Finally got the old Collins VHF-251 to pass its full test cycle

Had this unit in the shop for a week, kept failing on the squelch test. On a hunch, I cleaned the relay contacts with a specific DeoxIT spray we had in the back. Ran the test again and it passed every single check first try. Didn't think that simple step would fix it. Anyone else have a go-to fix for those finicky Collins squelch boards?

2 comments

2 Comments

brooke_knight6d ago

Wait, is DeoxIT safe for relay contacts? I mean, I was always told that stuff leaves a film that can cause more problems later. Maybe it's just me but I've had way better luck just using a plain contact cleaner and then a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol to get rid of any leftover gunk. That spray seems to work for now, but I'd keep an eye on it.

the_patricia6d ago

Read a forum post a while back where someone swore DeoxIT made their old amp relays worse over time, like @brooke_knight is saying. The film thing is real, it can build up and actually trap dirt. I stick with the non-residue cleaners too, the kind that just evaporate clean. For a quick fix it might seem okay, but for something you want to last, skipping the DeoxIT is probably smarter.