Yaesu FT-101 Repair

Short description on changing output tubes and the resistors and caps needed plus some man made problems and a couple of bad parts even on a replacement card. All in all a good time.
The Radio Shop video (at about 24 minutes)
• #207 Yaesu FT101 Serie...

[@TheRadioShop]

I know two years later but thanks for the mention and kind words. Good job on the repair, will be checking out rest of your videos.

[@AERVBlog]

Thanks. I watch all your videos. Good stuff.

[@edgarleonayala]

Thanks so much for the video. It is very instructional and helps us have fun repairing.

[@AERVBlog]

You are welcome. Sorry about the delay. For some reason I don't always get my comment notifications. Thanks for watching.

[@wattsupaz]

The FT101 EE was my very first ham radio. So much fun to neutralize the sweep tubes in the final...

[@AERVBlog]

Thanks for watching. I found the cold neutralization The Radio Shop uses works very well and is a lot easier on the tubes.

[@w.rustylane5650]

Yeah, I watched Buddy's video on the Yaesu 101. Nice going. I don't think I"d ever use a radio that old. I have a Yaesu 991a and love the radio. Cheers & 73 from W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern TN

[@AERVBlog]

Aww. Come on. Sometimes it is fun to jump into the way-back machine. Buddy is a whole lot better at these things, and most things radio, than I am. I watch all his videos too.

[@justicelut]

A very interesting and informative video. Thanks from Aus!

[@AERVBlog]

You're welcome mate.

[@davidv1289]

Interesting repair, thank you for keeping us sane during these crazy times. Perhaps a Pan/ Tilt/ Zoom camera like the ones used for surveillance systems would work? I'm glad that schematics are available on-line but I also HATE it when they are cut in half. I get around this by loading the pdf pages into Photoshop, save them as JPEGs, then re-open them in Photoshop and cut, paste, and crop (plus a little clean-up if needed) until I have a single drawing. If it's a long-winded problem I use an 11 by 17 printer to print them out. Once you have done a few it goes fairly quickly and ends up saving time (plus prevents bad words coming out of my mouth).

[@AERVBlog]

I have been looking into those cameras but money is a concern. I don't monetize any of my videos mostly because I hate ads. Thanks for watching.

[@MauricioProfessor]

Thanks for posting the video. Video very enlightening and well explained! Hugs and God bless you.

[@AERVBlog]

Thank you.

[@gilbert.kstevenson5046]

Very nice video can't wait to get home and play it wb8dmx.

[@AERVBlog]

I can't wait for you to try it. It works just great.

[@msaradio7455]

Very helpful video, enjoyed being over your shoulder..73

[@AERVBlog]

Thanks for watching. The older stuff is fun and you feel like you actually did something when you get done and it works.

[@jackwade4996]

Hello, I enjoy watching your videos working on the Yaesu FT 101s! What I would like to know what is your procedure for customer repairs. I have a 101EX that I bought off of eBay, the radio is in EXCELLENT condition, I would like to get it repaired? I forgot to state the problem: The radio has no sound, I would also like to get an alignment done? Thanks

[@AERVBlog]

Please contact me at [e-mail]

[@georgealbertacanadaeh1038]

Hello from Canada. I have one of these radio's but does not have any audio sound on any band or mode. Shows no dB reception on the S meter. Was accidently hooked up to AC through the DC power cable. Powers up ok now on AC but appears dead ?

[@AERVBlog]

Oh boy. I would first suspect the sound card. It is the second or third from the left as you are looking at it from the front. Depending on your model and year that card will have an IC or transistors. Neither of them is all that robust. Hooking AC to the DC jack could cause a lot of different problems though. It could be a lost voltage off the diode board too or the regulator board took a hit.

[@earnieb5318]

Just got a FT-101F... Excellent condition but need a service manual/schematics for it. Wondering if you might direct me to a source? Perhaps there are none SPECIFIC labeled for the "F" model? Thanks....always enjoy watching

[@AERVBlog]

Hi, thanks for watching. I would recommend you get the complete ft-101 manual from foxtango.org or qsl.net. Get the one that us 221 pages long. My experience has shown that no ft101 fits exactly the model number on the front and that manual has most all the models in it so you can find the various mix and match parts across all models. Have fun.

[@earnieb5318]

@@AERVBlog Thanks a lot for the info....the more I looked the more I was leaning towards "nothing specific" except the instruction manual.

[@billbates7810]

Are there any alternative pa output tubes for the FT101E ?

[@AERVBlog]

Not that I am aware of. Sorry.

[@brianwhite6376]

What is that cool tester you used to determine if the FET was OK? I think that'd make a great addition to my shop. Thanks.

[@AERVBlog]

That is one of those cheap, $20, transistor testers off eBay. They are really handy for transistors, fets and the like and they also give a nice indication of ESR on caps and to a certain extent they will measure coils too. Here is a link to the one I have. I have no affiliation to the seller it was just the first one I came across. Thanks for watching. www.ebay.com/itm/GM328A-PWM-LCD-Display-Diode-Capacitance-Transistor-Tester-ESR-Square-Signal/233785501689?hash=item366eb3a7f9:g:JVgAAOSwusBftHun

[@brianwhite6376]

@@AERVBlog Thanks! I found something similar on Amazon - sounds very useful. Thanks again.

[@AERVBlog]

@@brianwhite6376 welcome

[@grantfullen9559]

Great video.

[@AERVBlog]

Thanks.

[@Camman010]

The best thing about the Yeasu FT 101 was that for a $10.00 crystal you could operate 11 meters at full power. I had one and just ordered an 11 meter crystal and put it in. It would kick ass to the Cobra 2000gtls and the Browning Golden Eagle radios. Many people are giving these away now as I did with mine so the cost should be free to about $100.00 fully working.

[@AERVBlog]

Not so much anymore on the crystals. Such a shame.

[@wallychambe1587]

Still going for $3-400 on EBAY! Mine has the 11 meter crystal in it!

[@peterfardell9267]

Isnt that high power illegal?

[@joefoss7297]

I have a FT101 e which needs repair. How do I contact you for service?? Thanks, Joe Foss WD8BVL

[@AERVBlog]

Please contact me at [e-mail] thanks

[@mikem5043]

Would all the same apply to an EE version?

[@AERVBlog]

Pretty much yes. There are a few changes with all the different versions but the manuals are all available online.

[@chrisreid8604]

Thanks, a good video, have you ever worked on a FTdx560?? I am having a low power out problem??

[@AERVBlog]

No, sorry. I took a look at the schematic though and for starters I would take a careful look at C25, coupling cap to 6GK6 driver tube, C32, coupling cap to both 6KD6 output tubes and C46 output coupling cap. These take the brunt of transmit. I assume you know if both the output tubes and the driver tube are good. Also check all your voltages, especially the high voltage to the tubes. Bad electrolytic caps can cause low voltage if they loose a lot of capacitance or just become open. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@chrisreid8604]

@@AERVBlog Thanks for the reply I will have a look at those caps, I changed all the diodes and filter caps and most electrolytic's I have 600v on the tubes, I bought a complete set of used tubes from a FTdx 401 ( I have a tube tester) and changed all tubes , what actually happened was on the first tune the power shot up off the scale and then dropped real quick and the tubes were RED inside and just before I turned it off I saw the death flash from one of the tube ( Boom Gone) ha ha there was so much spurious came out it destroyed my rotator controller ( it went off at the same time of tube flash,) and the rotator PCB was burnt from the case to the PCB, ( the SWR meter sits on top of the rotator controller. And it's never been right since then. I have two ftdx560 and have them both together upside-down taking comparison voltage both seem the same around the PA section? any more ideas, thanks

[@AERVBlog]

@@chrisreid8604 that red plating almost proves it. The cap between the driver and outputs is leaking and putting DC voltage on the grids of the outputs. You might not be able to test that cap without a high voltage tester. I would suggest you just replace it. This same thing happens to the FT101.

[@chrisreid8604]

Hi great! I have just ordered from "Just capacitors? all the caps you suggested thanks I will let you know how it goes I'm in Thailand so it will be at least 10 days.

[@chrisreid8604]

@@AERVBlog Hi, ok got the caps and installed, it's is a lot better, I now get 65w on 10m, 200w on 15m, 90w on 20m, 0w on 40m, and 120w on 80m, I hope it has not had the golden screwdriver treatment, I have another 560 on the bench side by with this one, and doing voltage comparison's all seen very similar, swapped all tubes over with same results, I will swap the tubes again and try to tune the good ft560 as the second one is really good 300w on 20m. all tests on a MFJ 1.5kw dummy load. BTW C25 I ordered the wrong caps for some reason!!! I have a 500PF instead of 100PF do you think that will give me trouble?? I have not actually installed it yet.

[@edgarleonayala]

I want to repair PB 1184A so that my ft101 can start transmitting. It receives fine. any suggestions? KP4EV

[@AERVBlog]

How do you know that it is the PB-1184? That is a pretty simple board and it hasn't changed much since the beginning. Check the crystals and all the inductors. What are your symptoms?

[@MauricioProfessor]

Hello. This transceiver mechanized with transistors and valves (mixed) is not so simple to calibrate and obtain "tunning" in all ranges. You have to have a certain experience and preferably put a wattmeter on the RF output to visualize the best result. I personally use an MFJ-949E (and a tinySA) with good results in Brazil, Sao Paulo.

[@jacquespitot8634]

Hello, I have a n FT101B version and the received is very low, Please help???? what board could be causing this problem Plse help

[@AERVBlog]

I would recommend checking all the switching diodes first. They have a bad habit of leaking.

[@jacquespitot8634]

@@AERVBlog Hi thanks for your reply, will try doing so and advise

[@AERVBlog]

@@jacquespitot8634 good luck to ya.

[@davidbrennan5]

I was looking for a tube amplifier for my FT1000MP. I found a listing for a FT101B and a 2100B they both look very very clean from the pictures. The seller is missing the power cord for the FT101B He lives about 3 hours drive away and is only asking $300 Canadian dollars ($238 US dollars) Is it difficult to find new resistors and capacitors etc to restore them?

[@AERVBlog]

No. There are full kits available on ebay for a good price. That sounds like a deal.

[@davidbrennan5]

@@AERVBlog Thank you for the reply. I think I will pick them both up, should I remove the tubes and pack them separately before I transport them in the car? If the amplifier or radio needs tubes what brand should I look for?

[@AERVBlog]

@@davidbrennan5 you don't need to take the tubes out of the 101 to drive it home. These things aren't that fragile thank goodness. They do have 12V capability and since they are pretty old it is best not to mess with the tube sockets any more than necessary. On the it amp might be a good idea. As far as tubes go any matched pair will do fir the 101. I get mine from RF Parts. Be sure to get matched pair so one isn't working harder than the other. The last time I got them they were about $170 for a set. You won't find original Japanese tubes so you will probably have to do the 100pF to 10pF capacitor swap if you can't get the finals to null. Be sure you change all the caps on the regulator board at least. They will give you the most trouble. The big filter can on the chassis next to the regulator board will probably need replaced too. Also be sure to check the resistor wound with wire under the tubes and the 100 ohm cathode resistor. They both burn out. Also the 100pF grid coupling cap to the finals. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[@davidbrennan5]

@@AERVBlog thank you.

[@davidbrennan5]

@@AERVBlog They sold before I could get them. I only have a 120V 15 amp socket. I am thinking I will look for a SB200 or something similar and just not drive it very hard.

[@CT1JRZ]

Nice video!

[@AERVBlog]

Thank you.

[@N1IA-4]

I suspect the guy that put in that resistor to the meter was trying to make it less sensitive maybe? Which was dumb because those S meters are made to work the way they do.

[@AERVBlog]

Yeah. You would be surprised at the modifications I find that are put in to mask the real problem. Thanks for watching.

[@vlupis1]

Awesome!

[@AERVBlog]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@wallychambe1587]

Put 8950 tubes in mine years ago and rewired the filaments for 12 volts because 6JS6's were hard to find, now you can't find 8950's Wow, Ben in the closet for 20 years, should I fire it up??

[@AERVBlog]

Make a dim bulb tester and use that. If there is a problem that will keep the radio from burning up. A 100 watt bulb should do it for receive. You won't be able to transmit with it on the dim bulb but the capacitors should reform enough after a half hour on it.

[@Pootycat8359]

Concerning that S-meter mod....what would you bet that it was done by a "CBeastie"? :)

[@AERVBlog]

Well I don't want to point any fing..... sure it was.

[@fazedordechuva8810]

Top!

[@TheColeChannelEagle]

It was keying on vox with the other board too.

[@AERVBlog]

Sorry. I lost track of things. Building out 9 studios. Lots of work. Contact me at [e-mail] please.

[@dennishill1537]

I need an ft-101e repair how do I contact you?

[@AERVBlog]

Email me at [e-mail]

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

What I really hate is when a good tech has no idea why someone did something. That trips me up worse than anything to find with a schematic close to what you are working on but not exactly. Like old sx 42's that have revisions inside revisions. When you get its sensitivity up to -72db you think you have won, but NOT.

[@AERVBlog]

Why some of that was done I may never know. Thanks for watching.

[@manuelcastellano661]

Can you check my radio?

[@AERVBlog]

Sorry , I am not taking on FT-101 radios any more. Too much other work to do.

[@frankymedina436]

Hi.your vídeo is very interesting..i want repair My Yaesu 101 EX

[@AERVBlog]

What is wrong with your FT-101 EX?

[@frankymedina436]

@@AERVBlog ok..i turn My radio on..But it have one resistor bottom with one cover in some type of fiber,..this resistor is turning hot and start smoking and i turn of inmediatly the radio..i don't know why do this...if You know somthing apreciate your help.

[@AERVBlog]

@@frankymedina436 I assume you are talking about the resistor under the cover on the bottom where the output tubes are. One, probably both of your output tubes are bad, shorted. You need to check the grid capacitor, C13 80pf I believe, and resistor, R9 56 ohm. That fiber covered resistor is used to sample the AGC and it must be good too.

[@frankymedina436]

Thanks for answer me,but no..un bottom Center of the radio,have a little capacito,r is 2.2uf @ 450v..the positive of this capacitor is solder in one pin un the chassis,and connect in one red resistor is cover in some white cover..if have a posibility ti send a photo to You..is the Best form..i have an email

[@AERVBlog]

@@frankymedina436 contact me at [e-mail]