My experience with a faulty Yaesu FT-470 which was kindly gifted to me by another amateur may help someone else who owns an FT-470 2m/70cm dual band talkie that develops a similar problem.
When I initially tried out the talkie, I heard my TX on another radio, so it sounded like it was working, but in fact nobody else could hear me, not even a station just a couple of miles away.
I also noticed that RX was terrible as well and I could only hear very powerful signals, but even at that, it was with noise.
It transpired that the deaf RX and TX not getting out symptoms had something in common…
Once I got the top board separated and out of the cabinet, I noticed a very crusty looking solder joint below a stand off pin, which in turn was soldered, via solid core wire, to the centre pin of the BNC socket.
BNC Standoff Pin – CLICK To View
Things were a bit worse on the other side of the PCB once that had been removed from the rear cabinet.
Capacitor Separates – CLICK To View
A loose antenna socket had flexed the solid core wire soldered from the BNC socket to the stand off pin on the PCB, and in turn stressing the delicate print below.
Stranded flexible wire between BNC and stand off pin might have been better for preventing this from occurring.
I would add that the socket was not loose when the radio was given to me, otherwise that might have led me to the fault sooner, but looking at the scrape marks on the threaded, slotted circular BNC securing ring, it became obvious that the ring had been tightened with pliers at some point.
The PCB track leading to the stand off pin, that feeds the BNC, had separated from the board and from C2001 (470pF) which is in series with the antenna socket.
If you look closely at the photo (above), the fracture between cap and print can be seen.
When a 0.6mm soldering bit on a temperature controlled solder station was placed on this track, it fell off never to be seen again!
Oh well, not to worry, I’ll just solder to the end of the SMD cap then, I thought, given that it appeared to be ok in the photo.
Alas, no go – the capacitor had suffered from being pulled about too much by the flexing, and ultimately, broken print with the result that the antenna side contact of the capacitor disintegrated as soon as any heat was applied.
So a 470pf cap was now needed.
Doesn’t have to be SMD as it’s possible to solder one end of a “normal” cap to the board and the other end direct to the BNC at a push, although SMD caps are likely to be less inductive.
I managed to find a replacement 470pF cap on eBay which restored normal operation.
Effectively, I’d been TXing into no antenna!
Fortunately no other damage was done – I was initially fearful that the now rare and expensive Mitsubishi 2m and 70cm PA ICs might have failed.
One to watch out for, and the moral of the story is to make sure that the BNC socket on your FT-470 remains tightly secured otherwise this repair will become necessary at some point.
I trust of some interest and help if you experience a similar problem.
The RSGB’s National Radio centre (NRC) has hosted the D-Star Repeater GB7BP located at Bletchley Park for several years, enabling both the NRC volunteers to demonstrate D-Star QSOs and those in the vicinity with D-Star capability to communicate worldwide. Recently the NRC has installed a DMR Hotspot, which enables visiting radio amateurs with DMR radios […]
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The event itself will be held from 5th to 12th August 2023 in …
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NEWS FOR SCOTLAND & CLUB NEWS (GB2RS) Extracts inc Additions
THE GLASGOW UNIVERSITY WIRELESS SOCIETY
From Michael 2M0GUI:
“…………… Earlier this week a group of students and Postdocs at the University joined together to establish the Glasgow University Wireless Society. We are pretty small at the moment but looking forward to getting together to enjoy radio. Some of the members don’t have HF equipment, so to begin with we will focus on establishing a 2m net (145.525MHz) on Monday evenings at 6pm, and occasional operating days.
We are really keen for University students, staff and alumni to join us. For further information, please visit our new QRZ page – www.qrz.com/db/mm0wsg – or our Twitter page (@mm0wsg), or email us (mm0wsg@neotes.uk). Everyone is welcome to join us for our net on Monday evening – the more the merrier! We plan to use our new callsign, MM0WSG, for the first time ………………..”
TECHNICAL & SUPPORT NET
On Wednesday from 8pm to 9pm, George, MM0JNL, will be hosting a Technical and Support Net on 145.325MHz, V26. The net is open to anyone, within range, who has any radio-related issues and needs assistance or guidance. This is a peer-support net, the aim of which is to provide support to fellow amateurs.
JUNK SALE
Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society will be holding a member’s junk sale on Thursday. Fred, GM3ALZ, 01975 651 365
GAVIN MM1BXF – FUNERAL DETAILS (GB2RS Extract)
“……….. May we remind listeners that the funeral of Gavin, MM1BXF Silent Key, shall take on Monday the 6th of February at 10.30am at Clydebank Crematorium, Mountblow Road, Clydebank, G81 4SL. Gavin passed away tragically and very suddenly on Monday the 19th of December. Gavin was known to many in the RSGB and was one of the West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society’s young and enthusiastic Members and a committee member for GMDX. He was a keen electronics enthusiast, designing and building his own equipment, and was renowned for his in-depth knowledge of all things radio. In recent months Gavin was spending time in and out of hospital receiving treatment. He will be greatly missed. We send our condolences and thoughts to his wife Bex, and to all his family at this very sad time ……………………”
OTHER CLUB NETS AND MEETINGS
Details of club activities can usually be found on the individual club’s website. A summary of activities, Nets, Contacts and Links in Scotland can also be found at wosars.club/radio-nets
To have your net listed on the WoSARS website or to report any changes, contact Tony, MM0TMZ by email to rr1@rsgb.org.uk. Please also keep GB2RS updated via email to radcom@rsgb.org.uk
SUNDAY
Dundee Amateur Radio Club will be holding open nets on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7.30pm on GB3AG. The next Club Meeting will be on the 31st of January. Martin, 2M0KAU, 07763 708 933
Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club holds a net on Sundays from 2pm around 3.720MHz using SSB, later moving to around 3.540MHz at 2.30pm for a CW net. Also on Sunday, the club will have a quiz night on 145.475MHz. Check-in for the quiz is from 7.45pm for an 8pm start. On Monday there will be a question-and-answer night on Zoom at 7.30pm. The next club meeting will be held on Tuesday the 24th of January. Alternate Tuesdays see a natter night on Zoom at 7.30pm. klarcinfo@gmail.com
Kingdom Amateur Radio Society has nets on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 7pm on 144.750MHz. Steve, MM0SKX, 0771 105 9343
The Lomond Sunday Night net takes place today. Early check-in is from 7.45pm. All the usual ways to join in are available, via Echolink MB7IBH-L and on 145.3375MHz locally across the Clyde Coast. Paul MM3DDQ mm3ddq@gmail.com
Stirling Amateur Radio Society meets at the Club House, Throsk, FK7 7XY, and is open for projects and operating on Sundays. They also meet at 7.30pm on Thursdays. secretary@gm6nx.com
The Viking Amateur Radio Net runs on Sundays from 6pm on 3.660 or 3.639MHz. Details are on their Facebook page. (Note – checkout their Facebook Page to if this group is still active?)
MONDAY
Edinburgh and District Amateur Radio Society has a net on Monday at 8pm on 433.525MHz. Norman, GM1CNH, 0774 094 6192
DV Scotland has a multi-mode net on Monday from 8pm to 9.30pm using GM5DVS. This is via all DV Scotland Repeaters on Talk Group 23556. Time Slot 2. In addition, via Allstar HUB 53937 and Echolink MM1CXE. Details of how to connect are at dvscotland.net
Ham Radio Network has a talk on the theme of An Evening with ???? … on Monday. See hrn.world
Paisley Amateur Radio Club holds a net on Mondays from 8pm on 144.550MHz and on Zello. Tuesday sees a DMR net in room 4415 from 8pm. On Thursday, there is an FM net on 144.550MHz and on Zello from 7.30pm. Stuart, MM0PAZ, 0742 665 0757.
TUESDAY
Glenrothes and District Radio Club has Morse tuition on 145.425MHz FM from 7.30pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Check-in is from 7.15pm. Eric, GM4FQE, 01 333 450 753
Largs & District Amateur Radio Club meets on the Third Tuesday of every month in The Largs Museum, 2 Manse Court, Largs. All are welcome. James, GM0GMN james@bertram.scot
Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society has a club night at Crofthead on Tuesday from 7.30pm. On Thursday there is a net on 145.575MHz at 7.30pm. Cathie, 2M0DIB, 01506 433 846.
Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society will be meeting at the Elgin Reserve Centre. www.mfars.club
WEDNESDAY
Caithness Amateur Radio Society has club nets at 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday on 3.740MHz. Club meetings happen in Skirza, near John O’Groats. Nigel, MM7BWT, Mansfield.n27@gmail.com
Galashiels and District Amateur Radio Society meets in the Focus Centre, Livingstone Place, Galashiels at 8pm on Wednesday. Jim Keddie, mail@gm7lun.co.uk
Lothians Radio Society has its viral net on 144.350MHz USB from 8pm. Andy Sinclair, MM0FMF, secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com
Mid Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society has a ragchew on talk group 23550 from 8pm to 10pm on Wednesday. On Thursday there is a net on 70.425MHz from 8pm. Friday sees the club meeting at Newarthill Community Education Centre, Newarthill, ML1 5JU from 7pm. Simon, 2M0LSG,Secretary@mlars.co.uk.
THURSDAY
Lomond Radio Club has a break in meetings over the festive season. Following the break, meetings will resume on Thursday evenings in the club rooms at the John Connolly Centre in Renton at 7.30pm. Simon, MM0XME, mm0xme@outlook.com
The Online Radio Club has a virtual radio club night at 7.30pm every Thursday via Zoom. It is suitable for all radio enthusiasts regardless of individual skill level. Go to the website for the meeting link. onlineradioclub.org.
FRIDAY
Ayr Amateur Radio Group meets on alternate Fridays at Prestwick Community Centre from 7.30pm. On alternate Fridays there is a Zoom natter. Derek, MM0OVD, 0742 899 4614
Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club usually meets on the first Friday of the month for a club night in the lounge bar of the Thorntree Inn. The next club night will be held on the 3rd of February. Bob, GM4UYZ, 01875 811723, www.cpsarc.com
Strathclyde Park Amateur Radio Club has a net from 7.30pm on 145.400MHz, and in addition on the BATC channel from 8pm. Bill, MM0SFB, gm0syv@btinternet.com
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society will have its usual Solder Group meeting from 6pm on Wednesday. The club will be meeting at 8pm on Friday at its Rose Street club rooms. Checkout wosars.club/calendar for further information.
Tap or click the link below to download this week’s GB2RS news script GB2RS News Script for 29 January 2023 (20-page/477KB Microsoft Word document) Problems downloading the GB2RS news script? Try this alternative link
Have you been busy making something recently? Don’t forget that you have just five weeks left to enter the RSGB Construction Competition. The four categories are: Beginners; Construction excellence; Innovation; and Software. The judges will give special recognition to entries submitted by radio amateurs under the age of 24 and also to those who have just […]
If you are interested in helping to see amateur radio, and the RSGB, continue to thrive over the coming years, this is a final reminder that the closing date for RSGB President, Elected Director and Regional Representative roles is this Tuesday, 31 January 2023. Candidate packs, forms and further details can be found on our […]
