Yaesu FT-902DM

**Whitey** · Sat 13th Aug 2011, 20:32

Hello,
My name is Mike and i have an old Yaesu FT-902DM that i dont think is putting out much of a signal anymore. Its basically sat in my bedroom and collected dust the last few years with the occassional use. I am seriously considering returning to the hobby and my choices are either to have the FT-902DM repaired or buy a new FT-950.

My question is does anyone have experience in repairing a tube transceiver this old? If so any idea how much it typically would cost? I wouldnt mind a $200-$300 repair bill, but anything much more than that wouldnt seem economically feasible. And can anyone recommend the best place to have it repaired?

Thoughts anyone?

Mike

**5B4AJB** · Sat 13th Aug 2011, 21:21

Can't find a price for output finals, shouldn't be more than about $40ish, worth repairing, has good reviews.

There's a Yahoo Group which might be worth joining...

**John_D** · Sat 13th Aug 2011, 22:16

There are also these groups:-

http://foxtango.org/foxtango001.htm
http://foxtango.org/FT901/FT-901-902%20Web%20Page.htm
http://www.foxtango.org/phpBB2/index.php

**Whitey** · Sun 14th Aug 2011, 15:58

Well, let me clarify. I say it wont get a signal out, i just assume the output finals need replacing. but there could be all kinds of other things wrong with this transceiver too.

I'm sort of afraid if i send it to a repair center and tell them to go over it with a fine tooth comb and get it back into excellent working condition that i might be looking at, perhaps, several hundred dollars in repair bills.

Mike

**Whitey** · Sun 14th Aug 2011, 20:20

Well, I dont know what all is wrong with this transceiver. It might need new capacitors, finals, have corrossion problems, etc. If it would need alot of repair I assume it could very well cost me $500 or more.

I suppose about the only thing to do would be to send it to a repair center, maybe Burqhardts, and have them do their initial evaluation and tell me what it would cost to repair. I am talking about getting it back into excellent working condition here.

Mike

**5B4AJB** · Tue 16th Aug 2011, 20:51

Sell it on "as is", quite a few op's would consider this a worthwhile restoration project.

I assume the radio is all discrete components, available anywhere, still, it might be worth sending it in for a quote which will probably cost you around $50...

**Whitey** · Fri 26th Aug 2011, 15:14

Is it possible that my microphone is just hosed? Could that be the reason that I am apparently not getting a signal out?

Mike

**John_D** · Fri 26th Aug 2011, 16:40

The FT-902dm is a HYBRID radio in that the RX uses semiconductors and the PA is tubes (2 x 6146B)
Check, first, that you are getting power out.
Do this by using the CW mode. Do you know how to tune the PAs on a tube radio; it's not just twirling the knobs for maximum smoke....if you do that you WILL get smoke, but not the nice kind.
With Hybrid transceiver you are required to peak the preselector, dip the plate, and then increase the loading. This will result in the transmitter/receiver section being resonant and providing maximum power on transmit and receive, provided your stages are aligned correctly. One way to peak the preselector is to use the marker on the front panel of the transceiver.

What is the standing current when the TX is switched on (iP)?
Can you measure the HT voltage? (there is no way I can do that on my FT-101zd !)
Do you test the rig using a dummy load?. Using an antenna will not give you correct results as it may well be not resonant.
Are you trying to transmit on 11 metres? if so the rig has to be modded for that....(some would say butchered)