VK Logger Ham Radio Forum Archive

Hi all

I have a FT8900 which is very sick.
I noticed it was very hot to touch then saw that it was drawing 5 amps on rx!
Can anyone tell me who is the Australian Yaesu repairer or maybe somebody
who can repair them.

Cheers Jack

RF Repairs in Wyong, Central Coast NSW is one option for you.

VK6KDX wrote:Hi all

I have a FT8900 which is very sick.
I noticed it was very hot to touch then saw that it was drawing 5 amps on rx!
Can anyone tell me who is the Australian Yaesu repairer or maybe somebody
who can repair them.

Cheers Jack

another option......
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/
who claim to be the only Yaesu authorised service center..

RF Repairs is one of the service Centre that Andrews Communications uses so both suggestions end up at the same location.

years ago.. i sent my 'grey import' IC756 back to Andr$ws for repair (purchased from there). After many many phone calls, he advised me that the radio could not be fixed
He ended up sending it to Strick*y Ham who was willing to take on 1 of Andr$ws grey imports. Stick*y Ham promptly fixed it and returned it to me
That was 10 years ago and the radio is still working and pictured elsewhere in the forums. viewtopic.php?f=23&t=10732

VK4ABW/VK8AW

Try contacting JNB Electronics Pty. Ltd
http://www.jnb.com.au

Denis VK3BGS

VK6KDX wrote:I have a FT8900 which is very sick.

Sounds like a supply rail is crook, and that being the case, is within the realms of fixing yourself, saving $$$$.

Dried out electrolytic? Faulty tantalum?
Dead regulator?
Any obvious localised signs (or even smells?) of damage to PCB tracks and/or components?

Have you measured the rails to determine which is the bad rail?
Or if it's something else dragging a rail down, at least you will have narrowed it down a bit.
Basic process of elimination.

I have a PDF copy of the service manual for the FT8900 if you need it to fault find for yourself.
PM me if you want it.

Note that is this is NOT a general offer to anybody else.

Thanks to all for the helpful responses.

It has been on every day for about 12 hours for the last five years.
I will have another look inside.
Nothing looked distressed on the top board when I had an earlier look..
If it is a write off at least have a spare head for the mobile as I find
it a great rig and would buy another.

Thanks again
73 Jack

Since it is a mobile rig, the first thing I would be looking at is the audio output ic. Its not uncommon for these ic's to fail in a way that allows them to continue working (sort of) while drawing excessive current.

You did not say if the rig was actually still working or not or what other symptoms it has.

Another possibility is that one of the RF driver/output sections is drawing current due to a faulty transistor.

Hi.
Pop off the lid and take a good look about with a mag glass at the pcb. See if there are any obvious dry joints.
The one positive clue- it its getting hot.
So where is the heat comming from ? whats getting hot ??

A good start will be taking a close look at anything bolted to a heat sink, As suggested the audio Chip, a 3 terminal regulator ? or the RF power transistors just about covers it.
If you can find the item that generating the heat then your half way to fixing it.

I for one will never go through an agent unless its under warranty. They are in business to make money, and they wont supply the lube
Im more than happy to spend the time with you on skype if you wish. Dont write it off.
If it gets stubborn, you may want to download the cct diagram pdf. Is this any good ? http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/ft8900r.htm and scroll to the botton of the page and click service manual.

73
Mark.