Yaesu FT-ONE Questions

[Whitey]

Some questions about the Yaesu FT-ONE. I have found a ham store that says they have a BRAND NEW, NEVER USED Yaesu FT-ONE still in the box. The guy says he found it at a shack clearance. Should i have any issues with this?

Also, does the FT-ONE need a power supply or does it just plug in?

And does the FT-ONE, since its solid state, it requires no tuning, correct?

Thanks for any info anyone can give me.

Mike

[K7KBN]

http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/ftone.htm

Be sure you get the operating manual.

[John_D]

FT-ONE is semi-conductors so no tubes, no tuning..and it runs from the mains.
If it hasn't been used, then it is a unknown quantity. Solder joints could well be dry and there is no proof that all the components have remained at their correct measurements. First thing I'd do is take the top and bottom off and give it a good vacuum to rid it of accumulated dust.
Then check visibly for dry joints (they look dirty grey and not shiny). Spray variable components with a switch cleaner.
After a good examination, put it on the mains to soak! Don't try to transmit yet. Check for drift and stability when receiving.
Put it on WWV or Boulder and leave it there to see if it holds the frequency.
Use the calbrator to see if the LSB and USB fequency differences are the same.
When using it for the first time to transmit, USE REDUCED POWER into a dummy load.
This rig, although a very good model when it had had all the upgrades issued by Yaesu, has been standing unused for many years. Electrical circuits don't like that. And I don't think that the upgrades will have been added.
Its an unknown quantity.

[M0WAO]

also have a look here

good luck as i personal like the 80s rigs (have a ic-730 my self)

[Whitey]

In other words.......this FT-ONE might initially work fine. But then in the not too distant future, due to the 25 years or so of sitting around, problems could start to pop up and then i'd be looking at another repair bill. Which is basically where I am at right now with my old FT-902DM.

Is this a fair summation?

Mike

[5B4AJB]

Spray variable components with a switch cleaner.

Switch cleaner should be a last resort, before changing out components (especially on variable resistors), oh, and it can melt some plastics too.

Try using a can of airduster (or a garden blower) first, it might sound rough, but is much gentler on circuits.

John's info (sounds like experience to me) is sound, thought I would add that a few capacitors would probably be a bit soft by now and will need replacing. Not a difficult or expensive job in itself, but time consuming.

[John_D]

I forgot to add that...yes, change the capacitors. I have done that very thing with my 35 years old Kenwood TS-830. Especially in the transmit train. Looking at forums of the FT-ONE it seems that the early models had faults which needed to be updated by Yaesu. Honestly, Whitey, get the FT-ONE by all means but stick with the 910DM. They are far easier to fix. I also have the FT-101zd and prefer it to many more modern models.
This is the shack of this Ol Timer :-)

[Whitey]

I asked the people at the store what testing they had done to ensure this FT-ONE was in excellent condition. This was the response i received:

"Dummy load checked TX power out in the center of all Ham Bands, IFR 1200 checked the modulation and waveform, Sig generator measured sensitivity and confirmed to Yaesu spec."


So what does everyone think? I wouldnt mind having this FT-ONE but i dont want a repair bill 3-4 months down the road. Does the above testing make everyone think this FT-ONE has years of useful life ahead of it?

Mike

[G6NHU]

If the price is right, I'd jump at it. It was the wireless I lusted over in my youth and I'd really like a mint example of one in my shack. I'd have to redesign my shack to get it in but I'd do it! That may not help in your decision making process, I just wanted to share my feelings.

[mu0chn]

Get a 101ZD mk3, wish I still had mine. Just don't drop it, not good.

[G4FUT]

Whitey, did you get the FT-ONE?