I'm pretty sure my set has dirty switches. I can pickup BC loud and clear. On SW I can pickup stations if I try the switches several times.
But it will not hold the stations. It seems to fade out until I mess with the switches.

What is the best method for cleaning the band switches on a H500?

Thanks!
Mark

Mark,
Typical radio switch cleaning entails application of some sort of cleaner to the actual switch contacts, and then working the switch back and forth multiple times. Expect to have to repeat the process, maybe a few times. Of course, there are perhaps a zillion different chemicals that are folks personal favorites, but "DeoxIt" by Caig is mine. Some generally available tuner cleaners might work. WD-40 always shows up as a recommendation, but at least as many people say "don't do it". Also, these are sprays and should be used with caution. The cleaners can ruin coils. I've also seen phenolic switch wafers soak the stuff up and cause shorts that can't be cured except by total switch replacement. After a disaster or two, I now rarely actually spray the stuff into tight quarters. I now soak a Q-tip and drip the stuff onto the mating switch contacts. Good luck.
Jim

Thanks Jim!
I guess it's time to pull the ole chassi and go to work.
I think I'll take your advise and try the Qtip method first.

Mark

:Thanks Jim!
:I guess it's time to pull the ole chassi and go to work.
:I think I'll take your advise and try the Qtip method first.
:
:Mark

Msrk, I think Jim should have put more emphasis on the Caig DeOxit! After I discovered Caig Cramolin R5 (now DeOxit D5 - almost the same stuff), I wouldn't ever use anything else. I think it really is the most effective cleaner, especially in terms of lasting a long time. Their advertising claims all the other cleaners use brute-force "superoxidants" to blast tarnish off, so that it just comes back again soon. Caig uses a more chemically sophisticated process and the cleaning lasts longer, and I tend to believe them.
Eddie

Thanks Eddie!

Time to pull the chassi and go to work.

Mark

Mark: I've redone some TO's and TO clones. DeOxit works very well, but as mentioned earlier, don't spray it all around. For Zenith TO push button type band switches you can first blow the dust out with canned air. Then try spraying the end of a pipe cleaner, and slide it into the contact areas of each band switch from the rear and work it back and forth. Q-tips aren't long enough and tend to get snagged on sharp things leaving fiber behind. Some bands may also not work well until a full alignment is done after recapping the radio.
Steve

Thanks Steve!

I give it a try.

Thanks!

Mark

:Thanks Steve!
:
:I give it a try.
:
:Thanks!
:
: Mark Be careful around the tuning coils and their wires as they are quite fragile and prone to breakage. Just FYI from my personal experience. -Walt.