#168

Radio can't read the memory

[@TheRadioShop]

Makes you wonder just what someone was trying to do. Good job on locating the problem and fixing it Peter. I enjoyed watching and thanks for sharing. 73

[@TRXLab]

Yeah you never know Buddy...Thanks for stepping in my friend 73

[@karolymate5257]

Great video. I succeeded to repair my 897, with the same symptoms as in your video. I replaced the EEPROM, but without any change. I remade the soldering at the processors pins and now it's working perfectly again (pin no. 21 and 23). Thank you sharing your experience. 73

[@DarranJHankey66]

Amazing job, your work is so spot on, and I wish all lecturers had patient people as thorough as you, first class buddy

[@jayohmega5150]

My guess is they were trying to do the extended tx mod and confused that resistor for a jumper on the opposite side of the processor that gets removed for the mod. Your videos are the best, Peter, I have learned so much from you, and appreciate the time you spend and the detail you go into I would love to see a video detailing the functions, setup, and connections of the R&S communications test set.

[@TRXLab]

TX mod that is the answer haha...Thanks for your feed back very much appreciated . 73

[@kckoellein]

Ugh! That’s quite the “Oops”.

[@HB3YIW]

Just amazing how you fix all these rigs! Wish I have such a huge know how! Respect!

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for feed-back Benjamin 73

[@berndb.5097]

I have already had such repair attempts on my desk. After asking the owner, I got told by him that someone has already tried to repair. This repair specialist has soldered a wire to the supply positive pole and then tried to reactivate all the connections of the µC with the other end. "Devibrilator method" .... incredible thoughts go around in the head of some people ..... Well done Peter! 73 and a nice weekend

[@TRXLab]

Yeah that is very often the story you hear afterwards. Some times the owner even don't know about the mess the other person did to the radio.. Thanks for comment Bernd! 73

[@radiotek4023]

Thankyou for posting this I have a FT897 with an identical fault except the pads for data and clock have been ripped off the pcb and eeprom missing

[@zeproo]

I call this craftsmanship. Look at his re-flowing skills. Better than the original.

[@jjl6519]

Another great video, I always enjoy watching and learning.. Thanks

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Joe 73

[@W-733_KWX]

How lucky are the OM who live in your area, i am envious :) Thanks for sharing Peter this professional video. Wish all tech guys were like you ! 73, Chris

[@TRXLab]

Again thank you very much 73

[@OleF112]

What am mess! Flux-free solder attempt with a banggood 3USD iron... SMT is no plumber playground! You did a good job Peter, and still quite calm! As i dont like coffee, i had to drink some real strong black tea cups and some spheric music in the background to rework that thing... Respect!

[@TRXLab]

LOL yeah that is what it looks like Olaf haha. I like both coffee and black tea with milk :^) Thanks for stepping in 73

[@mikesradiorepair]

LOL, worst part of working on so many different makes and models of radios is we never have them on the bench long enough to learn how all the features and functions. Just turning on a radio and selecting a frequency and mode can be a challenge without the operating manual with some of the newer radios. Really have to wonder what the heck someone was doing to that poor chip. Looks like a miniature beaver was chewing on it. Luckily it just needed to be reflowed and a new resistor.

[@TRXLab]

Yeah that is true the most time we waste is to understand how to operate the radio LOL . Mini beaver is a good one haha..

[@smallenginedude71]

Truly talented work!!

[@rscelectrical7091]

Another great repair Peter, I just love clearing up after have a go heroes. Everyone thought that the advent of SMD technology would stop amateurs playing, sadly from what I see it seems to have had the opposite effect. Keep up the good work.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for feed-back

[@dennisbauer3315]

Thank you so much once again TRX Bench that was so enjoyable, and educational. Thank you.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for watching Dennis. 73

[@christopherkoehler8010]

Very nice! Well done job, like to watch your videos

[@MatthewCEBamber]

That was an amazing video! Amazing job! Subbed 🙏

[@OrbiterElectronics]

Wow indeed my friend, it seems whoever attempted the repair before you did not know that a hammer & chisel was not the correct tools for this job 😁 Another great repair here Peter. Cheers friend, John.

[@TRXLab]

LOL yeh looks like John. Thanks for stepping by my friend 73

[@Homer19521]

You are a riot, Peter. I always enjoy your videos. Definitely worth the price of admission. ;-)

[@TRXLab]

LOL like that one haha. Thanks for stepping in Bob 73

[@Homer19521]

As I told you before, publish your Paypal acct & you will get a lot of donations. I & others would be glad to throw a few euro your way to pay you back for all the good you do.

[@bundylovess]

What a mess nice job repairing that radio Peter awesome work big thumbs up mate

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Allan 73

[@Ralph-tHein]

Hallo Peter, vielen Dank einmal mehr, für Deine große Mühe und Deine Expertise !! Einmalmehr ein sehr gutes und aufschlußreiches Reperaturvideo von dir !!! Ich sehe diese Videos mit großem Interesse immer wieder gerne !! Hab eine schöne Zeit, bis Bald mal wieder vy 73 es 55 de Ralph DB 9 FQ C 31 KM

[@TRXLab]

Hallo Ralph, vielen Dank fürs vorbeischauen. Freut mich das dir das Video gefallen hat. Alles Gute bis bald 73

[@jamessawyer4625]

very nice fix. I have a radio that was fixed by a novice and was just like this one you fixed. good job showing it all to us.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for comment 73

[@Radiocruncher]

Nice fix Peter and well spotted as always. I have no idea why someone would mess there. Maybe they were trying to do a wide band mod and removed the wrong resistor. Great job

[@TRXLab]

Hi Graham, thanks for stepping by and thanks for watching. Yeah its a nightmare what some guys do to a radio....73

[@kennethtaber9621]

Excellent video. Very good methods and very concise. Thanks for sharing Peter, 73s

[@TRXLab]

thanks for watching

[@w.rustylane5650]

The "golden screwdriver" strikes yet again. Cheers & 73 from W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee

[@grantfullen9559]

As always nice repair Peter.

[@TRXLab]

Hi Grant good to see you and thanks for stepping in 73

[@tongordebeke1355]

Some people have no clou and mess around, I see that all the time. We need more old school professionals like You. PS I like your video's

[@TRXLab]

Fully agree Ton...Thanks for watching 73

[@mrkattm]

You zeroed in on that fault very quickly, one might even say that you had super human deducing abilities, I guess we need to get you a cape and a T-shirt with a big 'S' on it. As always great job and thanks for sharing.

[@TRXLab]

LOL thank you Michael but to much honour for me.....73

[@antoniomancini1794]

Great video and a good job. Thumbs up.

[@ot7e]

Another good one Peter! I can't wait for the next one, '73

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Mathieu 73

[@baghdadiabdellatif1581]

Great methodology. Thank you

[@dennispeake1877]

Good Morning Peter, Yes I did enjoy the presentation and your fantastic video on the radio. The parts are so small for that 47k resistor and you're good understand how to place the part in their correct orientation, all by reading the schematic. 73 de Dennis

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Dennis really glad that you like my video. All the best and 73

[@spacetimeengineering]

I did enjoyed the video Peter, keep it up the good work. 73s

[@TRXLab]

Thank you! 73

[@KEYSTONE223mobile]

Great Vid and hope all is well on that end.Thanks

[@TRXLab]

Thank you

[@NikiBretschneider]

You are a really lucky man. As far as I know that EEPROM holds not only the memories and user setup, but also a callibration data, which is why radio does not work (or look like deaf) when the EEPROM is failing in some way. If something destroys that chip (or for some reason this chip becomes a little bit sclerotic), you have to go through the whole factory alignment procedure when this chip is replaced. So you are really lucky you do not have to go through this long and terrible procedure. The missing resistor is pull-up resistor for one of the line between the MPU and memory. That pins are open-collector type, so they have to be pulled up by some resistor, that's why the MPU was not able to communicate with that EEPROM.

[@mw7gwr580]

What is the solution you used on the pins just before you used the iron for the reflow?

[@bienhelado204]

I like how you look at the block diagrams and do the troubleshooting in your head before you even open the radio.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for the feed back Jeff, very much appreciated! 73

[@jameskrivitsky9715]

Danke Peter, I enjoy learning from you and another site from Louis Rossman in the process of reading schematics to repair electronics. The process is very helpful for my future repairs on my bench. Sehr gutes. Grusse von Houston Texas. J K

[@TRXLab]

Ahh okay understand all the best for your studies....My best wishes over to Houston!

[@NCOP21]

My FT-897 all of a sudden has No Transmit. I've tried different mics, disconnected all external devices etc. No Red LED Transmit at All. Everything else works fine. Would this be the problem?

[@SteveWrightNZ]

Ok I have the same startup symptoms. I replaced the EEPROM, but no difference, I am tempted to replace it again. Did you have any suggestions? I would send the radio to you, but the freight will be high. Many thanks.

[@CT1JRZ]

Great job, Peter.

[@TRXLab]

Thank you 73

[@johnward7619]

HI there, thanks for the great video. Which flux were you using? I'm using liquid but that gel stuff looks great. Do you need to do a rinse after use? Keep up the great videos.

[@TRXLab]

The flux is Amtech NC559-V2

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

Great work,what ever some hacker does you always fix it,, thanks for video, hope to see you again. looks like your dressed warm cold in shop ? have a great day Peter

[@TRXLab]

Yeah cold winter time here at my spot...Thanks for stepping in Dennis have a nice Sunday 73

[@OctavMandru]

To be honest YT algorithm has led me to you fixing other "shops" repairs, and it's quite depressing, really. On the other hand that's how I managed to get my hands on a nice transceiver recently, so I should be grateful maybe :)

[@hancecrawford]

Peter another fine mess you have to sort out it looks obvious somebody didn't seem to know what they were doing some people should leave repair work to engineer like yourself another success peter :)

[@TRXLab]

LOL yeah sometimes it is a nightmare..Thanks for watching

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Good job Peter. It looked like a skitzing speed freak was scratching on the pins. He just needed to scratch them in the correct sequence...lol I wouldn't trust that EEPROM.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks Robert! The EEPROM is working fine for the moment in time if it makes any additional trouble it will be simply replaced..73

[@chenli1460]

Super Peter, well done

[@TRXLab]

Thank you 73

[@stargazer7644]

That resistor was the pull-up for the serial data line. Without it, everything is input/output as zeroes.

[@TRXLab]

So it is :^)

[@calarfe]

Great video, thanks !! :)

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Christian. 73

[@jocelynnavarro3485]

Well done guy

[@hamandwine]

For the newbies it might be interesting, why this missing resistor screwed the hole radio up? SDA and SCL are the two lines that connect the EEPROM to the CPU. This is a so called IIC or I²C bus it is multi-master capable. So multiple chips on that lines may talk to each other (one by one). To avoid shorts caused by one chip pulling a line high while another chip tries to pull the same line low, the line is pulled high by a resistor, while all chips are only allowed to pull the line to ground. If this resistor is now missing, the line is floating around and all chips listening are just reading mostly illegal levels. Btw. this is a common fault even in TV or audio equipment, that a broken resistor or a dead chip shorting one IIC bus line is causing a whole device to fail completely.

[@TRXLab]

You are going to be my co moderator from now on :^) Dann habe ich mehr Zeit zum Pause machen haha. Gute Ergänzung

[@hamandwine]

Yeha! Let's do it like they do it on the shopping channels... Look here Peter, see what I've got! That is so unbelievable, Paul!... ROFL

[@paublusamericanus292]

good job peter, the chip was nearly ruined. you saved it, from mishandling.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks Paublus 73

[@bblod4896]

At 06:20, why is there a little figure in the lower right display running? Jogging mode? Have a good Sunday.

[@MarkOBrienTeaches]

that's 'fast' mode, so you can tune through the band faster

[@JoseVGavila]

I find also some awful works made to poor transceivers on my daily work fixing them. Good job !!!

[@ojjenkins7110]

Another good one Peter. Like Buddy said below who knows what went on.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks OJ! 73

[@Joe_HamRadioGuy]

Ya I had a 857D and an 817 both had processor issues I stayed away from them since then wonder what someone was trying to do with that memory chip

[@TRXLab]

Hi Joe, well had not so many issues with uP's on Yaesu radios...but this one is odd...Thanks for watching 73

[@Beretta96Dan]

Maybe the "repair tech" just had a wood burning iron? Another nice repair for the Petermeister! Thanks for sharing...Dan w4mnc

[@TRXLab]

LOL that is a good one...must have been a wood iron.. Thanks for comment Dan 73

[@kd2eat]

I wonder whether the person who "repaired" that radio had originally put 2 pull-ups in there, but one had a couple of cold solder joints and just popped off? There might be an 0403 resistor floating around in that case somewhere. lol

[@TRXLab]

LOL yeah you never know...Thanks for watching Michael 73

[@paulcollins664]

Hi Peter ,looks like the golden screwdriver operators are still about, I suppose they are keeping you busy , another fine repair even by you though it was a shocking discovery. 73 Paul M0BSW

[@TRXLab]

Hi Paul yeah the golder screwdrivers are anywhere..and they keeping me busy. Thanks for comment 73

[@SteveWrightNZ]

I have the same mess on my FT897. Will be working on this shortly..

[@TRXLab]

good luck

[@apnewz]

I have this, my radio is facing start up problem, not getting start, relay sound is audible, screen light is illuminated slightly, please suggest, what I should do, VU3SQY, #Ascertain

[@TRXLab]

There are many different root causes possible so sorry a remote diagnosis is impossible 73

[@SoddingaboutSi]

Good fix Peter. I wonder who had been inside before?

[@TRXLab]

Good question Simon but it is odd...Thanks for stepping in Cheers

[@barrykery1175]

Great video. It was an education for me. How could somebody screw up a radio the way that guy did? KU3X

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for feed-back Berry 73

[@schraubnix1583]

fine job , thumbs up :-)

[@TRXLab]

Thank you 73

[@prestonshute7243]

Excellent video.. the worst thing you can fine inside a radio is human footprints. You need to tell the owner what you found. 73

[@TRXLab]

Yes that is true! Thanks for watching 73

[@JamesP6084]

Hope who ever did that repair has watched your video, that would be embarrassing hey, good vid Peter 73's

[@TRXLab]

Yes a bit scary lol. Thanks for watching James! 73

[@TheConstitutionalGuardian]

Looks like some through-hole solder bandits got into the radio and jacked some shit up!

[@georgestephens2593]

I'm think someone had the cover off and dropped something onto the board. That caused the damage and the resistor to come off. Then of course that person never found said damage (or made a botched attempt at a repair).

[@TRXLab]

LOL yeah may be :^)

[@drewsmith6066]

Great fix well dune ..

[@TRXLab]

Thanks Drew 73

[@stopnwonow5044]

Simple and successful repair (and inexpensive for that lucky owner). But I'm wondering, what have they tried to do on that EEPROM ???. Brute people.. xD When removing a faulty used transceiver housing covers you never know what kind of surprises and brutalities await you. xD

[@TRXLab]

Yeah that is a good question no idea what they have tried...Thanks for watching 73

[@alanbean305]

As usual I can't wait for the next one, coffee is already on. VP9IN...

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Alan! 73

[@JEFF-Elliott]

MTQMB is your quick memory bank which it should not be on unless you require it for quick memory use MT is when it has been moved from the quick memory bank on the via phone off but still holding approximately the same frequency do you need to press V/M and use the VFO and then see if all of these memories and the use of the radio functions personally I would give it a full reset and then play with this. Regards Jeff

[@georgetownsend3700]

great job, most in formetiv

[@TRXLab]

Thanks George 73

[@georgetownsend3700]

your welcome 73 de ve3get

[@herbertsusmann986]

Amazing that someone would remove that resistor and then give up on the repair! Every part is needed, cant leave one out and expect it to work

[@TRXLab]

Yeah you never know what going on with some folks...Thanks for watching Herbert 73

[@chippydick111]

very good video

[@TRXLab]

Thank you 73

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Peter, Wonder who had their fingers in there? WB3BJU

[@TRXLab]

Yeah I really wonder too...Thanks for watching 73

[@larrylacroixve3oei489]

Maybe the eprom was replaced and the person didn't do a very good solder job and then just gave up. Good video Peter...

[@TRXLab]

That could be an explanation... Thanks for watching Larry 73

[@1flatlander380]

Am I wrong? At 31:46 there seems to be a component missing.

[@TRXLab]

It looks like but you find it very often that some spots are not populated...

[@gvvq-pi5ml]

Brilliant Peter, someone make a hash of that hi

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Fred 73

[@nr3rful]

Makes me wonder why people that bring a radio to you try to hide information. Makes your job much harder than if they would just tell you exactly what happened and what someone tried to do.

[@veuzou]

WOW, I once saw a guy who added a ton of solder with a big slater's soldering iron and almost melted the processor on a brand new FT-1000 as he wanted to "make the solder go deeper inside the board to get the CB band on" (don't ask me why please! ^^).

[@TRXLab]

Never heard something like this before lol awesome :^) Thanks for comment 73

[@barrymayson2492]

Just like the cb guys using white paint to adjust the SWR ie SWR paint!!

[@Thomas-rl8kw]

my 857d does the same thing. I have to factory rest it after I have shut it off.

[@Gw0wvl]

There sure are some " Butchers " about Peter when it comes to repair work , That was awful soldering , People who mess up a nice radio like this because they are awfull solderers should be banned from owning a soldering iron 😁 , You were very lucky indeed in that it wasn't any worse , Very lucky indeed Peter 👍

[@vidasvv]

Nice job repairing someones elses BOTCHED attempt ! Love ur videos ! 73 N8AUM

[@charliem.9998]

bei meinem FT 897 macht das Display Probleme ... Ich habe drei bis vier vertikale Streifen im Display ... Leider ist das Display und auch das Panelunit als Ersatzteil nicht mehr erhältlich ... 73 de DL6RDE, Charlie

[@TRXLab]

ja das ist ein bekanntes Problem. Manchmal hilft es die Anschlüsse nachzulöten, jedoch ist das eine 50/50 Sache, denn wenn das schief geht ist das Gerät verloren...

[@charliem.9998]

@@TRXLab besten Dank für den Tipp ... das Panelunit ist in DL wieder als Ersatzteil erhältlich ... Preis knappe 185 Euro ... Ich versuche zunächst mal die Anschlüsse nachzulöten ... vielleicht habe ich ja Erfolg ... ansonsten bin ich jedem Deiner Videos dabei ... herzlichen Dank für Deine Arbeit !!! 73 de DL6RDE, Charlie

[@TRXLab]

sei vorsichtig das geht nicht mit einen normalen Lötkolben! Heißluft vordichtig dosiert das dir die Isolierung nicht schmilzt. Das ist eine Gratwanderung!

[@charliem.9998]

@@TRXLab oh je ... Heißluft habe ich leider keine... Ich hoffe, dass der Displayfehler bei den aktuell erhältlichen Panelunits nicht mehr auftritt. Der Wechsel des kompletten Panelunits wäre vermutlich am Besten ... herzliche 73 de DL6RDE, Charlie

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

WTF where they trying to dig under the chip for gold?

[@TRXLab]

LOL that's what it is Matt. Thanks for comment 73

[@danishnative9555]

Yet again Peter, Bob's your Uncle.

[@TRXLab]

lol

[@JxH]

I wonder if these messed-up radios get 'laundered' (sold-on and bought) before they're sent in for repair. Based on what Peter is saying, it seems that his customers generally have no idea what's going on inside their radio (i.e. as if they didn't do it). Otherwise wouldn't they confess their sins to help get their valuable radio fixed more efficiently? I hesitate to assume that Peter's customers are not being honest with him, so cases like this must be from the used equipment marketplace. Maybe. Sometimes. Perhaps. Speculation.

[@stargazer7644]

You should charge double any time there is evidence someone else was in there before you.

[@TheDefpom]

So many butchers out there, so many issues caused by people doing very odd things!

[@TRXLab]

Yes fully agreed! Thanks for comment 73

[@MM0IMC]

Perhaps someone thought they were doing a wideband modification, but in the wrong place! What a mess!

[@TRXLab]

LOL looks a little bit like that....Thanks for watching 73

[@wakkowarner7391]

I'm pretty sure everybody is thinking the same as me. What the hell?! There seems to be no reason for someone to be messing around with the eeprom. A simple fix in the end at least.

[@TRXLab]

Fully agreed we never know...Thanks for watching 73

[@montygore]

Good video. I dont like the 857 or 897. Pain in the butt.

[@jocelynnavarro3485]

And voltage is displayed like 0.0V

[@lyfandeth]

Of course no one admits to doing this butchery, so it must have been done by irate faeries, not the owner. I'll believe that.

[@TRXLab]

LOL yeah that is the good way !

[@Mentorcase]

I enjoyed it,---------------------------------------------------a bit.

[@TRXLab]

Thats okay if it is only----------------------a bitt LOL Thanks for stepping by 73

[@Mentorcase]

Looks like the person who last worked on it tried to solder in the cmos and just bumped the resistor and it stuck to the iron and was lost without even being noticed. Ask me how I know this can happen. :/

[@andypalm7061]

that was unbelievable. What a random act of foolishness to damage a working unit! No logic at ll to that. Did someone just need a resistor?? lol

[@TRXLab]

LOL that might be the explanation mixed up this pcb with a donor board :^) 73

[@THEDIMZ8899]

Looks like somebody try to fix an amateur radio in amateur way

[@TRXLab]

LOL yeah that is describing the situation....Thanks for comment 73