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" <njc@warwick.net
Got some info for ya....
Yaesu has the new commercial versions of the ft-10 and 40. they are the vx
series... for all intents and purposes they are all basically the same radio.
People have complained about the antenna size of the 50 10 and 40 well the
commercial antenna the vhf and uhf are MUCH shorter and have the 'hood' that
completely covers the connector. They will be available in august for
distribution. Also they clip that comes with the radio sucks, the commercial
clip is MUCH heavier and is spring loaded almost like a pager clip but real
nice. Kinda like the clip on the HT1000. I got this clip and it fits on the
amateur packs. Yaesu didn't know this....I filled em in !! And they call
themselves the parts dept (g).
Also supposedly....the new vx series can do 8 alpha characters as opposed to
the 50's 4. Well they might upgrade the 50 display to 8. 73 nick
==========
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment
Subject: Re: FT-50r, Know how to play game?
From: jjmartin@shore.net (Jim Martin)
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 03:07:56 GMT
FBUL85A@prodigy.com (Rob Curtis) wrote:
>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 <nixon@actrix.gen.nz>
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 <billc@rust.net>
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 <Paul_Moller@csg.mot.com> 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.
