#246

[@tomgallagher1865]

This video is clear, informative and insightful. I've owned an FRG-7 (FROG Seven) since 1978. On my sail boat it was useful for checking UTC for navigational sun shots with a sextant; it was useful for hearing weather reports. I learned a couple of things about the FROG Seven from this video I had overlooked in 42 years. Thanks W2AEW, de NY2RF.

[@leovogels]

this video was perfect the explanation for this radio was very understandable for anyone have the same radio and its nice to see some one with such knowlege

[@BillboardPenguin]

One of my favorite aspects of the FRG-7 is the fact that it only uses 15 electrolytic capacitors, none of which are stressed to any great degree. I've recapped several of these fine receivers. In nearly every case, the result was a radio that functioned like new. Kudos to Yaesu!

[@captlarry-3525]

i have never needed to recap any FRG-7

[@trishloughman5998]

When I was a teen and DXing, this was the Rolls Royce of receivers I could not afford to buy. Lovely to see it in use.

[@winstonchurchill6506]

Got one last year this vid helped.cheers from uk

[@vk3ye]

Thanks Alan. Your video reassured me about the quirky DX/Nor/Local switch and confirmed my FRG-7 wasn't faulty. For DX you want the switch to be in the middle position, not DX. The wrongly labelled DX position is more like a middle level of attenuation while Local is a lot of attenuation.

[@MichaelSmith-yy8fw]

What a great tuning video! I have an FRG 7 without the fine tuning knob just like yours. I had figured out a proper tuning scheme but I didn’t know I could use the Preselect dial to increase the signal on the S meter. I thought about trading up to the unit with the Fine tuning knob but now that I have seen this video I’m not sure it would worth any extra expense. My rig is in excellent condition and seems more sensitive than my newer Kenwood HF transceiver. Thanks again for the tuning tips. MikeinMinnesota N0WDM

[@chadvandam7179]

This is very interesting! I get it! What kind of KENWOOD do you have?

[@VE3FAL1Fred]

Awesome video. I just replaced the bulbs in mine last night for Mhz and Preselect , still have the main dial to do. I used one of these in High School and would sign it out on weekends, it was the Cadillac and Sherman Tank of SWR back in the day. The model I have has a fine tune button as well making it a bit easier for SSB. Thanks for the video....Fred VE3FAL

[@SDMarineConsulting]

The first new shortwave radio I purchased as a young teen in the late 70s, and I still have it, and the owner's manual! Lot of great DX QSL had with this radio. Nice instructional video, I learned a few things.

[@malcolmwoodcock395]

A really nice and useful little presentation. Thank you. I am lucky enough to own one of these and mine has a fine tune control fitted above the volume control. I have had it for many years and it has fallen out of use but your video has prompted me to dust it off and start using it once more. Again, many thanks and 73's!

[@DanielDeRudder]

A very useful video. Thank you. Apperently I have a slightly different version of the FRG-7 (with an extra FINE-tuning knob on the right of the big tuning knob).

[@blacksmock445]

I have a Lowe SRX30 Rx from the 1970s that tunes in exactly the same manner. Although supplied by Lowe's in the UK, it is of Far East manufacture. A virtually identical Rx with a different case design, was marketed by Drake in the US. The Drake circuit is almost identical to my receiver. In the '70s I worked for Racal in the UK and the Barlow-Wadley loop principle was used both in the RA17 Rx and in the digitally synthesised transceiver manpacks that were manufactured at our factory in East Devon, UK.

[@intotheblue50]

Your view of the FRG7 as you call it sir is for me the very best on You tube, thank you.

[@w2aew]

Thank you - it is a fun receiver!

[@karlomoharic3992]

Nice video and beautiful piece of equipment

[@roymg]

I use to own this receiver and it turned out to be the best treatment for tinnitus. Why? Because after many years of working with this receiver and listening to the static filled ham stations that you get with shortwave, now since I today have tinnitus, I'm able to tune out the noise and disregard it.

[@Cristianfcd]

I have the FRG-7000, the digital follow up of FRG-7. It's a fantastic receiver. Thanks for the video and 73!

[@sreekumarUSA]

Greetings from California. Sir, I'm most grateful for your educative and informative video " How to Operate / Tune YAESU FRG-7 Receiver" You have explained the procedure very well., for a layman to understand. the reception on your FRG-7 is fantastic, clear and no disturbance with the signals. How did you achieve this? I have the same Receiver and my signals are like I'm in the middle of an Indian cattle marker ! I'm pretty sure the main reason could be the PROPER Aerial and a PROPER Earth, definitely. Therefore, would you be so kind enough to talk about your system (Aerial & Earth) mainly? There could be many, who'd be highly interested to hear on this subject. Thank you and regards. Sree...

[@Ed7Insinger]

Excellent receiver even in this digital age. Great presentation!

[@n2awa]

Nice overview. Always liked the looks of these but never knew the details of operation. Thanks.

[@captlarry-3525]

good explanation of the FRG-7 You might want to set the Mhz dial to lock first, then peak noise with the Preselector next. As stated, as you move across the band, you must peak the pre-selector. Later versions have a fine tune knob ( aka clarifier) which helps tuning SSB AND cw. Note broadcast band has a separate antenna input connection. If no AM.. probably because you didnt supply an antenna to the BC jack on the back. w6wuh

[@TonyButchT]

I like the fact that you actually have to earn a station via all the dials! Will manufacturers ever use this method again? Very fine Radio and Great Video, Thank you!

[@w2aew]

Probably won't see any new receivers using this method simple because it is easy to achieve the same or better stability in other ways now.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for the tour of the FRG-7 Alan. That is really a clean rig.

[@StreuB1]

The old Yaesu are absolutely beautiful radios and so capable. Would love to have one of these and a 101EE or ZD Thanks for the video Alan!!! 73 de N0BPS

[@outsider2222]

I had one for years ,loved it.. only problems was I thought it needed a narrow filter option for congestion, plus the s-meter was pretty inaccurate. I believe you could buy a frg-7 from a third party supplier that added the filter option and adjusted the s-meter (gilfer associates?)

[@theretrogeek2281]

Very good video,any hints what type of antenna you setup with this I’m new and have one I wish to connect as my first radio until I get the ham license..

[@craignehring]

Very good tutorial, I'll be sure to refer to this once my frog is going again. Thanks for making this video.

[@tobiashommerich4581]

I just bought one and wait for it to arrive. This vid is right on the money and I understood the functionality of it way better than by studying the manual that is online. Thank you very much for the upload of this magnificent video. 73 from Germany.

[@george9893]

Nice Video, would you know where to get the red power switch cover?

[@215alessio]

So if you select the mhz meter from 7 to 8 you hear the 8 mhz band. The final selector gives you the kHz?

[@duanetrivett750]

Thanks for the info . I picked up a FRG 7 a week ago and this is very helpful. I noticed on my rig it has a "fine tune" nob and the one you were working on did not. Does that mean I have a newer radio? Thanks for the video.

[@w2aew]

Yes, yours is a later model.

[@EB5DQH]

Very nice video....I just bought one on eBay.... Thanks for the help!

[@organicelectrics]

I love the sounds it creates when you were tuning the receiver. Why does it create some of the higher frequency sounds as you adjust it (8:39)?

[@w2aew]

Very common when tuning in SSB and CW modes - it is the heterodyne between the BFO (beat frequency oscillator) and a received carrier.

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

I have one of these receivers with a Sear label. What antenna were you using? I use about a 500ft wire up 15ft.

[@w2aew]

The unit in this video belongs to a friend. The one that I own is like yours, the SEARS unit. The antenna I use is my 130' doublet that I also use on my HF rig.

[@jandejong6498]

What i find strange, is the fact that my FRG-7 has also a FINE TUNINGKNOB right besides the main tuning.There are absolute more models of this great receiver! Greetings from me in the Netherlands! However mine FRG-7 is also a YAESU MUSEN.

[@vk3ye]

Mine does too. I think we have later models that had it.

[@darrencady4261]

Nice radio. I have one in mint condition which still works perfectly. One thing I've noticed is that your receiver lacks a fine tune below the dial slide. It must be an early one. Nice receivers although could do with narrower filtering.

[@w2aew]

Yes, that was an early one. Belongs to a friend of mine. The one I have is the Sears version, and it does have the Fine Tune control.

[@kk6fvp595]

I am not surprised that the SW station you tuned in was Brother Stair. That guy seems to be of the more reliable things to pick up on SW. He is on multiple station so he is hard to miss. It's too bad that much of the SW content these days is religious. I was born in Dec of 79. I wish I had been into this stuff when I was kid. I could have caught Radio Moscow while it was still around. It would have been neat to pick up radio from the USSR.

[@w2aew]

I remember listening to Radio Moscow and many others when I was a kid - using my Realistic DX-160.

[@tonyperry6702]

Alan, If you have time, I have a quick question for you. I’m putzing with old tube radios. I have a Hitachi V-212 o-scope. It does not appear to working very well - it was free. Would you recommend a few oscilloscope makes and models that I can search for on eBay to pick up? Something with two channels is all I think I’d need. I heard that the Tektronix 465B is a nice unit. I don’t want to spend much more than $200 to $300 for a used unit. Or, should I consider something like a new Rigol DS1054Z. It’s a little pricey vs my budget but I might be able to make it work. Any help you can provide is appreciated. Thank you.

[@Manawyrm]

Yay :) Very interesting video! Thanks for fixing the framerate issue!

[@cdnpont]

I just bought an early FRG-7 just like the one see here. No fine tune. Do you think it would be worth it to add a 3 way toggle in the front, switching in a 5 pf, 10 pf ceramic cap across TP401/402 on the board. Would this be a suitable way to slow the tuning in place of the variable cap on the later models?

[@w2aew]

Personally, I probably wouldn't do it since I didn't find the tuning rate that objectionable.

[@cdnpont]

I was playing with it last night, and you're probably right. It's really no more coarse than my Panasonic RF4800 tuning knob on "Fine" mode. Cheers.

[@sourcheeseaa]

very well explained. thank you.

[@PA2OLD]

Very interesting video, but can you tell me the frequency of that radio station with the Mozart music that you used?

[@w2aew]

I'm assuming that you're referring to the previous video (at about 10:55). In this case, it wasn't a radio station, it was a signal generator that I have which has a repeating audio loop that can be put onto an RF carrier for testing like this.

[@PA2OLD]

Oke, thanks info!

[@marcospy2tki767]

Dear W2AEW. Can you produce an "video class" about: How to mesure the "HOT Part of an SMPS", as IC UC3842, with "Oscilloscope" with "very security" to the "Osciloscope" and the "Student or HAM". Using an Digital Oscilloscope. 73

[@rickrader7983]

You make great videos thanks

[@vernonels4118]

What antenna do you have connected?

[@w2aew]

130' wire dipole at about 25'

[@vernonels4118]

Thanks

[@tommybewick]

Odd that the lock led goes off when tuned in and comes on when out of tune, seems backwards. I have a dx300 that is a Wadley loop too and it has all the same controls on it including the preselector, the MHz and kHz are both on the main tuning knob with the MHz on the outer ring and kHz on the inner ring, it also has the att switch, and narrow wide/tone, but I would imagine the Yasau is built better. I would love to find an original Barlow Wadly XCR-30 at a reasonable price.

[@w2aew]

Yes - it does seem backwards - but that's the way it works. I think on the DX-300, the MHz digit(s) doesn't light up until you have the 2nd LO properly setup (if I'm not mistaken). It would be interesting to compare the schematics for the DX-300 and the FRG-7, since the controls are so similar.

[@KB5WQW]

I think that is another battery conservation feature. de KB5WQW. BTW my Sears branded FRG7 has a "Fine Tune" or clarifier control above the volume control.

[@w2aew]

Yes - in fact, most of the FRG-7 radios have the fine tune control too. It's only the early production units like this one that did not have the fine tune control.

[@madpom2]

great video thanks for posting

[@JanKlasen]

Love how this radio works allthough there is something weird with this radios comparing my other radio, efen the frg7000. When I use the endfed it receive like a charm, better and less qrm on medium wave but hardly no reception with the signal magnetique loop and this antenna receives very good with all other receivers. I use so239 connection for all my radios so there is something weird hoiing on. I can live with it but why is this? At first I thought my signal magnetique loop was broken but works perfectly on all my other radios. Yes, I made a jumper st the the bak to receive also medium wave on so239 connection. This radio is very strong for local interference cause of the preselector and hardly no drift cause of the wadley loop. 73's

[@w2aew]

I wonder if the FRG (and the preselector) are more sensitive to the receive antenna impedance and that might account for the difference.

[@victorsdunek3281]

Hello where can I Buy a Yaesu FRG 7 Shortwave

[@alanwolke6253]

They were only produced from the mid 1970s until about 1980. So the only place to buy one is on the used market such as eBay or ham radio flea markets or online used classified like eham, swap.qth, qrz, etc

[@coolbluelights]

I have one of these rigs but i'm dyslexic so the numbers are confusing. for example, you say let's go to the 20 meter band but you flip the switch to 11.0-29.9 and the preselect to 14 mhz. that's a bit too much to wrap my mind around lol

[@w2aew]

The amateur radio and shortwave broadcast HF bands are often referred to by their approximate wavelength in meters, or by their frequency. The basic relationship between these two is: Wavelength (m) = 300 / Frequency (MHz) And Frequency (MHz) = 300 / wavelength (m) The band designator are approximate. Thus the 14MHz amateur radio band is known as the 20m band. All radios tune by the frequency, but will often have the wavelength designation on the dial as well.

[@allancopland1768]

Great old radios.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks Alan.

[@blackjoebufa]

Can u get Australia

[@w2aew]

When atmospheric conditions are favorable, this and most other shortwave receivers, are capable of receiving signals from around the world.

[@blackjoebufa]

@@w2aew what frequency is it

[@alanwolke6253]

@@blackjoebufa I'm sorry, I don't know the frequencies of the shortwave stations in Australia. You can also receive ham radio operators from Australia when conditions are right.

[@PapasDino]

I always liked the look of that rig...too bad there isn't any more room here on the radio bench! 73 - Dino KL0S

[@w2aew]

I know the feeling!

[@garyg1928]

Some good stuff….mine has the fine tune control….wish they put a fast/slo AGC on them….thanks…Gary...VA3WBW

[@dave-d]

My first frog is in the post! Will be watching this again at the weekend when it arrives. Nice video. Anyone here know where to source alignment data for this rig please?

[@w2aew]

Good luck with your "new" radio - it's a fun radio to operate if you like turning knobs!

[@dave-d]

@@w2aew It will make friends with the FT-101ZD and all the Clansman gear. Yes, I like turning knobs! Just watched #245 Wadley Loop vid too. Excellent.

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

nice receiver

[@lambdaprog]

The AGC is too fast. Maybe it's worth tweaking.

[@w2aew]

Too bad I don't have the radio here anymore to do some experimenting in this regard. I had to give it back to it's owner.

[@danishnative9555]

Ha ha. The Night before he passed away. Not much activity these days.