[BC] DAX 5

[Tom Taylor]

Just went through a DAX 5 meltdown a few weeks ago.
Transmitter was dead. No front panel activity. 12 and 48 +/- were still up-volts correct and low ripple. 
So there's 5 circuit boards in the confounded contraption! Not even a schematic for the microprocessor board! What do ya do? Call Harris!
First thing we did was replace the supplies. I guess they have had so much problem with those dogs they ALWAYS start there.....even if they measure out OK. That wasted 2 days.
After the supplies were replaced we replaced the microprocessor board. !!!$2500.00!!!!! No biggy if your ClearChannel ....but this is a poor church owned station which passes the collection plate to keep the station going!
1. The transmitter is a fantastic performer. It sounds very sweet!
2. First major problem in 2 years.
3. Owners were told repairs would be expensive and to BUDGET for them. Transmitter malfunction, like the sunrise tomorrow, is inevitable.
4. Shotgunning boards is quick and dirty. No repair(or at least...not easy)for surface mount in the field.
5.To re-tube a 5 Kw AM you are looking at aprox $2500. After 2 years it would probably be time to re-tube.

Harris was in town doing some mods on the Dax a week later. I asked about the schematics for the microprocessor board.....they said there were so many revisions that they quit shipping them  with the book. They also said they are not really repairable in the field.....the semiconductors do not have Harris part numbers. They just shotgun the boards!
I would still like to get an idea of the board topology and function.....even if it makes my eyes glaze over!!

Tom "Dax not funny" Taylor