Yaesu FT 101E - the old battleship sails again

The Yaesu FT-101E when maintained correctly (like any form of new or old electronics) still holds it's own against many newer rigs and if you put an FL-2100B on the end, they'll come straight back to you! I might do a recap of this rig in the near future, but as you can see, this old battleship has still got it.
Take note of the tune up procedure I employ. You can do what the manual says but this method is perfectly safe (and faster) if you do short 2 to 3 second bursts. With both hands (not one holding a camera to slow you down!), you can make those adjustments in less than two seconds and be done in a total of 15 seconds or less. Of course, always make sure your idle current (checked under zero signal in SSB) is 50 to 60ma. My loading was a bit too high here when I started, but the key is to basically pre set using the markings according to the desired band of operation.

[@mobiltec]

i've always wanted one of those. I've got a Kenwood 520se though. Also a very nice radio.

[@boondockingamerica]

Love seeing old radios come back to life.

[@robertchristianson1187]

What a beautiful rebuild. I remember the first FT 101 advertised here in the US in 1968 or 69. It reminded me of the old Collins transceiver but it had many upgrades to that radio. That radio started a revolution and was the beginning of many more amazing radios from Japan and later most of Southeast Asia.

[@eduardopower5254]

that's one of the beautiest 101 I've ever seen. And mine is really clean. Congrats

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

I’m always in awe (& envious) of how some are able to do such a good job of refurbishing kit. The appeal of the older radios is difficult to explain but they really are gentle on the eye. Excellent job.

[@83redgrass]

I loved my old FL101. Nothing but good signal reports. Wired a d104 to it and it sounded outstanding. Wish I still owned it.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

great radio fantastic equipment for ham radio 73 from kb2uew

[@lylewatts6370]

Nice FT-101E collection and it's working great. I have the same here and always get a kick when I tell the contact that I am using an old boat anchor. Love these radios that just keep on working. Thanks for sharing.

[@VK2XXL]

Thanks mate! Same here. I love some of the surprised "can't believe it" reactions I get 😃

[@robertchristianson1187]

Ha ha ha I never looked at the 101 as a boat anchor. My original transmitter was a Heathkit DX100 and that truly was a boat anchor.😂

[@MrRadioRover]

Fun fact... the FT101 was the radio used at Jonestown Guyana.

[@CriticalThinker-42]

Just don't drink their Krewl Aid!

[@piquat1]

Always wanted one of those as a kid. Now I have an FTDX101D. I'd still jump on a nice 101E if I had the chance. Beautiful radio there.

[@larrypugh9662]

I received a brand new 101E for my high school graduation in 1978. I kept it for 20 years it looked like brand new 95 percent mint condition. I got stupid and sold it. One of my biggest regrets in Ham Radio. I could identify it anytime. It had one particular mark from when I dropped a D104 microphone and put an inconspicuous scratch on it. I was always very delicate with it especially in a tuning just as you are.

[@VK2XXL]

We all make mistakes sadly with radio and life in general. I guess when we get really really good gear, best off to hold onto it :)

[@alexdokic5567]

Very nice, I wished they still made them like that today, great looking radio, I have had the pleasure of owning a couple of FT101ZD’ in the past, but sadly I no longer have them! Thanks for showing us, you have done a fantastic job in restoring them. 73 Alex M0KVA

[@freemind9734]

Very nice I had better get my Kenwood station out of storage and run through it.

[@kv4atv]

I had on during the 90s when I was in Germany. Was one of my primary rigs along with Kenwood and Collins radios I used for HAM and MARS. I really enjoyed HF Packet to DX stations with them. The AES PK-232 MBX along with the PK900 and my Kantronics TNC keep my station on the air to everywhere. My T2FD was a great antenna that worked local and DX.

[@w7wv73]

Had one of the FT-101E in the mid 1970s. Cost me just under $700 new at the time. Good rig.

[@Mike-v9k5t]

Hello Andrew. Excellent video ... thanks for demonstrating your quick tune up procedure. Seeing the tune up steps in your video is most helpful. Beautiful classic Yaesu station. Motivates me to get one of my FT101 rigs on the air. Take care and all the best to you from Canada. Mike VE3XLF

[@G0ogs]

That was my first serious radio back in the day, designed to be repaired and last the endurance of time. But that was then and would not go back, it’s good to see people keeping them healthy thou.

[@VK2XXL]

You might be surprised if you have a go again one day. I honestly get way more enjoyment out of these rigs than even the most expensive of modern radios. The only models of recent times that make a strong impression on me are the Icom IC-7300/7610 and 7851.

[@88KeysOnFire]

Excellent sensitivity and low noise.

[@Wa3ypx]

I still have mine purchased in 1975, was the fan an option? I thought I recall the being so and if not, the rig would drift.

[@VK2XXL]

I'm pretty sure the fan came as standard on all models including the extreme economy EE version that omitted the speech processor and DC to DC converter. Yaesu had worked out by the late 1960s the fan was pretty important to mainly get the heat out the PA compartment. No so much for the tubes themselves as they're cooled via infrared radiation and obviously that heat as you've pointed out can affect other parts of the rig.

[@johnbunker5102]

My first radio and, the one I probably regret selling the most. It was rock solid. I fell for all the bells and whistles that I ended up never really needing and moved up to a more modern radio but, if I ever get back into HF, I will be looking for a good used 101E.

[@UDX-21]

Waka Waka-- I have one myself, and need to get it on the air. Thanks for the video. I left a like and other buttons. 73 from 21 S.C. South Carolina Old Radio Night

[@CriticalThinker-42]

Love to see old FT-101E's still going! That was my first HF rig, and I still have a warm spot in my heart for them. Been using Fox Tango radios ever since. Great work! 73 mike N4ONL

[@ady-uk7150]

Great stuff. My brother was a UK Radio Amateur G4, He purchased a brand new FT101B. It was so impressive. This brings back a lot of good memories.

[@jamesgarrard4361]

She is a sweat looking 101 an co , i got my first 101 last week ,a rough old bird but with some carefull tlc she will be ok ,great content 73'S M0GZV

[@user-yc8hr2tm4u]

My first BIG radio right after my marriage 1981 it was old when i got it but kept pluggin away Used as first " cb" base before that was just mobiles enjoyed it till finals weakened and transformer running hot traded for something newer ( should have kicked myself)

[@VK2XXL]

Still plenty of them around! If you find a nice one, grab it!

[@user-yc8hr2tm4u]

@@VK2XXL I know but those that" know" what they are want high prices and those that don't have no idea if one works they see 6-12 watt figure CB does 4 so " it works!!!!????" And if you get one that works but needs TLC expect high service costs

[@VK2XXL]

Yeah if general repair work isn't your thing, it becomes a bit tricky then. It is hard to find people that can work on this gear and won't stuff it up. Me personally I'll never send one of my rigs away again.@@user-yc8hr2tm4u

[@polomint46]

Nice to see the 101, any recommendations for Cleaning heavy tobacco deposits on boards, I've been given a 101zd mk3 but it's in a right state.

[@VK2XXL]

Sorry to hear about the tobacco! It's ugly stuff that gets absolutely everywhere. Remove the plug in boards and hose them down with Isopropyl alcohol. Give them a good brushing. Spend as much time as they need. It will be time consuming. While the boards are out of the radio, you can do the same internally and be careful not to get additional residue in the sockets. Use microfiber cloths and brushes. You can also find a small room of your house, buy a cheap ozone generator, put the radio and generator in that room to get rid of the smell (avoid going near that room while it's on) Hours of work ahead of you but it can be done.

[@glennleslie6127]

It's beautiful!

[@ehayes5217]

Nice to see, even nicer to use👍🇺🇸

[@danbenelisha8524]

I got one that's deff I wish I could fine out what's wrong with it. Any ideas

[@VK2XXL]

Could be any number of things. Start by identifying what the issues are, then do some research on remedies. Lots of good information out there. Good luck!

[@frankvic6261]

I am the owner of an all orginal ft101e station minus a few of the extras

[@ehayes5217]

What HF antennas do u have at ur QTH? Thanx, de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸😀

[@VK2XXL]

G'day mate. In this video, I'm using a G3TXQ Hex Beam. I also have phased verticals on 40m and an 80 through to 30m fan dipole strung up in an inverted V configuration. Thanks for watching!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnwest7993]

I have a '101E X' I bought about 10 years ago at an estate sale. It had been in a box for decades and I opened the box and peeled off the plastic film from the front panel. It was that little-used. I turned it on to verify that it still received, then shut it off immediately until I could swap out the caps and such and do the other refurbishment things necessary due to age, then align it. I finally retired, and now I'm ready to do that. Then I'll put it back on the air along with the Vibroplex Zephyr key a SK friend left me. Not knowing Morse I have been studying it and practicing with the key. I realized quickly that using a bug was like playing a musical instrument. The first thing I had learned about his key was that it was set up to operate just as fast as it could possible go, (I'd guess something over 50 WPM,) and had clearly been set that way for years, possibly since he bought it in 1952. I may have to start off by using it with a clothespin on it to slow it down to a speed I can manage, but his key will not stay silent.

[@VK2XXL]

Keep the dream alive mate

[@AnthonyJones-vk6xq]

The maritime college i studied at in Liverpool over 40 years ago had one of these in the radio club, beautiful radio, spent every lunch break working all over the place on HF CW !!

[@gfodale]

My first HF rig, in '84, was an FT 101 B. Did everything I wanted. Wish I had it back, but working on getting another up and running for the time being.

[@benjaminmeadows1380]

Had ex101 but lot drifting but now drake and couple kenwoods

[@VK2XXL]

You can adjust the temperature compensation trimmer in the 101 VFO. This 101E is rock solid :)

[@michaelbritain5546]

The transmitted Audio was far better than even my FT101ZD...

[@alexdiamantopoulos6614]

Perfect video on how to tune the radio.

[@David-km8in]

Our radio club used to have one of those radio's. It was used for teaching our foundation licensees how to operate plate and load tranciever. Unfortunately it stopped working and the only amateur who could service and repair it went silent key. I did appreciate that radio and alway enjoyed the audio coming from the speaker. Best wishes David, Northampton in the UK.

[@VK2XXL]

Thanks Dave! That's a damn shame. It might be something simple if the sweep tubes are ok. Would be great if someone over there could be found to get it going again. I think there's still a lot for newer hams to learn about electronics from these rigs. Thanks for watching!

[@David-km8in]

@@VK2XXL hi, unfortunately the radio was sold about fifteen years ago. The oldest sets we have now are about 15 years old. I do like the old sets, you certainly have a more physical relationship with them and they sound great. I have two communication receivers from mid seventies and they are still working. Lovely video. David M0DUU

[@VK2XXL]

Ok so we're talking a number of years ago. Cool. The Radio Club where I obtained my license had a Kenwood TS-520S for many years. Now sadly gone. I spent hours on that radio during weekends and social nights. 73 VK2XXL @@David-km8in

[@JUANSANCHEZ-u3j]

73. EA7FKI 👍

[@americaswayout4489]

I TRADED Collins 75S1 WITH PATCH STATION CONTROL 32S3 receiver FOR AN FT 101 serial 000458 to an Air Force officer just back from Japan. It didn't have an AM filter so using it on CB was a BAD MISTAKE

[@VK2XXL]

I'll always value my Collins equipment more highly than almost anything else, but personally I find the performance of the old 101 series to be excellent and it was a step towards Collins performance for many. Plus so many features in the one box including Power Supply, Speech Processor, RIT control etc. But yes in hindsight, it's always 20/20 vision!

[@rickadair5573]

Nice one Rob.

[@paolodimartino241]

🙏 'Promo sm'

[@DCDura]

Beautiful radio

[@VK2XXL]

Thanks for watching!

[@justinmaas5834]

Is it just me or did you leave the carrier all the way up?

[@VK2XXL]

Correct, almost all the way up.

[@justinmaas5834]

While using SSB? Is that how you usually run it?@@VK2XXL

[@VK2XXL]

The carrier control is bypassed in SSB mode. Output power is limited by the ALC system in SSB, Mic gain is adjusted to stay in the green range on voice peaks to avoid splatter and distortion @@justinmaas5834

[@justinmaas5834]

Right on. Thanks for explaining how it works.@@VK2XXL