Yaesu FT-101 Overview and Technical Details

The Yaesu FT-101 is a legendary transceiver that has been a favorite among amateur radio enthusiasts for decades. It was first released in 1972.

This iconic rig is known for its rugged construction and reliability, making it a great choice for mobile and base station use. It features a robust 12V DC power supply.

The FT-101 has a frequency range of 28 MHz to 54 MHz, with a power output of 100 watts. It's a great option for those who want a reliable and versatile transceiver for various amateur radio applications.

The Yaesu FT-101 is a legendary amateur radio transceiver that has stood the test of time. The original FT101 Series (1971-1977) had dual conversion, with a 5 MHz Receiver first IF and a 9 MHz VFO.

One of the key features of the FT101 is its use of 6JS6C television sweep tubes, which are matched to the antenna through a conventional pi network. These tubes were common in television sweep circuits and proved to be rugged and reliable in amateur service.

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The FT101 was extremely reliable, and various improvements were made over the model range, especially to the receiver. The rig had a built-in AC Mains and 12V DC inverter power supply, as well as a loudspeaker, making it ideal for portable use.

The unit had two switched crystal-controlled positions for Novice license holders, who were restricted to crystal-controlled transmission until the late-1970s. This feature was also required for Maritime Mobile operation.

Here are the key specifications of the FT101:

The Later FT101Z series (1978-1985) was a completely different rig, with single conversion from a 9 MHz IF and lower power PA tubes. It also came without a 12V inverter power supply.

The FT101 is still widely used today, and its reliability and performance have earned it a reputation as one of the best amateur radio transceivers ever made.

The Yaesu FT-101 has a rich history with many variations produced over the years. The first model, the FT-101, was introduced in 1971 and was known for its strong receiver overload and TX spurs.

There were several subtypes of the early FT-101 model, including the Mk 0, Mk 0A, Mk I, and Mk II. The Mk 0A subtype, for example, had serial numbers ranging from 06001 to 07991.

In 1972, the FT-101 underwent major modifications to its receiver, regulator, IF, and audio boards, resulting in a new late model. This late model, also known as the FT-101 - late model 1972, included the unofficial Mk IIA subtype with serial numbers greater than 25000.

The FT-101B model, introduced in 1973, was an 160-10m band transceiver with improved IF, audio, and noiseblanker boards. There were two subtypes of the FT-101B model: the early model with serial numbers less than 6000, and the late model with serial numbers greater than 6001.

The FT-101BS was a special model produced only for the Japanese market, featuring a single 6JS6C tube and 50 watt output.

Here's a list of the main FT-101 models produced:

The FT-101E model, introduced in 1975, was a significant upgrade to the series, featuring an RF speech processor. The FT-101E model came in three subtypes: early, mid, and late.

The Yaesu FT-101 is a versatile transceiver that can be set up to meet a variety of needs. To get started, you'll want to assemble the complete station.

The base station consists of the FT-101 Transceiver or its equivalent FL-101/FR-101 Twins, along with a range of accessories. These include the FV-101 Remote VFO, FL-2100 Linear Amplifier, and SP-101PB Phone Patch with Speaker.

The phone patch is a useful addition, allowing you to connect your phone to the transceiver. You can also choose the SP-101 Speaker-only option for a more straightforward setup.

To operate the Yaesu FT-101 transceiver, you'll need to power it up by plugging in the AC adapter or using the DC power supply, as mentioned in the "Powering the Transceiver" section.

The transceiver has a simple and intuitive front panel layout, making it easy to navigate. The main controls include the frequency dial, mode selector, and volume control.

First, set the mode selector to the desired mode, such as AM, FM, or SSB, which is explained in the "Mode Selection" section.

Next, tune in to the desired frequency using the frequency dial, which can be done by turning the dial clockwise or counterclockwise, as described in the "Frequency Setting" section.

To ensure clear transmission and reception, adjust the volume control to a comfortable level, which is also mentioned in the "Volume Control" section.

The Yaesu FT-101 also features a built-in microphone, which is connected to the transceiver via a 4-pin connector, as shown in the "Microphone Connection" section.

To access additional features and settings, refer to the transceiver's manual or user guide, which provides detailed information on operation and maintenance.

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The Yaesu FT-101 was a popular ham radio model back in the day, and it's great to see its rich history and specifications. The FT-101 was manufactured by Yaesu-Musen Co. Ltd.; Tokyo.

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The FT-101 had three tubes and offered a range of frequencies, including 160 to 10 m HAM-Bands plus CB and reception of time-stations in the 10-MHz-range. It was available in various models, including the FT-101E, which had a built-in Speech-processor.

Here's a breakdown of the different models of the FT-101, based on serial numbers:

The FT-101 was a significant model in the history of ham radios, and its various models catered to different needs and license classes.

The FT101E has some quirks, and one of them is the CW offset problem. You're always 200Hz high, even when you're careful to zero beat the stations.

Dirty contacts in the Tx/Rx relay might be the culprit. Check that the metering circuit is working by rigging up a 9V battery and a potentiometer to provide a variable output voltage and connecting it into the ALC circuitry.

The polarity is crucial, so make sure you get it right. You want negative volts going into the ALC circuitry, and adjust between 0V and -1.5V to see if you get any deflection on the meter when the meter switch is in the ALC position.

If you don't get any deflection, it could be due to dirty contacts on the main relay, preventing the ALC reading from getting through to the meter.

Dirty contacts can be a real pain to deal with, but troubleshooting can help you identify the problem.

The FT-101 has a long history, and its name reflects different models and serial numbers. The Mark 0, Mark 0A, Mark I, Mark II, and Mark IIA are the different models, each with its own serial number range.

Here's a breakdown of the different models:

The different models also correspond to the FT-101 Board, which had various components depending on the model.

The Yaesu FT-101 is a classic transceiver, and like all classics, it needs occasional maintenance. Its finals will eventually need replacing, and that's exactly what we're going to talk about.

The original 6JS6C tubes manufactured by NEC were used in the FT101E. However, if you're looking to replace them with modern American-made tubes, you'll need to make a modification to the neutralization circuit.

A simple modification to the final section involves replacing a fixed value capacitor with a different one. Specifically, you'll need to swap out a 100 pf 1000 VDC mica capacitor with a 10 pf 1000 VDC mica capacitor.

This capacitor, C125, is crucial and must be replaced with a mica or silver mica of at least 1000 VDC. Don't even think about substituting a different type, as the heat in the final compartment will change the value and cause your tubes to fail prematurely.

To reneutralize the circuit, open the variable neutralizing capacitor all the way to minimum engagement and follow the instructions in the manual. Remember to adjust the neutralizing capacitor for equal value meter reading peaks (IC position) on both sides of the dip when tuning the "Plate" control.

Tokyo is the home base for Yaesu-Musen Co. Ltd., a company that's been making waves in the world of radio communication.

The company is based in Tokyo, a city that's known for its cutting-edge technology and innovative spirit.

One of Yaesu-Musen's most notable products is the FT-101E, a high-performance HF-transceiver that's designed for amateur radio enthusiasts.

This powerful transceiver has a frequency range that spans from 160 to 10 m HAM-Bands, plus CB and reception of time-stations in the 10-MHz-range.

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In addition to its impressive frequency range, the FT-101E also features a speech-processor built in, allowing for crystal-clear communication.

The FT-101E is available in two versions: the standard FT-101E, and the FT-101EE, which comes without an R.F. Processor.

If you're interested in learning more about Yaesu's other models, you can check out their collection of 306 models, 290 of which come with images, and 139 with schematics.

Shipping your Yaesu radio and components is a straightforward process, but it's essential to consider the sizes and weights of each piece of equipment. The sizes and weights for each piece of Yaesu equipment are listed above.

You should accept that shipping will add 10%-15% to the actual weight of any unit. For example, a 33-pound FT-101E transceiver with manual and power cords will actually weigh 39 pounds ready to ship.

The heaviest Yaesu equipment, the FL-2100 amplifier, will tip the scales at 52 pounds at the counter, so don't underestimate the weight of shipping! The FL-2100 amplifier weighs 41 pounds.

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Newspaper is not a suitable packing material due to its lack of resilience to compression, moisture retention, and potential to leave ink on painted and plastic surfaces. Never use newspaper for packing.

The original Yaesu packing box and materials are ideal for shipping, so try to use them when possible. The Staples 18" x 18" x 12" box is a great option for shipping the FT-101.