======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: FT50 peformance measurements From: kwon2m@ix.netcom.com Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 02:22:43 GMT Having put my Yaesu FT-50R through some transmit and receive measurements, I thought I'd post the results here. I only did power and sensitivity measurements, no selectivity tests. If I get a chance to do those, I'll post an update. I did all of the rx measurements in the NFM mode as the wide filter isn't wide enough for U.S. broadcast stations anyway, as previously posted by others. John, N2BFJ Yaesu FT50R Measured Performance Specs Notes: 1. If your newsreader uses a font other than Courier, the charts below may appear out of alignment. Save this article as a text file and view with a text reader or editor. 2. No mods or adjustments were made to the test radio. 3. All measurements were performed using an IFR FM/AM-1600S service monitor 4. All transmit power measurements are in watts, except L1, which is in milliwatts. 5. All receive sensitivity measurements were done in the narrow band fm mode and are in microvolts for 12db SINAD. Transmit Power Output - FNB-41 battery Freq Hi L1 L2 L3 144 5.7 103 1.13 3.35 146 5.7 109 1.13 3.32 148 5.6 107 1.11 3.29 430 4.9 78 .97 2.71 440 4.9 81 .93 2.68 450 4.9 85 .95 2.64 Transmit Power Output - FNB-40 battery Freq Hi L1 L2 L3 144 3.52 86 1.05 3.11 146 3.53 92 1.06 3.08 148 3.49 92 1.05 3.06 430 2.21 57 .90 2.10 440 2.56 63 .90 2.23 450 2.84 71 .90 2.36 Receiver Sensitivity VHF UHF 800 Freq Sens Freq Sens Freq Sens 140 .14 400 .22 800 .43 145 .14 410 .21 820 .37 150 .14 420 .18 850 .27 155 .14 430 .14 860 .27 160 .14 440 .12 868 .31 165 .15 450 .13 895 .32 170 .15 460 .15 900 .35 175 .15 470 .16 920 .35 180 .18 480 .18 940 .37 185 .20 490 .21 960 .59 190 .42 500 .25 980 .75 195 1.2 999 1.2 200 1.3 ======== Date: Sat, 06 Jul 1996 09:33:22 -0700 From: "Nick J Chiarchiaro, AET /N2QXF" Has anyone else found the game function of the FT-50r? I can't figure out >how to play, keep getting a zero score... >I wonder what else is hidden in the innards (small as they are) of this >thing?!?! Whenever you see a digit come across the display press the digit for which when summed together to two equal ten. If you see a "3" coming across press the "7" key and so forth. You'll see your score add up. Hey, I didn't come up with this game... cheers! jim martin, wk1v/lowell, mass ========= Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: FT-50r Antenna Upgrade? From: FBUL85A@prodigy.com (Rob Curtis) Date: 20 Jun 1996 03:30:33 GMT Does anyone have an experience using the FT-50 with an SMA ducky other than the stock Yaesu? I saw a post a few weeks back about an ICOM that was "half the size" that was somehow "better" but there was no explanation given as to why it would be any more effective... So, can anyone tell me if any other SMA ducky can add to the performance of the rig? HRO suggested the new Comet SMA-3 ($40!!) at 10 inches. Then they added the disclaimer that it might not be any better than the stock antenna!? Cheers! Rob ========== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: FT-50r info request From: Sean Nixon Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 12:06:49 +1200 Jerry Hogsett wrote: > > waltm@loa.com wrote: > > Hello > > I'm looking for info on any ft-50r mods for rx or other (what can be done > and how) or any opinions on this or other wideband rx ht, as I have yet > to purchase one. Any suggestions? 73 and thanks in advance... I got one of these and a Standard C508. The 508 is more cute according to my wife, but the FT50 has a much better receiver especially 470-500MHz where the 508 is deaf. I get much more image freqs on the 508 which receives 485 MHz better when tuned around 940mhz. The mod removing solder pad #1 gives tx 140-174, 420-470 ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: FT-50R Serial Numbers? From: Bill Crocker Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 18:51:00 -0700 I just exchanged a Yaesu FT-50R that I bought last week, for another one. The problem was the light switch button, was like a belly button, sunk in, and not working. The new unit works fine! This is my question...the serial number on the first one was: 6F****** (newer?) The serial number on the replacement unit is: 6E****** (older?) When programming the channels with the software kit, the "F" series started with: CH-00, while the "E" series starts with: CH-01 Anyone know why the difference? Are there other differences? Thanks, Bill Crocker ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: Help FT50 From: childers@garlic.com (Bill Childers) Date: 12 Jul 1996 15:37:55 GMT To fix the rig: You must upload the USA file while having the template box checked. Specify the European Template in the browse template window. This tells the software that you are uploading a file to the European version radio. This should fix it. Bill Childers KE6VVW In article <4s4h9u$g1h@frazier.uoknor.edu>, jed@tiber.uoknor.edu (James Deaton) wrote: >Uh...my radio is also in Euro mode and I have the original US rdf but it >can not be uploaded to the radio. I can download and upload a Euro file >with no difficulty, however, the US file simply errors out. I've tried an >empty one and two different saved files with no success. Any suggestions >to get it back to ordinary operation? > >Thanks... James KC5PRQ ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Yaesu FT-50R MAHA Battery and FNB-41 versus FNB-40 From: dklaver@tulsa.oklahoma.net (Denny Klaver) Date: Mon, 15 Jul 96 05:16:11 GMT I discovered that MAHA, Inc. has a Nickel Metal Hydride NiMH replacement battery for the Yaesu FT-50R dual band handheld. Does anyone have experience with MAHA? The batteries are supposed to work with the Yaesu drop in charger or the trickle charger. I'm interested in the NiMH battery due to its "no memory" characteristics. I am told the NiMH battery is all around better than a NiCad. I'd appreciate any feedback-especially regarding MAHA. Denny Klaver WB0PYJ Tulsa, OK ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: FT-50R audio, was: A good lesson for Don From: atla0001@umn.edu Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 09:01:22 GMT Doing a fair comparison (being a Motorola Visar to an FT50), the FT50 is not quite as loud (maybe down 6db), distorts a little more at high levels, and has equivalent (pretty decent) frequency response. For the most part, it is about as good as a Motorola Visar for audio. Howard Paul Moller wrote: >What is the conclusion regarding the RX audio in the FT50? Is it really good and loud? How does it compare to a "real" radio, say a Motorola Saber? >Paul_Moller@csg.mot.com >Sean Nixon wrote: >> >> I agree with your post Don, >> FT50 is the best radio I have had so far. ============== I ordered a FA-S270 Antenna from Icom approx. $18.00, it's about half the length of the stock ant. I've noticed a slight decrease in sensativity, and less intermod problems, it doesn't have the "hood" on the bottom, but with the RH-1 rubber boot, you really can't see the sma chassis connector. I've noticed the same CTCSS falsing problem in the decode, but haven't tried Bill Childers squelch weak yet. 73, duane wa6eik ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: Crossband lock on FT50R??? From: dddavis@atl.mindspring.com (Donald D. Davis, Jr.) Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 00:28:55 GMT admin@hoptechno.com (pdunn) wrote: >Can one transmit on 70cm and rcv on 2m (and vice versa) on the 50R? >And can you lock the offset (for working sats)? >Phil ki0dm You can set the duplex function "VDUP" to transmit on any arbitrary frequency and receive on another (both freqs in VFOs), but you cannot do crossband repeat or receive while you are transmitting. Don (KE4KYO) ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: FT-50R Fragile Display Window From: tsarah@gwis.com (Ted Sarah) Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 15:12:24 GMT aeh@mail.atc.ameritel.com (Alan E. Hodel) wrote: >Oops! I bumped the display window of the FT-50R on the door. Scratched the >window. Now what....Would a soft case help prevent this? >Well, when I scratch the wrist watch crystal I use a silk tie to hone out >the scratch. Tried it. It worked! Firm circular motion using fine silk >tie (silk is very abrasive, but very fine). Sounds like a good solve, to a problem that happens to anything with a plastic window. Also, try Bills idea with placing a clear tape over the lens. I've done this and it works great! Ted ===================== From: bgudgel@eskimo.com (Bob Gudgel) Subject: Re: FT-50R Solder Pads? Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 06:17:06 GMT Well, I went through all eight permutations while I had it open. Jumpers (from left to right) C=open (soldered) O=open (no solder) C O O this is the way mine was shipped -- extended receive O O O extended transmit (mars modification) O C O looks like the European mode RX 140 - 174 no extended transmit Also, no 800 MHZ or 76 Mhz RX O C C same as O O O O O C RX 108 MHz - 174 MHz and 400 MHz - 470 MHZ no extended transmit C O C same as O O C C C C 144 MHz - 148 MHz and 430 MHZ - 450 MHz no extended C C O some kind of limited mode again (I didn't detail my notes) Basically, O O O is what you want. All other combinations appeared to be something less than full featured. This is as far as I could tell with MY FT-50R anyway. Please let me know if anybody finds any important mistakes here. Thanks Bob KI7IQ ===================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 01:34:07 -0400 From: Steve Donnell <"sdonnell@nh.ultranet.com"> hi,I sent some mail to you yesterday about not being able to program my FT-50 via the ADMS software.I am happy to report that I solved the problem: I found one of the three wires of the interface cable was not connected to the signal level shifter PCB inside the D9 connector. My ADMS-1C ver 1.04 works just fine now!! In talking with the tech at RT Systems, he gave me a couple of pointers that might be useful to others: he said to put the radio into clone mode BEFORE pulling down the Get Data/Upload Data commands. Although this does not seem to cause any differences when I tried it. He also said that if you make a template of the radio when you first get it and later modify it for wide TX then you will need to make another template. Mods: Receive audio improvement by way of changing capacitors C2028 and C2030 from .01uf to .02 uf.These caps are located on the Control board, just below IC Q2018. Their purpose is to set the cut off freq of the high pass filter that Q2018-1 functions as. Increasing them to .02uf lowers the pass band of the receive audio. Although some CTCSS tones, particualrly those above 180 Hz may be more noticable, the overall receive audio for voice, sounds much more fuller and less tinny and a bit louder to boot. To do this mod simple add another .01uf cap in parallel by setting a new one on top of the original. Use 0805 size surface mount size. Some additional improvement can further be seen in repalcing C2027 origianlly a .047 down to a .03 (x3 .01 stacked). Mod 2: has anyone noticed that the stock duck antenna for the FT-50 just plain sucks. It's OK within the 2 M band, but if you go up around 160 MHz forget it. If you check the operating sensitivity of the radio you will find that it's fine up into the 170 Mhz range, it's just that the antenna is too narrow banded. Solution, get an EXY-450 dualband duck from Centurion International. This is the same ant used on Yaesu's Commercial dual band portable. I have been using one on various radios since it came out over five years ago. It has GREAT wideband characteristics. Unfortuately this ant is only available with a BNC or TNC connector. When I talked to Centurion they were not too intrested in doing up a version of the EXY-450 with an SMA base, but I think they will come around, look at all the other radios that have SMA now. Let's bug the heck out of them...In the mean time you can get an adaptor to convert to SMA. There are some real nice ones out there that go from TNC to SMA that were meant for use on portable Cell phones. But an even better way to do this is this: Take an EXY-450 and skin it. Then desolder the lower end of the spring from the BNC and reattach it to an SMA base, intended for a Cell phone ant. Then apply a new skin with a piece of shrink tubing. Additioanl details to follow. Yet another SMA base duck that works great is the SMA-3 from Commet. Speaking of Cell phones. Inorder to receive the missing 869 - 894 Mhz span on the FT-50 try this: Plug in the radios's image frequencies for this range: (45.1 x2 =) 959.24 - 984.17 MHz. Be sure and use 10 KHz tuning steps. Works great. Ques: has anyone figured out how to do direct programming of the 870 MHz band OR how to enable TX above 470 Mhz.... ------------------ Hi, we performed the FT50 template change via firmware, and it works great. I did run into a problem,but I managed to work around it and believe it was self induced; After I saved out my origianl memory into a file and uploaded the blank euro.rdf file. This went fine, but I forgot to re download it as a working template so in order to be saved. Not realising that the radio as still in clone mode, I turned the radio OFF, thinking that I needed to reset it in order to begin the clone cycle again. But then... I tried to download the radio's template file the software would not take it. At first I thought I might have fried something in the serial port of the radio or corrupted something else in the internal firmware(ugh).I also tried a general CPU reset without any luck either. Apparently the software was looking for a USA config template(?) The Solution: Is a varient on the original operation.I set the program to Get Info from radio and set the radio into clone mode, but, without the data cable attached. I then pressed the PTT button and waited a couple of seconds before I inserted the transfer cable connector into the radio. This resulted in an errored downlaod which the software rejected. But when I tried it again, this time with the data cable attached at the start, as usual, the download of the euro.rdf template file went just fine...I then merged my old data file onto this and ALSO saved this new file as a third data file, so as to keep my euro.rdf file as a blank default template. A friend told me that a hardware version of the same euro.rdf mod is available. Anyone seen this??? He also mentioned that doing the firmware mod was quite risky as it could mess up the radio's internal serial number or something. But maybe this technique I described will provide an easy escape route for this kind of situation. Anyone seen any info on how to get the radio to TX on 900 MHz or activate 30 KH tuning steps on 800 MHz?? email: sdonnell@nh.ultranet.com FAX: 603-659-7125 ==================== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: FT50R Help? From: timh@xetron.com (Tim Huster) Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 12:00:53 GMT With the keypad off and the battery, knobs and antenna off, push lightly on the circuit board under the 'keypad' (where the keypad was). What you are going to do is push the entire radio out the back of the black plastic case. There is a red rubber gasket that seals the radio and the black case. After removing the keypad, knobs and antenna, all that is holding the radio in, is the red rubber gasket. The radio should come out bottom first, and then the 'stuff' on top. Hope this makes sense. It's actually pretty easy to take apart, it's just a slight departure from 'norm' in the way that the radio is assembled. Lemme know (and the newsgroup what you think of the innards of the 50) I think it's neat. One thing that you may think about checking or actually doing since you have the radio apart is to put a dab of heatsink compound under each of the power amp bricks. My '50 didn't have any. (I wonder if that is why the UHF brick is bad????) Anyway, rather than wait for the new brick and have a disassembled radio, I dabbed the VHF brick and put the radio back together so I could operate the radio (cuz it's neat, ya know!) The PTT, Moni, Lamp buttons should be all one piece, installed together. When putting the radio back in the case, pull out the MIC/Ear phone connector cover. Also the BUSY/TX LED thingey can be slid up in the case and after the radio is in, it can be slid back down to position. 73 fer now de kb8bnk ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: FT-50R/40R/10R info. Encryption keypad seen!! From: csupak Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 14:57:27 -0700 Hi all. I found something that I think will interest all you FT-50R/40R/10R owners out there. Yaesu's land mobile division, Vertex, has come out with an HT identical to the 10R/40R/50R's. Same case, same features, same charger. Except. The Vertex VX-10 has a 102 channel keypad that includes voice encryption!! Factory list is $70 for the pad. Also the antenna seems, from the ad's I saw, to be more rugged looking than the ham version. Now if they could just make a simple drop in rapid charger. Vertex (310) 404-2700 Dealer: Henry Radio. I forget the URL for Henry's. Try Yahoo/Henry/Radio. Matt D. ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: RE: ADMS 1C Software From: Dave_Covert@msn.com (David Covert) Date: 6 Aug 96 01:04:08 -0700 I am guessing that the ADMS software is covered by copyright, and that posting and using it like that would be illegal... Be that as it may, the cable you need to hook the serial port to the ear jack is not a trivial affair. There are a lot of surface mount xistors, resistors and diodes in the 9-pin cover. You will need it too.. Dave Covert KB5GOG ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: Arrgh! FT50 in Euro mode, NO USA TEMPLATE! From: benb@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us (Ben Blavat) Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 12:49:10 GMT I have been able to go back and forth whenever. To make a US template just save a noname.rdf to usa.rdf. Don't forget to save a empty euro.rdf to make it easy to go back and forth. 73's from KF4KJF Ben Blavat, bblavat@mailhost.net ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: Arrgh! FT50 in Euro mode, NO USA TEMPLATE! From: efricha@colorado.edu (Eric F. Richards) Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 12:50:39 GMT John Nelson wrote: > > (It probably doesn't matter when using a template to reset to USA mode, > but my FT50 does *NOT* have >the MARS/CAP mod.) > > I think I beat you to it. At this point, you have three choices. One, > reset the CPU to "U.S." mode. You will be able to use the ham freqs and > little else (rx or tx). Two, stay in European mode and not be able to tx > above 146mhz in 2 meter (we never looked at 70cm). There is no way for > the end user to get the FT-50 back to the state in which it came out of > the box. This was confirmed Yaesu USA tech support. Frequency selection is > hosed. ARS is hosed. Etc. is hosed. Three, send radio, receipt, AND > software back to Yaesu USA. They will restore it to original state under > warranty. Of course, you can do the MARS/CAP mod (don't transmit on > frequencies you are not authorized for) and get MOST of the original > functionality restored; all the original receive capabilities (and then > some) plus the extended tx. ARS, alas, is no longer an option. I've gotten mail from two individuals who describe the "recovery" procedure you commonly hear about. Unfortunately that procedure always fails for me (using Windows NT). Has anyone had any luck recovering an UNMODIFIED FT50 back to its out-of-box state? Thanks, -- Eric F. Richards efricha@colorado.edu "The weird part is that I can feel productive even when I know I'm doomed." - Dilbert ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: FT-50 connector From: rdavis@holli.com (Roger Davis) Date: Wed, 07 Aug 96 10:24:26 GMT In article , anb@lanminds.com (anb) wrote: >rtw@fuwutai.att.com (Rob Whitacre) wrote: > >-Anyone found a source for the goofy 4-conductor speaker/mic/clone plug on >-the FT-10/40/50? I know Yaesu sells something called a microphone adapter >-which converts to the standard speaker/mic jack. I am looking for the >-connector itself. -Rob WB8WQA > >Ham Radio Outlet carries them. It's a mini-plug, with the standard >dual-plug output. It clips to the antenna, and can't be used if you have >the rubber gasket around the outer edge of the radio. > >--Andy Brandt, KE6SKH > I was at Michigan Radio (1-800-TRU-HAMM, 810-771-4711) yesterday and they said they normally carry them but were out. I am continueing to check with some electronics suppliers I have used. I'll post in rec.radio.amateur.equipment if I find another source. Roger ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment Subject: Re: YAESU FT-50 MEMORY CLEAR From: "J.R. Marshall" Date: Wed, 21 Aug 1996 17:41:50 -0700 Here's an easy way to get rid of a channel. You can mask a channel, and keep it out of sight until you copy a VFO over it. To mask a channel: select it (tap MR then dial around to the channel), press and hold FW for a half-second, then tap MR. The memory is now out of the channel list when spinning through the dial. (further on this is on page 31 of the FT-50R user's guide) In Richard Parker's reply he suggests the ARMS software. I highly recomend it as an easy to use and understand interface to the radio. PDNAUMANN wrote: > > Fine people - Does anyone know how to completely clear out a single memory > channel in the FT-50. I can't seem to find any mention of it in the > manual. I have programmed some channels that I want to eliminate on an > individual basis. Please let me know at PDNAUMANN@aol.com ======== Date: Sun, 25 Aug 1996 23:34:44 -0400 From: Steve Donnell Date: Tue, 03 Sep 1996 22:58:31 -0700 Try the Icom FA/S 270 Antenna, about half the length works fine for me... ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment,rec.radio.amateur.antenna Subject: Re: FT-50R antenna alternatives From: dtse@intergate.bc.ca (David Tse) Date: Fri, 06 Sep 1996 10:43:58 GMT bnr@universe.digex.net (bnr) wrote: >I'm looking for alternative suggestions to the stock rubber duck that >comes with the FT50. I would like to find something a little smaller. >Any suggestions would be appreciated. Diamond SRH805 144/430/1200 4.5cm SMA Yen 2800 From Japan CQ Ham Radio mag. I am not sure if it has the long rubber skirt like the stock one to cover the bottom. Comet also has one but I don't have info on hand. >Brian Raines N3XWJ || www.universe.digex.net/~bnr/3000.html >bnr@universe.digex.net || The Uniden BC3000xlt ---- In real life: David Tse In ham radio: VE7MDT Primary e-mail: dtse@intergate.bc.ca Alternative e-mail: dtse@rflab.ee.ubc.ca, dtse@ve7ubc.ampr.org ---- ======== Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment,rec.radio.amateur.antenna Subject: Re: FT-50R antenna alternatives From: bnr@universe.digex.net (bnr) Date: 6 Sep 1996 12:03:27 GMT David Tse (dtse@intergate.bc.ca) wrote: : bnr@universe.digex.net (bnr) wrote: : : >I'm looking for alternative suggestions to the stock rubber duck that : >comes with the FT50. I would like to find something a little smaller. : >Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks to all who responded...The best alternative that has been suggested so far (IMHO) would be the soon to be released Comet SMA501. I close relative to the Comet "Miracle Baby," but with an SMA adapter. It is apparently going to be available very shortly from what I have been told and will range in price from $27-30. Anybody with more information on this antenna, please let me know. Brian Raines N3XWJ || www.universe.digex.net/~bnr/3000.html bnr@universe.digex.net || The Uniden BC3000xlt ======================================= Date: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 11:29:28 -0400 From: Captain