Hello everyone, like some others here, the FT-301 line was an object of desire early in my ham life. I owned a FT-101E at the time (still do), but the FT-301(D) always was the best looking radio - black+gold trim - really (my Alma mater's colors). IMO, the 301 line is better than the Collins "Gold Dust twins" :). I was drawn to it because of its unique time in history, first 100% solid-state amateur transceiver, it had the modularity of the 101 line (unlike the FT-101Z - what was Yaesu thinking?), the availability of analog and digital readout models, modular power output models (S - series), all thru-hold devices and nice matching accessories. I <think> that this line also pre-dates RoHS (2002), so that's a plus as well, IMO.
The above is probably not news to anyone in this group :)
Over the years, I've collected a lot of the series, some working, some not. My goal is to put together the entire line - similar to what Fred_N8YX has done. I even have a FP-301D in reasonable condition, I too would like to get the CWID working, but I have some different ideas for how to do that. I have 301, 301D(x2), FP-301, FP-301D, LL301, FC-301, YO-301, the infamous relay box. I also have a FT-221 and FT-221R (both currently broken and sadly, neither have the Mutek frontend). Some spare parts that I've run across over the years. I have 1 AM filter + CW, SSB filters..
What I don't have is the base microphone for the rig, I have not been able to determine what was appropriate base mic at the time - was it a YD-844 or a UD-844 or some other model?
I also haven't been able to determine if the clock was available at that time.
It's a shame that they didn't make a matching 160-10 amp for this line, if they did, it would have been complete.
I guess the only real "problem" with these rigs (from what I've read) is that the output finals are very sensitive to high SWR and the protection doesn't work all that well, so blown finals can happen if not careful.? The display LEDs also overheat and die on the D model. As with most vintage gear, parts are an issue (TIL devices, output transistors and the usual stuff). So I have 1 rig that's likely going to be a donor rig, if needed (half of the display LEDs segments are gone).
Over the next couple of years, my plan is go through and get everything working, aligned and enjoy it. I do dable with DDS for my Drake stuff (SPR-4), so a DDS, general coverage receiver in an FT-301 box would be really cool. But the effort is low hours right now, due to still working for a living.
Kudos the guy changing the IF of the rig! That's going deep.
Keep 'em alive guys! At some point (maybe we're already there) most operators won't even understand the basic concepts of how these old rigs work or how the new (SDR) rigs work. (or how anything works.. ( - watch if you can, you'll laugh and shake your head at the same time)
Jim (NO2P)
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I have 4 good TIL 308¡¯s (right three segments) that I bought off eBay for sale if anyone needs some. Gene N4FZ?
Hello everyone, like some others here, the FT-301 line was an object of desire early in my ham life. I owned a FT-101E at the time (still do), but the FT-301(D) always was the best looking radio - black+gold trim - really (my Alma mater's colors). IMO, the 301 line is better than the Collins "Gold Dust twins" :). I was drawn to it because of its unique time in history, first 100% solid-state amateur transceiver, it had the modularity of the 101 line (unlike the FT-101Z - what was Yaesu thinking?), the availability of analog and digital readout models, modular power output models (S - series), all thru-hold devices and nice matching accessories. I <think> that this line also pre-dates RoHS (2002), so that's a plus as well, IMO. The above is probably not news to anyone in this group :) Over the years, I've collected a lot of the series, some working, some not. My goal is to put together the entire line - similar to what Fred_N8YX has done. I even have a FP-301D in reasonable condition, I too would like to get the CWID working, but I have some different ideas for how to do that. I have 301, 301D(x2), FP-301, FP-301D, LL301, FC-301, YO-301, the infamous relay box. I also have a FT-221 and FT-221R (both currently broken and sadly, neither have the Mutek frontend). Some spare parts that I've run across over the years. I have 1 AM filter + CW, SSB filters.. What I don't have is the base microphone for the rig, I have not been able to determine what was appropriate base mic at the time - was it a YD-844 or a UD-844 or some other model? I also haven't been able to determine if the clock was available at that time. It's a shame that they didn't make a matching 160-10 amp for this line, if they did, it would have been complete. I guess the only real "problem" with these rigs (from what I've read) is that the output finals are very sensitive to high SWR and the protection doesn't work all that well, so blown finals can happen if not careful.? The display LEDs also overheat and die on the D model. As with most vintage gear, parts are an issue (TIL devices, output transistors and the usual stuff). So I have 1 rig that's likely going to be a donor rig, if needed (half of the display LEDs segments are gone). Over the next couple of years, my plan is go through and get everything working, aligned and enjoy it. I do dable with DDS for my Drake stuff (SPR-4), so a DDS, general coverage receiver in an FT-301 box would be really cool. But the effort is low hours right now, due to still working for a living. Kudos the guy changing the IF of the rig! That's going deep. Keep 'em alive guys! At some point (maybe we're already there) most operators won't even understand the basic concepts of how these old rigs work or how the new (SDR) rigs work. (or how anything works.. ( - watch if you can, you'll laugh and shake your head at the same time) Jim (NO2P)
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Another thing that might be done with a "stock" (9MHZ IF) '301 is to redesign the Filter Unit entirely, adopting a Jones approach such as Ten-Tec and Elecraft have done. 9MHz crystals are common and can be pulled a bit with the right combination of capacitances in series or parallel with them.
You could use varactor/resistor networks which are controlled by mode switching signals or use a panel-mounted control as a VBT of sorts. A TX-signal override would automatically adjust settings for AM or SSB audio bandwidth when the rig goes into transmit.
Perhaps one can refit 9MHz Ten-Tec filters too.
Just thinking aloud here.
73 - Fred, N8YX
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Hi Folks¡.I am well on the way to getting my bargain 301 back on the air, but I come across a problem that I can¡¯t figure out.
I have got the SSB alignment pretty much done¡.10Watts out( it¡¯s a 301S) and good Rx sensitivity. However I am only getting abut 20mw out on CW!
I have read and reread the handbook bit I cannot see any way to adjust the cw output. To be honest I can¡¯t actually see how the CW is generated¡..no separate carrier Crystal or any way of unbalancing the balanced mixer or even an audio oscillator.
I am at a loss¡..any ideas greatfully received.
Best regards
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡.³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý.
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Try adjusting the Carrier Level. The speech Processor might also need to be ON. ?
Hi Folks¡.I am well on the way to getting my bargain 301 back on the air, but I come across a problem that I can¡¯t figure out.
I have got the SSB alignment pretty much done¡.10Watts out( it¡¯s a 301S) and good Rx sensitivity. However I am only getting abut 20mw out on CW!
I have read and reread the handbook bit I cannot see any way to adjust the cw output. To be honest I can¡¯t actually see how the CW is generated¡..no separate carrier Crystal or any way of unbalancing the balanced mixer or even an audio oscillator.
I am at a loss¡..any ideas greatfully received.
Best regards
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡.³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý.
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Thank you Gene and Carlos¡.My wife is out tomorrow so I shall have another go at the set.
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý.
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Hi Dave, The FT301 uses a separate 8999.3kHz crystal?for transmission, you?ll find it as X401 in the IF Unit (PB1436B):
Schematic: Page 16, figure 15 /?Description: Page 19
CW adjustment: THIS PROCEDURE IS MISSING!
TC401?CW frequency /?TC402?CW level
However, the alignment? procedure for CW TX adjustment (frequency and level) is similar to the AM mode, considering the due differences (power levels, no modulation, etc...):
AM Unit (PB1556), X2001 8999.3kHz
Schematic: Page 17, figure 17 /?Description: Page 19
AM adjustment: Page 34-35 ("MAINTENANCE & ALIGNMENT")
TC2001 (Item 1)? AM frequency /?VR2001 (Item 3)? AM level
?
I keep my FT-301D working perfectly as new, mine has the three original IF filters and the superb display replacement designed by?WA7ZVY, thanks Paul!
?
73 de PY1EGG - Carlos
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Dave
The CW oscilator is located at IF Unit (PB-1436B). See the Fig 15 on the ?instruction manual.
Emerson PP6EW
Hi Folks¡.I am well on the way to getting my bargain 301 back on the air, but I come across a problem that I can¡¯t figure out.
I have got the SSB alignment pretty much done¡.10Watts out( it¡¯s a 301S) and good Rx sensitivity. However I am only getting abut 20mw out on CW!
I have read and reread the handbook bit I cannot see any way to adjust the cw output. To be honest I can¡¯t actually see how the CW is generated¡..no separate carrier Crystal or any way of unbalancing the balanced mixer or even an audio oscillator.
I am at a loss¡..any ideas greatfully received.
Best regards
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡.³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý.
|
Well thanks to the help received on here, my bargan price 301S is compleatly aligned and is up and running. Now I shall have to think about a paint job for the case, but I have had 2 QSOs on it with compliments about the audio quality.
Thanks folks.
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡.³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý
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Congratulations Dave! They are fine rigs. Enjoy & 73 Gene N4FZ?
Well thanks to the help received on here, my bargan price 301S is compleatly aligned and is up and running. Now I shall have to think about a paint job for the case, but I have had 2 QSOs on it with compliments about the audio quality.
Thanks folks.
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡.³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý
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As Dave points out the CW OSC is on the IF board. Make sure DRIVE control is fully CW and measure pin 3 on the IF board in CW MODE.This enables CW from the MODE switch. If not there, MODE SW contacts might be at fault.
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Carlos (and others)
I¡¯ve got an FT-301 (analog dial) - the first new rig I owned as a ham (1978) - and it¡¯s been sick since I sent it for service in 2009 to a guy who¡¯s now SK. A few months back, I turned it on for the first time in probably 10 years. Receive seems good, but - as before - the transmit relay just chatters.
I¡¯m not without gear - I have my SK OM¡¯s TS940S, a KX3, and the FT-707 I had on my now-departed sailboat for 38 years.
But I¡¯d sure like to get the FT-301 working. I suspected a voltage issue but can¡¯t find any trouble-shooting indications of what might be the issue. Your answer on this thread suggests you¡¯re a FT-301 pro - do you have any ideas?
Mel - W3PYF?
On Mon, Oct 25, 2021 at 10:38 PM Carlos < py1egg@...> wrote: Hi Dave,
The FT301 uses a separate 8999.3kHz crystal?for transmission, you?ll find it as X401 in the IF Unit (PB1436B):
Schematic: Page 16, figure 15 /?Description: Page 19
CW adjustment: THIS PROCEDURE IS MISSING!
TC401?CW frequency /?TC402?CW level
However, the alignment? procedure for CW TX adjustment (frequency and level) is similar to the AM mode, considering the due differences (power levels, no modulation, etc...):
AM Unit (PB1556), X2001 8999.3kHz
Schematic: Page 17, figure 17 /?Description: Page 19
AM adjustment: Page 34-35 ("MAINTENANCE & ALIGNMENT")
TC2001 (Item 1)? AM frequency /?VR2001 (Item 3)? AM level
?
I keep my FT-301D working perfectly as new, mine has the three original IF filters and the superb display replacement designed by?WA7ZVY, thanks Paul!
?
73 de PY1EGG - Carlos
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Does the chattering happen when you just power up the rig, or is it when you press the push to talk.
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡.³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý.
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toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Oct 27, 2021, at 18:00, Dave smith <dave.goathland@...> wrote:
?Does the chattering happen when you just power up the rig, or is it when you press the push to talk.
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡.³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý.
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Ok Mel¡.it looks like the voltage applied to the relay to change it over night be dropping as the relay changes over¡.a poke about with your test meter might prove this ¡..then it may be a matter of looking for the reason for the voltage dropping.
perhaps a short or something ?drawing too much current in the TX . May need you to disconnect the Power rail at various points to isolate that which has failed or is drawing too much current.
long distance fault finding is not easy! Hope that has given you some ideas.
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý
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Possible VOX settings/circuit problems?
On 10/27/2021 9:00 PM, Mel Snyder
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
When I push to talk.
?Does the chattering happen when you just power
up the rig, or is it when you press the push to talk.
¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡.³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý.
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Good day
Im a new yaesu ft-301 user. I have a real head scratcher. My yaesu ft-301 works fine until you press the ptt key then its like it stays in tx mode and the sound output does not return to normal. If it does that you need to power down the radio and power it up agen. If anyone can give me a litil bit of inside why it does that it will be much appreciated.
73
ZS6LVJ
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Starting with the simple reasons first is the vox turned up a bit? Does it do it into a dummy load? Does it do it if the Power is turned right down. ¶Ù²¹±¹±ð¡³Ò4¶Ù´¡³Ý
Good day
Im a new yaesu ft-301 user. I have a real head scratcher. My yaesu ft-301 works fine until you press the ptt key then its like it stays in tx mode and the sound output does not return to normal. If it does that you need to power down the radio and power it up agen. If anyone can give me a litil bit of inside why it does that it will be much appreciated.
73
ZS6LVJ
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The vox is completly down. I tryd dummy load and an dipole antena it doesnt change unfortunatly. I can put the trive switch whaerever i want its still the same unfortunately
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Could be that the Tx/Rx relay is sticking in the transmit position. Removing power would reset it. The relay may need to be replaced. Or it possibly could be removed and the contacts burnished. ? Joel Weder, VE6EI 403-701-9727 ?
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Mel Snyder
Joel Weder, VE6EI