FT100 Transmitting issues - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: Squatcher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 05:04:15 pm
content: Good afternoon,This is what I am experiencing.I have a frequency with a uplink tone saved into channel 1. I have the correct offset as well. I can hear just fine, but when I key the mic, the tx light flickers sporadically, the frequency on the screen does not change at all and then I can start hearing someone else on the same frequency continuing their conversation, as if I hadn't keyed the mic at all.Now, I am not saying I have everything correct on this, but its a used FT100.This is the repeater that I am hitting, W8IRA Repeater in Jackson, Mi.The freq. is 145.470 encoded to 114.8 which is shown in the repeaterbook.com and I am able to hit it from my house with the Baofeng BF-F8TD that I have, so I would think the FT-100 should be able to. Also, I tried using the national simplex of 146.5200 and still having the same issues.Tried something different, I was playing with some settings and found that when I enable the VOX, it appears that I am able to transmit.I understand what VOX is, but why it appears I can transmit with it on, but not with it off, I dont understand. With the Vox off, the red transmit light flickers & wont stay red, but with VOX on, it stays red as long as I am talking.So, I went and ordered a replacement mic, just in cast there was an issue in the mic itself (someone suggested the switch was bad) and it came in today and the same thing is still occurring.So, any suggestions what or where in the unit I may have missed setting something up?KE8UAERichard

author: geggi1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 05:16:25 pm
content: Try to do a factoy resat of the radio and see if this helps.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 08:13:01 pm
content: Such a symptom occurs sometimes when the power supply is unable to supply the required current. Does it do this regardless of power setting?

author: Squatcher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 10:16:28 pm
content: I have reset the unit multiple times while trying to figure out why it why I am having transmitting issues. It works fine with VOX on, but VOX on, but VOX off, no transmitting.Not sure what the issue is.Richard

author: Squatcher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 10:20:08 pm
content: The power supply is larger than I need and providing what seems like adequate power. Would those symptoms include the VOX working for transmitting, but with it turned off, being unable to transmite?

author: geggi1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 04:29:22 am
content: Check the wiring.Look for bad connections and heating on the power cable.Check for sings on bad connection in the fuse assambly. Barrel type fuses are worse than automotive.Check the connection for the power lead on the PCB of the radio.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 04:59:35 am
content: Sometimes the issue is a corroded pin on the power cable or connector.

author: Squatcher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 10:56:44 am
content: I will check for power issues, singed fuses and check the pcb as well. One question I have is, how do I tell if I have the right mic?I see that the mic for the FT-100 is a MH-36B6JS, but I also see that there is a MH-36B6J mic, which will not work with the FT-100. I read that the MH-36B6JS has different resistors than the MH-36B6J.I thought about changing out the mic for a new one, but the correct mic is no where to be found, while the incorrect version is everywhere.Anyone have any idea how to tell if I have the wrong mic?SquatcherKE8UAE

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 01:31:15 pm
content: If the VOX works, then, perhaps the problem is in the changeover function between the two. Can you turn the Tx on using the key socket & a Morse key?It seems there isn't a lot wrong with your radio, but you need to start doing serious troubleshooting.

author: Squatcher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 03:06:02 pm
content: A couple things here:1. I don't have a Morse key, so I am unable to answer that.2. Can I run a connection from my headphone out on my PC to the Morse Key in? Will that work?3. Is there a pc program that I can run to do the keying or run to give a semblance of a keyer?4. I am a newbie to all this ham radio equipment, so any suggestions, direction or whatever, please offer it, I could use all the help I can get.Richard KE8UAE

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 04:18:35 pm
content: The Morse key is nothing more than a switch. The radio expects a contact closure at the key jack, which causes it to transmit a steady signal in CW mode.Some radios have a paddle input for a keyer and that requires a different connection.

author: Hamelec
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 08:07:35 pm
content: Quote from: Squatcher on April 05, 2022, 03:06:02 pmsorry to say, but as a licensed radio amateur you should have some basic knowledge - shame on you

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 08:23:45 pm
content: The Yaesu FT100 is famous for having problems with the VHF/UHF PA transistor.Does it TX correctly on HF?