Yaesu FT-101 HF Transceiver Web Page

Presented by Fox Tango International.

Yaesu Musen Co. FT-101

(Yaesu Wireless Co.)

 

 

FT-101 Modules

FT-101 Board Complement by Model Number

FT-101 Version

VFO

REG

HF-IF

LO-IF

AUDIO

RF

MOD

RECTIFIER

BLANKER

PROCESSOR

FT-101 MK-1 (Early)
S/N 25,000&Down

PB1056

PB1079A

PB1084C

PB1080A

PB1081B

PB1081C

PB1077B

PB1078A

PB1076A

Part of

PB1080A

None

FT-101 MK-2 (Late)
S/N 25,001&Up

PB1056

PB1185

PB1180

PB1183

PB1189

PB1181A

PB1184

PB1076B

PB1182

None

FT-101B (Early)
S/N 06,000&Down

PB1056

PB1185

PB1180

PB1183B

PB1315

PB1181B

PB1184A

PB1076B

PB1292

None

FT-101B (Late)
S/N 06,001&Up

PB1056

PB1314A

PB1180B

PB1183B

PB1315A

PB1181B

PB1184A

PB1076B

PB1292

None

FT-101E/EE/EX  (Early)
S/N 15,000&Down

PB1056

PB1314A

PB1180B

PB1183B

PB1315A

PB1181B

PB1184A

PB1076B

PB1292

PB1494

FT-101E/EE/EX (Mid)
S/N 15,001-20500

PB1056

PB1314A

PB1180B

PB1183B

PB1315A

PB1181B

PB1184A

PB1076B

PB1292

PB1534

FT-101E/EE/EX (Late)
S/N 20,5001&Up

PB1056

PB1574A

PB1180B

PB1183C

PB1315A

PB1181B

PB1184A

PB1076B

PB1582

PB1534A

FT-101F/FE/FX (All)
S/N All Numbers

PB1056

PB1547

PB1180B

PB1183C

PB1315B

PB1181B

PB1184A

PB1076B

PB1582B

PB1534A

 

 

FT-101 Audio Boards

PB-1081B, PB-1081C, PB-1189, PB-1315A~Z

This Module contains microphone amplifier, Audio Amplifier, Vox and CW side tone.  One can easily note the difference from PB1081C which was used in the late production FT-101 transceivers which came with the large SANYO STK-401 audio amplifier chip and PB-1315A/B  audio unit used in the newer FT-101E and F model transceivers.  Very Early FT-101 (MK-1) used an early audio board PB-1081B  it has two (PNP 2SB463) transistors in push pull.  As noted below you will see Q-10 and Q-11 on PB1081B.  Upgraded FT-101 (MK-1) transceivers used audio board PB-1081C and then later models FT-101 (MK-2) transceivers used PB-1189. With the introduction of the FT-101B the audio board changed again using  audio board PB-1315 in (Early) FT-101B production.  All of these audio modules (except for PB-1081B) used the large Sanyo STK-401 audio chip which was often a source of failure in the audio circuit due to oscillation.  It wasn't until the FT-101B(2) late production we are introduced to the improved  audio unit PB-1315A using the smaller AN-214 (4.4 watt)  integrated circuit audio power amplifier chip.  Yaesu used the AN-214 audio chip in many of it's amateur transceivers including the famous FRG-7 communications receiver.  The AN-214 proved to be very reliable and the use of PB-1315A/B continued until the end 101 production.  

It's interesting to note while the FT-101 series of transceivers basically looked the same for all the years they remained in production.  They were often fondly referred to by many as the (VW) Volkswagen of amateur radio.  While they basically keep the same look from the outside, a keen eye could note the improvements being made by the factory under the (bonnet) hood of this finely tuned machine.  Such is the case when looking at the Audio modules below.

 

Click here for larger view.Click here for larger view.Very Early FT-101 (MK-1) Early Audio board:

PB-1081B

Click here for larger view.

Audio Board FT-101 (MK-1)  Early PB-1081C Audio board FT-101 (MK-2) PB-1189 - No pix Both boards use the large Sanyo STK-401 Audio Amplifier chip.

Click here for larger view.

Audio PB-1315 FT-101B (Early) looks similar to PB-1081C seen above. With addition of a heat sink on the STK-401 Audio Chip. If you need to replace an STK-401 it has proven to be almost all but  impossible to find at this late date. The club still has a few original Sanyo STK-401 in the radio graveyard, or an NTE1151 may be used in its place.

 

AuClick here for larger view.dio Unit PB-1315A~Z (Late "B" & Up)

 Used in the FT-101E and F models transceivers. This board replaced earlier versions and used the smaller 4.4 watt AN-214 9 pin single in line package, integrated circuit audio power amplifier chip. Should you ever need to replace an AN-214  a suitable replacement is the NTE-1058 as noted below.  The AN214 was used in most of Yaesu amateur products throughout the 1970s.

 

Click here for larger view.One last area of interest regarding audio is the proper wiring of the head phone jack. Some early models were wired incorrectly which in turn allowed for audio to be heard through the speaker when headphones were plugged into the headphone jack, later production runs were revised.  You should use a mono jack plug with the 101E but even then there can be a  problem. A whole batch leaked out with the phone socket wired wrong and needed rewiring.

 

 

 

 

NTE1058

Linear AF power output IC 4.4W and audio preamp.

Equiv. To AN214P. Case style 9 pin SIP.

High Frequency IF Modules PB-1183 & PB-1180 (early)

 High Frequency IF Module,  Unit PB-1180B IF Unit:

Transmit 1st mixer & Receiver 2nd mixer.  

 

Click here for larger view.

 What you are looking at here is the early PB-1083C (Right) and PB-1180 (Left) side by site. The early board is on your right.  You will see clearly on PB-1180 to your

 left, there is a 6360 KHz crystal that is absent on the early board. This is part of a 6.36 MHz trap going out the circuit board to L-32 via Pin #14.  It is generally assumed you can not put a PB-1180B into a very early FT-101 which has PB-1084, this is true.  However you can put PB-1180B into an early unit if you cut the ground on Pin #14 under your early FT-101.  If you try to upgrade your early radio with PB1180B you will have no signal path as the ground on pin #14 of the early transceiver will short out your I.F signal path until the ground is removed from plug in socket MJ(2) Pin #14 which holds the mixer unit under the early FT-101 transceiver.  It can be done successfully  and a newer High Frequency unit can be used in an early FT-101 by doing this step.

 

 

 

 

Click here for larger view.

 

PB1183/B/C

 did not have the noise blanker on this board.

 

Low Frequency LO-IF Unit PB1183/B/C & PB1080A

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Low Frequency IF Module PB1183B/C this module contains the low frequency IF amplifier, SSB and CW crystal filters, detector and AGC/S meter circuits.  The 3180 KHz signal from the noise blanker is fed through this unit and the SSB/CW Filters through the Low Frequency IF Unit.  In transmit mode, the IF signal is applied to high frequency I.F. unit from pin #10.  NOTE: YOU CAN NOT TAKE PB-1183 and put it into an early FT-101 which uses a PB-1080A, the reason you can not update an early transceiver with this board is that the very early FT-101 had the noise blanker circuit on PB-1080A.  Later models  in the series FT-101/B/E/F had a plug in noise blanker boards such as PB-1582B shown below. In the case of the original late model FT-101 there was a noise blanker  which included the crystal control board (PB-1182) this unit was installed on top of the VFO and the interconnection of this module were wired directly without using plug-in socket. 

Click here for larger view.

Click here for larger view.

PB1080A Older board

 with noise blanker on LO-IF

 

 

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XF-30C 600 Hz CW Filter

Center Freq 3179.3 KHz

 

Filters in your FT-101

On the low frequency I.F. unit you will often find the XF-30A or XF-32A SSB filters, XF-30C 600 Hz CW filter or the XF-30B 6 KHz wide AM filter.

Click here for larger view.

XF-32A SSB filter 8 pole 2.4 KHz filter, center frequency 3180 KHz

 

Click here for larger view.Shown are the XF-32A 8 pole 2.4 KHz SSB filter,  XF-30B 6 KHz AM filter,  XF-30C 600 Hz CW  and XF-30D FM filter 3.180 center frequency 20 KHz wide used in the FR-101 Receiver.  Absent from this photo is the often seen XF-30A 6 pole 2.4 KHz SSB filter that came stock in early transceivers until Yaesu later upgraded all the FT-101  I.F.  filters to the XF-32A 8 pole filter.

Click here for larger view.

XF-30B AM Filter 6 KHz wide, center frequency 3180 KHz

 

A look inside a defective XF-30B will give you an idea what your crystal filter looks like

 

Click here for larger view.

 

Here we can see an XF-30A 6 pole 2.4 KHz SSB filter on a Yaesu speech processor unit.

The XF-30A was originally used in the I.F. for the FT-101, it is a six pole filter.

Later the manufacturer went to the XF-32A filter, it is an eight pole filter.

Both filters had a center frequency of 3.180 MHz and a 2.4 KHz band width.

 

Fox Tango Optional narrow 250 Hz CW filter. Model YF 31-H250

 

 

 Modulator Unit PB1184 & PB1078A

Click here for larger view. 

Modulator Unit PB-1184A.  The carrier oscillator & modulator unit has separate oscillators for USB, LSB, modes while CW & AM use the same oscillator crystal.  Except for a very few minor changes on this board, the modulator unit is one of the few boards which virtually remained the same through out the entire production of the transceiver.  There is really very little difference between a PB-1078A and a PB-1184A and there should be no reason what so ever that the two can not be interchanged, if needed.

 

 

 

Noise Blanker Unit  PB1292, PB1182, PB1582

Noise Blanker PB-1582B receives 3180 KHz to the noise blanker unit. Very early FT-101 series transceivers had the noise blanker circuit on PB-1080A.  Later models  in the series FT-101/B/E/F had a plug in noise blanker boards such as PB1182, PB1292 and PB-1582.  Lots of changes to the noise blanker circuit over the years, enough to write another book so we will reserve comment on it until a later date. 

 

 

 

RF Unit (Front end) PB-1077B and PB-1181CClick here for larger view.

 

Early PB-1077B with relay. 

Click here for larger view.The module contains the receiver RF amplifier, receiver 1st mixer, transmitter 2nd mixer and heterodyne oscillator circuit.  The base circuit of the receiver mixer Q3 on this board is disconnected in transmit by a small relay (RL1) to avoid the lowering the Q of the receiver 1st mixer circuit while in transmit mode.

 

Click here for larger view. RF Unit, PB1181C. Contains RF amplifier, 1st mixer, Tx 2nd mixer and heterodyne Oscillator section.  This module contains the receiver RF amplifier, receiver 1st mixer, transmitter 2nd mixer and heterodyne oscillator circuit.  NOTE: PB-1181 can replace PB1077B in earlier FT-101 transceivers, without any problem. The early HF Unit PB-1077B had a small relay (RL1) on the board, the relay would be activated in transmit mode so as not to lower the "Q" of the circuit in Tx mode.  The mechanical relay was quickly replaced by a diode switch to avoid the lowering the "Q" of the circuit. The later board PB1181C is far superior to the original design with the addition of a local oscillator buffer (Q5) 2SC373, diode switching,  and (Q2) FET 2SK19 for the Receive 1st Mixer.  The RF amplifier Q1 also saw some change during production from it's original 3SK39 to a 3SK40 in later model transceivers.  It was later recommended by Fox Tango members to replace the 3SK40 with a 3N201 MOSFET that was internally diode protected from static discharge on the antenna and less likely to blow out.  An added advantage of the 3N201 was slightly higher receiver gain.  Due to the fact that the 3N201 is no longer available a the suggested replacement part is an NTE-454, N-channel, Dual Gate MOSFET.    

 
 

N-CHANNEL MOSFET (UPDATE) 3/06 

 Improved replacement for Yaesu FT-101 1st RF Amplifier now available

Click here for larger view.The 'FT -MOSFET' is an improved replacement for the Yaesu FT-101 first RF amplifier and the Yaesu FT-301 Mixer.  The MOSFET increases RX sensitivity.  Its inputs are diode protected and it has a very low noise characteristic.  Reports from Club members have been overwhelming enthusiastic.  Several Club members have reported that in the FT-101's with the 3SK39 (3SK40 in the newer models) as the first RF amplifier, the RX sensitivity at highest signal levels remains the same or may even be diminish by an S unit or two when compared to the improved replacement MOSFET.  Each rig is slightly different, but in all cases the MOSFET increases the linearity characteristic and brings up low level signals before inaudible.  Installation could not be easier and involves removing the 3SK39 / 3SK40 and inserting the 'FT FET' in the socket of PB-1181B, FT-101B/E/F models.  For more information on the Club "FT-FET" click here.

Internal Schematic

Click here to see the NTE-454 data sheet for this device.

 

 

 

 

Power Regulator Modules

Through out the production of the FT-101 series of transceivers there were many changes to the power supply regulator module.  However they all basically did the same thing but the circuitry was improved. reaching the same means to the end result.  The DC 13.6 volts from the rectifier unit is filter on this board and produces a stable 6 volt DC supply. Regulated voltage is provided to the clarifier and VFO circuits for stability from this board.  The regulator board also has a transmit bias control on this board.  A (-100 volts) negative one hundred volts supply sets the operating bias to the final amplifier tubes at approximately -50 volts.  And The bias for the 12BY7A  is also supplied from this board. (-20 volts) negative twenty volts on receive and (-3.5 volts) three and a half volts on the driver tube during transmit.

Click here for larger view. Click here for larger view.Power Regulator Unit PB-1079A in the very early transceivers used two NPN transistors to provide a stable 6 volt DC supply voltage need for the rest of the transceiver and produced  100 KHz and 25 KHz marker signals.  This unit is easily identifiable by it's large heat sink on the regulator transistor Q5 (2SC697) and the large 100 KHz HC-13U crystal used in it's marker generator.

 

Click here for larger view. Click here for larger view.Less often seen is PB1314, this board can be found in the early FT-101B series  transceivers.  More often then not you will see PB1314A as shown below with an (MFC-6030A)  integrated circuit being used in place of the two bi-polar NPN transistors for the 6 volt regulator circuit..

 

 

Click here for larger view.PB1314A  often seen in the FT-101B  Late production and early FT-101E transceivers.  It uses a voltage regulator (I.C.) integrated circuit in place of the two bipolar transistors seen on earlier units to produce a regulated 6 volt DC supply.  This is one of the areas where we see the most change going on with this board throughout the years of the transceivers  production.  The integrated circuit type MFC-6030A provided an extremely stable 6 vdc supply for the VFO and clarifier.  However through the years the MFC-6030A has become a source of failure on these regulator units and it can be difficult at best to find.  This unit can also be identified easily because it has

 the large 100 KHz HC-13U crystal and the MFC-6020 integrated circuit multivibrator which generates a marker signal every 25 KHz.  The integrated circuits type  MFC-Click here for larger view.6030, MFC-6032 and MFC6034A  look identical.  See: Fox Tango Candy Store for MFC6030A

 

 

 

                                      MFC6030A               MFC6034A

   Ic(max)                            200ma                         200ma
Output V (nominal)             19V                           11V
Drop-out V (max)               3.0                             3.0
   Pwr Dissipation                1.0 Watt                   1.0 Watt
  Supply V (max)                 38V                              22V
 Min Out adj V                  1.2V                              ???
 Max Out adj V                  37                                 ???


MFC6030A,6032A,6033A, and 6034A, are all basically the same. They can be interchanged for FT-101 use.

If you are in need of a replacement regulator, check with the club  candy store for purchase of a replacement.

 

 

 

Click here for larger view. Power Regulator Board PB1547A and B was the final and best power supply circuit board.  It sported a regulator circuit comprised of Q1, uPC141C, and Q2 (2SA634) for an extremely stable 6 volt DC supply which is fed to various circuits from pin #13 of it's board.  This board also had the latest marker signal generator using a 3200 KHz crystal frequency signal that is divided into 100 KHz and 25 KHz marker signals which was then fed to the receiver antenna circuit. 

 

 

 

 

FT-101 Solid State VFO

 

 

 

 

 

 

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