a specialized test

instrument to speed up and simplifymicrowave oven repair. The new meter isa lot smaller in size and has a coloredmeter assembly (Figure 7). The shortinglever is not found upon the present meter.

The unit enables both high voltage andplate current measurement with one setup. When high voltage is present, oneither "High" or "Low" position, the neon

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warning light is on. The test instrumenthas high -voltage test leads, with no metalknobs or switching actuators on the exte-rior unit.

All precautions for making measure-ments in microwave [IV circuits stillapply when you use any specializedmeter. Don't get careless.

To test for high -voltage, connect acpower, set the toggle switch to high andinsert a water load (usually 16 oz ofwater). Turn the oven on high setting andread the meter. If the meter only movesinto the yellow area, suspect a shortedmagnetron, shorted diode or HV capaci-tor, shorted or open high -voltage trans-former, or open HV fuse.

Check for an open magnetron, open fil-ament, defective filament transformer oropen HV wire if the meter goes into thered area. The microwave is normal if themeter indicator is in the green area.

Turn the switch to Low to test the platecurrent. Most home type ovens shouldmeasure between I .6V and 4.5V (160mAto 450mA). Commercial ovens registerfrom 2.0V to 7.0V (200mA to 700mA)(Figure 8). Correct plate current, platevoltage and oven wattage for typicaldomestic and commercial ovens can befound in the instruction manual.

The Circuit SaverThe Circuit Saver is manufactured by

the same firm to prevent replacing thechemical fuse when the oven keepsknocking out the fuse (Figure 9). To usethis device, remove the blown fuse andplug the red banana plug into the fuse jackon the meter, and clip the meter across thefuse holder. The Circuit Saver can be reseteach time if overload occurs.

The saver can save a lot of money inblown fuses while making microwavetests. The Circuit Saver also has an inter-nal HV diode that can be clipped into thecircuit, when you suspect that the prob-lem is the HV diode.

Simply remove HV wire (anode end)from HV diode and connect the saver. Ifhigh voltage is present, the red HV lightwill come on.

The Magnameter and the Circuit Saverare available from:

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Where are they now?By Victor Meeldijk

Many companies seemed to have disappeared due to merg-ers, acquisitions, name changes and bankruptcies. In this arti-cle we will tell you what happened to some of the companiesyou may be familiar with.

in the 1980's and 1990's, many companies merged, wereacquired or went bankrupt, sometimes with the assets sold toother companies. According to industry statistics in 1992, inone typical month 1080 firms closed and 26,620 new busi-nesses were incorporated. In this process, many original sup-plier names disappeared (remember when Datsun took the par-ent company name Nissan) making it hard to locate thecompany that might still make the parts.

(Electronic industry facts on companies, including assets andmergers, are compiled in the Electronic Industry FinancialDirectory, formerly called the Electronic News (EN) Fact Bookand Directory, published yearly by Fairchild Books, 7 West34th St., New York, N.Y.10001, 1-800-247-6622, 212-630-3880, Fax: 212-630-3868). Some of the changes that haveoccurred are:

ACUMOS was acquired by Cirrus Logic Inc.

The variable resistor lines manufactured by Allen BradleyCompany were acquired by Clarostat ManufacturingCompany. See Clarostat, below, for details on their merger.

American Switch Corporation, was bought by MorsComponents, Inc., and is now known as MORS/ASC,Wakefield, MA.

AMI or American Microsystems was known as Gould-AMI up to the late 1980's when Gould Inc. sold AMI to NipponMining Company Ltd. of Japan.

Amperex and Mepco/Centralab merged on April 3, 1989and on September 4, 1989 this company became known asPhilips Components.

AT&T Microelectronics ,DC wound capacitor line was pur-chased by Aerovox, Inc.

Ballentine Laboratories, a test equipment manufacturer,ceased operations in 1991.

Bowmar and NES meters are now manufactured byWeschler Instruments of Cleveland Ohio.

Cambridge Thermonics Corporation (CAMBION), andHollingsworth, were part of Midland Ross which became part

Meeldijk is the Reliability/Maintainability Engineering Manager Diagnostic/RetrievalSystems, Inc. Oakland, N.J.

of Interconnection Products, Inc.(IPI). While the American IPIis no longer in business (since late 1991), the United Kingdomdivision of the company, Interconnection Products, LTD., Cas-tleton, Sheffield England S30-2WR, is still operating. Theirdistributor in the U.S. is Pyttronic Industries, Inc. 1-800-251-2617, Fax: 1-215-855-5120. The Integrated ElectronicsCorporation in Denver CO is also dealing directly with theEnglish company. Some of the IPI commercial connector linesmay be available from Wearnes Technology Private, Ltd. whichbought the assets of IPI (IPI was a subsidiary of WearnesTechnology, a unit of Singapore based Wearnes Brothers Ltd.).The Cinch Connector Division of Labinal Inc., in Elk GroveIL, purchased the MIL-C-5015FR, MIL-C-5015RR and MIL -C -28840 lines from IPI.. Interstate Connecting Components,Inc. in Moorestown NJ is still selling their remaining invento-ry of MIL -C-5015 and MIL -C-28840 connectors. Hol-lingsworth, the manufacturer of terminals is still operating inFlorida.

Carol Touch Technologies is now Carol Touch, part of Amp.Inc. They are located at P.O. Box 1309, Round Rock, TX 78680.

Centralab, the manufacturer of pushbuttons, toggle switch-es, rocker switches, keyswitches and potentiometers wasknown as CRL Components, Inc. for a while and then closedon August 31, 1992. The rotary switch line was sold toElectroswitch, Weymouth MA, in January 1992. The illumi-nated pushbutton switches was transferred to a sister compa-ny, Dialight Corporation of Manasquan, N.J.. ITT Shadow,Eden Prairie MN, offers switches that may be compatible withCRL units.

Clairex Electronics of Mount Vernon N.Y. was acquired byOptoSwitch/Skan-A-Matic of McKinney Texas in 1992.

Clarostat Manufacturing Company and Senisys (SensorIntegrated Systems) were purchased from Hawker SiddeleyGroup by British Tire and Rubber Industries N.A. and weremerged together in September 1992. Clarostat/Senisys distrib-utor orders can be placed through the 1600 W.Plano Texasoffice, 800-448-2900, 214-422-1844, Fax: 214-423-4661.OEM, (Original Equipment Manufacturer) orders can beplaced in the El Paso, Texas office.

CODI Semiconductor, Inc. ceased operations in 1991.

Cornell-Dubilier AC capacitor line and power products andfilters were purchased, in late 1991, by Aerovox, Inc., NorthDartmouth, MA.

Corning Electronics Resistors became Bradford Elec-tronics, Inc. and is now part of Vishay.

Crystal Semiconductor was acquired by Cirrus Logic Inc.


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Custom Arrays Corporation of Sunnyvale CA has adopt-ed the name Interdesign. This company manufacturers the lin-ear arrays in a technical alliance with Ferranti Interdesignbefore it was acquired by Plessy Semiconductors.

Edmac, a subsidiary of Rospatch became Flightline Elec-tronics, and is still located in Fishers, NY.

EMC (Electronic Molding Corporation) sockets, test jacksand panel systems was acquired by Advanced In-terconnections, 5 Energy Way, W. Warwick, RI 02893, 401-823-5200, FAX: 401-823- 8723.

Erie became part of MuRata and is now known asMuRata/Erie. In April 1992, MuRata Manufacturing Companyof Japan sold its EMI filter line, manufactured in Canada, toSpectrum Control in Fairview Pa. MuRata continues to sell sur-face mount filters and ferrite products for computer, consumerand telecommunications applications in Smyrna GA.

Fairchild Semiconductor became part of the NationalSemiconductor.

Ferranti Interdesign. See Custom Arrays Corporation.

Gazelle Semiconductor, Gigabit Logic and TriQuintSemiconductor merged together and are now called TriQuintSemiconductor, Santa Clara CA.

GE, RCA and Intersil microcircuits, and MOV's (metaloxide varistors), for the OEM market are now available, fromHarris Semiconductors, part of the Harris Corporation,Melbourne, Florida. The use of the Harris name superseded theother logos in December 1989.

GE and RCA semiconductors, for the consumer servicemarket, are now Thompson Consumer Electronics.

General Instruments Microelectronics Division is nowcalled Microchip Technology.

General Semiconductor, was sold by its parent companySquare D, to General Instrument Corporation in 1992.

GenRad (formerly General Radio) test equipment line(consisting of standards, measurement bridges, noise meters,stroboscopes) is now Quadtech, Inc., Bolton Mass.

Groupe Bull sold two printer lines, the series 4000 and 5000high speed printers, to Delphax Systems in Canton, MA in late1991. Groupe Bull continues to service the printers for DelphaxSystems (the manufacturer of the print engines used in themachines).

Hamlin, a manufacturer of LCD's is now known as StandishIndustries, Hamlin LCD Division.

H.H. Smith Company is now part of NT -T (National Tel-Tronics) Inc., 632 Atch Street, Meadville, PA 16335, 814-724-6440, Fax: 814-333-1912 .


Honeywell Semiconductors are now available from SPT,Signal Processing Technologies (a member of the TOKOGroup), 1510 Quail Lake Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80906,719-540-3900, Fax: 719-540-3970.

Hughes Aircraft Microelectronic Circuit Division soldthe crystal filters and oscillators to Piezo technology, Inc. inOrlando Florida.

Hybrid Systems Corporation is now known as Sipex Corp-oration, and is still located in Billerica MA (508-667-8700).

The IBM laser printer line is now an independent companyknown as Lexmark International, Lexington KY.

INMOS was bought by what is now SGS Thompson,although it still exists as a separate company.

[nova, a manufacturer of static RAMs, declared Chapter 11bankruptcy in 1991 and ceased production of microcircuits.

Integrated CMOS Systems, Inc. in San Jose, CA, changedits name to Vertex Semiconductor Corporation in 1990.

International CMOS Technology, Inc. was acquired by agroup of creditors, after filing Chapter 11 of the Federal Bank-ruptcy Act in August 1991, and was renamed ICT Inc.

ITT sold their computer line and the ITT XTRA Computersare serviced by Alcatel Business Products, located in AZ, 800-

528-1400, Technical Service: 800-528-6457, Sales/Ac-cessories/Technical Manuals: 1-800-231-4075.

Keithly sold their hand held meter and temperature instru-ment line to Tegam, Inc., Madison OH.

In 1991, Kodak sold its line of 9V Ultralife Lithium batter-ies and the new company is now known as Ultralife Batteries,Inc. Kodak continues to sell their other lithium batteries.

Kulka, a manufacturer of terminal blocks/strips, formerly aNorth American Philips Company, in Mount Vernon N.Y isnow part of Marathon Special Products, Marathon Electric,13300 Van Camp Road. Bowling Green, OH 43402, 419-352-8441, TWX: 810-499-2988, Fax: 419-352-0875.

Lambda Semiconductor parts are available from SemtechCorporation, Corpus Christi Facility, 121 International Blvd.,Corpus Christi, TX 78406, 512-289-0403, Fax: 512-289-0472.

LSI, Avionics Systems Corporation of Lear Siegler, Inc.became SLI, Smiths Lear, Inc. part of Smiths Industries, 7-11Vreeland Road, Florham Park, N.J. 07932, 201-822-1300.

In October 1992, NI/A-COM sold their Radar ProductsOperation, microwave based high power control componentsmilitary family, to Varian Associates, Inc. in Palo Alto CA.

Mallory Capacitors assets were purchased by NorthAmerican Capacitor Co. 4760 Kentucky Ave., P.O. Box 1284,Indianapolis, IN 46206, 317-856-2430, Fax: 317-856-2500 .

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February ' 993 Electronic Servicing & Technology 23

Mepco became Mepco/Electra then Mepco/Centralab andthen merged with Amperex on April 3, 1989 and became PhilipsComponents, Airport Road, Mineral Wells, TX 76067.

MMI, Monolithic Memories, Inc, became part of AMD,Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. in August 1987.

Mostek Semiconductors was sold to United Technologiesin 1979 and was later sold to Thompson-CSF. It is now part ofSGS/Thompson Microelectronics, Inc (parts now have an "ST"logo). 1000 East Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85022, 602-867-6100.

Moxon Inc, manufacturer of Time Code Generators, becameKode, Inc. a division of Odetics, Inc. and is now known asPrecision Time, a division of Odetics, Inc., 1515 South Man-chester Avenue, Anaheim CA, 92802-2907, 714-730-6901.

Nova Devices, in 1969, became the Analog DevicesSemiconductor division.

Nytronics inductor line is being distributed by VishayElectronic Components (and is called Nytron). (VishayElectronic Components is the parent company of TT1 Inc.,Angstrom Precision, Dale Electronics, Jeffers, Ohmtek,Techno, Ultronix and Vishay Resistors. The military relay linesof Struthers -Dunn and HiG were purchased by Schneider S.Aof France (and can still be contacted through the pitman NJlocation), who also purchased Square D. Struthers- Dunn com-mercial relays was acquired from the Nytronics ComponentsGroup by Magenecraft Electric Company in Northbrook, IL.

Optical Fiber Technologies (OFF!), of Westford MA waspurchased by AMP in June 1992 and was merged into the AMPElectro-Optics Division.

Optima Division of Scientific Atlanta (manufacturer ofenclosures) is now part of the Gichner Systems Group, is stilllocated in Tucker GA.

Pixel Semiconductor was acquired by Cirrus Logic Inc. butstill operates as a separate company.

Plessey, the division that manufactured special purpose com-puter boards is now Radstone Technology Corporation, 20Craig Road, Montvale, N.J. 07645-1737, 201-391-2700, Fax:201-391-2899

Plus Logic, a manufacturer of PLD's (programmable logicdevices) was purchased by Xilinx.

PMI, Precision Monolithics Inc, a manufacturer of oper-ational amplifiers, voltage followers, buffers, converters, mul-tiplexers, etc., was acquired in 1990 by Analog Devices.

Power Control Devices, a manufacturer of oscillators/chop-pers, quartz crystals and amplifiers, discontinued operations in1992. This company was formerly American Time Products aDivision of Frequency Control Products, and prior to this aBulova Electronics Division.

Prairie Tek, a disk drive manufacturer founded in 1986,closed in August 1991.

RCA test equipment was first sold to VIZ Instruments, whichwas later acquired by Kappa Networks, Inc. In 1990 they wereagain sold, to the Vector Group and are now called Vector -VIZ.They are located in Newburgh N.Y.

Renaissance GRX. See ZyMOS Corporation.

Rogers Corporation Circuit Components Division (bestknown for PGA and rail capacitors) was sold in April 1992 andis now known as CCI, Circuit Components, Inc., the companyis still located in Arizona.

SFE Technologies ceased its San Fernando CapacitorOperations in 1991 and the EMI/RFI filter line was sold toWems Electronics. The company is now called WemsElectronic Filter Group and is in Hawthorne CA.

Solid State Scientific, a semiconductor manufacturer, wasacquired by Sprague Electric in 1984.

Souriau, Inc was puchased by Burndy Corporation. InEurope these connectors are marketed under the FramatomeConnectors International (FCI) name. Framatome Connectorsis the parent organization of Burndy, Jupiter, Souriau andConnectral.

Sprague Semiconductoris now Allegro Microsystems Inc.,in MA.

Sprague Technologies solid tantalum capacitor line and theU.S. thick film network business was sold to Vishay In-tertechnology in 1992. The 192P film/foil capacitor line was soldin 1992 to SB Electronics of Barre Vermont. Also in late 1992,United Chemi-Con Inc. acquired the Sprague aluminum capac-itor facility in Lansing, North Carolina. The manufacturing loca-tion of the aluminum capacitors remains unchanged and the orig-inal Sprague part numbers have been retained. Capacitors as ofDecember 1992 are marked Nippon Chemi-Con.

Standard Grigsby, a manufacturer of rotary switches, wasacquired by Oak Switch (parent Oak Industries) in 1991. Thenew company is called Oak Grigsby, located in Sugar Grove,llinois.

The Tecktherm thermally conductive insulation product line(series 1601 to 1605) was sold in 1992 and is now availablefrom Bergquist (Minneapolis, MN) as part of their Sil-Padproduct line.

Teledyne Philbrick Division of Teledyne Inc. is now knownas Teledyne Components Division of Teledyne Inc..

Texas Instrumentssold its business computer line (the 1500family) to Hewlett Packard in June 1992. Hewlett Packard willcontinue to sell the 1500 line and can even use the TI logo. TIwill continue to manufacture the line for Hewlett Packard at a

(Continued on page 45)


contract manufacturing plant in Austin. TI continues to man-ufacture a laptop line made by its peripherals group.

Times Fiber Communications, Inc., a manufacturer ofcoaxial cable and related products was acquired by AmphenolCorp. in late 1992.

TRW/UTC ( United Transformer Corp.) Transformer becameOPT/UTC, part of OPT Industries, Inc., 300 Red School Lane,Phillipsburg, N.J. 08865, 201-454-2600, Fax: 201-454-3172.

Unimax Switch is now C&K Unimax Unisys DefenseSystems, Mclean VA (Unisys is the company formed afterSperry and Burroughs merged), was renamed Paramax SystemsCorporation (the name of the Sperry organization in Canada).

Unisys Defense Systems, Mclean VA (Unisys is the com-pany formed after Sperry and Burroughs merged), was renamedParamax Systems Corporation (the name of the Sperry orga-nization in Canada).

Unitrode sold its semiconductor products division (whichmakes discrete power semiconductors for industry and the mil-itary) to Microsemi Corporation in 1992. This division wasrenamed to Microsemi Watertown.

U.S. Elco Inc. in Santa Clara CA, a power supply manufac-turer, changed its name to Cosel U.S.A. in May 1992.

Vitelec Corporation was acquired by Mosel Corporation.The new company is called Mosel-Vitelic Corp., San Jose, CA.

Ward Leonard Resistors was acquired by Charles T.Gamble Industries, Delanco NJ.

Ward Leonard Industrial Controls (Relays, Contactors,Rheostats) was acquired by Joslyn Clark Controls. LancasterSC.

The WCI Major Appliance Group, which manufacturerssuch brands as Frigidaire, Tappan, White -Westinghouse,Gibson and Kelvinator, changed its name to the FrigidaireCompany in 1991.

West -Cap Arizona, an inductor manufacturer, was pur-chased by Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. in 1990.

The Xceed line of add -in computer video boards, cache cardsand SIMM modules (for Macintosh and HP Laserjet printers)was sold by Micron Technology in 1992 to P.G. DesignElectronics. This business which was operated as Micron'sEnhancement products division is a division of P.G. Designbased in Richmond Michigan and operating under the nameXceed Technologies.

ZyMOS Corporation. a manufacturer of PC Chip Sets,Graphics Chips and ASIC (application specific [C's) andRenaissance GRX, a manufacturer of graphics cards for PCworkstations merged in 1991 and the new company is knownas Appian Technology, Inc. in Sunnyvale CA.

Power supply mergersThe power supply industry saw many mergers and consoli-

dations, including:

AC/DC, PowerTec, Semiconductor Circuits, Inc., andBrandenburg Power Supplies and ASTEC are now ASTECAmerica, Inc. 401 Jones Road (the old AC/DC address),Oceanside, CA 92054, 619-757-1880, Fax: 619-439-4243.

CEAG Power Suppliesbecame CEA Power Supplies, samelocation in LI, New York

Cherokee International, Inc, was purchased by CoreIndustries, Inc.

Fincoi4 division of INCOM International, Inc. became Mid -Eastern Industries, Inc. and later became a division ofTechnology Dynamics, Inc., 100 School Street, Bergenfield,NJ, 201-385-0500.

Gould Power Supplies became Advance Power Supplies,Inc. and is now known as Farnell Advance Power, 426 S.Hanover St, Baltimore, MD 21202, 301-528-9120, Fax: 301-528-9116.

Jetta Power Systems, Inc. changed their name to ETAPower Systems, Inc. 2675 Junipero Ave., Signal Hill, CA90806, 213-427-0095.

Magnapower, Inc, the power supply manufacturer, was pur-chased by Lambda, Inc.

Modupower Inc. of Santa Clara CA (a manufacturer of dc/dcconverters, power supply modules and voltage regulators)assets were bought by Semtech Corp., Corpus Christi, TX inSeptember 1992.

MPSI, Modular Power Systems, Inc assets were purchasedby EG&G Almond Inc.

NJE Power Supplies are available from ElectronicMeasurements. Inc. in Neptune N.J., this company bought NJEin 1990.

Novatronics, the power supply manufacturer is now part ofthe Lambda Group, Lambda Novatronics, Inc., 305-942-5200,Fax: 305-783-4963.

Computer Products Inc., Power Products Division, whichincluded Boschert, Stevens -Arnold and Asia -Pacific, Ltd. soldthe switching power supply lines to Unipower. Pompano BeachFL. Technetics, Inc, a military power supply manufacturer, wasalso sold to a group of its senior managers.

Powertec Inc., the power supply manufacturer was pur-chased by Low and Bonar, of Scotland

Venus Scientific, Inc., a manufacturer of high voltage powersupplies, is now known as Ferranti Venus.


Successful ServicingDiversification in servicing

By Ron ('. Johnson

in an economy where businesses arestruggling to find new ways to turn ser-vices into profits, diversification is one ofthe most viable options. This is certainlytrue in the field of electronics service.Technologies which used to be the do-main of specialty service organizationsare now fair game for more aggressiveconsumer electronics service centers.

Computers, printers, monitors andcopiers are no longer considered the pri-vate realm of business service companies.Individuals use this kind of equipment aspersonal productivity tools, often work-ing from home or out of a small office. Ifservice is required, and they know theirlocal consumer service center can do thejob, the equipment finds its way there.

Aggressive business people wouldthen ask, "What other areas of service canwe move into?" As an electronic servicetechnician, in business myself for sever-al years, I asked myself that questioninnumerable times. Some of the areas Itried were quite successful while otherswere dismal failures, but each one was alearning experience. This article will listand describe some of those areas, theirpros and cons, and give some ideas onhow to approach them.

First considerationsBefore listing some areas where ser-

vice work could be obtained some con-sideration should be given to whether theinvestment of time, effort and money isworth the return. We all know that keep-ing busy doesn't always translate intomaking profits. Even large cash flowsdon't guarantee black ink, instead of red,in your bank account. It's the bottom line,after the expenses are deducted, that tellsthe story. Obviously, some careful studyis required.

Look for service areas where the pop-ulation of serviceable equipment is high.

Ron C. Johnson is a journeyman electronics servicingtechnician and an instructor of technology at the NorthernAlberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton. Alberta,Canada.

Becoming a specialist in specific circuit-ry and equipment costs money in train-ing, test equipment and experience. Astechnology is improved, equipment fail-ures become less frequent. If there aren'tenough units around to support the invest-ment there will never be profits. Moreimportantly, for long term growth, thepopulation should be expanding.

Consider the level of training and theinvestment in test equipment required.

Will you or your technicians need to trav-el somewhere for specialized training?Are your existing equipment and shopfacilities adequate to the task? Is on -siteservice required as well as shop repairs?How large is the service region?

Profit potential also depends on relat-ed factors. Does this kind of work lenditself to service contracts or extendedwarranties? What will the average repairbill be? Are the sales of parts and supplies


a significant part of the picture? If so,what level of investment in parts isrequired? Who are your competitors andwhat is their status in the field?

If your analysis indicates a good oppor-tunity for profits you may have a winner.

Some potential service opportunitiesYou are in business because you have

the ability to provide certain services inyour current field. Taking on new areasmeans transferring those skills and abili-ties to a new area. The following list anddescription may be helpful in determin-ing if that transfer is workable.

Personal computer servicingThis is no surprise to anyone. Many

service shops which have traditionallyrepaired home entertainment electronics,microwaves, etc. are already moving intothis field. Personal computers have be-come a fixture in many households andthe home office is very common. Fax ma-chines, photocopiers, printers and PC'sare becoming so closely integrated thatthey all fall into this category. In additionto the potential for sales of service con-tracts, supplies such as printer ribbons,paper, diskettes and laser printer refillscan increase profitability.

Automotive test equipmentThe automotive service industry has

become highly dependent on sophisticat-ed test equipment for battery testing,wheel balancing and alignment, andengine analysis. Since the environment isless than friendly to the test equipment,service on a regular basis is required.

This field, like many others, has movedsteadily toward specialized computerequipment, which is quite reliable in it-self. Much of this area's profitabilitycomes from basic repairs to lead sets andconnections between the vehicle and theanalyzer.

For instance, a typical engine analyz-er uses five or six sets of special cable har-nesses with clips on one end and connec-tors on the other. In the shop environmentthese harnesses fail regularly. Sometimesthey are cut or worn by moving partsunder the hood of the vehicles, sometimesabused by the service mechanics who usethem. Repair and/or replacement of cablesets is easy and profitable.

Engine analyzers also use sophisticat-ed gas analyzers to analyze the vehicles'

exhaust. Periodic cleaning, servicing andcalibration of this equipment can bring inregular work.

Both engine analyzers and wheel align-ment machines use software designed forspecific automobiles. Every year new mo-dels come out with new requirements. Theservice shop representing the test equip-ment manufacturer has yearly oppor-tunities to sell updated hardware and soft-ware needed to service the latest models.

While automotive test equipment isfairly specialized and requires extra train-ing, some test equipment and a significantinvestment in parts, it can be very prof-itable. Moreover, it opens doors for relat-ed repair business such as timing lights,battery chargers and other small elec-tronics related to the automotive field.

Supplies for the equipment, as well assupplies for the automotive shop (tools,materials, etc.) add to the total business.Representing specific brands can lead tothe opportunity to branch out in non -relat-ed areas such as hoist installation andoperational training, as well.

Industrial controlsThere are countless small to medium

sized businesses, manufacturers and in-dustrial suppliers who struggle with elec-tronic equipment failures. These compa-nies cannot justify their own electronicservice personnel on staff but could usethe services of one on a periodic basis.

This also applies to small electricalmaintenance companies. Their mainfunction is to service the electrical equip-ment in commercial and small industrialplants. Often they are confronted withelectronics equipment that they are notequipped to handle. An ongoing workingrelationship with companies such as thesecan create in -shop work.

While this kind of work can be variedand, consequently, difficult to effectrepairs quickly, high charges can be jus-tified. Who else will do it for them?Unfortunately, this kind of work can alsobe sporadic, but in some situations goodprofits are possible.

Agricultural electronicsIt might be easy to overlook this area

unless you have some contacts or a back-ground in farming. Agriculture is nolonger a simple folksy way of life.Successful farming involves the use ofcomplicated machinery that uses elec-

tronics to monitor its operational statusand to maximize its efficiency.

While this area is very specialized andrequires a good understanding of thefield, there is a vast market of seeder mon-itors, grain loss monitors, shaft monitors,etc., which need repairs regularly. Thecompany that can set up an efficient sys-tem for receiving, repairing and shippingagricultural monitors can build a prof-itable sideline.

Agricultural applications are expand-ing and, for the company with the abilityto design and manufacture original equip-ment, the possibilities are endless. Manytimes these applications are not 'high-tech' as much as they are very applicationspecific.

Manufacturing a simple but practicalitem, (and marketing it through the sameagri-dealerships that you are doing ser-vice for), can be lucrative.

Sound contractingSound contracting is a multi -faceted

area of electronics. It can include sales,(bidding, quoting, in-store, etc.), service,(on -site and in -shop), and installation. Thefield ranges from small intercom, paging,background music, drive -through systemsin restaurants, stores and offices, on upthrough public address systems in church-es and schools, and even into large audi-torium and sports field systems.

Since these are all largely contracted,the difficulties here lie in being able toaccurately bid each project and then tight-ly control the costs when the job is done.Large cash flows are often associatedwith this kind of business and it can be a'boom -and -bust' situation, with 'dry'periods interspersed with frantic effortsto complete all work on schedule.

My experience in this area led me tobelieve that several small contracts, withreasonable profit margins, were far supe-rior to one or two large systems installa-tions. Usually the large jobs attractedmuch more interest from competitors andthe profit margins were 'shaved' toalmost nothing (even less than nothing ifa mistake in estimating occurred).

In addition, designing larger soundsystems is difficult due to the variationsin room acoustics and other factors.Ensuring customer satisfaction is equal-ly difficult. The positive side is that small-er systems can be easily installed with aminimum of tools and expertise, for rea-

February 1993 E'ectronic Servicing & Technology 47

sonable profits. Working relationshipswith restaurant and retail chains can resultin repeat work.

Security systemsSome similarities exist between sound

system contracting and security systemcontracting. Some installation techniquesand equipment are similar and often bid-ding for jobs is required. Both an advan-tage and disadvantage of security systemcontracting is that monitoring is required.

Security system monitoring involvesthe relatively high, up- front cost of set-ting up a system to monitor the securitysystems installed, but once it is in place,the customer pays regular monthly feesto have their system monitored. As withsound systems, a high degree of expertiseis required to design reliable and effec-tive systems.

Print shops and newspapersAs the use of personal computers con-

tinues to grow the distinction betweendesktop publishing and professional pub-lishing becomes blurred. Still, the largerprint shops and newspapers use more

sophisticated systems for typesetting,printing and other applications.

Some manufacturers of this equipmentwill contract a local company to do ser-vice rather than keep a local service rep-resentative in the area. I also have hadsome success with providing 'third party'service when the manufacturers' servicerates and response time were unsatisfac-tory to the customer.

TeachingOne side benefit of making yourself

knowledgeable about a subject is that youcan communicate the same informationto others. It's not only who you know, butwhat you know. If you are able to standup and talk to a group of people who areinterested in a particular subject there willoften be money to be made.

One way in which this occurs is whenyou sell a piece of equipment that requiresspecialized knowledge to operate it.Automotive test equipment is one exam-ple. The mechanics using the equipmentneed to know how to use it to make moneyfor themselves. I have known a few train-ers who make their living traveling

around doing seminars on a single pieceof equipment.

Community college evening coursesare another opportunity. In addition tobeing paid to teach a course you candevelop good public relations for yourcompany in the process.

Full time work as an instructor at atechnical school (as I do) is another, albeitfull-time, way of making money fromyour technical knowledge and expertise.It isn't uncommon for instructors to maketheir living in the classroom while oper-ating a business during their evenings,weekends and holidays.

WritingAs I said, it's often what you know that

can produce a profit. Writing for techni-cal and trade magazines and journals,newspapers, advertisers and for educa-tional publications are all valid ways ofusing your expertise.

Your experience is unique. You haveundoubtedly unraveled technical prob-lems which are different than those thathave been faced by anyone else. Why notuse those experiences to help out othersin your field of work? They'll gladly buya magazine to share your knowledge.Again, sharing this kind of informationnot only benefits you personally but isgood public relations for your company.

The key to making money writing tech-nical articles is to write clearly and sim-ply. Write letters to the magazines youthink would be interested in your mater-ial and ask for writers' guidelines. Youcan also suggest some topics you couldwrite about. They will usually be glad torespond with information on their re-quirements. Above all, follow theseguidelines as closely as possible. Thiswill maximize your chances of sellingyour material.

Even during good economic timesbusiness can be a challenge. But econ-omies change, markets change, and tech-nologies change. We have to take a dy-namic approach to long range planning.The business that determines to stick withthe success formula it used in "the goodold days" may be writing its own deathcertificate. After considering the alterna-tives-only a few of which I've men-tioned here-the business that broadensits income base may be the one that is stillaround in years to come.


Test your electronicsknowledge

By Sam Wilson

1. The highest decimal number that canbe represented by eight binary bits is

A. 256B. 257

2. An integrated circuit has a pin des-ignated as NOT CS. The signal to this pinis delivered on the

A. data busB. address busC. control bus

3. Evaluate the following

19210 = 16

4. In a non -regulated power supply, bet-ter regulation occurs with

A. a capacitor input filterB. a choke input filter

5. In the equation for magnetism, µ =B/H, II is the permeability, B is the fluxdensity in lines/in2 , and H is the magne-tizing force in ampere turns per inch. Theunit of measurement forµ is

A. Gauss per square inchB. MaxwellsC. GamesD. (none of the above choices is

correct.)

6. An unregulated power supply has anM -derived LC filter. Is it is replaced by aconstant -k filter the cutoff curve will

A. be sharper (that is, steeper).B. not be as sharp (that is, not as steep).

7. An SCR is turned on by a

A. gate voltageB. gate current

8. Is the following statement correct?

L

C

R

"In the series -tuned circuit of Figure Athe resistance has some effect on the res-onant frequency."

A. The statement is correctB. The statement is NOT correct

9. A VU meter measures

A. the average voltage value of awaveform

B. the RMS current value of awaveform

C. the peak voltage value of awaveform

10. A certain publication lists an hFE of110 for a transistor. Which of the follow-ing is correct?

A. The value must be wrong becausehFE cannot exceed 100.

B. Because of the value given it shouldbe called hFB

C. (Both choices are correct).D. (Neither choice is correct).

The PracticalGuide ToPersonalComputers &Microcontrollers

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Video Corner

Video Update:Setting VCR head switching

By the ES&T Stall'

This article is based on Tech Tip 108from Sencore. All artwork is courtesy ofSencore.

VCR technicians have a need to knowhow to set the headswitching signals inVCRs. Another name for this adjustmentis the "PG Shifter" control. This article,based on Sencore Tech Tip 108, explainsthis adjustment in detail.

We will start by explaining how thehead switching adjustment affects VCR

performance. We will then explain twoways to adjust the circuits using the oscil-loscope. The first method is based onusing the scope in a conventional manner,manually counting sync pulses. The sec-ond method assumes that the oscilloscopeavailable is one of the newer more sophis-ticated scopes with a delta time function.

The delta time method can also be usedfor any other VCR adjustment that needsa time delay between two signals, such asthe tracking -fix (sometimes called track-

ing preset) adjustment and the timing ofthe hi-fi heads in VHS tape decks.

Why head switching needsadjustment

Before we explore how to set the head -switching signal, lets consider what itdoes. Every VCR uses a pair of videoheads when playing a tape at normalspeed. Even decks with 3, 4 or 5 videoheads use the heads two at a time. (SeeFigure 1.).

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Figure 1. The head switcher uses a 30Hz square wave from the servo circuits to turn off the amplifiers of the head which is not contacting thetape.


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Figure 2. Noise appears in the picture at thepoint where the VCR switches from one videohead to the other. The switching adjustmentkeeps this noise close to the bottom of thescreen, so that it is not annoying.

TP ADJ. MODE INPUT

TP2005TP3001

R2023 SP

PLAY

N`,..,.............,,,

TAPE M. EQ. SPEC.

ALIGNMENTTAPE

Color Bars

OSCILLO-SCOPE T = 6 ± 1 H

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Eq Pulse

----,-..,-Sytasr

.

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MIMI/ 11 I I ) - i 111100

111L005 -4. fli

Head Switching 'o ,

.

Figure 3. This is a typical manufacturer's head -switching instruction. Use the service literatureto determine the test points and adjustmentsto use for the adjustment.

A 30Hz square wave from the servo cir-cuits controls an electronic switch at thehead amplifier output. The switch selectsthe amplifier for the head which is in con-tact with the tape and turns off the chan-nel for the head which is on the oppositeside of the drum. If the second head wasnot turned off it would add noise to theplayback signal.

Noise appears in the video signal whenthe switching takes place.(See Figure 2.).You can see this noise by adjusting thevertical hold control to display the syncinterval on a TV connected to the VCR.The switching noise is a horizontal tear inthe picture a few horizontal lines abovethe black sync bar.

The head switching circuits change thetiming of the switching signal with refer-ence to vertical sync. Switching shouldtake place a few lines before verticalblanking to place the noise in the bottom3 lines of the picture. Since most TVs areoverscanned (the vertical deflection isslightly larger than the CRT screen),switching is invisible, because it happenswhile the electron beam is below thescreen. If the circuits switch too early, thenoise moves up into the visible part of thepicture. If the circuits switch too late, thenoise occurs during the sync pulse, caus-ing poor vertical stability.

Now that you understand how theadjustment affects the circuits, youshould have a better understanding ofwhy the timing must be correct. Thisunderstanding should also help under-stand the alignment procedures. Nowlet's see how to adjust the pulse timing.We will start with the conventional oscil-loscope method.

Adjusting head switchingby counting pulses

The first thing you need to do is locatetest points and the controls that affect

the head switching. The service literaturefor the VCR you are servicing is the bestsource of this information. The service lit-erature also tells you how many adjust-ments the VCR contains. (See Figure 3.).

Depending on the VCR, it may haveone, two, or three adjustments. Most 2 -head VCRs have only one control. VCRswith four (or more) video heads may havetwo playback adjustments. If so, you willneed a test tape recorded at the fastest tapespeed (SP or Beta I) to adjust one control,and a tape recorded at the slowest speed(EP or Beta III) to adjust the other. Someearly VCRs also have a third adjustmentin the recording circuits.

The instructions will usually tell you toadjust the control until the switchingsquare wave is 6.5 horizontal lines aheadof vertical sync. If you are counting puls-es to make this adjustment, remember thatyou must count every other pulse throughthe blanking interval if your test tape hasinterlaced sync. This happens because thevertical blanking pulses contain equaliz-ing pulses at twice the rate of the hori-zontal sync pulses.

If your tape has non -interlaced sync, it

may not contain equalizing pulses, so youmust count every pulse. You can avoid thequestion of whether to skip pulses byremembering that the blanking interval isalways three horizontal lines wide. Count3.5 horizontal lines from the start ofblanking instead of 6.5 lines from sync.This lets you use the same procedure,whether or not your signal contains equal-izing pulses.

Using a dual -trace scope with deltatime capability

If your scope has two input channels anda delta time capability, you can use it to helpyou adjust the head switching, and avoidcounting of pulses. Refer to the VCR man-ufacturer's service literature to find theneeded test points and adjustment locations.Then, use the following procedures to makeeach head switching adjustment using theoscilloscope screen. Figure 4 shows thesequences of steps for this procedure for onemanufacturer's waveform analyzer.

I . Connect the Channel A probe to theVCR video output and the Channel Bprobe to the test point with the head -switching square wave signal.

2. Set the scope's TRIGGER SOURCEswitch to the "Channel B" position (totrigger from the square wave) and theTRIGGER MODE switch to "AUTO."The TRIGGER POLARITY switch letsyou select the rising or falling transition,depending on which one you want to use.

3. Set the TIMEBASE-FREQ switch tothe I msec position (check the HORIZPOSITION control to confirm that it's inthe correct position for a non -expandedtrace).

4. Press the A&B (dual trace) selectorbutton and adjust the inputs and trigger-ing circuit until the two traces are lockedin on the scope face.

5. Place the VCR into the record orplayback mode, depending on the manu-facturer's alignment instructions.

6. With the trace positioned to start atthe left side of the CRT, adjust the hori-zontal vernier control (the small knob inthe center of the TIMEBASE-FREQ con-trol) until you see two vertical sync puls-


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Figure 4. This drawing shows the sequence of steps that a technician would use to display thehead -switching signal on the Sencore Waveform Analyzer.

es on the channel A trace - one at the leftedge and the second one near the rightedge of the screen. (Channel B shouldshow a square wave transition near thesecond sync pulse.)

7. Adjust the HORIZONTAL POSI-TION control until the right hand verti-cal sync pulse (and square wave transi-tion) is in the center of the screen. Set theHORIZ POSITION control to the correctposition to expand the waveforms by tentimes.

8. Carefully watch the trace as youadjust the control. Start by adjusting thetiming until the square wave just touch-es the vertical sync pulse. Then move thetransition to the beginning of verticalblanking. Finally, move the transitions3.5 horizontal lines before blanking(which is the same as 6.5 lines ahead ofvertical sync).

9. Some people prefer to add channelA to channel B by manipulating theappropriate controls. This makes it easi-er to compare the timing of the two sig-nals. When added. the square wave caus-es a step to appear in the video waveform.

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Figure 5. Setting the oscilloscope up so thatChannel A and Channel B are added togetherresults in a display that shows a jog at the pointwhere the heads switch.

LINES66.57

MICROSECONDS381413444

Figure 6. The number of microseconds thatcorrespond to typical head -switching specifi-cations.

Adjust the head -switching control untilthe step is 3.5 horizontal lines ahead ofthe vertical blanking (see Figure 5).

Using delta time to adjust headswitching

If your oscilloscope has a delta timefunction, you can use it to eliminate theneed to count pulses. You preset the deltabegin and delta end controls until the dig-ital readout shows the correct time, andthen adjust the head switch control untilthe sync pulse touches the highlightedarea of the waveform.

To use the delta time function, you needto know how many microseconds to leavebetween the square wave and the syncpulse. Simply multiply the lines speci-fied by the time for one horizontal line:63.5pec. Your servicing instructionsmay use one of three delays: 6, 6.5 or 7horizontal lines. Figure 6 shows the cal-culated values for each delay.

Lock the waveforms onto the CRT byfollowing the previous steps 1 through 7.Then, choose the delta time function andset the interval so that the interval beginsjust to the left of the sync pulse, and endsto the right of the transition, such that thereadout shows the correct time interval.Finally, adjust the head -switch controluntil the vertical sync pulse just touchesthe end of the time interval.

UN

Figure 7. Use the delta time function, if youroscilloscope has this feature, to preset the timeneeded between signal, and then adjust the cir-cuits until the signals touch the intensified areaof the waveform.

To use the delta time feature to sethead switching: (See Figure 7.)

1. Follow steps 1 through 7 fromabove to display the two signals on thescope face.

2. Make whatever adjustments arenecessary on the oscilloscope so thatyou can easily see the area of waveformthat is of interest.

3. Select as the beginning of the timeinterval the square wave transition inchannel B.

4. Select the end of the desired inter-val such that the digital or on -screenreadout shows the correct time for thewaveform (for example, 413µsec for a6.5 line delay. Don't be too fussy in thissetting since the circuits only need tobe adjusted within 30µsec of the idealamount.

5. Adjust the VCR head -switch con-trol until the beginning of the verticalsync pulse just touches the end of theselected time interval.

You can use a similar procedure anytime you need to set a time delay be-tween the signals at two test points.


Troubleshooting TipUnit: JVC HRD-310U VCR

Submitted by:

Ken DiasService ManagerVideofixScarborough, Ontario, Canada

Symptom: The picture produced whena tape was played on this VCR was clearfor about four inches at the top half of thescreen, but there was nothing but noise onthe rest of the screen. All functions of theVCR worked properly. The tracking con-trol had no effect on the problem. The pic-ture contained no color.

My first step in servicing this unit wasto determine the extent of the problem. Todetermine if the tuner was ok, I selectedVCR from the TVNCR selector andchanged channels. The picture was per-fect, which showed that there was noproblem in the tuner.

Because the problem occurred duringplayback, my first suspicion was thatthere might be some malfunction in the

record/playback transport mechanism, soI performed a thorough inspection here. Inoted that both the supply and playbackrollers had seized. I replaced both rollers,and operated the unit, expecting to findthat the problem had been eliminated.There was no noticeable improvement.

Next, suspecting that the problem wasin the video circuit, I used the oscillo-scope to observe waveforms at the pinsof IC201, the video IC. The frequency ofone waveform was erratic, so I checkedthe connections between the IC and thecrystal. I found a cold solder joint andresoldered it, but the improvement wasonly slight.

Not knowing what else the problemcould possibly be, I ordered a new uppervideo head drum assembly. After install-ing the new unit I played a known -goodtape in the VCR. Again, no improvement.

I now started checking waveforms andtaking voltage measurements at variouspoints. It occurred to me during this pro-cedure that I had omitted the preamp ICin my initial troubleshooting procedure.This time I observed waveforms at all

pins of this IC. The waveforms at all pinsof the IC were exactly according to thespecifications, except for the waveformat pin 17, the 30Hz head switching sig-nal. There seemed to be no question thatthe problem had to be in this IC.Replacing this IC cured the problem.

If I had thought this service procedurethrough more thoroughly as I wentthrough my initial troubleshooting pro-cedure, I would have realized that theproblem couldn't have been caused by avideo head problem. As has been men-tioned before in a number of publications,including ES&T, if any part of the play-back picture is clear, the problem is notthe video heads. Also, hindsight revealsthat the defect could have been narroweddown to the playback (and not the record)circuit, if I had simply recorded a tape onthe defective VCR and played it back ona known good VCR.

In our January issue of ES&T , we rana troubleshooting tip which was not givena name or make. The unit was a Mit-subishi TV model CS -1347R and was sub-mitted by A. Camus, Queens, NY

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What do you know about electronics?

More on the AM radio detectorfor IR remotesBy Sam Wilson, CET

Here is some very valuable informationfrom Paul R. Dedrick of North Carolina.He explains why the infrared remote con-trol signal for consumer products can bepicked up by an AM receiver.

Dear Sam: I am writing in response toyour "What Do You Know About Elec-tronics?" column in the July 1992 issueof ES&T. Until recently, I was employedas a Technical Writer/Trainer. I taughtclasses in all consumer products to autho-rized repair facility technicians. What fol-

Wilson is the electronics theory consultant for ES&T.

lows is the reasoning behind the AM radiotest to detect the presence of infraredremote control signals. An additional testwill be given.

To begin, most infrared remotes oper-ate by using a counted down fundamen-tal frequency to generate a clock for datapulses which provide the different func-tions for the product to operate remotely.What is this fundamental frequency?Well, it usually is (you guessed it)455KHz. Most remotes use a ceramic res-onator to generate this frequency.

Often this delicate resonator has verythin leads which, when the remote is

abused (i.e., dropped) the ceramic res-onator becomes detached from the circuit.This can be determined by shaking theremote unit gently. If you hear a rattlingsound, the resonator is usually loose! Inthis case, the remote can generally berepaired using a universal 455KHz res-onator available from most Radio Shackstores.

If the resonator is not loose inside theremote, it may still be damaged, so youcheck it by operating the remote in closeproximity to an AM radio. This tells ifthe remote is operating on frequency, bygenerating the buzz in the radio speaker.

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Figure 2.

To fully test the remote for proper opera-tion, use an infrared detector card, avail-able from most mail-order parts sources,manufacturers, Sencore, or Radio Shack.If the remote is on frequency, and puttingout infrared pulses, there is a 99% chancethat it is a good remote!

Also, I would be interested in receiving an author package for writing articlesfor your fine publication."

Seven years ago, as a high school elec-tronics teacher, I used articles fromES&T and your TYEK tests to enrich mycurriculum in my classes. The magazineis an invaluable aid to the continuing edu-cational needs of the industry. I find itvery informative and helpful in my effortsto keep current.

Figure I shows a schematic diagramfrom one of the training manuals I wrote,which shows a typical remote controltransmitter construction.

The transmitter is an infrared type.which offers up to 32 remote control func-tions. The transmitted signal is composedof four different codes, Custom Code,Inverse Custom Code, Data Code, andInverse Data Code. Each code consists ofeight bits. One single transmission con-sists of a combination of 32 bits.

Besides the four codes, there is a Leadercode included in the transmission signal.It is made up of a 9ms carrier wave and4.5ms off -wave. This is transmitted priorto the other codes. The Leader code isused to allow the microcomputer to dif-

ferentiate the remote control signal fromother control signals in terms of the timerelation among them. The other fourcodes that follow the leader are applied tothe microcomputer, which reduces themeach to a I or 0 pulse. This is performedin accordance with PPM (Pulse Position

Modulation) system. The pulses "a" and"b" are used in 32 different combinationsof I and 0.

Sincerely,Paul R. Dedrick, CETSecretary, North Carolina ElectronicsAssociation

Sam Says - Observe from this infor-mation that the signal from the IR (infra-red) remote control is pulsed. That is whatmakes it possible to inject the i-f signalinto the AM radio and hear the signal inthe radio speaker. A pulsed signal is richin odd harmonics. As you know, a 455kHzsiriewave signal could not produce anyoutput sound in the receiver since it is thejob of the "second" detector to remove a455 kHz carrier.

The AM radio signal tells you that thepulses are being generated but it doesn'ttell you anything about the condition ofthe infrared LED.

The test with the infrared detector card- suggested by Mr. Dedrick sounds like itwill give more reliable information.

I will be glad to consider any addition-al information on troubleshooting by ourreaders.

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INVERTERS IN 4049

Many, many thanks to Mr. Dedrick forthe letter.

100K

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Figure 3A.

Figure 3B.

Circuits for building themicroprocessor

In the last issue I said I was going togive an experiment using an off -the -shelfmemory. I don't quite get that far in thisissue. The reason is that there are somecircuits external to the memory that mustbe built before we can use it. Some ofthose circuits are given in this issue. Inthe next issue the memory circuit will beassembled.

Keep in mind where we are going withthis series of experiments. My contentionhas been that a microprocessor and a com-puter are both memory controllers. Thatis why I have spent some space in previ-ous issues on the most popular memoriesused in IR and computer systems.Starting with this issue I am going to givea series of experiments in which the majorcircuits in a microprocessor are built onplug-in boards. We will perform the sameoperations as the IR would do to get thesame result.

Many technicians have told me theycan best understand theory by hands-onwork with devices. I have to admit I donot understand how that works. It doesn'twork for me.

I have spent a lot of time doing hands-on experiments that didn't give me mytime's worth. In other words, there was alot of constructing, measuring and trou-

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bleshooting just to "learn" one singlepiece of information that I could have readin a half page of typed material. I justdon't understand trading 6 hours ofwiring and pushing buttons for a minuteof reading time.

Well, that's my concept. I know fromexperience that something can be truewhether I understand it or not. So, to givethose technicians the hands-on they need,I give IR experiments.

When a microprocessor is built withindividual integrated circuits instead ofon a single integrated circuit chip it iscalled a bit slice. So, basically, we aregoing to build a bit slice on plug-inboards. However, when we get all of thecircuits assembled we will NOT be ableto hook all of them together to get the bitslice.

The reason you can't put them togeth-er is that the timing of the various opera-tions is very critical. So critical, in fact,that a microsecond difference in thearrival of pulses can make the system fail.However, when we have finished with theexperiments we will have built the com-plete bit slice. If you are not into hands-on experimenting, read the experimentsanyway. The basics of ptP operation areexplained in the theory writeups.

Memory experimentTo demonstrate how the [tP operates a

Random Access Memory (RAM) youwill write a telephone number into thememory, then, read the memory to get thenumber back.

I chose CMOS integrated circuitsbecause I thought it would be convenientfor the reader to operate the circuits witha 9V battery. However, the memory Ichose got hotter than a $2.00 pistol on 9V,so, I changed to a +5V regulated supply.If you don't have a regulated +5V, buildthe one shown in Figure 2. It is useful formany other things besides these experi-ments.

Figure 3 shows three circuits to be builtto engage the memory.

Figure 3(a) shows the circuit for ourclock generator. It produces the timingpulses for all of the IR experiments.Computers are often evaluated by theirclock frequency. Ours will generate aboutone clock cycle each second, usually writ-ten as 1Hz. That is somewhat slower thatthe 25MHz frequency of some desk -topcomputers.

Mechanical switches and relay con-tacts have a habit of bouncing a few timeswhen they are closed. Those bounces areinterpreted by logic circuitry as beingcombinations of ones and zeros. Thatreally messes up the operation. To getaround that problem there are two circuitsavailable to us. One is the bouncelessswitch (not shown). It is made with cross -coupled gates.

Instead of a bounceless switch, we willuse the 555 one-shot circuit of Figure3(b). It is usually called a monostable cir-cuit. When a trigger is received from theswitch, the output goes through a com-plete ON -OFF cycle before it can be trig-gered again. During that cycle the switchthat provides the trigger can bounce andbounce but that will not affect the single -pulse output of the 555.

The monostable circuit (or, the bounce -less switch) is needed so we can operatethe system one step at a time. That iscalled single -stepping. More on that in thenext issue.

The circuit of Figure 3(c) is sometimecalled "divide -by- I6." It can be used as abinary counter to produce a binary count

from 0000 to 1111. It will be needed tostep our way through the program storedin our memory rows and to keep track ofwhere we are in a program. So, it is ourprogram counter.

Remember, the circuits of Figure 3 areused by the RP to operate the memory. Totest the circuits, first connect the outputof the monostable circuit to the input ofthe counter (CL1 of the first flip flop).Each time you momentarily switch thetrigger input of the 555 monostable youget one output pulse. The output is shownby LED #1. It should be on for a shortperiod of time after you operate theswitch.

With each single step the countershould advance to a binary count from0000 to 1111. The count may not start with0000. You should advance the countsuntil the 0000 is displayed, then, start thecount by single -stepping with the mono -stable circuit. Assuming the single step-ping works, remove the 555 output to CL Iand connect the clock output to that point.The counter should automatically pro-duce the complete range of counts whenyou single-step the clock pulses.

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Power supplies, the sources of energyfor all electronic equipment, are basicconsiderations in all electronic design andconstruction. This book guides you fromthe fundamentals of power supply com-ponents and their functions to the designand construction of power supply sys-tems. Useful in many home workshop andtechnical construction projects, this bookwill prove invaluable to the interested do -it yourselfer or the seasoned technicalprofessional. Contents include: basicsources of dc and ac power, unregulatedpower supply systems, linear power sup-ply projects, switching power supply sys-tems and projects, measurements, cali-bration, and troubleshooting and muchmore.Howard W. Sams & Company, 2647 Waterfront

Parkway East Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46214.

Speakers for Your Home andAutomobile: How to Build and Enjoya Quality Audio System, By GordonMcComb, Alvis J. Evans, and Eric J.Evans, Howard W. Sams & Company,164 pages, $19.95.

This book will show any do-it-your-selfer or technician the hows and whys ofbuilding quality speaker systems forhome and automobile. With easy -to -understand instructions and clearly illus-trated examples, the authors explain theconstruction of home speaker systemsand automotive speaker installations.Contents include: how speakers work,including the science behind the system,enclosures and their effects on soundquality, speaker types and design factors,

construction of speakers for specific areasand purposes, finishing touches that adda professional look to your construction,project plans for both home and automo-bile installations, design equation andconversion charts, complete glossary toaudio and speaker system terminology.Howard W. Sams & Company, 2647 Waterfront


The Modern Converter Ciruit En-cyclopedia, By Rudolf Graf, TABBooks, 192 pages, 300 illus, $12.95.

In this volume, readers will find 300ready -to -use converter circuit designs re-flecting the latest engineering principlesand practices. The author includes onlythe best in converter technology, featur-ing unaltered circuits from the most re-spected electronics manufacturers andpublications.

Analog -to -digital, ac -to -dc, frequency -to -voltage, capacitance -to -pulse width,triangle -to -sine wave - every kind of con-verter circuit is illustrated here, with ex-planations of how they work and howthey can be used. Original sources arecited, for readers who want additional in-formation on a particular circuit, and ac-cording to the publisher, all entries havebeen tested to ensure accuracy.

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294

Making Sense of Sound: The Basicsof Audio Theory and Technology, ByAlvis Evans, Howard W. Sams &Company, 112 pages, $10.95.

A lot of questions get answered inMaking Sense of Sound: The Basics ofAudio Theory and Technology. How issound electronically reproduced? Whatare pitch, fidelity, and distortion? How dotoday's electronics components worktogether to produce quality sound? Theseare just some of the topics discussed inthis clearly illustrated text that teachesyou the basics of audio theory and theirrelationship to today's audio technology.Other topics include stereo components -how they function separately and as a sys-tem, distortion and system noise, record-ing and playback, combinations of videoand audio technology, complete glossaryand index plus much more.Howard W. Sams & Compnay, 2647 Waterfront


GO Electronic Servicing & Technology February 1993

Audio Corner

Digital compact cassetteBy John Shepler

Just when you thought digital audiotape was the medium of the future, herecomes digital compact cassette (DCC).DCC is an invention of N.V. Philips, thecompany that also invented the audio cas-sette nearly 30 years ago. It doesn't re-place the cassette the way CD's replacedvinyl discs. Instead, it extends the cassetteinto the digital age.

You may be surprised to know that thecassette was originally intended for lowfidelity applications such as dictation.The small size and easy portability, how-ever, made it just too attractive as a re-placement for open reel tape to pass by.Over the decades, better quality trans-ports, new tape formulations, and noisereduction techniques like Dolby and dbxhave allowed audio cassettes to flourishas a music medium. Now, digital compactcassettes will allow consumers to keepplaying their present stock of prerecord-ed cassettes while using much higher dig-ital recordings for new material.

A digital compact cassette is about thesame size as an analog cassette. It is flat-ter, though and has a metal shutter to pro-tect the tape, much like a 3.5 inch floppydisk. Another difference is that the tapereels are accessible from only one side,so the tape deck must take care of revers-ing the tape movement.

DCC tape decks will play both digitaland analog cassettes. They'll only recordthe new digital cassette, though. This dualplayback is made possible by a new lin-ear recording technique that uses 8 digi-tal thin-film heads to record the audio bitstream lengthwise on the tape. Rememberthat DAT works like a VCR, using a rotat-ing head to record in helical stripes acrossthe tape.

Linear recording at the low speeds usedby cassettes requires both the 8 channelsof digital information plus a data com-pression technique called PASC or Pre-

Shepler is an engineering manager and broadcast con-sultant. He has more than twenty years experience in allphases of electronics.

cision Adaptive Sub -band Coding. Thisis a digital signal processing techniquethat compresses the data by taking intoaccount which sounds are masked byother sounds and thus, don't need to berecorded anyway. PASC can reduce therequired digital capacity by over 75%,with minimal impairment of the soundquality.

Sound quality of DCC decks will besimilar to DAT and compact disc.Frequency response is 5Hz to 22kHz witha dynamic range of 108dB. In a sense, theconsumer is getting the audio quality ofCD with the recording capability of DAT,plus the ability to still play all those exist-ing analog cassettes. It's an excellentcompromise.

Philips is side-stepping lawsuits withthe music industry by building the SerialCopy Management System or SCMS intothe DCC chips. SCMS is a technique toprevent bootleggers from copying andrecopying digital tapes, which lose noneof their audio quality when copied.

In addition to the audio features alreadymentioned, DCC also has the ability torecord digital data at 400 characters persecond. This will enable recording stu-dios to include song titles, artists, andeven music lyrics or other informationthat can be displayed on the tape deck.The data can also be used as codes, so the

consumer can program the deck to skipor repeat songs and even pick the order inwhich the songs play.

The first DCC units, like any new tech-nology, are more expensive than tradi-tional cassette decks. They're pricedmore like DAT recorders than CD play-ers or cassette record/play decks. The newcassettes are also priced five to ten timesthe cost of standard cassettes.

This should change over the next fewyears. Philips is planning to introduce avariety of machines including smallerportable DCC record/play units and carstereo DCCs. Philips is also licensing thetechnology world-wide. This will helpreduce costs by increasing manufacturingvolumes. The stationary DCC headmechanism is also expected to be lessexpensive to produce than the rotatingDAT and VCR mechanisms.

Recording companies have agreed tosupport the introduction of the new medi-um. Within the next year, hundreds of pre-recorded digital compact cassettes shouldbe available in music stores.

Since DCC is being promoted as a con-sumer electronics advance, warranty ser-vice and repair opportunities should startpresenting themselves shortly. If DCCdoes flourish as anticipated, the servicecenters positioned to take advantage ofthis technology will surely benefit.

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News (from page 3) -

Field test of long distanceHDTV broadcast

Zenith and AT&T demonstrated thatdigital high -definition television(HDTV) broadcasting can bring high -quality, snow -free, interference -free TVpictures to a broader service area thanconventional TV broadcasts. In the firstlong-distance over -the -air field test of anall -digital HDTV signal, Zenith andAT&T conducted a broadcast from a TVstation in Milwaukee 75 miles to Zenith'stechnical center in Glenview, Ill.

The late -night field test of the "DigitalSpectrum Compatible" HDTV system,broadcast on Milwaukee Public Tele-vision Station WMVT Channel 36, wasthe first ever terrestrial broadcast of dig-ital TV signals using low power over longdistances. The test also showed that dig-ital HDTV can provide high -quality,noise -free pictures even in the presenceof interference from conventional TV sig-nals on the same channel.

The primary broadcast service area(Grade B contour) for conventional ana-og TV signals on WMVT is 48 miles

from the transmitter. The Glenviewreceiving site is on the far fringe recep-tion area of the Milwaukee station, andeven with an antenna tower atop theseven -story building, the conventionalanalog signals are very noisy or snowy.

Using less than one -tenth of the powerused to transmit a full -power conven-tional analog TV signal, the test success-fully transmitted and received digital sig-nals - without noise, snow or ghosts. Thetest showed that the system's unique dig-ital compression and transmission tech-nologies can eliminate the so-called "cliffeffect" a total and abrupt loss of the TVpicture and sound that could be caused byerrors in transmitted digital data at longdistances from the transmitter.

The companies plan to share the fieldtest data with the Federal Communi-cations Commission's Advisory Com-mittee on Advanced television Serviceand its HDTV Field Test Task Force.

Summit meeting heldA third summit meeting among mem-

bers of the three national service associ-

ations consisting of the National Asso-ciation of Service Dealers (NASD) a divi-sion of NARDA, the Professional ServiceAssociation (PSA), the NationalElectronic Service Dealers Association(NESDA), and several state organiza-tions including the California State Elec-tronics Association (CSEA), the Tele-vision Electronics Service Association(ESDA) of IL, the Independent WarrantyServicers (IWS), and the Appliance Ser-vice Dealers (ASD), was held in Chicagoon October 4, 1992.

The industry Summit decided to forma permanent group called the "ServiceIndustry Council" for the purpose of col-lecting information, identifying industryproblems and finding possible solutionsfor those problems. This group will con-tinue to meet on a regular basis to addressthe needs of the service industry.

The environmental committee reportstated that as a result of indecision on thepart of governmental agencies the man-dated technician certification programhas been abandoned. The resulting con-troversy that continues to grow in the ser

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Test your electronicsknowledgeANSWERS TO TEST

/rum page 49)

I. A - The value is computed by rais-ing 2 to the eigth power. 28 = 256

2. C - NOT CS means NOT CHIPSELECT. It measn that the integrated cir-cuit is selected by a logic 0 on the con-trol bus.

3. C - 19210 = C016

4. B - The disadvantage of a choke -input filter is that its use results in a loweroutput voltage.

5. D - There are no units of measure-ment for permeability.

6. B - The M -derived filter has thesharper cutoff

7. B - It is the gate current that oper-ates the SCR - even though a gate volt-age is used to produce that voltage.

8. B - Although the effect is not great,the series resistance DOES influence theresonant frequency.

9. C - Compared to a dB meter, the VUmeter has a higher degree of damping. Itis used to monitor audio signals.

10. D - The parameter hFE is some-times called the dc Beta. It is equal to thecollector current divided by the base cur-rent. A value of 110 is reasonable.


Technology

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Customer Service: 1-800-331-3219Local: 303-423-7080Fax: 303-422-5268

Z-axis adhesive film new concept inelectronics interconnection

3M's new Z-axis adhesive film is an in-novative concept for connecting flexibleprinted circuits and tape automated bond-ing (TAB) tape to printed circuit boards,glass substrates, and other flex type prod-ucts. The 5303R Z-axis adhesive film(ZAF) has a thermoset adhesive that con-tains randomly dispersed, subminiatureconductive particles. Conductivity canoccur only in the Z axis (through the film)and not along the plane of the film.

The ZAF is heat tacked to the conduc-tive pads of a flex or TAB circuit. The cir-cuit with the applied ZAF is aligned withthe conductive traces on a substrate(glass, printed circuit boards, or flex cir-cuit). Heat and pressure is applied to theTAB or flex circuit, causing the ZAF tomelt, flow, and cross link.

The thermoset adhesive has a highercoefficient of thermal expansion than theconductive particles. When cooled underpressure, the adhesive has little tendencyto yield, so the conductive particles areforced onto the conductive pads of the cir-cuits. This results in a stable electricalconnection between the flex or TAB cir-cuit and substrate pads.

The result is a long-term interconnect

Figure 1. 3M's Z -Axis Adhesive Film (ZAF) is a new concept in connecting flexible printed cir-cuits and Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) circuits to printed circuit boards, glass substrates, andother flex circuits.

with environmental stability. The ZAFcreates a repairable bond, which gives theuser an opportunity to rework defectiveinterconnects and thus extend componentutilization. The ZAF also has excellentcreep resistance over a wide range of tem-peratures allowing for stable electricalperformance.

The ZAF has economic and environ-mental advantages. It has a lead-free for-mulation, so is an alternative to lead -based solder. Also, no flux is required,eliminating the cost of chemicals and dis-posal. The dry film construction avoidsmany volatile components associatedwith solder processes.

DTic 060,hoirsis;re has the NATION'S LARGEST inventoryINV =NE 1by WENN 41111/1. for all major makes and models.

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Products

Magnification light for inspectionwork

Waldmann Lighting Co. announces itsnewest magnification light, the "Focus 7Plus." This task light is designed to meeta wide range of close up inspection needsat any workstation. The (6.5" x 4.25") 3-diopter lens gives an undistorted, broadfield of view, reducing eye fatigue andimproving productivity. The thirteen inchfocal distance makes assembly with sol-dering equipment or hand tool easy. Toincrease functionality, there are twooptional "ADD -X" lenses to increasemagnification up to 7 or 15 diopters. Thelight uses the new generation 13W com-pact fluorescent lamp which provides asmuch light as a 60W incandescent, butwith 78% less energy consumption andheat. The lamp will last 10,000 hours.


Fiber optic microscopeFotec has introduced a new multipur-

pose fiber optic test tool that can be usedto test fiber optic cables and connectorsfor common problems. The model V400acts as a 3 -way microscope and FOtracer.As a microscope, the unit can view fiberoptic connectors three ways. In the directmode, it allows seeing how well the fiberfits in the connector and if there are anylarge scratches in the polished surface.While in the direct mode, it can also illu-minate the core of the fiber, an excellentway to find cracks in the fiber introducedduring polishing. The third mode, angle

viewing, emphasizes polish irregulari-ties, providing the best test to how wellthe connector has been polished. One caneven confirm "PC" convex polishing inthis mode. The device even offers zoomcapability, with a 60X to 100X range. Itis compatible with many common fiberoptic connectors.


Static control grounding cordextends reach

Employees wearing static controlwrist bands can now have greater mobil-ity with 3M's new 2243 lightweightheavy-duty extension grounding cord.The cord plugs into any manufacturer'ssingle conductor wrist strap groundingcord to provide an additional seven feetof reach. The grounding cord has a stan-dard 0.175 -inch banana jack on one endand a connection for a standard 0.175 -inch banana plug on the other. It is con-structed of a single bundle of tensile con-ductors and reinforced with strong syn-

thetic fibers for durability without addi-tional weight. The five-foot cord has anextended length of seven feet.


Service business managementsoftware

Sencore claims that their new ServiceCenter Manager software is the fastest,most complete customized, and easy -to -use business management program onthe market. This program is designedspecifically to help manage all aspects ofa service industry and is flexible enoughfor a one person operation, and power-ful enough to run 20 -employee servicecenter. The product is field-tested andmarket -proven to help service centersremain competitive in today's high tech-nology and narrow margin environment.The product comes with a complete soft-ware package and configuration guide tohelp you get started. Each software pack-age comes with toll -free support toanswer questions anytime.


Integrated service managementsoftware package

Developed by two service techniciansfor their own 7 man service shop, TECHSERVE is a comprehensive, fully inte-grated, Novell compatible, multi -station,user friendly software system, accordingto the selling company Premium Parts +.The software is an easy to understand andoperate tool that will assist in maintain-ing a greater level of control over yourbusiness. It will increase profitability bymaking more efficient use of non pro-ductive time. A useful feature in thispackage is a secondary database thatmaintains the price that manufacturersare reimbursing the service technicianfor on the warranty work that is per-formed. The product tracks customersunits, technician's productivity for theday and month, tracks cost and price ofpart installed for each claim and createsNARDA warranty claims, and allowsyou to create a summary report of claimssubmitted, and more.



LAN physical layer testerBeckman Industrial has introduced

LANTech LT -10, a handheld LAN phys-ical layer tester. The tester is designed forcertifying all UTP and STP twisted pair,coaxial and telephone style wiring,10BASE-T, Ethernet, ArcNet, andToken Ring networks. The unit is simpleto operate for LAN technicians of anylevel according to the manufacturer, pro-viding one -button access to commonlyused test functions. In the AutotestMode, a single keystroke starts an all -in -one, comprehensive series of tests thatcompletes in less than 30 seconds. Testresults can be stored internally, down-loaded to a portable PC, or output to anoptional portable printer. Up to 100 testresults can be internally stored.


Fume extraction kitARM-EVAC Fume Extractor kit from

Pace removes hazardous and irratingfumes from the workplace. Fumes areextracted by way of a universal extrac-tor arm into a self-contained air filtrationsystem. An integral 3 -stage filter collectshazardous particulates and gases. Thecleaner air can be recirculated back intothe work environment. The kit is fullyportable, and the central unit is only13"x13"x19". It features the central fil-

tration unit, extraction arm, suction tube,flexible hose and an easy -to -assemblebench mounting bracket. An optionalmobile stand is also available.


Updated 1992 integrated circuitslibrary

The revised 1992 D.A.T.A DIGESTIntegrated Circuits library fromD.A.TA. Business Publishing hasincreased by 12%, or more than 32,200components, over the earlier 1992 edi-tions. Among the five product -specificdigests - digital, interface, linear, mem-ory and microprocessors - the most sig-nificant growth has been in Memory,with over 15,000 new devices, andInterface, with over 6,500 new devices.Sections included in each IntegratedCircuits D.A.T.A. DIGEST are:

Function, generic and part numberindexes

Technical sections Appendixes including package and

pin drawings, device pinouts, suggestedreplacements, manufacturer directory,distributor/sales offices and electronicsassociations.


Newest version diagnostic softwareDiagSoft, Inc. announces the newest

version of QZPlus, 4.7. New featuresinclude: Identification of the latest tech-

nologies, upgraded component tests,enhanced system information reporting,new and enhanced system utilities, newvirus detection and remote control soft-ware included. In addition the softwareincludes essential LAN features that sim-plify networked PC support and muchmore.


Printer assembly repair videoDiversified TechniGraphics, Inc.

(DTI) has released a fusing assemblyrepair video computer peripheral repairfacilities. The video and accompanyingmanual, accurately show how to effi-ciently and effectively repair the CanonSX fusing assembly. Over half of alldesktop laser printers on the market usethe Canon SX engine, according to thecompany. This video shows time -savingrepair techniques, guiding the viewerthrough the complex assembly leadingto successful rebuilding the first try, saysthe company.


MOVING?If you're planning a move inthe near future, don't risk miss-ing an issue of ElectronicServicing & Technology.Please give us 6-8 weeksnotice if you're planning onchanging your address. Justwrite in your new addressbelow and mail this coupon,WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONMAILING LABEL, to:

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February 1993 Eectronic Servicing & Technology 65

Looking to challengeyour building skills?

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COMMUNICATIONS QUARTERLY, thejournal of communications technology. You arcinvited to become part of an elite group of RadioAmateurs and technical professionals as a sub-scriber. Circulation will be strictly limited.

State-of-the-art electronics like direct synthe-sis, digital signal processing, and computer controlare fully investigated and explained so that you cantake advantage of these new technologies.COMMUNICATIONS QUARTERLY articlescover high speed data communications, the latest inantennas using computer designed models, plusmuch more. Articles examine many areas of pro-fessional electronics in a way that trade publicationscan't. Insights into areas that are only whisperedabout are normal fare. A major effort is made toshow how applications can be translated intoAmateur Radio operations.

Each quarterly has approximately 100 pages oftechnical material; advertising is limited. Articlesflow from page to page, without the interruption ofads placed in the middle. The open layout accen-tates each author's work and lets you make notes.calculations, or comment for alter reference.Graphs, photos, computer program listings, andcharts are presented in an easy -to -use format.COMMUNICATIONS QUARTERLY is printedon a high -quality stock and "perfect bound" (squarebacked). It is such a valuable resource, you'll wantto file each copy away in your technical archives forfuture reference. In fact over time, you'll find muchof what is presented in COMMUNICATIONSQUARTERLY will become the standard in theAmateur and professional communications field.

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Readers ExchangeFOR SALL

Camcorder repair. 500 page book.Troubleshooting and repairing camcorder topicsby Homer L. Davidson. Also VHS tape Laymansguide to minor camcorder repair by electronix.Both hardly used, sell together or individually.Make offer. Call Jackson VCR 205-643-5906.

MK oscilloscope 30MHz dual trace $300.00.Sencore VA48 make offer. Rob Francella. 5/8-286-0710.

Sencore VC -63, best offer over $275. Will take aSencore SCR250, in partial trade. Mike's RepairService, 410-272-4984.

Deviation meter $175.00, B&K CMOS IC tester$175.00, Cordless phone antennas, Leader DotGenerator $45.00. Ask for Ralph Bianco at 215-446-4519.

Heathkit RF signal generator model IG-102 withmanual and test lead. Good condition. $50.00 plusshipping. RCA service manuals (1955-1961)(1967-1968) $7.50 each or all 3 for $20.00 plusshipping. 412-483 3072 ask for John.

630 original TV service manuals. Hitachi,Panasonic, Sharp, Mitsubishi, NAP , Quasar.Teknica. $1.00 each, minimum 20, or $400 for all.Also 159 Sams books: 3 citizen band, 52 transis-tor radio, 6 tape recorder and 98 modular Hi-Fibooks. $4.00 each, min 10. or $300.00 for all.List available. Bob Neilson 602-855-5400.

Sencore video test equipment. VA62 video ana-lyzer. VC 93 VCR tester $1600.00 and SC 61waveform analyzer $1750.00 or take all for$2900.00 Cliff Deese 10497 Highway I7N. MyrtleBeach, SC 29572 or call (803) 272-2607.

22 - YA + SYA + CO adapters. $20.00. Shipping26 AR + Tekfax. I MHF $10.00 and shipping. E.Andrews Jr. PO Box 91. Exeter, RI 02822.

Sencore equipment VA62. SGI65. Other brandsalso. Make offer Call Ed Slagle at 615-926-1346.

B&K model 490 CRT restorer/analyzer.Purchased new July 92. Adapters included.$750.00. Taking $300 loss. Sams Photofacts2922-2977. 56 sets for $150. Will consider tradingfor computer. Ernst Prater. PO Box 598, Hurley,VA 24620. 703-566-2265.

Sams Photofacts, 2215-2305. New, in original(opened) mailing cartons. $225.00 plus shipping.Also looking for TSM's. Robert Morrison, 231Perkins St. Havelock, NC 28532 (9/9)444-1660.

WANTED

Need service manual or schematic for RCA VCRmodel VFT-650. Will buy outright or will copyand return. Hugo Oliver 5/8-827-6/38.

Schematic and parts list for Simpson Models 260and 260 series SP. Simpson company will notsupply, as per request. These are VOMs. RobertM. Dykeman. 912 Lock St.. Phoenix. NY 13135.

Jackson roll chart info for model 715 and 648Atube tester particularly old tubes. Robert Christie,2885 Beltine N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

Hitachi monitor CM -1481 service manual, B&K#470 CRT checker adapter socket CR-42,Panasonic flyback #14712F. Ed Herbert, 410 N.Third St., Minersville, PA 17954.

Technical information on servicing a KLH model510 portable Hi-Fi component system, specifical-ly a capstan assy. Also info on an AKAI GX226-II reel -reel no control pnl functions. EugeneWolfe, 1855 S. Barton D., Augusta, GA 30906 or706-560-0441.

Flyback transformer, used but still good, for TVSears model 14077 ch. C-984-20150. G. Gautier218 Ballantyne. Chicoutimi Quebec, Canada G7J2L7.

Photofacts and specialized books: AR, CB, HTP,MHF, SD, TR, TSM, VCR. A.G. Tannenbaum,P.O. Box 110, E. Rockaway, NY 11518. 516-887-0057.

Safety relay for Pioneer receiver SX-780. P/NASR -020 or ASR -032. Power transformer or com-plete power supply for Samsung VCR model VR4700L. Parini VCR. John Parini 7/7-288-6/4/.

Schematic and IC for Daytron VCR model VCR-42DBU IC# DBL 324 (DAE WOO). NorthernTechnical Services, Joe, 715-356-6004.

Tentel gauge. alignment tapes. Leader video gen-erator, Sencore VC -93, VA62, etc, in good condi-tion. McGregor TV Service, 360. Jefferson Ave.Texarkana, AR 75502. 501-773-6488.

Magnavox IC 612187-1. Quasar flyback TLF6122F1. Samsung flyback KF 74525. Blasig TV203-242-4015.

Variable isolated ac supply metered. PreferSencore Powerite. Vance Paybum, 2718Homestead Madison, WI 53711. 608-274-3002.

Service/operation manual for Conn strobe tuner,tube type. James Zikes, 90/6 West 117 Terrace.O.P. KS 662/0.

Instruction manual and schematic for RCA RFsignal generator model WR-50B. RobertBlackwell. 2925 R1665 Are. Baltimore, MD21216. 410-362-6678.

Schematic or service information for Apple diskdrive model A2M0003. Will pay for copy. W.Mostlis P.O. Box 282, Poynette, WI 53955.

Schematic for Silvertone Model - F- 31778.Audio output Xfmr and speaker for Zephyr modelRN -7 radio. John Phipps, 1412 Navaho Trail. St.Charles. MO, 63304.

Cassette holding/loading tray assy for JVC VCRmodel HR -D2000. and for Llyod's VCR modelL823. Service manuals or copies for JVC VCR'smodel HR-D670U and D680U. J. Powell, 4237CFCN, McGuire AFB. NJ 0864/. 609-723-1103.


ClassifiedClassified advertising is available by the word or per col-umn inch.By -the word. $1.65 per word, per insertion, pre -paidMinimum charge is $35 per insertion. Initials and abbrevia-tions count as full words. Indicate free category heading (ForSale, Business Opportunities. Miscellaneous, Wanted).Blind ads (replies sent to ES&T for forwarding) are $40 addi-tional. No agency discounts are allowed for classif ied adver-tising by the word. Contact Emily Kreutz at 516-681-2922to place your classified ad (by -the -word). Mastercard, VISA.American Express are accepted for phone or mail orders.Or send your order, materials and payment to Emily Kreutz,76 North Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801.Per column Inch (classified Display): $235 per column inch.per insertion, with frequency discounts available. 1" mini-mum. billed at 1/4" increments after that 10" maximum perad. Blind ads are $40 addition. Reader Service Number $25additional to cover processing and handling costs. (Free to4 -inch or larger ads.) For more information regarding clas-sified display advertising please contact Jonathan C.Kummer at 516-681-2922. Optional color (determined bymagazine) $150 additional per insertion.

FOR SALETV CASE HISTORIES: Booklet with 1, 750+ histories.Satisfaction assured. Only $35 (first-class shipping add $1.50).Mike's Repair Service. P.O. Box 217 Aberdeen ProvingGround, MD 21005. Same mailing address 29 years. SendSASE for samples.

REPAIR MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE: for IBM PC's. Repairtracking, inventory, reports, billing, maillist, more. Demo disk$15. CAHILL ELECTRONICS. PO Box 568, Kingston, NH03848.603-642-4292

SENCORE TF46: Transistor Tester, $285.00: Sencore CG25,$50.00: Stanek Frequency Counter. $50.00: Eico FlybackTester, $50.00. Eico H.V. Probe, $25.00. 607-988-9000Weekends and Nights.

COMPLETE SENCORE VIDEO TEST BENCH for sale.VA62A, VC93, SC61, CM2000, PAST and CR70 New with allcables, manuals, and original cartons. Make Offer. ChrisEichman. 215-270-5749.

VHS -VCR Repair Solution Sets I, II, Ill IV, V. VI, VII. Each con-tains 150 symptoms and cures, updated cross reference chart,free assistance $11.95 each, all seven $69.95. Schematicsavailable. Visa/MC. Eagle Electronics. 52053 Locks Lane,Granger, IN 46530.

TELEPHONE LINE SIMULATORS. An absolute must forevery repair shop. Two stamps for details. JECTECH, 13962Olde Post. Pickerington, OH 34147

THE ONLY ANSWER TO REPAIRING ELECTRONICSPROFITABLY (this should have been done years ago) GETSMART! Someone somewhere has already repaired your nextrepair YOUR TOP TECHNICIAN, who's trair ing you have paidfor JUST LEFT TODAY! YOU'RE THE BOSS and now youhave to put on your old rusty technician's cap. TODAY YOURBANK sent you three NSF checks your customers so gra-ciously gave you, and you don't have time to chase them downto collect, THEY LEFT TOWN. IT'S TAKING YOU LONGERto assess the repairs and your customers are now coming tocollect their units. You promised to give them a FREE estimate,but you just realized you don't have a schematic or time to doit. NOW YOU ARE DOING NIGHT REPAIRS because duringstore hours the phone rings off the hook with nuisance ques-tions about sett ng VCR clocks and you ha ie parts to order,bills to pay and service literature to file. CIRCUIT CITY JUSTMOVED IN and your wife say's there's no money in repairsFRIEND!! YOU DEFINITELY HAVE AN EMERGENCY!!10,000 repairs 1987 through 1992 with annual updates.References available on request. I CAN ASSURE YOUTHESE TECH -TIPS ARE NOT DUSTY OLD REPAIRSYOU'LL NEVER SEE. Other programs don't even come closeto comparing. CALL NOW (305) 474-2677 FOR A "FREE"DEMONSTRATION DISK OR PAPER FORMAT or mailrequest to TV -MAN SALES 8 SERVICE, 8614 SR -84, FT.LAUDERDALE. FL 33324

LARGEST SELECTION of original TV & VCR IC's and tran-sistors. Lowest Prices. Call or write for free catalog. PRELCOELECTRONICS. 605 Chestnut Street, Union, NJ 07083, 908-851-8600.

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SALES 8 SERVICE: Busy oneor two man shop on main business district. Well establishedwith low overhead. Excellent opportunity for VCR technician.Located on Mississippi River in Northern Illinois. 815-589-3010.

COMPUTER AIDED TVNCR REPAIR SOLUTIONS: 5 1/4"IBM compatible disks, 1,000 VCR, Printout $83, Disks $72.5,400 TV, Printout $135, Disks $113 (Harddrive). Add to orquick scan by chassis, model and stage. Two solutions paysfor it. Electronic Solutions, 407 W. Ave. "N", San Angelo, TX76903.

TV-VCR SHOPS: Now fix those tough dogs! A package ofover 2800 fixes on disk. ASCII or data for popular data bases.(PFS, OA, etc.) One fix could pay for all. Only $99.95. TECH-DAT, 212 Earth Row, Waynesville, MO 65583. To order call 1-800-280-2100. VISA & Mastercard Accepted.

REDUCED 85%. Diehl Mark 111 $79, Diehl Mark V Horizontalcircuil tester $199. New. Conductive coating for remote con-trol keypads $8.99 ppd. WEEC, 2805 University Ave., Madison,WI 53705. 608-238-4629,608-233-9741.

HELP WANTED

TECHNICIAN NEEDED: If you have long term experience inservicing all brands of projection TV's or camcorders. Pleasesend your resume to: Service Manager, 6601 West BethanyHome Road, Suite 4. Glendale. AZ 85301. Experiencerequired. Salary DOE.

WANTED

WANT TO BUY small electronic servicing business. PreferWestern or Southern United States. Call Mike 1-510-783-3648or Joe 1-918-682-4781.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

ESTABLISHED CONSUMER ELECTRONICS sales and ser-vice business, located in the beautiful mountains of NorthCentral Idaho, where fishing and hunting is just outside ourback door 208-983-0429.

MOVE TO SUNNY SOUTH FLORIDA: Owner retiring. Fullystaffed in largest growth area of Ft. Lauderdale. Established12 years, no competition. Authorized 15 major brands. 100 per-cent computerized. Simple to operate business. Owner financ-ing available. Call for details 305-474-3588.

ManufacturersParts and Literature Directory

This monthly section is sponsored by manufacturers to help you find the parts and technical literatureneeded to service their equipment. Call them for replacement parts or for the name of their nearestdistibutor.

Hitachi Home Electronics Mitusubishi Electronics America NEC Tehcnologies401 W. Artesia Blvd. 5757 Plaza Drive 1255 Michael DriveCompton, CA 90220 Cypress, CA 90630 Wood Dale, IL 60191800 -HITACHI 800-553-7278 fax 800-825-6655 800-366-3632

Panasonic Philips ECG Quasar50 Meadowlands Parkway 1025 Westminister Drive 50 Meadowlands ParkwaySecaucus, NJ 07094 Williamsport, PA 17701 Secaucus, NJ 07094800 545-2672 800-526-9354 fax 800-346-6621 800-545-2672

Technics Thomsoi Consumer Electronics Zenith Electronics Corp.50 Meadowlands Parkway 2000 Clements Bridge Road 1900 N. Austin AvenueSecaucus, NJ 07094 Deptford, NJ 08096 Chicago, IL 60634800-545-2672 800-257-7946 fax 800-524-1498 31.2-745-2000

Call Jonathan Kummer at 516-681-2922 to reserve space in this special section.


TUBES -TUBES -TUBESWorld's Largest Range

Over 2,000 Types, Domestic & Foreign

UP TO 85% OFFpAr ckefoi,srt

International Components CorporationToll Free 800-645-9154N.Y. State 516-293-1500105 Maness Road. Melville. New York 11747


-Sperry Tech'sPricing Guide"Updated new 6th edition...aframework for setting ratesthat apply to Hi Tech pro-ducts...a formula thatguarantees SUCCESS!'Call Toll Free for details1.800-228-4338


The SERVICE BULLETIN LIBRARYA Computer ProgramProviding Service Tips

For The Electronics Technician

Currently has 15,106 active servicebulletins-many developed by service techsaround the country

Send for free literature.

High Tech Electronics Services1623 Aviation Blvd.

Redondo Beach, CA 90278213-376.0805 800-289.3001 FAX 213-379-9608


To Order BackIssues

Send $3.50 Per Issue(Check, Money Order,

Mastercard, VISA, and AMEX).

Send AllCorrespondence To:

CQ Communications76 North BroadwayHicksville, NY 11801

Or Call516-681-2922

FAX 516-681-2926

ORDER YOURBACK ISSUES

TODAY'

Advertiser's Index

CompanyPage

Number

ReaderServiceNumber

AdvertiserHotline

Anatek 10 56 800/999-0304

C & S Sales 3 57 800/292-7711

Consolidated Electronics 55 58 800/543-3568

Custom Data Associates 18 59 301/668-9594

Fluke Manufacturing, John BC 101 800/87FLUKEHigh Tech Electronics 68 98 213-379-2026

Hitachi Home Electronics 67 800/545-2672

International Components Corporation ...68 60 800/645-9154I scet 9 817-921-9101

Jesse Jones Industries 55

MCM Electronics 59 61 800/543-4330

Matsushita Service Corporation 23 62

Mitsubishi Electronic America 67 800/553-7278NEC Technologies 67 800/366-3632NESDA 18,22 817/921-9061PTS Corporations 63 63 812/824-9331Panasonic 67 800/545-2672Parts Express 9 64 513/222-0173Philips ECG IBC 76,77 800/526-9354

78,79

Premium Parts + 20 69 800/558-9572Print Products International 15 70,100 301/587-7824Quasar 67 800/545-2672Russell Industries 22 71 800/645-2202Sams & Company, Howard 57 72 800/428-7267Sencore 8,IFC 102,95 800/SENCORESouthgate Electronics 20 73 305/720-4497Sperry Tech 68 74 800/228-4338Technics 67 800/545-2672Tentel 53 75 800/538-6894Thomson Consumer Electronics 67 800/257-7964

Zenith Electronic Corporation 67 312/745-2000We'd like to see your company listed here too. Contact Jonathan C.Kummer to work out an advertising program tailored to suit your needs.

SALES OFFICEPhone: (516) 681-2922

FAX: (516) 681-2926

Jonathan C. KummerAdvertising Manager

Emily KreutzSales Assistant


4,000 ECG SemisIn Master Guide

Replace 262,000.

Es-909.cl.!

sow, ha

omun

I HI

ECG212Q

Guide references 262,000 parts for industrial MRO,commercial, entertainment equipment. ECGSemiconductors-industry's most comprehensiveline of universal replacement components andaccessories for over a quarter century.At 900 Philips ECG Thedistributor locations smartor call 1-800-526-9354. Choice

Philips ECG

PHILIPS


45 ECG Ni-Cad BatteriesFit Camcorders, Cordless

Phones And More.

rARechargeable replacement batteries and packs forcordless phones and camcorders cover 99 brands,1,000 part numbers. Power for memory backup,radio -controlled model vehicles, too Ask f itcatalog. At 900 Philips ECG Thedistributor locations or Smartcall 1-800-526-9354. Choicetr

Philips ECG

PHILIPS

ECG' Capacitance MeterReads 0.11)F To 20,000 p,FWith 0.5%Accuracy.

CX-920

A portable, battery -power-ed meter with bench -topperformance; 3.5 digit,half -inch high LCD. Rug-ged construction, input protected, carrying cask'all for $79.95. One year warranty.At 900 Philips ECG Thedistributor lotions Smart

Virror call 1-800-526-9354. Choice

<,a., I C.

<a-,

CX 920ECG -APA4-11,1M1C. ounn

Philips ECG

PHILIPS


011141.$

Replacement Work OnVCRs Is Easy WithECG Parts, Catalog.

New from Philips ECG: VCR modulators for manypopular brands, more opto sensing devices, addi-tional idler wheels/assemblies and belt kits. Pinchrollers, idler components, and scores of belts com-plete the selection. At 900Philips ECG distributor Thelocations or call Smart1-800-526-9354. Choice uh.

Philips ECG

PHILIPS

Circle (78) on Reply Card Circle (79) on Reply Card

Multi -Choice.Ihether you're doing first -level troubleshooting or component -level diagnosis, Fluke meters offer

you one of the widest choice of capabilities and price ranges in the industry. Choices ranging from

the basic Fluke 12 with auto function V-Chek'" and Continuity Capture'". I o the classic Fluke 77

Fluke 83Full -featuredMultImeter$255.00

with Auto Touch Hold" and current measurements.

Fluke 77The classicMultimeter$169.00

To the advanced Fluke 83 with Min/Max/Average recording,

Frequency, Duty Cycle and Input Alert". Plus a full

line of quality accessories to extend those

capabilities even further. No matter which Fluke

meter you choose, you can count on precise. reliable, consistent performance year in and

year out. Ilus, strong customer support and product warranties that measure up to any

look to Fluke

for the tools you need to get the job done right.

See your Fluke distributor, or call 1 -800 -87 -FLUKE

for a catalog and the name of the

distributor nearest you.

in the industry. Make the choce

that gives you the most choices.

Fluke 12Auto -tun**MummsI x

$89.95

FLUKE 12 FLUKE 77 FLUKE 83The Fluke meters listed above feature DC AC voltage resistanceaudible continuity and diode test

Capacitance Auto Touch Hold Auto Touch Hold andmeasurements Serer ye modes

V Chek'. (auto tunctam Current measurements

Min Ma. Record vntn Analog Digital displayRelative Time Stamp

Two year warranty Three-year warranty

Continuity Capture'. Yellow holster wth Fre.Stand'.

Basic accuracy 0 9% Basic accuracy 0 3%

Current measurements

Analog Digital displa,

Three-year warranty

Yellow holster rnth FlexStand'.

Input Alen'"

Capacitancemeasurements

Frequency and DutyCycle

Min Mao Avg Recording

Basic Accuracy 0 3%

John Fluke Mfg Co Inc

P 0 Box 9090. Everett. WA 98206For more information call

(416) 890-7600 from Canada

(206) 356-5500 from other countries

Copyright 1992 John Fluke Mfg Co Inc All rights reserved

Prices subject to change Suggested U S list priceAd No 00276

FLUKE.Circle (101) on Reply Card

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