At any rate, initial reports were that the audio on my rig was both low and muffled. Sure enough, a quick Internet search confirmed that my radio is one of the initial ones with a membrane over the mic that causes this issue.
Below is a write-up on how to disassemble the radio. Click on any image for a full-size version.
In retrospect I believe that I could have used a heated (red hot) paper clip to puncture the membrane; however at the time I was not certain how much clearance there was behind the membrane.
Before you start, you'll need a jeweler's Phillips screwdriver, a small straight blade screwdriver, and also a small vice-grip pliers. Do not use a plain needle nose pliers or you'll simply scratch the nuts on the radio.
Remove the battery and set it aside.
Also remove the SD Card if one is installed, because if you don’t you WILL break it.
Remove the two small Phillips screws at the bottom rear of the chassis, in the battery compartment.
Remove the antenna by unscrewing it
Remove both knobs by wiggling them while pulling. They are on there really tight, and after I got each knob started I used a small screwdriver to gently pry the knobs up by placing it under the base. You will need to rotate the knobs while doing this. I suggest lining everything up on the bench in order, in order to minimize issues during reassembly.
There are two nuts on the top of the radio that you need to remove:
Adjust the vice grips so that you are able to clamp the nut under the volume control and unscrew it. Do not use the screwdriver over here or you'll simply mar the nut. This puppy is really tight!
Use the small straight blade screwdriver to loosen the nut under the antenna. This nut was relatively easy to move on my radio by inserting the blade in one side and then moving the nut via pressure.
Gently remove the chassis from the case. Pushing on the button in the middle of the panel on the front will get it started, and some careful help from the screwdriver will help too. Note the gasket on the sides (it's orange), and make certain that you don't damage it. Also note the gasket around the antenna. I lined all these parts up as a memory aid for reassembly.
Be careful as the chassis comes out -- there are a couple of very fragile wires attached to the speaker that you want to avoid breaking.
The membrane is held to the front panel with a round gasket. I removed the gasket and then did my best to remove the membrane. You may want to remove the gasket altogether, or possibly just puncture the membrane with a paper clip. There is no effective way that I found to entirely remove the membrane without destroying the gasket.
Put the gasket back in place and the reassemble everything in reverse order.
Audio reports were excellent after this exercise!
Mike
