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Watts Current
Summer 2007

FLORIDA’S VOICE IN ELECTRONICS

"WATTS CURRENT" is the official newsletter of the
Florida Electronics Sales & Service Association, Inc.
and is published bi-monthly.
EMAIL:
fesa@fdn.com

We Support NESDA

Awarded Best State Publication 1993,1996 & 2000

Visit Vance Baldwin Electronics
www.vancebaldwin.com

F.E.S.A. Officers for 2006/2007
--------------
President
Pat Eubanks
5323-3 Firestone Rd.
email: fesa@fdn.com Jacksonville, FL 32210
Fax: (904) 772-9492 Phone: (904) 772-1420
--------------
1st Vice President Ethan A. Allen 10878 Carroll Rd.
email: allisonallen2@aol.com Bryceville, FL 32009
Fax: (904) 266-4597 Phone: (904) 355-0267
--------------
2nd Vice President Neil Mengel 4745 San Juan Ave.
email: mengel_n@popmail.firn.edu Jacksonville, FL 32205
Fax: (904) 388-3456 Phone: (904) 388-3456
--------------
Treasurer Billy F. Williams, EHF 1409 Glendale Rd. W.
email: billyw@fdn.com Jacksonville, FL 32216
Fax: (904) 772-9492 Phone: (904) 725-9789
--------------
Secretary Larry Scott, CET 507 S. Lake Parker Ave.
email: JazzL532@aol.com Lakeland, FL 33801
Fax: (863) 687-2323 Phone: (863) 688-3172
--------------
Immediate Ken Cisson CET 7247 Adele Ct.
Past President email: keltron1@aol.com Jacksonville, FL 32277
Fax: (904) 745-6545 Phone: (904)-744-4496
--------------
Watts Current John N. Eubanks, CET 5323-3 Firestone Rd.
Editor and Publisher email: fesa@fdn.com Jacksonville, FL 32210
Fax: (904) 772-9492 Phone: (904) 772-1420
--------------
Home Page Editor Bob Williams PO Box 17835
and FESA Web Master email: bobw@duckman.net Jacksonville, FL 32245

--- Note ---
FESA or Watts Current neither endorses any company, product or service - nor guarantees the validity of statements made in any advertisement - appearing in any advertisement or article included in this publication. Watts Current is published quarterly. All articles to be published in "Watts Current" must be received by John Eubanks, Editor, 5323-3 Firestone Rd., Jacksonville, Fl 32210 by the following dates: 2/15, 5/15, 8/15, and 11/15 in order to be printed in the next newsletter. Otherwise, they will be published in the following issue, as appropriate. Please send any inquires or comments to the Editor. Please excuse any grammar or punctuation errors you may find as this newsletter is entirely composed and published by association volunteers.

Visit PTS Electronics
www.ptscorp.com

President's Message

Members and Friends,

More often than any of us wish, we are receiving news of the loss of our friends and fellow FESA members. On May 11th our friend and Past FESA President, Ray Laws departed to be with our Lord. Although Ray had endured long term health issues, and undergone many medical procedures over the last 5 years, his overall health seemed to be improved lately. However no matter all outward appearances he suffered a massive heart attack while at home and was taken in the twinkling of an eye. Ray was an optimistic person who never spoke ill of anyone. I can’t recall anyone speaking ill of him either. So once again we will have to make do with the loss of one of our very best members. He will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to meet him while those who didn’t simply can never know what they missed. May the Lord be with his family and friends as cling to his many fond memories with the time we were fortunate enough to spend with him.

John and I regret that we were unable to attend the FESA-JAX Picnic on Saturday June 16th. We intended to be there and enjoy this annual event but John came down with a cold that turned into a severe bout with laryngitis. We did not want to spread this nor pass it on to our many friends so we stayed home and thought about the outstanding food along with all fellowship we missed.

It’s now time to get ready for the 2007 National Professional Service Convention (NPSC) which will be in Denver, CO beginning on July 24th. Our last time in Denver was when we drove thru to and again returning from Portland, OR in 1994. It was at night and we didn’t see much then. We should have the opportunity to see the area a little better this time. We were very fortunate to get a direct flight from Jacksonville at a very good price. The projected flight time is 3:40 minutes although the departure times are not what we would have desired, this is overshadowed by the low cost and short flight duration. Hope to see many of our friends soon. Will let you know how things turn out in our next issue.

Then we are preparing for our FESA/GESDA convention. More information can be found on page 16 for this annual event. Hope to see everyone there too!

Sincerely,
Pat Eubanks
President FESA

You don’t need a Ticket to ride The "Bad Part" Merry-Go-Round this Season!

It happens to everyone sooner or later. You order a part for a repair and when you get it….you don’t get it….you just think you did. That’s the part (pardon the pun) that hooks you…into spending or rather wasting a lot of time…just to get back to ordering the part you still need…which you thought you had received. Can’t understand this, then you’re one lucky servicing dude, a compulsive sales driven distributor or another one of today’s demanding customers…who don’t know…that they don’t know!

A non-servicing dealer brought a RCA projection TV Model D56W20 Chassis ITC222 with a low volume level whine in the audio to us for service. Upon initial evaluation we found a couple of electrolytic caps in the audio circuit that blew a zero on our ESR meter. After replacing both that pesky whine remained in the audio. We then concluded the most efficient service would be replacement of the main circuit board P/N264110…even though it is rather pricey and the unit isn’t under warranty.

After receiving the replacement main circuit board (264110) we promptly installed it and immediately checked the audio. No whine now at any level. Smitten with a "lets Git R Dunn" spirit we lit right into a more thorough unit check. Finding the convergence "a little off" we selected and initiated the automatic convergence function…which stopped after completing a partial cycle turning the entire screen all red…matching the color of my face at the time while inspiring a quote from WWE wrestler Ron Simmons, " Damn!"

Hear that Calliope Music? Off we go riding the wooden pony…while assuming our initial convergence parameters were too far off to allow the auto convergence to complete a cycle, we launched into a complete convergence procedure with a screen template….tick…tick…tick that ain’t 60 Minutes coming on…it’s all of our unknowing time headed down the dumper. After completing this lengthy procedure and initiating another attempt to run auto convergence we observed exactly the same results …compelling a rather enhanced version of the previous quote.

Speed up the music along with that pony and crank up some volume…must determine if our auto convergence problem is related to this OEM replacement main circuit board…so we quickly replace it with the original circuit board that has an audio problem…and do the auto convergence thing. Guess what? It does the same thing…a phrase that I thought I could never utter after being clobbered with it by customers for more than 40 years…at this point…tick…tick…tick… the auto convergence problem wouldn’t appear to be on our replacement board.

The auto convergence or magic focus or whatever the producer calls this feature… is an ingenious means to accomplish focus and convergence found on later model projection television sets. It is appreciated as much by servicers as it is by customers. It utilizes light sensors located around the outer perimeter of the unit’s screen. The same type sensors that VCR’s used to sense cassette loading and tape end sensing. Processing light from each of the red, green and blue CRTs sequentially and individually allows the same sensor to provide an input to a comparator/differentiator circuit/s for each of the colors. This specific model uses eight sensors placed about the screen at each corner and at the center of each side. Since this unit starts the auto convergence process at the (facing the set) upper left corner, moving clockwise across the top of the screen horizontally then down the right side to the center sensor where it was abruptly terminated reverting to the all red screen. We now assumed it to be a sensor problem because it occurred with both main boards…so we ordered all eight (P/N 248432) sensors.

Upon receipt we replaced them all. Reinstalled the OEM replacement board and performed another unit convergence…albeit less time consuming this time around…right into the auto convergence mode…to obtain the exact same results. Mutfac!!! I don’t know what this term means but it must be something very bad…far beyond my grasp…having seen it only once before…hanging on a door in the Istanbul International Airport…but it exemplifies our frustration.

Speed er up, Crank er up…round and round we go…speeding past where we want to go…right back to where we don’t want to be….tick…tick…tick…the only thing moving faster is our wasted time meter. What is going on? We reinstalled the main board with the audio problem and did a complete convergence just to make sure we know what we thought we knew. Then on to the auto-convergence feature and believe it or not…it completed the entire cycle …which means that (264110) OEM replacement board is defective.

Requested a return authorization and ordered another OEM 264110 main circuit board secure in the outcome upon receipt of a proper operating main circuit board. When the replacement arrived we promptly installed it and completed a convergence procedure and went for the auto convergence feature…only to see it fail to initialize or complete any portion of the procedure. It simply flickered a little then returned to the menu screen. Double dirty rotten Mutfac!!!

With that Calliope music running so fast now it neared a continuous scream and tossed me off my wooden pony only to land in the lap of the swan while trying desperately to hold on to sanity, I managed to get another return authorization and order another replacement main circuit board (264110).

While waiting upon the receipt of this part we received a flyback transformer (P/N 262341) previously ordered for a RCA Model 27R410T chassis ITC008FAM television set. Upon attempting to open the packing of this part we thought we had hit a parts bonanza because it became obvious there was more than one object in the box. It turned out to be numerous objects because the transformer core was broken into numerous pieces. When you’re hot…you’re hot!…tick…tick…tick…another return authorization and another replacement order…where will it all stop??

Then along came this RCA Model 32V432 Chassis M134C that continually cuts off and on by itself. Sounds like a chronic case of Windex disease. Opened it up, turned it on and quickly disconnected the keypad cable plug from the main circuit board before it cut off allowing the set to play continuously… confirming our initial suspicion. We then ordered a replacement keypad circuit assembly (P/N 270945). It arrived promptly and we installed it just as promptly, but you won’t believe what happened next. We didn’t either. However with this OEM replacement board installed, the set continuously changed channels in the up direction. Again unplugging the keypad connecting cable from the main circuit board plug allowed the set to play properly remaining on channel. What can I say? Hang onto that swan for dear life! We’re must stop this thing before someone suffers more than severe compounded frustrations. Rather than wasting the time to request another return authorization and playing the old pack, ship and wait game we became determined to solve this problem on the spot. Hoped this would be simple and removed the channel up TAC switch from the keypad board then connected the cable. Now the channels continued to change but in the opposite direction until…our cable was unplugged again. OK! Remove the channel down TAC switch too… and hooker up again only to watch them changing again. Whipped out my trusty meter to read the IR receiver’s required five volts but didn’t have any at our IR receiver on that keypad board. Unplugged the AC from the set to check for a short on the 5V side of our replacement board. Got a big surprise…it read zero ohms to ground. All right…lets see how far down the line this short is. Disconnected the cable again and read the 5V pin to ground…at the plug of the main board…which read the resistance you would expect it to read…back through our 5V power supply. Plugged the AC cord of the set in, to read the voltage at the same pin on our main board while the keypad plug is disconnected. It read 5VDC. What is going on? Is there a short on our new replacement board? Tick….tick…tick.

Well what do you think? After a closer look at P001A on the foil side of the new keypad circuit board (270945) our problem came to light…the interconnecting cable was installed backwards at P001A. Unsoldered the cable and installed it correctly then reinstalled both TAC switches and hooked up the interconnecting cable…. plugged AC into our unit and Walla…we have a lift off. This one is finally ready to go home. Not only was this a go, we also received a replacement flyback (262341) that arrived in one piece and installed it which allowed us to send another cling-on home. But the best could be yet to come with the arrival of our new OEM replacement’s replacement’s replacement for our Model D56W20 ITC222/projection main circuit board (P/N 264110).

Things are finally slowing down enough to take a shot at the brass ring. After installing our OEM replacement for the third time we converged the projection unit going directly into the auto-convergence mode and watched…till it complete the "whole thing." Zip-pah-dee-doo-dah…Zip-pah-dee-aye…got that ring. Stop the music…this ride is over. Pack up the show and get this Circus on the road and make sure…this part freak show hits the road with em. Consider yourselves warned! This parts-freak show is on the road again and may be headed for a visit with you. The only popcorn they’ll serve is that Styrofoam stuff in all those parts packages.

Article by Editor Watts Current

Visit Andrews Electronics
www.andrewselectronics.com

Car-Wars

As our modern Conestoga has evolved…so has each aspect of service required. Of course those unaffected amble along unknowing and unconcerned until their time of need. Then rather than waking up from a nightmare…you wake up to a nightmare. If all this makes no sense to you…well…your time of need is still in your future.

In the day of the Conestoga Wagon all knew propelling power required water, pasture, and rest on a daily basis. Some larger problems often encountered were routing through forests and crossing mountains and rivers with your only likely help to be your own abilities. Today although every other aspect has changed your only likely help when encountering problems…may still be…your own ability.

Let me see if I can focus these pieces into a better mental picture. Hit the road on a national holiday weekend in my trusty 20-year old pick up truck. Thought it would make a 175- mile trip with no problems. Wasn’t worried because we were members of this National Super Duper Auto Association. Everything working fine as the first hundred miles clicked on by in air-conditioned comfort. I could almost hear Ole Dinah singing; See the USA in your…sputter…sputter…as we coasted to a stop!!

Well let er coast…right up to that interstate call box…and so we did. As all of this was happening a Florida summer rainstorm broke loose holding me inside the vehicle as the cab temperature quickly increased. My trusty pick up had plenty of fuel with all the tires still fully inflated. There was no visible indication shown by any gage of a problem other than my engine quit running. While waiting for the rain to slack up to visually inspect the engine I fetched my National Super Duper Auto Association membership card from my wallet…to have ready…in my shirt pocket. The rain lightened and I got out and opened the hood just as a large 18-wheeler sped by spraying me with a deluge of standing road water. I couldn’t see any visual signs of my problem with all the water dripping off of the engine and myself although I did smell gasoline. Dodging the constant streams of flying water caused by passing traffic I got back into the truck and whipped out my cell phone to summon help from the National Super Duper Auto Association.

After suffering the scripted greeting from a heavily accented customer representative I was finally asked for my membership number that I promptly read from my now rather damp membership card believing help will soon be on the way. What a surprise! Although I gave our location and requested to be towed to the closest facility the customer representative’s response digressed into an explanation of all items not covered by my current membership. Their estimated response time was 2 hours. I terminated the call by promising to address all these issues in writing after I returned home. At present my problem remained …improper operation of my engine.

After a disappointing conversation with the National Super Duper Auto Association’s representative when requesting help, I thought it couldn’t hurt anything to see if I could start the engine.

Began pumping the accelerator…then fully depressing it as I tried to start er up...my engine roared to life. As I attempted to return to interstate speed the engine stalled and quit just as I was accelerating. After again coming to a stop, I tried the same method to restart the engine and just as before it restarted. This time I pulled it into gear remaining in the trouble lane as I barely accelerated…eventually to 35 MPH. It would not sustain a speed higher, however I was moving and knew there was a service station at the next exit, which was about ten miles ahead... where we eventually arrived.

When we went inside the facility I was surprised to learn that there was an on site wrecker available that honored National Super Duper Auto Association rates. Had that pick up loaded and we were ready to go within 20 minutes. It was also clear that my problem was a faulty fuel pump, which had suffered a ruptured diaphragm causing it to squirt as much fuel overboard from the weep hole as it sent to the carburetor. Now I needed to find someone to replace the fuel pump…so he dropped us off at a PUP Boys store… which offered parts and mechanical service on Saturday.

As I stood at the desk in the office waiting for help the clerk had her back to us and was engaged in a lengthy telephone conversation. After hanging up she eventually got around to asking, "May I help you?" I told her that I needed to have the fuel pump replaced on my 1986 pick up truck…and requested the cost. She promptly informed me that they would have to do a diagnostic check and that would be $67.50 to determine the problem. I reiterated my problem was obvious since fuel was squirting from the fuel pump. She assured me they were going to do a diagnostic check before anything else. I asked what the cost would be assuming that they too came to the conclusion that it needed a fuel pump? She didn’t know. I then asked when she could do this and was told, they couldn’t start until Monday morning. I thanked her and left.

I cranked up my old truck and limped along to the tune of horns with many universal digital hand signals. Finally I pulled into my Mothers driveway and enjoyed a bit of relief finding someone that didn’t think I was the biggest jerk of the day. She also suggested that we go down to the service station she used and ask them if they had a mechanic available? They did and he would be happy to install my fuel pump. We did and he did at a cost of $90.00 the same amount I had paid the wrecker…but my truck was fixed and I can enjoy the rest of our weekend visit knowing we should be good to go Monday.

Upon returning home I wrote the National Super Duper Auto Association stating my objections to the treatment I received with a request to cancel my membership. Shortly thereafter I received a letter from them with an apology plus a check for all expenses incurred with a full membership dues refund. Although I still receive letters outlining their benefits of membership I haven’t forgotten the rather rude disposition by that customer representative at a time when I felt a message of encouragement would have been received much better than emphasizing the shortcomings of my purchasing the regular membership.

Article by Editor

Union Electronic Distributors
www.ued.net

FESA and GESDA Team up for September 28/29, 2007 Convention

This year's convention will be held Friday, Sept.28 and Saturday, Sept 29 in Jekyll Island at the:

Oceanside Inn and Suites
711 North Beachview Drive
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Phone: 1.866.5JEKYLL (553-5955).

http://wwwbuccaneerbeachresort.com/oceanside_home.htm

Rooms have been blocked off from Sept 27-Sept 30. Cutoff Date is August 31 for these rates. You need to call the motel to insure you get this room rate.

1) Island Side Guestroom: Standard room on island side of hotel $77.00,
2) Oceanfront Guestroom: Standard room on ocean side of hotel $86.00,
3) Superior Guestroom: Oversized Oceanfront Guestroom w/ microwave and refrigerator $95.00,
4) Oceanfront Efficiency: Oversized oceanfront guestroom with stovetop and refrigerator $104.00,
5) Lanai Rooms: Oceanfront quest room with Jacuzzi $113.00.

Friday training 9:00-4:00
Samsung Friday AM
Philips Friday PM
Friday night 6:00-till hospitality room.

Saturday training 9:00-4:00
RCA Sat AM
Mitsubishi Sat PM
GESDA meeting 4:00-5:00
Hawaiian Luau Dinner Saturday night at 6:30

Sunday-Family island exploration/fun time.

Training is $5.00 for GESDA/FESA members $15.00 for non-members.

This hotel is currently undergoing a 1.3 million renovation that is scheduled to be completed by September 1st. We will have meeting rooms blocked off, and I am planning an Hawaiian Luau dinner with music on the outside patio for Saturday night. The cost of the Luau is $35, or the cost of the Luau and Convention $40 for member and $50 for non members. Please send this information out to all you FESA members and friends in Northeast Florida and don't hesitate to call me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Todd Lancaster
Content edited to fit page by Watts Editor.

Visit B&D Enterprises
www.bdent.com

PRESS RELEASE

Fort Worth, Texas N. E. S. D. A. – The National Electronics Service Dealers Association today announced the launching of a web-site specifically designed to collect information from the industry so as to identify those manufacturers who provide little or no parts and service information. Those who wish to report problems they’ve experienced obtaining parts and service information are urged to visit:

http://www.wnyelectronicsguild.com:80/partnla.php

where they can add their input to the data base in just a few short minutes.


The information gathered will be made public in order to focus attention on those brands where manufacturers policies have devalued consumers investment by rendering the products unrepairable.

Service data normally provides information used by servicers to assure that working products are also safe to use.

The premature disposal of these unsupported products is an unwelcome burden and unnecessary expense to consumers who are left with the problem of having yet another product containing hazardous wastes to haul to the local land fill.
This study is an outgrowth of the NESDA Parts Availability Committee chaired by Leo Cloutier, CSM, A+.
Mrlaleo@aol.com

Leo Edmond Cloutier, CSM, A+
NESDA Region 5 Director
NESDA Treasurer
President, Alignment Club of Los Angeles
P O Box 32648
Los Angeles, California 90032-0648
Ph# 323.791.6122 Fx# 323.223.2187
Mrlaleo@sbcglobal.net

Visit Herman Panson Electronics
www.hermanpanson.com

REQUEST FOR FESA MEMBERSHIP

DATE_________


NAME_________________________________

COMPANY NAME________________________

ADDRESS_______________________________

CITY/STATE_________________ZIP_________

PHONE NO.______________________________

NO.OF EMPLOYEES_____________

Dues Per Year: 1 Person Service Center= $25.00/ 2/3 Person Service Center=$30.00/ 4/6 Person Service Center=$35.00/ 7/9 Person Service Center=$40.00/ 10 & up =$45.00. This rate schedule is for independent membership and may be affected by a chapter or affiliate in your region.

Please include your dues with your completed application, this will constitute your agreement to abide by the Constitution and BY-Laws of FESA. Members will continue to receive Watts Current.

For a Non Member Watts Current Subscription Only. Include your check for $12.00, write Watts Current subscription on this form and return it to:

Billy F. Williams EHF
1409 Glendale Rd. W.
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Phone: (904) 725-9789

Visit NESDA
www.nesda.com

FESA SERVICE INVOICES

PRICE LIST - MEMBERS ONLY

INVOICES ARE CARBON FOUR PART WITH CLAIM AND HARD FILE COPY
ZONES 4 & 5

#1 (SMALL)
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
63.50 125.00 183.00 218.00 275.00

IMPRINT
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
26.50 48.00 69.00 85.00 102.00

Sub Total
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
90.00 173.00 252.00 303.00 377.00

S/C
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
7.50 12.50 15.00 20.00 22.50

TOTAL
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
102.50 190.50 272.00 328.00 404.50

UPS PREPAID FREIGHT COLLECT


Please note: The price increase announced previously is now in effect. We delayed the increase until the forms previously contracted have been depleted. All form requests from this time forward will be at the posted prices, freight collect. We no longer have a supply of the LARGE invoices. We are in the process of locating new a source for our large invoices.

Until we find a new source the FESA-Large invoices are NO Longer Available.


NEW ORDERS TAKE 3 TO 4 WEEKS --- INCLUDE IMPRINT INFO WITH CHECK REPEAT ORDERS TAKE 2 TO 3 WEEKS RUSH ORDERS WILL NOT BE PLACED UNTIL I RECEIVE YOUR CHECK! MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO F.E.S.A ALL SERVICE INVOICE ORDERS SHOULD BE MAILED WITH YOUR CHECK DIRECTLY TO THE FESA TREASURER:

Mr. Billy F. Williams EHF
1409 Glendale Rd. W.
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Phone & Fax: (904) 725-9789

NOTE: Small Invoices are 5:5/8"W X 9:1/8" H / You must be a Member of FESA to order forms from FESA.

NET WIT

Political Puns

1. In democracy its your vote that counts. In feudalism its your count that votes.

2. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

3. Ancient orators tended to Babylon.

4. Russia was slow to recover after WW2 because it kept Stalin around.

5. Some Spanish government employees are Seville servants.

6. If a town's people have low IQs is the population dense?

7. A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumor.

8. Politics only serve to make the future moron-certain.

9. Those who do not want to be counted have taken leave of their census.

10. The dictator was really upset about the neckwear he had received as a gift. What a tie rant.

11. Old politicians never die, they just get devoted.

12. Old presidents never die they just keep going through their cabinets.

Puns reprinted from www.punof the day.com

Visit Tritronics Incorporated
www.tritronicsinc.com

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