Hi Stefan, excellent result after an arduous search for the root problem. I also have a Yaesu FT 857, I opened it and removed it (the conductive heatsink) Greetings from Chile CA5JXT Jaime 73.
Excellent troubleshooting sequence Stefan. Really like watching your videos, and want to thank you for making them and sharing your thought process and expertise! I have one of these and some day will have to open it and check it. 73 😊
These TRXs are like modern cars - 50% of the problems (at least) are caused by the software. Operators: keep your fingers off these maintenance menues if you do not know what you are doing. Tnx Stefan for sharing your experiences.
This was drilled into us at Motorola and Kenwood to RTFM and understanding how the radio works and how to enter proper alignment modes. I went to another shop after the one I worked at closed down and was appalled at the bench tech as to how he aligned the Motorola Maxtrac and Radius line of radios that were popular some 20 plus years ago! Instead of using the computer with alignment software to set up the radio after a major repair he would just twiddle the caps and coils until the radio worked. Now the radio would come back time and time again for alignment issues. I was the low ball man on the bottom of the totem pole so I kept to myself. This was not the way to align these radios! Software controlled radios are a different beast compared to legacy Motorola and GE radios that had zero microprocessors in them. Funny I had fifteen years experience on these micro controlled radios and could have solved the problem in about an hour and a half of realignment by the book.
Very good approach to fault finding. These boxes with the alignment menus wich are "hidden" to not be operated by the user... I think you approached it correctly. Thanks for the video.
Something was making me wonder about the software settings early on mostly because my Icom transceiver has many of them and I've had one or two change over the years with no reason I could determine (bit-flip?). I about fell out of my chair laughing when you said RTFM as I've said that many times to folks on the job and hams as well! ;-) TNX for sharing Stefan! 73 - Dino KLØS
Hi Stefan, I followed with interest this video as I’ve worked on 2 857 I acquired for myself, both needing repair. I also worked on my 817. I do agree at the beginning the software alignment Is tricky. I took me some time to get it right. Regarding the conductive pad I can tell you that it was NOT on the right place. Factory position is on the side of the speaker, not were you found it. When you close the cover it goes pressing on the TMP connector at the center of the board (by memory the rx path). Someone went in and just made mistakes there as well as on the bloody alignment menu!. Best wishes and to the next video! 73 Diego
Tnx dr Diego, i can follow your argumentation regarding this crazy pad. The history of this TRX is unknown and there are many genius in the world....hi.
Hello Stefan, Again, I nice video! You are just lucky that there were no short-circuits around the processor between power supply pins and other pins .. 😀 73's and thanks for your interesting videos. Stephane (aus dem Elsass)
RTFM - good advice, banging your head against the wall - not so good. A piece of conductive foam stuck to the speaker pressing on the microprocessor that is removed when testing would be so easy to miss, especially the conductive bit. I believe you found this problem faster by using standard troubleshooting methods than you would have by scrolling through all of those menus looking at numbers. I say "Well done, sir" Regards, David
My newly acquired FT-857D has foam around the speaker. It's brittle and made a mess when I took the top cover off. Got it cheap because it has the display issue. Already have an Arduino taking over for it and displaying frequency, mode and s-meter on it. Still need the crappy one for the menu.
Thanks for the video Stefan. Has happened to me many times! Go looking for the fifth leg of a cat (a Spanish saying that means that you look for the most complicated thing that may be happening not looking for the easiest of solutions) and the solution was a simple one. I would have done same. So you are good my friend. I have one of these (D version) and will now check on the speaker but I am sure it does not have that pad cause I replaced the speaker years ago (bough the radio used and had broken speaker cone and also screen was striped damaged). Ordered both parts and is now working really well. A hug from El Salvador and thanks for sharing your knowledge. I learn a lot from you. 73 Rob, YS1RS.
Exactly!!! Thought the same when I heard the saying first time. My grand father used to say “Era simple pero por andar buscando las cinco patas al gato, no viste la solución…. Así se aprende!”. He said that to me many times. Agree the fifth one is the tail 😂
“Read the @&@& manual” …. Easier said than done. I’ve found that I’m less inclined to read manuals as I progress in age, so it’s only natural. Thanks again for an interesting video.
DL7MAJ STEFAN YOU ARE GOOD AT RESTORING VINTAGE SHORTWAVE RECEIVERS AND ALIGNMENT OF VINTAGE SHORTWAVE RECEIVERS AND RESTORING HAM TRANSCEIVERS MY FRIEND
QsTechService1 I too have this scope and really need the extra bandwidth/generator, but (maybe I’m dumb) but just couldn’t find (to me) a straight forward set of instructions/SW for me to confidently do it. Very worried of bricking it and being retired too a long time to afford it. I hate to ask this on Stefan’s channel but could you point me to where and how you did Thank you and Stefan & 73! 😊
@SpinStar1956 Check out Dave Jones EVBlog Forms Basically you're installing custom Firmware Unlocking all features Also turning the scope into 500 MHz Just make sure to back up your Stock bin file Is first before flashing Let me know how it goes
DL7MAJ STEFAN I HAVE A ZENITH TRANS OCEANIC TRANSISTOR SHORTWAVE RECEIVER I WANT TO RESTORE IT LET ME NO WARE I CAN GET RUSSIAN GERMANIUM TRANSISTORS ?
