Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020
I’ve been enjoying my use of the Yaesu FT-77, though it seems that there’s always nearby signal or signals during my CW traffic net that make me wish I had that dang crystal CW filter.
I’ve determined that the display reads 500 Hz above the actual received frequency. The drift is minimal. Once I got it working, the S-meter was slapping to the peg when I transmitted. The transmit power was well over 100 watts; I suspect the rig was “tuned up” for maximum smoke by a previous owner. The gain control only needs to be advanced to about 20 to 25 percent of its travel to hit 100 watts. I cranked it up higher and quit when it neared 150 watts. I set it for 80 watts out for the net. I keep searching for the Yaesu CW filter or the Inrad equivalent, but they seem to be few and far between. I just need to hook up my audio filter, the Yaesu filter is a very rare bird.
The factory VFO knob on the FT-77 seemed to deteriorate with age; the vinyl or plastic part of the knob would eventually turn into gray goo, which is why most of them you see nowadays have the original silver metal know left after the gray goo was scrapped away. I learned on an eHam.net review that the Yaesu FT-757GX VFO knob is a direct replacement; I also learned that the Yaesu FT-857 knob is also the correct diameter once you ream the shaft hole out a little. I ended up buying a replacement FT-857 knob, not realizing the seller is in China. The knob will take two or more weeks to ship. Then I learned the FT-757GX knob is a direct replacement and there was one listed on eBay. I like the look of the FT-757GX knob better, so I’ll put the other knob on eBay once it arrives.
I still need to check out the SB-102 on the bench upstairs in Studio C. I installed new O rings and still need to fix a shaft coupler. Actually, there’s play in the coupler, but it still works.
FT-77 SERVICE MANUAL MIA. I’ve not been successful locating a copy of the service manual for the FT-77. I would like to correct the frequency to match the dial; unfortunately, I don’t know which pot to adjust in the radio. I would also like to back the transmit power back down to something closer to the factory setting.
The CW filter looks to be so rare I might just buy another parts FT-77 if its equipped with the filter. The owner’s manual does tell how to install the filter, at least.
The FT-77 had several options other than the CW filter; the rig had an external VFO; an external antenna tuner, an FM board and I believe an AM board.
Well, time to QRT. G’night and 73.