Back into the rig after the holidays. Most of the Christmas/New Year's break was spent researching spare parts, mods, finding needed supplies and tending to mechanical glitches.
First things first - a bout with the air compressor on my back porch to blow out the accumulated grunge. All of the plug-in boards and the tubes have been removed and stored a while ago - remember I was originally going to sell this project as a parts radio?
When I received the rig several years back it powered up correctly. So...looks like the transformer is in good shape. All the rest can be fixed. On to the mechanicals. I checked the various controls for proper operation and found that the PA Loading control wouldn't turn its associated capacitor. Close examination of the drive train revealed a cracked nylon gear on the loading capacitor shaft. (FWIW, many hybrids of the area used these; they're coupled to their tuning shafts by chains. Many of the all-nylon variety end up cracking due to age and stress.)
I knew of Greg, NR6C through the Tempo 2020 Group:
http://nr6c.com/TEMPO%20SPROCKETS.htm
He reproduces a set of gears for that rig and also offers them for Kenwood's hybrids. I contacted him, described the problem and offered to send the cracked gear as a model. (Luckily, I'd found a spare brass gear from a defunct '901 and had the '902 working again - but it's nice to have options...and to help other hams whose rigs have cracked parts.)
Greg made a set of these (old gear shown for comparison purposes) and they're inbound. Coincidentally, the FT-101Z series rigs use the same 15-tooth gear.
901Gears.jpg
They're 3D-printed onto a brass hub and are a stronger part than stock. I'll be writing up the installation instructions for him when they arrive, using my rig as a model.
I also needed a top cover. An ad on one of the classified sites brought a response. Though a number of factors conspired to delay its arrival, the cover finally arrived today. (Special thanks to Greg, KG6YV for answering the ad and providing the part.)
The only remaining cosmetic item is a front panel. The one on the rig is a bit rough but usable, and I'll continue to scour the 'Net for one while I rebuild the rig's electronics. If push comes to shove I can always try my hand at a little touch-up bodywork.