[1000mp] Antenna relays

[Garry Shapiro]

Tod:

I encountered that exact problem with my MP while it was still in 
warranty; it first manifested while I was operating at 3B9R in 1999. 
Subsequently, Yaesu professed profound ignorance of the problem. I then 
sent in the radio with explicit, detailed, can't-miss instructions how 
to replicate the problem, and was told shortly thereafter that the 
problem could not be replicated. That was incredible to me, because the 
dropout by then was occurring every 10 or 20 TX/RX cycles. After further 
discussions by telephone, a bunch of front-end parts were replaced, 
including several DIP relays, but the bag of used parts accompanying the 
returned radio were not identified.

The Yaesu "fix" lasted several years, but again appeared. Recently, I 
sent my radio to WA4GEG in Tennessee for a display board problem and 
mentioned this, and Byron replaced six or seven relays. So far, so good. 
The second MP I have, purchased only a few years ago, also occasionally 
manifests the problem. I have little doubt that a relay is the culprit, 
but I am not sure which one.

To my knowledge, Yaesu has /never/ acknowledged this problem, although 
it has been discussed many times, by myself and others, on this 
reflector. Yaesu's denial--despite multiple complaints--is both 
unfathomable and unacceptable. When Chip Margelli was working for Yaesu, 
I toggled him, but he never responded.

I just went back over my stored messages, but, alas, I have not kept 
them back that long. You might, however, key on my name or callsign in 
the archives, starting in the Spring of 1999, to see what pops up. I am 
afraid that all you will find, however, are detailed descriptions of the 
complaint.

Yaesu's attitude on this matter has a payback. My next radio will be a K3.

73

Garry, NI6T

Tod -ID wrote:
> Over the years people have posted information relating to sudden,
> intermittent changes in RF input signal level which often seemed to be
> caused by the small antenna relays in the RF section of the MP. 
>
> I am experiencing such intermittent RX signal reduction as I use the radio .
> If the RX signal level drops I can almost always send a dit and the signal
> level will pop back up to the previous level. One might well think that the
> relay contacts have become fouled. 
>
> Before I began the search of the archives for historical comment on this
> problem I thought I would post the problem on the reflector and ask people
> to give me suggestions on what terms I should use in the search if I want to
> find pertinent material faster.
>
> If you have the 'solution' feel free to send that along, otherwise any help
> would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks, Tod, K0TO
>
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