FT-7 Drifting

[l***@lachlanpearse.com]

Hi All,

I've just recently gotten myself running on HF and am using a Yaesu
FT-7 for my radio. It all seems to work an absolute treat, however
myself and others I have spoken to have noticed that the radio fairly
consistently drifts off-frequency while transmitting and receiving.

Are there any FT-7 gurus out there who might know why this is
happening? It's fairly frustrating as when I'm having a QSO, the other
amateur has to constantly adjust his radio and chase me around the
band. The same applies to myself as well. Does anyone have any idea as
to where the issue might lie? I have a PDF version of the manual if
anyone requires it.

Thanks in advance.

Lachie
VK3FLOP.

[atec77]

Post by l***@lachlanpearse.com
Hi All,
I've just recently gotten myself running on HF and am using a Yaesu
FT-7 for my radio. It all seems to work an absolute treat, however
myself and others I have spoken to have noticed that the radio fairly
consistently drifts off-frequency while transmitting and receiving.
Are there any FT-7 gurus out there who might know why this is
happening? It's fairly frustrating as when I'm having a QSO, the other
amateur has to constantly adjust his radio and chase me around the
band. The same applies to myself as well. Does anyone have any idea as
to where the issue might lie? I have a PDF version of the manual if
anyone requires it.
Thanks in advance.
Lachie
VK3FLOP.

Same reason my 747 used to , dry caps , as to which ones there is only
one way to find out ,

[l***@lachlanpearse.com]

Post by atec77
Same reason my 747 used to , dry caps , as to which ones there is only
one way to find out ,

Sounds good. So what am I looking for when you say a dry cap? Is it the
capacitor itself that's busted or just the solder joint holding it to
the board or a combination of both? And what circiuts would I be best
to look at first?

Worst comes to the worst, I might have to track down a ham in my area
who might be able to take a look at it.

Thanks for your help though, it's much appreciated.

Lachie
VK3FLOP

[Jim]

Post by l***@lachlanpearse.com
Sounds good. So what am I looking for when you say a dry cap? Is it the
capacitor itself that's busted or just the solder joint holding it to
the board or a combination of both? And what circiuts would I be best
to look at first?

"Dry Caps" refers to the entire capacitor being past its "use by date". The
internals of the capacitor have become dry.
You might look at replacing the capacitors in the VFO circuit, especially
any electros.
Cheers
Jim

[me]

Post by l***@lachlanpearse.com

Post by atec77
Same reason my 747 used to , dry caps , as to which ones there is only
one way to find out ,

Sounds good. So what am I looking for when you say a dry cap? Is it the
capacitor itself that's busted or just the solder joint holding it to
the board or a combination of both? And what circiuts would I be best
to look at first?
Worst comes to the worst, I might have to track down a ham in my area
who might be able to take a look at it.
Thanks for your help though, it's much appreciated.
Lachie
VK3FLOP

Learn to use a soldering iron, or place the rig in a blanket to avoide
thermal drift, the radio sounds like your back of the corn flakes box
licence..a FLOP

[l***@lachlanpearse.com]

Post by me
the radio sounds like your back of the corn flakes box
licence..a FLOP

Thanks for your feedback...extremely encouraging...

I know this is a bit off topic, however your attitude toward the
foundation licence and the associated licencees does not sound like one
that encourages new people to take up the hobby of amateur radio. The
foundation licence is a great way for people to easily test the waters
to see whether or not amateur radio is the hobby for them or not.

It also gives them a good chance to learn about amateur radio by
actually participating in the hobby. They have the basic skills
required to set up a station, get on air and have a QSO, and that's all
they need to start with. The rest of the skills and knowledge come over
time by speaking with different people and learning new things every
day as part of experimenting. After all, amateur radio is exactly that,
an experimental hobby. Newcomers need to be given a chance.

Yes, some foundation licencees will trip up occasionally, not use the
correct on air manner, they may even unwittingly transmit on the top of
someone else. Further to that, the same could be said for new standard
and advanced licencees if that's their first ever licence. They are
bound to make mistakes at first as well. It's all part of the learning
curve and the amateurs who have been around longer shouldn't have a go
at them. When someone makes a mistake, all you need to do is bring it
to their attention and move on. There's no need for negativity toward
foundation licencees as they are just as entitled to use the bands as
any other amateur. Remember, you also had to start at the bottom when
you first got your licence.

There are now over 1000 foundation licences been issued, and these
1000-odd people are pretty much ensuring the hobby of amateur radio is
one that will be around for many years to come. Foundation licencees
should be nurtured and encouraged to learn more about the hobby and not
discouraged as this will have a negative effect on the hobby as a
whole. The foundation licence is merely a stepping stone to bigger and
better things within amateur radio.

Anyhow, they are just my thoughts as a foundation licencee. If you've
read this far, thanks for your time.

73

Lachie
VK3FLOP

PS: I will try some of the suggestions above to cure my drift over the
next few days and will report back with the results. Thanks for all
your help everybody. - Lachie

[n***@nospam.com]

Couple of suggestions to track down specific fixes (faults usually run
in a model, so others with the same set have been there, done that):

1) drop Harry Leeming G3LLL a line - he is a retired tech who
specialised in the older Yaesu's, and writes a column in "Practical
Wireless along those lines occasionally, and he invites queries:
***@tiscali.co.uk

2) find someone (perhaps via a post on VK-Ham) who can send you a copy
of an article in the RSGB magazine "Radcom" of July 1982 that looks
like it covers just what you want (this list is from a file on the web
of past mag articles):

=FT-7 CW-filter for- DJ6HP CQDL 80-08-360
=FT-7 Frequency drift cure G3JQQ RSGB 82-07-582 <----
=FT-7 Improved tune-up device G4HHS RSGB 82-02-133
=FT-7 Improvement DK1GL CQDL 79-02-068
=FT-7 Outboard var.bandwidth xtal filter G3JQQ RSGB 82-07-582
=FT-7 problem on early series LA8AK RSGB 83-03-234
=FT-7 RF power control G3KLF RSGB 80-03-259
=FT-7 Safe tune up with the ... G4HHS RSGB 81-08-715
=FT-7 Transceiver, review DL7AV CQDL 79-12-534
=FT-7 Transceiver, review G3KLF RSGB 79-06-521
=FT-7 / FT-7B VOX for G3BAC RSGB 80-10-1029

Good luck.

Post by l***@lachlanpearse.com
Hi All,
I've just recently gotten myself running on HF and am using a Yaesu
FT-7 for my radio. It all seems to work an absolute treat, however
myself and others I have spoken to have noticed that the radio fairly
consistently drifts off-frequency while transmitting and receiving.
Are there any FT-7 gurus out there who might know why this is
happening? It's fairly frustrating as when I'm having a QSO, the other
amateur has to constantly adjust his radio and chase me around the
band. The same applies to myself as well. Does anyone have any idea as
to where the issue might lie? I have a PDF version of the manual if
anyone requires it.
Thanks in advance.
Lachie
VK3FLOP.

[carol]

Before you go jumping to replace caps and maybe stuff up your radio. I would
suggest you take out the circuit cards one by one and clean the contacts. My
FT-7 drifts too but it still works very well. Tell me what radio built in
the 70's didn't drift. If you need some good help. Then why not join yahoo
amateur radio repairs. So much knowledge there, it ain't funny. This group
can tell you whats the best cleaner to use. I have heard of people using
sand paper. Please do not even look at that. Yes so hams are a bit dense at
times. When in doubt, ask lots of questions.
https://login.yahoo.com/config/login_verify2?.intl=us&.src=ygrp&.done=http%3
a//groups.yahoo.com%2Fgroup%2FAmateur-repairs%2Fmembers ... Become a member
first.

[sparky]

What is the name of the Yahoo group for Amateur radio repairs please.

Post by carol
Before you go jumping to replace caps and maybe stuff up your radio. I would
suggest you take out the circuit cards one by one and clean the contacts. My
FT-7 drifts too but it still works very well. Tell me what radio built in
the 70's didn't drift. If you need some good help. Then why not join yahoo
amateur radio repairs. So much knowledge there, it ain't funny. This group
can tell you whats the best cleaner to use. I have heard of people using
sand paper. Please do not even look at that. Yes so hams are a bit dense at
times. When in doubt, ask lots of questions.
https://login.yahoo.com/config/login_verify2?.intl=us&.src=ygrp&.done=http%3
a//groups.yahoo.com%2Fgroup%2FAmateur-repairs%2Fmembers ... Become a member
first.