 |
Troubles with the FT-950
21 April 2014 | by Having some issues with my Yaesu FT-950. On Friday I noticed the 950 had a high SWR reading on 40m. Tried tuning and it wouldn’t correct the issue. I went back to 20m and over the weekend worked almost 200 SSB contacts without issue and was receiving solid signal reports on my audio all weekend long. Last night I tried working W1AW/5 on 40m and again couldn’t get the 950 to tune.
I decided to connect the 950 to a dummy load and check it out. I used my LDG AT-600ProII and the analog meter in bypass mode to record the following measurements with the FT-950 in CW mode and sending a continuous carrier.
10m – flat SWR and 50w fwd power
12m – flat SWR and 35w fwd power
15m – flat SWR and 25w fwd power
17m – flat SWR and 15w fwd power
20m – flat SWR and 10w fwd power
30m – flat SWR and 0w fwd power
40m – flat SWR and 0w fwd power
80m – flat SWR and 0w fwd power
160m – flat SWR and 0w fwd power
About 15 minutes later I repeated the tests, which produced different results as noted below:
10m – 35w
12m – 20w
15m – 15w
17m – 10w
20m – 5w
30m – 0
40 – 0
80 – 0
160 – 0
I’m a bit perplexed as to what is going on. I’m going to try another power supply tonight, but I have a feeling the 950 will need to take a trip to California and spend some time in the Yaesu hospital. I’ve also performed a full factory reset, but still getting the same results. Anyone else have any other bright ideas?
If the 950 does need to take a trip to California, I’m hoping Yaesu can turn it around in time to have it back for my stint operating W1AW/Ø.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK
3 Responses to “Troubles with the FT-950”
 Ham Radio Deluxe |
 Ham Radio Prep |
 Ham Radio School |
 KB3IFH QSL Cards  Hip Ham Shirts  HamRadioAuctions Reliance Antennas Enigma Shop |  morseDX  Ni4L Antennas  R&L Electronics antennas.us Ears to Our World |
- Matt W1MST, Managing Editor
Eliminate all the extras from the circuit except for the dummy load. Use the metering on the rig to establish SWR readings vs Power output.
This will eliminate faulty cables and/or connectors from the picture…A new jumper should be used between the rig and the dummy load.
73,
Jay/AF2C
Good evening Jerry, I fully agree with Jay and make sure the cable you are using from the dummy load to the rig is good. Also just check the dummy load with an ohm meter to make sure it is close to or right on 50 ohms. As was already said us the rigs SWR meter. You want to make sure the rig is the problem and not some other cable or piece of equipment. Never assume that a cable or external piece of equipment is new or never had trouble that it’s not the problem. Try what Jay said and see what the results are.
Mike
sounds like the finals are breaking down after a high swr,it only needs a faulty patch lead to cook them,check the voltage to the rig,any excess will cook them,regards,ken,m3zkb