FT 301 Pages... repairs, modifications, spare parts I sell and
general information.-- Some common problems and repair
scenerios are discussed based on emails I have received and my
own work on these rigs. I now have 4 Digital Models and 1 Analog
general information.-- Some common problems and repair
scenerios are discussed based on emails I have received and my
own work on these rigs. I now have 4 Digital Models and 1 Analog
NEW ARRIVAL..TA7089M
These older (obsolete)
ICs are voltage regulator
chips used in the FT301
(IF board) and the FP301
power supply.
MY cost to import these
10 chips came to $6.10
each.
I will sell a few here and
there for $10each and
they are small enough
and light enough to go in
letter mail (post) for
about $1.27 in Canada
and $1.60 or so USA.
I just send them out as
SAMPLES IN THE MAIL
CUSTOMS FINE. To send
overseas..email me and I
can get you a cost. NO
MARKUPS ON POSTAGE
OR SHIPPPING/HANDLES
CHARGES WITH MY
LITTLE BASEMENT SHOP!
These older (obsolete)
ICs are voltage regulator
chips used in the FT301
(IF board) and the FP301
power supply.
MY cost to import these
10 chips came to $6.10
each.
I will sell a few here and
there for $10each and
they are small enough
and light enough to go in
letter mail (post) for
about $1.27 in Canada
and $1.60 or so USA.
I just send them out as
SAMPLES IN THE MAIL
CUSTOMS FINE. To send
overseas..email me and I
can get you a cost. NO
MARKUPS ON POSTAGE
OR SHIPPPING/HANDLES
CHARGES WITH MY
LITTLE BASEMENT SHOP!
I do board level repairs to the FT301 and some other radios
that have removable boards. I do them by mail order. Several
people have approached me to do a mail order repair on the
entire radio. This is often not practical at all. I find it best...if
the person sends me some "highly suspect" circuit boards..I
can test them in my radio and I can do a board level repair
often for only $20 to $30 labour.
I don't have spare final output transistors for the FT301D or
any other of the typical 100 watt radios. IN FACT..I need
some myself!!
I do have plenty of the diodes and small signal transistors
and FETs and spare circuit boards for radios such as FT301.
+++ I sell spare parts at a very reasonable price. I have
worked in the spare parts business with government and in
my own hobby work since the late 70s. My familiarity and my
current stocks are for older solid state radio parts and parts
for linear power supplies. You can email me at ve3ab (at)
rac.ca and I can tell you if I have the part(s) you need and
cost. For small little orders of small parts like ICs,
transistors diodes, crystals ect..often..I can just put them in
a light padded envelope and send for only $2 or so postage.
that have removable boards. I do them by mail order. Several
people have approached me to do a mail order repair on the
entire radio. This is often not practical at all. I find it best...if
the person sends me some "highly suspect" circuit boards..I
can test them in my radio and I can do a board level repair
often for only $20 to $30 labour.
I don't have spare final output transistors for the FT301D or
any other of the typical 100 watt radios. IN FACT..I need
some myself!!
I do have plenty of the diodes and small signal transistors
and FETs and spare circuit boards for radios such as FT301.
+++ I sell spare parts at a very reasonable price. I have
worked in the spare parts business with government and in
my own hobby work since the late 70s. My familiarity and my
current stocks are for older solid state radio parts and parts
for linear power supplies. You can email me at ve3ab (at)
rac.ca and I can tell you if I have the part(s) you need and
cost. For small little orders of small parts like ICs,
transistors diodes, crystals ect..often..I can just put them in
a light padded envelope and send for only $2 or so postage.
Crystals seem to go bad and need replacing with these
old radios. I have sold a good number now from my
junker sets. Email me to see if I have what you need.
NOTE: I just went out and bought 10 -- 24.5 mhz
crystals. This will enable my FT301D to work on the 10
mhz WARC band. March 1986 ham radio magazine.
These crystals I bought are smaller size and have wire
leads but I have used some appropriate size pins and
have adapted them for use in the FT301. See the
picture below.
I am looking to buy crystals and spare parts. I sell to
other hams and radio people at very reasonable prices.
It is a hobby for me..keeps the old mind active in my
early retirement years..AND..IF I can gather up enough
parts and stock..I can start a small business perhaps.
This ham electronics magazine may also take off as a
small business.
old radios. I have sold a good number now from my
junker sets. Email me to see if I have what you need.
NOTE: I just went out and bought 10 -- 24.5 mhz
crystals. This will enable my FT301D to work on the 10
mhz WARC band. March 1986 ham radio magazine.
These crystals I bought are smaller size and have wire
leads but I have used some appropriate size pins and
have adapted them for use in the FT301. See the
picture below.
I am looking to buy crystals and spare parts. I sell to
other hams and radio people at very reasonable prices.
It is a hobby for me..keeps the old mind active in my
early retirement years..AND..IF I can gather up enough
parts and stock..I can start a small business perhaps.
This ham electronics magazine may also take off as a
small business.
This particular crystal I bought from Brian Carling AF4K (see his web site). I
paid close to $14 for the crystal. It is for the 10A band in the Ft301 that
covers 28 to 28.5. I had to buy a crystal because mine quit and I had no
more spares left. The crystal I bought from Brian Carling worked ok. I had to
solder on pins for the socket ..but it worked.
I bought some 24.5 mhz crystals from ebay for the 30 meter band mod..but
the frequency was a little off and I have decided to abandon the mod for 30
meters. ...I now have an FT757GX I bought second hand at a real good price
and find it has a slightly better receiver than the FT301 and better filters
ect. and the warc bands. I have been using my FT301 for dedicated slow
speed cw on the lower bands as a secondary rig now.
The pins are cut and soldered to the crystal wires. I used my (somewhat
rusty!!) file to file the sharp edges off the cut of the pins.
I then placed the crystal into the 10A socket beside the other heterodyne
oscillator crystals for the other bands. -- you can see that it seats lower
because it is a low profile crystal.
It seems to work fine. So ..I would recommend Brian Carling for your crystal
needs. You can write me as well..Earl Andrews VE3AB (my email address are
ve3ab at rac.ca or ve3ab@personainternet.com) and I can have a look see
in my crystal collection if I have the crystal you need. My prices are very
good and my postage rates are excellent compared to some sellers out
there..but my inventory is somewhat spotty. NONE the less..I have helped
several people out already with their spare parts and crystal needs.
paid close to $14 for the crystal. It is for the 10A band in the Ft301 that
covers 28 to 28.5. I had to buy a crystal because mine quit and I had no
more spares left. The crystal I bought from Brian Carling worked ok. I had to
solder on pins for the socket ..but it worked.
I bought some 24.5 mhz crystals from ebay for the 30 meter band mod..but
the frequency was a little off and I have decided to abandon the mod for 30
meters. ...I now have an FT757GX I bought second hand at a real good price
and find it has a slightly better receiver than the FT301 and better filters
ect. and the warc bands. I have been using my FT301 for dedicated slow
speed cw on the lower bands as a secondary rig now.
The pins are cut and soldered to the crystal wires. I used my (somewhat
rusty!!) file to file the sharp edges off the cut of the pins.
I then placed the crystal into the 10A socket beside the other heterodyne
oscillator crystals for the other bands. -- you can see that it seats lower
because it is a low profile crystal.
It seems to work fine. So ..I would recommend Brian Carling for your crystal
needs. You can write me as well..Earl Andrews VE3AB (my email address are
ve3ab at rac.ca or ve3ab@personainternet.com) and I can have a look see
in my crystal collection if I have the crystal you need. My prices are very
good and my postage rates are excellent compared to some sellers out
there..but my inventory is somewhat spotty. NONE the less..I have helped
several people out already with their spare parts and crystal needs.
I seem to remember I bought these pins at an elecronics store (Active Components in
Ottawa). I don't have a part number or information..but I am sure they can be bought on
the web or ebay. If you are stuck and need a couple of these pins..I can sell you a
couple for a quarter plus postage. NOT pay pal..unless you cover the pay pal fees!!! The
pay pal fees and postage would be more than the quarter!!!
I travel from Elliot Lake to Ottawa via the TransCanada Hiway..hwy 17 and we could meet
along the way or at the Smiths Falls Ham Radio flea market or Carp west of Ottawa flea
market and the Sudbury Ham radio flea market in the fall.
Ottawa). I don't have a part number or information..but I am sure they can be bought on
the web or ebay. If you are stuck and need a couple of these pins..I can sell you a
couple for a quarter plus postage. NOT pay pal..unless you cover the pay pal fees!!! The
pay pal fees and postage would be more than the quarter!!!
I travel from Elliot Lake to Ottawa via the TransCanada Hiway..hwy 17 and we could meet
along the way or at the Smiths Falls Ham Radio flea market or Carp west of Ottawa flea
market and the Sudbury Ham radio flea market in the fall.
FT301s (the digital display models) do have a common problem. These older Texas Instruments TIL306 and TIL307 chips go bad. The small light emmitting diodes
burn out with time. HEAT is the big enemy of the digital display. NOTE: the one on the left had some heat sinking copper tape on the display chips to sink the
heat away from the displays. I removed the tape. I modified the voltage going to the display..droppping it with a series silicon diode by about .6 volts. The mod is
discussed frequently on web pages. NOW.. I have done this on about 2 other rigs and no problems..but with this particular rig..it doesnt seem to like the lower
voltage. The left most digit acts up and displays a 2 from time to time when I am on 80 and 40 meters. So instead of 3755.5 khz it will read 23755.5 khz. A bit
annoying thats all.
The real permanent cure is to retrofit the FT301 with a new Liquid Crystal display from AADE almost all digital electronics. Their web page has excellent
instructions and will guide you through the process.
burn out with time. HEAT is the big enemy of the digital display. NOTE: the one on the left had some heat sinking copper tape on the display chips to sink the
heat away from the displays. I removed the tape. I modified the voltage going to the display..droppping it with a series silicon diode by about .6 volts. The mod is
discussed frequently on web pages. NOW.. I have done this on about 2 other rigs and no problems..but with this particular rig..it doesnt seem to like the lower
voltage. The left most digit acts up and displays a 2 from time to time when I am on 80 and 40 meters. So instead of 3755.5 khz it will read 23755.5 khz. A bit
annoying thats all.
The real permanent cure is to retrofit the FT301 with a new Liquid Crystal display from AADE almost all digital electronics. Their web page has excellent
instructions and will guide you through the process.
Here are some TIL 306s and TIL308s that I have tested. They mostly used pulls but there are a few new old surplus ones as well.
I am holding on to these (for now)...until I replace my own FT301D digital display with a modern frequency counter and digital display.
NOTE: currently..I am experimenting with the N3ZI dds vfo. It has its own digital display. I had in working with my ARgonaut 509 but the vfo and multiplication
scheme for the Argonaut means alot more filtering and switching so I have decided to restore the argonaut back to the PTO (I will be rebuilding it first) and I
am currently working on an FT301D that I am removing the conventional VFO from and fitting a DDS vfo/freq display and dds vfo amplifier into. If it works
out..I may go this route.--- It will be a long range project that I will tinker at from time to time. Im retired now and I often jump around trying different projects
just for the heck of it.
If you are stuck and need a TIL 306 or 308 I might be able to help you out with one or two. My price for a new old surplus one is $15 and a used one tested
and working is $10.00. Much less than the ebay vendors are selling these chips for. Their prices have reached almost $400 in some cases!!! Absolutly not
practical for hams!!
I am holding on to these (for now)...until I replace my own FT301D digital display with a modern frequency counter and digital display.
NOTE: currently..I am experimenting with the N3ZI dds vfo. It has its own digital display. I had in working with my ARgonaut 509 but the vfo and multiplication
scheme for the Argonaut means alot more filtering and switching so I have decided to restore the argonaut back to the PTO (I will be rebuilding it first) and I
am currently working on an FT301D that I am removing the conventional VFO from and fitting a DDS vfo/freq display and dds vfo amplifier into. If it works
out..I may go this route.--- It will be a long range project that I will tinker at from time to time. Im retired now and I often jump around trying different projects
just for the heck of it.
If you are stuck and need a TIL 306 or 308 I might be able to help you out with one or two. My price for a new old surplus one is $15 and a used one tested
and working is $10.00. Much less than the ebay vendors are selling these chips for. Their prices have reached almost $400 in some cases!!! Absolutly not
practical for hams!!
| Typical Repairs to the FT301s that I have done and problems I have come across (ie people email me and often I trace schematics and read manual pages to help them with their problems. I dont charge for this. I do charge if they send for parts from me or if they send me suspect circuit cards. My typical charge $30 labour and mostly..the problem has been bad solder joints so no charges for parts! |
Labour charge only $10 per hour when
people send me circuit boards to
troubleshoot. (The rig is too heavy to
send in the mail) -- the only way I might work on the entire
radio as a repair is if I pick it up and drop it off. I do travel
to Ottawa from time to time from Elliot Lake Ontario.
Since these are all plug in circuit
boards (and) I have spare
components for these
radios..trouble shooting is actually
rather fun and straightforward.
People have sent me several
boards where they suspect the
problem to be and I can narrow
down the problem in about an hour
or two.
Often..the fault has been poor solder joints but sometimes
component failure. One component failure was a bad 5.1 v
zener in the RF amplifier stage. (A COMMON FAULT with
these rigs. This zener was acting like a noise generator on
the HF bands, blanketing the receiver with a 20 db over 9
noise.
Another fault I fixed for a fellow in Newfoundland was a bad
solder joint on his 9 mhz crystal filter. He sent me three
boards in the mail and the problem was on one board.
Right now..the rig I use for this board swapping and trouble
shooting is the ANALOG DIAL FT301 I recently bought.
NOW that I have an extender card comming in soon..it will
make trouble shooting much easier. I can take
measurements with the extender board in place. I have a
good number of circuit boards with small problems to
troubleshoot this winter.
people send me circuit boards to
troubleshoot. (The rig is too heavy to
send in the mail) -- the only way I might work on the entire
radio as a repair is if I pick it up and drop it off. I do travel
to Ottawa from time to time from Elliot Lake Ontario.
Since these are all plug in circuit
boards (and) I have spare
components for these
radios..trouble shooting is actually
rather fun and straightforward.
People have sent me several
boards where they suspect the
problem to be and I can narrow
down the problem in about an hour
or two.
Often..the fault has been poor solder joints but sometimes
component failure. One component failure was a bad 5.1 v
zener in the RF amplifier stage. (A COMMON FAULT with
these rigs. This zener was acting like a noise generator on
the HF bands, blanketing the receiver with a 20 db over 9
noise.
Another fault I fixed for a fellow in Newfoundland was a bad
solder joint on his 9 mhz crystal filter. He sent me three
boards in the mail and the problem was on one board.
Right now..the rig I use for this board swapping and trouble
shooting is the ANALOG DIAL FT301 I recently bought.
NOW that I have an extender card comming in soon..it will
make trouble shooting much easier. I can take
measurements with the extender board in place. I have a
good number of circuit boards with small problems to
troubleshoot this winter.
PAGE 2 OF THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES MORE FAULTS and
has a few emails of thanks I received from other hams who I
have helped with this radio. Also are some tips about spare
parts including the black snaps that hold down the lid. A
substitute item is available. This is of interest for for FT221
users as well. CLICK HERE TO GO TO PAGE 2 FT301>>>
has a few emails of thanks I received from other hams who I
have helped with this radio. Also are some tips about spare
parts including the black snaps that hold down the lid. A
substitute item is available. This is of interest for for FT221
users as well. CLICK HERE TO GO TO PAGE 2 FT301>>>
ABOVE SCHEMATIC FROM THE MANUAL WITH A FEW OF MY NOTES.
THE 53 PAGE SHOP MANUAL IS WIDELY AVAILABLE ON LINE. THE FOX TANGO SITE
HAS IT. It is in the section of radios from the 80s.
ALSO YAHOO GROUPS: FT301 OR YAESU FT301 (there are 2 yahoo groups)..they
have a files section with links and pdfs ect.
THE 53 PAGE SHOP MANUAL IS WIDELY AVAILABLE ON LINE. THE FOX TANGO SITE
HAS IT. It is in the section of radios from the 80s.
ALSO YAHOO GROUPS: FT301 OR YAESU FT301 (there are 2 yahoo groups)..they
have a files section with links and pdfs ect.
Below: some of the solid state parts for this older rig from the late 70s and
very early 80s. I think this was one of the first ..if not the first..fully solid state
radios that Yaesu produced (of the 100 watt variety).
very early 80s. I think this was one of the first ..if not the first..fully solid state
radios that Yaesu produced (of the 100 watt variety).
Circuit Boards develop bad connections
due to mechanical stresses with time. The
boards expand and contract with
temperature and develop these bad
connections.
I was reading about this on the Ten Tec
repair site for vintage transceivers.
Ten Tec charges $60 per hour for bench
work.
I charge only $10 per hour..because I am
retired..I work at home and I have very
low overhead and I am trying to build up
some clients. I work in a casual way. I take
my time to do it right.
Another very time consuming job is
replacing wafer switches.
I can do this as well at $10 per hour.
I take photos and make careful sketches
and notes. With the FT301..I can use my
good working model that I use myself as a
bench mark.
I can swap boards and generally the
repair to boards only costs about $20 in
labour for a board. For a couple of boards
I can do it usually for $30. My prices are
most reasonable.
email me at ve3ab@rac.ca
due to mechanical stresses with time. The
boards expand and contract with
temperature and develop these bad
connections.
I was reading about this on the Ten Tec
repair site for vintage transceivers.
Ten Tec charges $60 per hour for bench
work.
I charge only $10 per hour..because I am
retired..I work at home and I have very
low overhead and I am trying to build up
some clients. I work in a casual way. I take
my time to do it right.
Another very time consuming job is
replacing wafer switches.
I can do this as well at $10 per hour.
I take photos and make careful sketches
and notes. With the FT301..I can use my
good working model that I use myself as a
bench mark.
I can swap boards and generally the
repair to boards only costs about $20 in
labour for a board. For a couple of boards
I can do it usually for $30. My prices are
most reasonable.
email me at ve3ab@rac.ca
| ADVERTISEMENT: This is author Earl VE3AB..I do repairs by MAIL ORDER on these rigs. The radio itself is too big to send in the mail and there can be complications at the border/usa..but circuit cards can be sent and I work on them at only $10/hr bench rate. FREE estimates and ADVICE before the repair. 73 Earl VE3AB |
| I have almost all spare parts except for the FINAL OUTPUT TRANSISTORS. I have extra spare boards and semiconductors. |
| Below: an article from Ham Radio Magazine concerning modifying the FT301 for 30 meters. I haven't gotten around to doing this. I went out and bought a second hand radio from an old chap here in town (Yaesu FT757GX) and it has all the WARC bands ..so I am now spoiled!!! *** hopefully..I wont have to try and repair the FT757GX as it is a good deal more complex than the FT301. ***** The FT757GX did develop a slight problem! It cut out on 10 meters from time to time and did not operate that band. I tapped the top lid of the rig with my hand and it came back to life on 10 meters. Has not konked out since!!! That was a few months ago now. |
| Crystals |
I am pretty well..SOLD OUT..of many of the
spare crystals. I want to keep some spares
for my own FT301s!!
I contacted ICM in USA but my contact
person could not give me a quote. I was
seeking a price quote on the heterodyne
oscillator crystals. I will be going to a few
more companies to see if they can quote me
a price for replacement crystals.
I think the crystals would also work on other
transceivers such as FT7, maybe FT77,
maybe even Ten Tec Argonaut 515 (not sure
about the Argonaut.
If all goes well and I can get a decent
price..I will order in some crystals from a
manufacturer this winter sometime 2012.
spare crystals. I want to keep some spares
for my own FT301s!!
I contacted ICM in USA but my contact
person could not give me a quote. I was
seeking a price quote on the heterodyne
oscillator crystals. I will be going to a few
more companies to see if they can quote me
a price for replacement crystals.
I think the crystals would also work on other
transceivers such as FT7, maybe FT77,
maybe even Ten Tec Argonaut 515 (not sure
about the Argonaut.
If all goes well and I can get a decent
price..I will order in some crystals from a
manufacturer this winter sometime 2012.
Thumbnail pictures ..click on
them to expand and hit esc
key or back button on browser
them to expand and hit esc
key or back button on browser
Hi Earl,
Yes to all your questions:
WA1ESO@juno.com is good for payment.
I am running low on the 18 position connectors to build the Tempo 2020 extender. (Sales have been very good.)
I am a small one man shop and have been putting out about four boards a week either in sets of four or individual boards needed.
Mentioning my offerings on your FT301 site would be very much appreciated.
FT-101 four board set $100 + $10 S+H
FT-901 three board set $75 + $10 S+H
SB-104/HW104 single board kit $45 + 10 S+H
SB-303 SB313 two board and one phone plug jumper kit $45 + $10 S+H
Tempo 2020 single board $25 + $10 S+H
Outside the USA I usually ask for an additional $5 to cover added shipping and to cover my time going to the PO.
I hope to have a set for the FT-990 someday but the design is very challenging.
Note: That I have also always offered all the above as loaners to anyone on a tight budget. All is refunded with return of the board except S+H and the board can be used for
a month. (No one has taken me up on this offer yet.)
TNX & 73
John WA1ESO
Yes to all your questions:
WA1ESO@juno.com is good for payment.
I am running low on the 18 position connectors to build the Tempo 2020 extender. (Sales have been very good.)
I am a small one man shop and have been putting out about four boards a week either in sets of four or individual boards needed.
Mentioning my offerings on your FT301 site would be very much appreciated.
FT-101 four board set $100 + $10 S+H
FT-901 three board set $75 + $10 S+H
SB-104/HW104 single board kit $45 + 10 S+H
SB-303 SB313 two board and one phone plug jumper kit $45 + $10 S+H
Tempo 2020 single board $25 + $10 S+H
Outside the USA I usually ask for an additional $5 to cover added shipping and to cover my time going to the PO.
I hope to have a set for the FT-990 someday but the design is very challenging.
Note: That I have also always offered all the above as loaners to anyone on a tight budget. All is refunded with return of the board except S+H and the board can be used for
a month. (No one has taken me up on this offer yet.)
TNX & 73
John WA1ESO
I found a fellow (who sells on ebay) ; and I wrote him to buy an extender board for my FT301 work.
HIs price was quite reasonable..so I told him I would write it up on my web site.
I will take some pics when the extender board comes in and I start using it. I have a good number
of FT301 circuit boards here that people have given me or I have taken from dysfunctional ft301s
and I will be fixing them this winter..pics and more articles will be written.
HIs price was quite reasonable..so I told him I would write it up on my web site.
I will take some pics when the extender board comes in and I start using it. I have a good number
of FT301 circuit boards here that people have given me or I have taken from dysfunctional ft301s
and I will be fixing them this winter..pics and more articles will be written.
My FT301 sits on the low end of 80 mtrs now
mostly and with the straight key..I can do
some relaxing cw.
The FT757GX is used on 20 through 10 mostly.
On 20 and 10 I have PAR end fed half waves.
On 80/40 I use my screwdriver style backyard
vertical antenna.
mostly and with the straight key..I can do
some relaxing cw.
The FT757GX is used on 20 through 10 mostly.
On 20 and 10 I have PAR end fed half waves.
On 80/40 I use my screwdriver style backyard
vertical antenna.
The next few pages are typical repairs that I have done..or have been in correspondence with other
hams about. I don't publish their names and callsigns..but Im sure any one reading this will be mostly
interested in the repair or the problem and if it relates to a problem they may be experiencing.
hams about. I don't publish their names and callsigns..but Im sure any one reading this will be mostly
interested in the repair or the problem and if it relates to a problem they may be experiencing.
I have a good many of the ICs that I have bought on line as spares. The FETs..I
have either good substitute devices or I can pull them from good boards.
I am always on the lookout for older solid state parts to keep in stock for people
and I sell at most reasonable prices.
have either good substitute devices or I can pull them from good boards.
I am always on the lookout for older solid state parts to keep in stock for people
and I sell at most reasonable prices.
73 from Earl
Andrews
ve3ab up in Elliot
Lake ON Canada
(north of
Michigan).
Andrews
ve3ab up in Elliot
Lake ON Canada
(north of
Michigan).
link to my home page VE3AB... www.hamelectronicsmagazine.com (a free on line ham radio
magazine) dedicated to the technical aspects of ham radio.
magazine) dedicated to the technical aspects of ham radio.