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New to me FRG-7 - questions - antenna connectors on rear panel

 

I picked up an FRG-7 last week for a very attractive price - and have done a bit of research on it already - but there's a nagging question that I have that I've been unable to find an answer to anywhere so far.
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My receiver does not have the shortwave/BC band/Mute connector on the rear panel - all it has in that spot is what appears to be a factory-installed "blank panel". The only antenna connector on the rear panel is the
SO-239 coaxial. This receiver appears to be a later production run unit as it does have the "fine-tuning" knob on the front panel. In additional the power cord on the rear panel is "detachable" - not hard wired like all the other ones that I've seen previously...
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Thanks in advance!
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Daniel/K4DB
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There probably lots of little changes over the production history.? The "Frog" that I have has the connectors you mention, fixed cord, plus a fine tuning knob.? If you need the other connectors I imagine you could find a schematic for an earlier model and figure out where to add them.? I know that I use them...
--
Justin B.
KI5GKD
 

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Just a shame there is in 2025 very little to listen to
The Golden era is over now and the FRG 7 lays silent…
73

On 8 Apr 2025, at 16:09, Justin Bowser - KI5GKD <justin.bowser@...> wrote:

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There probably lots of little changes over the production history.? The "Frog" that I have has the connectors you mention, fixed cord, plus a fine tuning knob.? If you need the other connectors I imagine you could find a schematic for an earlier model and figure out where to add them.? I know that I use them...
--
Justin B.
KI5GKD
 

The rearrangement of the antenna connectors sounds like a sensible afterthought; I;m not so sure about removing the fine tune control, as this is essential for accurate tuning to SSB transmissions. This makes it sound as if the FRG-7 was now regarded as a broadcast receiver rather than a 'Ham' model.
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I have previously warned about being too strongly influenced by Mark's cynical advice to owners that there's no point owning one unless you just want it for decoration on a shelf! The biggest decline in transmitter populations has been in Europe, but that makes room for the smaller broadcasters who have taken over from state media. As a small example, Australia is now back on SW, due to HCJB / Reach Beyond acquiring the redundant state transmitter sites.
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Good listening - Julian
 

I totally agree. The lack of powerful SW? stations though has its upside, especially with the Wadley loop receiver designs that have severe shortcomings with dynamic range and internal noise issues. Many weaker stations could not previously be heard especially with adjacent power house transmitters.? Almost all European countries have low power SW transmitters to serve internal communications, either domestic or utility. The FRG7 actually receives a swath of frequencies in a one meg bandwidth, or window. The wanted station is selected from this mess of frequencies by what in effect is a seperate radio receiver, ie, the tuneable IF. The minimalistic first mixer must cope with all that? mishmash of signals and atmospheric noise coming in through that wide open window.
With the big transmitters gone, patient and careful tuning can receive many many of these low power internal broadcast stations, of which there are literally thousands serving isolated parts of the world.
With? three signal mixing stages, the FRG7 will never be a quiet receiver, an optimised aerial will help enormously here.
If the wanted signal can be made strong enough, the internal self generated noise can be overridden to a great extent.? I have had very good results using a small MLA 30 amplified loop to reduce local noise, but any additional gain should be reduced to a minimum. With any amplified aerial , reduce the gain on atmospheric noise to what it is without the amplified aerial attachment. This will increase dynamic range and further reduce noise in the radio.? Additional? amplifier gain will NOT increase performance, its only? the local noise cancelling that is needed.
Sadly, modern houses are full of RFI from all those SMP supplies that nowadays are in everything. Not much can be done other than switching off the main offenders. RFI used to be policed well, but now, noone is bothered, especially the manufacturer who can save a penny or two by leaving any noise suppression out.
There are many ways to improve the performance of the FRG7, but its an interesting challenge to go with what you got. There are very few stations that my Icom R8600 can receive that the old Yaesu cant, and I know which radio is more fun to use.
 

Julian and Pentagrid -
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Many thanks for the responses! I was just curious if I had a "unicorn" FRG-7 due to it missing the other antenna/mute connector on the rear panel.
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I too, remember the "golden era" of SWL as my late father bought me a RS DX-160 swl receiver around 1979 or so.. enjoyed listening to the big stations back then and getting their QSLs after submitting my reception reports via post. As a 15-year-old, nothing sparked more excitement than finding a SWL QSL card in my mailbox. It was only a matter of months before I was hooked on radio in general and went the ham radio route. The DX-160 was sold eventually to purchase another piece of ham gear. Took a hiatus of approximately 23 years from the hobby - getting back in early '23. I always had a soft spot for the DX-160... but fell in love with the FRG-7 once I saw it for the first time online. I purchased a Tecsun PL330 last year and use it occasionally with a 25' wire - usually indoors. Paid $40 USD for this FRG-7 on Facebook Marketplace from a former ham in the next county over - so, I had nothing to lose at that price.
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Thanks again & 73!
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Daniel/K4DB
 

It is indeed a lovely radio, but just sad to listen to Chinese propaganda all day long as there is nothing to hear any longer

73




On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 12:09 pm, Pentagrid via groups.io <dayleedwards@...> wrote:

I totally agree. The lack of powerful SW? stations though has its upside, especially with the Wadley loop receiver designs that have severe shortcomings with dynamic range and internal noise issues. Many weaker stations could not previously be heard especially with adjacent power house transmitters.? Almost all European countries have low power SW transmitters to serve internal communications, either domestic or utility. The FRG7 actually receives a swath of frequencies in a one meg bandwidth, or window. The wanted station is selected from this mess of frequencies by what in effect is a seperate radio receiver, ie, the tuneable IF. The minimalistic first mixer must cope with all that? mishmash of signals and atmospheric noise coming in through that wide open window.
With the big transmitters gone, patient and careful tuning can receive many many of these low power internal broadcast stations, of which there are literally thousands serving isolated parts of the world.
With? three signal mixing stages, the FRG7 will never be a quiet receiver, an optimised aerial will help enormously here.
If the wanted signal can be made strong enough, the internal self generated noise can be overridden to a great extent.? I have had very good results using a small MLA 30 amplified loop to reduce local noise, but any additional gain should be reduced to a minimum. With any amplified aerial , reduce the gain on atmospheric noise to what it is without the amplified aerial attachment. This will increase dynamic range and further reduce noise in the radio.? Additional? amplifier gain will NOT increase performance, its only? the local noise cancelling that is needed.
Sadly, modern houses are full of RFI from all those SMP supplies that nowadays are in everything. Not much can be done other than switching off the main offenders. RFI used to be policed well, but now, noone is bothered, especially the manufacturer who can save a penny or two by leaving any noise suppression out.
There are many ways to improve the performance of the FRG7, but its an interesting challenge to go with what you got. There are very few stations that my Icom R8600 can receive that the old Yaesu cant, and I know which radio is more fun to use.
 

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You have the alternative of all those new low-power European stations. Not exotic but at least a challenge. What is happening in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and now also in Finland is encouraging.

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73, Alex

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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Mark Feltham via groups.io
Sent: woensdag 9 april 2025 13:12
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Yaesu-FRG-7] New to me FRG-7 - questions - antenna connectors on rear panel

?

It is indeed a lovely radio, but just sad to listen to Chinese propaganda all day long as there is nothing to hear any longer

?

73

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On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 12:09 pm, Pentagrid via groups.io <dayleedwards@...> wrote:

I totally agree. The lack of powerful SW? stations though has its upside, especially with the Wadley loop receiver designs that have severe shortcomings with dynamic range and internal noise issues. Many weaker stations could not previously be heard especially with adjacent power house transmitters.? Almost all European countries have low power SW transmitters to serve internal communications, either domestic or utility. The FRG7 actually receives a swath of frequencies in a one meg bandwidth, or window. The wanted station is selected from this mess of frequencies by what in effect is a seperate radio receiver, ie, the tuneable IF. The minimalistic first mixer must cope with all that? mishmash of signals and atmospheric noise coming in through that wide open window.

With the big transmitters gone, patient and careful tuning can receive many many of these low power internal broadcast stations, of which there are literally thousands serving isolated parts of the world.

With? three signal mixing stages, the FRG7 will never be a quiet receiver, an optimised aerial will help enormously here.

If the wanted signal can be made strong enough, the internal self generated noise can be overridden to a great extent.? I have had very good results using a small MLA 30 amplified loop to reduce local noise, but any additional gain should be reduced to a minimum. With any amplified aerial , reduce the gain on atmospheric noise to what it is without the amplified aerial attachment. This will increase dynamic range and further reduce noise in the radio.? Additional? amplifier gain will NOT increase performance, its only? the local noise cancelling that is needed.

Sadly, modern houses are full of RFI from all those SMP supplies that nowadays are in everything. Not much can be done other than switching off the main offenders. RFI used to be policed well, but now, noone is bothered, especially the manufacturer who can save a penny or two by leaving any noise suppression out.

There are many ways to improve the performance of the FRG7, but its an interesting challenge to go with what you got. There are very few stations that my Icom R8600 can receive that the old Yaesu cant, and I know which radio is more fun to use.
 

Alex, interesting about the new low power European stations. I know Netherlands are permitting MW QRP broadcast. What bands do you think are worth a listen to?
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73 David
 

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Most stations are around 6 MHz but WMR from Denmark also broadcasts on 15700 and on 25700 (weekends), while Delta from the Netherlands has had long-distance successes on 12030 and 9800.

At this very moment Casanova (NL) is on 6020 and RealMix (FIN) on 6195.

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73, Alex

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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of David M0EZP via groups.io
Sent: vrijdag 11 april 2025 10:05
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Yaesu-FRG-7] New to me FRG-7 - questions - antenna connectors on rear panel

?

Alex, interesting about the new low power European stations. I know Netherlands are permitting MW QRP broadcast. What bands do you think are worth a listen to?

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73 David
 

Also check 75m and the 60m 'tropical' band in the evening, where you will also hear genuine 'dx' from China domestic stations.
The extended MW band from 1.6 – 1.8MHz is always full of low power Dutch and Greek pirates.
Gd dx - Julian
 

Thanks Alex, I'll give those a go.
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73 David
 

On Sat, Apr 12, 2025 at 12:38 AM, Alex Kout wrote:
Most stations are around 6 MHz but WMR from Denmark also broadcasts on 15700 and on 25700 (weekends), while Delta from the Netherlands has had long-distance successes on 12030 and 9800.
Make that 25800 ;)
Don't put too much expectations in hearing WMR, they are running about 250W and I've never heard them in the UK
?- Julian
 

Update to my last: I'm now hearing World Music Radio on 5930, a reasonable signal in the UK which you can verify by listening online:

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