TS-870 morse error message

[weaksigs]

 
TS870 error message "UL"

    Turned on the 870 when it was cold (for Florida) perhaps 62 degrees F and the rig started to send the two letters "UL" in Morse
    After several powered up minutes the rig works fine without the message appearing in Morse.

    My guess is that this error code may mean the PLL is Un Locked.
    If this is true does the service manual alignment procedure affecting the PLL section possibly fix this problem?

    Also, I have never changed out the back-up battery.
    Is there any connection between the possibility of a low voltage battery and this error code?

    Any suggestions and assistance would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks  

[textim]

I had a similar problem with my TS-60.  The "UL" code does indeed indicate PLL unlock.  The fix required the replacement of several trimmer caps that had gone bad.  I don't think a dead memory battery will cause this problem, but I'm not an expert.

I don't know if there's a Yahoo group for your particular radio, but I have found the groups for the TS-50/60 and the TS-440S to be very informative as far as helping to diagnose and fix problems with those rigs.

Hope this helps!

[cmradio]

Trimmer caps going bad?

What kind of cheap garbage are they?

Peace!

[weaksigs]

Yes, unfortunately many early receivers including yaesu, kenwood and icom included "cheap" trimmer caps.
One of the best older receivers around the Icom R71A (which I had one) had many problems with cheap caps.
These are the so called close plate kind (like plastic etc) which in some cases developed leakage across the (+) and (-) "plates".

One common R71A fix often meant several rotations of the caps associated with the PLL circuitry (to clear corrosion) and a PLL re-alignment. I did mine once and the fix was relatively easy. With the TS870 I'm yet to get into its inner sanctum. I have left it on to keep the temperature up and so far it continues to work in a normal manner. Also I was given advice that the connectors associated with the PLL circuit to develop corrosion and that also seems to be an occasional fix for the TS870. I'd hate for the 870 to go dead as it is a great receiver!!! A new PLL IC costs nearly 30 bucks and it requires surface mount technology and skill to replace.  GROOOAAANNNN!!!

Yep cheap caps!!      etc etc