How does a RD fall out of tune, and how do they tune it up?

**pkquat** · 08-21-2007, 08:09 PM

Is it just normal drift that happens and is it as simple as a pot adjustment or do other components need to be replaced?

What accelerates it, and is it just random why some drift sooner and more than others?

**jimbonzzz** · 08-21-2007, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by pkquat

Is it just normal drift that happens and is it as simple as a pot adjustment or do other components need to be replaced?

What accelerates it, and is it just random why some drift sooner and more than others?

With today's high-end detectors, it is component failures that cause them to go "out of tune". There are almost NO manual adjustments (like pots) in today's high-end detectors.

**jerry540i** · 08-21-2007, 08:59 PM

I had a V1 go out of tune. It lost any ability to detect X and the lower half of the K spectrum. Mike the tech at Valentine said it was a transistor failure.

J/

**GTO_04** · 08-22-2007, 06:09 AM

It does usually seem to be a transistor failure. I just got mine back from being tuned up. It was getting weaker on X band and slightly weaker on Ka. After the tuneup, performance seems even better than before it fell out of tune.

GTO_04

**pkquat** · 08-22-2007, 07:18 PM

So it is more of a amplification / sensitivity issue than a change in the swept or comparison frequency? I think of tune as a specific frequency.

**MEM-TEK** · 08-22-2007, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by jimbonzzz

With today's high-end detectors, it is component failures that cause them to go "out of tune". There are almost NO manual adjustments (like pots) in today's high-end detectors.

Well said. Its also why I don't leave my RDs frying in the sunlight and heat when my car is parked.