RETRO RECEIVER REVIEW #8: YAESU FR-101S

RETRO RECEIVER REVIEW #8

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YAESU FR-101S
by Craig Seager VK2HBT


 There is a fascinating story behind Japan’s Yaesu Musen Company and how in 1956 a young techie by the name of Sako Hasegawa decided to form his own company in order to design and manufacture single side band amateur radio equipment, ultimately setting up base in the Yaesu district, in Chuo, Tokyo – just to the east of Tokyo station.
Sako Hasegawa (Courtesy of Yaesu Museum)
Like many place names, “Yaesu” commemorates an actual person – in this case supposedly a Dutchman, Jan Joosten (or at least a Japanese translation of such), who performed some deeds that pleased the then Shogun of Edo.

 Early Yaesu amateur transmitters, such as the FL-100B, were able to be purchased in Australia from the mid 60’s, with dealers such as Melbourne’s Bail Radio and TV Service stocking and also servicing the equipment.  In those days, you will recall, Japanese electronic gear did not have the reputation that it does today, and it took a while for the brand to establish.  Accordingly, the FL100B went through several versions, but right from the start the marque built its reputation based on a balance between price/performance that it continued to maintain over a long period.  The FL100B transmitter paired with an amateur band receiver, the FR100.

 Later the company released its first mainly solid state transmitter, the FT-100, and in time the legendary FT-101.

During the 1970s, the FT-101 was to the amateur fraternity what the FRG-7 became to shortwave listeners and DXers; everyman equipment that would proliferate widely, and even now it is almost impossible not to find used examples of both in specialised classified advert listings, and on a certain well known internet auction site.

 Note that some of the Yaesu equipment was rebadged for sale in Europe by the Swiss company Sommerkamp, and these occasionally surface in both Australia and the U.S.

 But it is a later transmitter that interests us this time, the FL-101, released in 1974, and covering 160 through 10 metres. Its companion receiver the FR-101 is the subject of our main discussion, and a piece of equipment not all that commonly encountered.




Released around 1974, the original version of the FR-101 had analogue readout, and covered the amateur bands, but additionally with the option of crystals for the main shortwave broadcast bands. Plug in circuit boards also provide 6 and 2 metres.  Later, a digital counter was offered, and those versions are known as “D” or sometimes “SD”.  Resolution is to 100 Hz, and recalibration is occasionally needed as one switches between bands.  Sometimes the digital display is a pleasant green, and other times red; I’m not sure which came first.  One clue might be that my FR-101SD has a red display, and a serial number preceded by “8E”.  As with other Yaesu gear, that would indicate manufacture in May 1978, which would have been towards the end of the model’s availability.

 Make no mistake about it, the FR-101 is a pretty lively receiver; all solid state, with quoted sensitivity of .3μF SSB (@14 MHz, and reasonable image rejection for the period. Two bandwidths are offered, the narrowest of which is 2.4 kHz @ -6dB, and available modes are AM-N/AM-W/LSB/USB/CW-N/CW/RTTY and FM.  There is also a preselector, variable AGC, RF gain, noise blanker, attenuator (selectable 10 and 20db), crystal calibrator for 25 and 100 kHz, record jack and S-meter.  There are various settings for use with compatible transmitters, and separate SO-239 antenna jacks for the VHF ranges.
Top of the FR101 Receiver

 Circuit design is around 8 FETs, 26 silicon transistors and 40 diodes.  Tuning is crystal controlled, and the crystal holders accept standard HC-25/U type crystals.  Apart from the amateur bands, 75, 60, 41, 31, 25, 19, 16 and 13 metre broadcast bands are covered – which is adequate, but unfortunately, prevents hearing some of the newer WARC bands and the stations that operate outside the official ranges.  Mediumwave, regrettably, is not offered.
Bottom of the FR101

 Tuning is achieved via a temperature compensated VFO, and the counter circuit provides a very readable display.  The product of the first mixer is converted to a first I.F signal of 5520-6020 kHz, with the second I.F at 3180 kHz

 The receiver does not have an in-built speaker, but matches the Yaesu SP101PB.  I have an SP901, which performs well with the 2W output from the radio, but many “junk box” speakers will perform credibly.

 Serviceability is quite good due to modular construction with plug-in boards, somewhat ahead of its time.  My set obviously hadn’t been used for a while when acquired; every switch was dirty, and as a result the radio didn’t fire up at all out of the box.  Additionally, every lamp was blown, and being a coastal set, there was a small amount of corrosion evident on the chassis. Fortunately, all the issues were able to be resolved with easily obtainable spares and a can of contact cleaner, and the Yaesu is now running well and takes pride of place on the shelf with other models of the 70s and 80s.

 Detailed alignment procedures are contained in the manual, with the usual caveats for unskilled tinkerers, along with comprehensive parts lists and schematics.

 A few user modifications are available, if you dare to dig them out, including a simple anti-flicker mod; evidently some FR-101 versions are susceptible to the display flickering when one pushes towards the edge of the available band.  A good place to start for any information on any Yaesu equipment is www.foxtango.org.

 These receivers do not appeal to everyone due to the slightly restricted coverage, and at almost 14kg (31 pounds), they are approaching “boat anchor” status. Nonetheless, fundamental performance is very good and the sets are well specified to meet the exacting requirements of the ham community, including quality crystal filters and weak signal handling abilities.  They compare favourably with other Yaesu receivers from the 1970s.  A nice slice of the past!

 (This article first appeared in the September 2013 issue of the the Australian DX News)

 Once again, many thanks to Craig Seager for contributing this retro review to MEDXR, and helping to keep the memories of radio alive!

 NOTE: Want to learn more about this fabulous receiver? In preparing Craig's article for publication here, I came across the manufacturer's User's Manual, click here to download.


 Missed the other Retro Reviews? Check them all out by clicking below:

Retro Receiver Review # 1 - The DANSK RX4000

 Retro Receiver Review # 2 - The HITACHI KH-3800W
  
Retro Receiver Review # 3 - The SCHAUB LORENZ ITT TOURING T104A RECEIVER

Retro Receiver Review # 4 - The RACAL RA6790/GM

Retro Receiver Review # 5 - The REALISTIC (RADIO SHACK) DX160

Retro Receiver Review # 6 - The KENWOOD QR 666

 Retro Receiver Review # 7 - The RODHE & SCHWARZ EK890

 Retro Receiver Review # 8 - The YAESU FR101S

 Retro Receiver Review # 9 - The SELENA VEGA B206

Retro Receiver Review # 10 - The DRAKE SPR-4

 Retro Receiver Review # 11 - The NATIONAL RF-5000

Retro Receiver Review # 12 - The YAESU FRG-100

Retro Receiver Review # 13 - The MARC NR-82 F1

Retro Receiver Review # 14 - The MURPHY B40

Retro Receiver Review # 15 - The STROMBERG CARLSON AWP-8










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© Rob Wagner, Mount Evelyn DX Report, and contributors 2012-2023

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