Radio Shack DX-398 / Sangean ATS-909 Mods Part 3 - Tuning Knob

The next part of this series covers the rotary tuning knob. The DX-398 has a good tuning knob, but it has an unwanted feature causing it to stop or "click" in small increments. It is hard to spin the dial freely while tuning for DX. This is due to the plastic notches or detents in the tning shaft that mate up with a half-circle in the metal retainer/spring assembly.

Arthur Hollingsworth  created a video on how to perform this mod - You can view it here https://youtu.be/53VKmO8mqTc?t=1172

Steps

• Locate 6 solder pads on the circuit board near the LCD display light
• Remove the solder from the 6 pad connections
  
• Remove the tuning control from the board
  
  
  
  
  
• Gently pry up the 4 metal tabs on the back of the tuning control with a small, flat bade screwdriver. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to remove any bends
  
• Gently separate the metal case and plastic control housing.
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• Remove the copper section from the 4 plastic retaining posts
  

  
  
• Using needle nose pliers, gently flatten the notch that sticks up on one side of the ring.
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• Reassemble the tuning knob in reverse order noting correct orientation (note the "detent" is now removed, but is shown here for reassembly reasons)
  
  
• After the control has been put back together gently flatten the 4 tabs back into place using the needle nose pliers
• Resolder the control into place on the PCB
• Check your work and power up the radio
• You should now be able to tune much easier now

73,
Jesse W9JES