I have borrowed all of the images from various websites to get this page up and running whilst my collection of Yaesu FT-101’s has been building up, I have enough to start adding my own content to this and the other pages on this website, so please bare with me as this will take quite some time.
Yaesu FT-101
Yaesu FT-101 is a model line of modular amateur radio transceivers, built by the Yaesu Corporation in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s.
The FT-101 is a set that combines a solid state transmitter, receiver and a tube final amplifier.
Its solid state features offer high-performance, low-current characteristics and its tube amplifier provides an almost mismatch-resistant transmitter and tuner stage.
FT-101s were made with plug-in circuit boards that could be sent to the dealer or factory for replacement or repair.
The transceiver was hailed as a ‘Solid-State Break Through, 10 FET’s, 3 Integrated Circuits, 31 Silicon Transistors, 38 Silicon Diodes and Computer Type Plug-in Modules.
Except for the transmitter final and driver stages, all circuits are transistorised.
Until then, modular design was unprecedented in the amateur community.
This also explains the fact why so many FT-101s are still in use today, the build quality was certainly ahead of what was coming out of the USA at the time.
The rig was sold worldwide as Yaesu FT-101 and in Europe as Yaesu FT-101 and as Sommerkamp FT-277.
FT-101 – “Early” models are dated from around 1971, this was when they were first offering in United States.
Serial Numbers for these models are anything up to 25,000.
These ‘Early’ models were known for strong receiver overload, TX spurs, and audio problems.
They would only cover 80-10 meter bands.
The FT-101 – “Late” Model transceivers with Serial Numbers above 25,000 had buy this time major modifications to Receiver, Regulator, IF and Audio Boards.
This still would only cover the 80-10 meter bands.
There were five FT-101 sub-models known: (based upon MK-160 160 Meter kit information)
Mark 0: Serial numbers 06000 and below.
First “Early” models during 1970.
Mark 0A: Serial numbers 06001 to 07991.
Transitional.
Mark I: Serial numbers 08001 to 23999.
This was the most common and often referred to as the “Early” model.
Mark II: Serial numbers 24000 to 24999.
Transitional models with 160M tank circuit.
Mark IIA: Serial numbers 25000 and up.
First “Late” Models.
Beware: Early and Late model circuit boards may not be fully interchangeable!
Yaesu FT-101 – Notes on Adjusting the Trim Capacitors (By Roderick Wall VK3YC
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Yaesu FT-101 – Datasheet for 3SK Series Mosfet Used in the FT-101 Series Transceiver
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Yaesu FT-101B
By February 1974 many improvements to the existing circuit design and the problems of the earlier Yaesu FT-101 were resolved with the introduction of the Yaesu FT-101B.
The factory responded with a major circuit modifications which significantly improved the receiver over that of the earlier Yaesu FT-101’s.
Improvements were made by the factory such as an effective ‘Noise Blanker’ circuit and the addition of the 160 meter band, then the Yaesu FT-101B was released.
Externally the Yaesu FT-101B differs but little from the earlier models.
By 1974 the price for an Yaesu FT-101B in the USA was $579 USD.
The easy way to Identify the Yaesu FT-101B is by the the ‘White’ Power Switches and the slightly different interior layout to later models.
By the way, there were no “A”, “C”, or “D” models ever produced.
FT-101B – “Early” Model
Serial numbers below 6,000.
Improved IF (PB-1183B) and Audio (PB-1315), and Noise Blanker (PB-1292) modules.
These covered 160-10 meters.
FT-101B – “Late” Model
Serial numbers 6,001 and up.
Improved Regulator (PB-1314A), IF (PB-1180B), and Audio (PB-1315A) modules.
This model covered 160-10 meters
FT-101BS
Special FT-101B model for Japan Market.
Single 6JS6C tube, 50 watt output.
Yaesu FT-101E
By the introduction of the Yaesu FT-101E most all of the previous problems were worked out.
There were three models of the “E” were released, with exception of the “ES” model made for Japan.
The “E” model with all options at a cost of $749 USD.
For those who did not want the processor there was an “EE” (economy) model lacking the speech processor at a cost of $659 USD and later the “EX” (extreme economy) model lacking speech processor, 160M crystal, DC options, and microphone at a cost of $599 US dollars.
With the possible exception of the Yaesu FT-200 the FT-101 is the best known and most popular transceiver available on the used amateur market at the present time.
The FT-101E was the most popular and most produced model by Yaesu of all the FT-101 series sold.
There never was a “C” or “D” model produced.
FT-101E
160-10 meter transceiver.
RF Speech Processor.
Three sub-models:
“Early” – Serial Numbers: 15,000 and below. (PB-1494) Processor Module.
“Mid” – Serial Numbers: 15,001-20,500. (PB-1534) Processor Module.
“Late” – Serial Numbers: 20,501 and up. (PB-1534A) Processor, (PB-1547A) Regulator, (PB-1183C) IF, (PB-1315B) Audio, (PB-1582) Noise Blanker Modules.
FT-101EE
Economy FT-101E Model.
All FT-101E specifications except:
No Speech Processor (but was available as an option).
FT-101EX
Extreme Economy FT-101E Model.
All FT-101E specifications except:
No Speech Processor (although was available as an option).
No DC Converter for Mobile use (again, available as an option).
No Microphone, DC cord, or 160M crystal, 10A Crystal Only.
FT-101ES
Special FT-101E Model for Japanese market.
Single 6JS6C tube, 50 watt output.
Matching accessories included a matching FL-2100B Linear Amplifier, FTV-650 (6 meter) & FTV-250 (2 meter) transverters, FV-101 (FV-101B) external VFO, SP-101B speaker and SP-101PB speaker phone patch, YD-844 dynamic base microphone, YO-100 and later the model YO-101 monitor scopes, YC-601 and later the YC-601B digital display units. Other matching pieces of equipment for the amateur market matching the FT-101 design were the FRG-7 communications receiver, FT-220 two meter and FT-620B six meter all mode transceivers.
This is the tranciever that established Yaesu in the world ham market. It was able to sucessfully compete against Swan, Drake, Clegg and Gonset, and started a trend that led to the eventual demise of those US ham radio manufacturers.
This rig is all solid-state except for a 12BY7 driver and a pair of 6JS6 finals.
Features plug-in cards containing circuits for ease of service. The ‘E’ model featured an RF speach processor for the transmitter, the ‘EE’ did not have it. Rear sockets are for connection of frequency counter, transverters, VFOs, all of which were sold by Yaesu.
There were a number of improvments made during the E/EE production run.
The most obvious is the relocation of the processor level on the outside of the clarifier from inside the top cover. (pictured is a late-model E – look in the lower right corner of the front).
The processor control required some adjustment to sound right depending on the band that you were operating on. Improvments were also made in the noise blanker and power regulator boards during E/EE production.
Yaesu FT-101F
FT-101F
Latest in the FT-101 Series, included 160 to 10 meter bands and also the 11 meter CB band so long as the user fitted the optional crystal in the empty location.
All updates applied.
160-10 meter transceiver. 11 meters as AUX position.
Improved (PB-1582) Noise Blanker.
Speech Processor and DC Converter.
FT-101FE
Economy FT-101F Model.
All FT-101F specifications except:
No Speech Processor (although was available as an option).
FT-101FX
Extreme Economy FT-101F Model.
All FT-101F specifications except,
No Speech Processor (Was available as an option).
No DC Converter for Mobile use (available as an option).
No Microphone, DC cord, or 160M crystal, 10A crystal only.
Yaesu FT-101ZD
There was actually 4 different models of the Yaesu FT-101ZD, Basically a Mark 0 to Mark 3, the later model with built in AM/FM and WARC bands and was produced up until1985 and was the last of the proper 101 Series that was ever produced, finally ceased production in 1986.
The Mark 3 also has an Audio Peak Filter for CW which is switchable with the ‘width’ control.
The width operates more like an IF Shift in operation.
These were also sold as the FT-101Z which had an analog display to keep the costs down, now a very hard to find unit and somewhat sort after.
Notice the later model – AM or FM boards were an option, but only room inside for one option board.
Also had an optional 12 volt inverter and optional cooling fan.
The toggle switches for NB and ATT functions to be prone to scratchy contacts just like the toggle switches on the E/EE series.
Significantly different from the 101 E/EE series, this rig has 6146B finals and several large PC boards instead of the EE series small boards.
Receiver seems to be more sensitive and selective than my 101E, but internal construction is not as ‘bullet proof’ tough.
Understanding the serial numbers is actually very easy.
The First number is the year of production, for instance:
9 = 1979
0 = 1980
1 – 1981 …
The letter that is next donates the month that the item was manufactured:
C = January
D = February
E March …
The next ‘2’ Numbers are the series or production run of the unit, from the very first series which is ’01’ to the latest as in last run of the FT-101ZD which will be ’30’
The final 4 digitals of the serial number are the actual ‘Serial Number’ of the unit, this will be from 0001 to 9999.
FT-101Z and FT-101ZD Mark 0
Production Run: 01-07 all from 1979.
160 Meters to 10 Meters, SSB/CW Only
The Yaesu FT-101ZD Mark 0 has SSB and CW Only and also only covers the bands 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meters.
FT-101Z and FT-101ZD Mark 1
Production Run: 08-16
160 Meters to 10 Meters, SSB/CW/AM. Only the Production Run No. 16 has the new style digital frequency counter.
The Yaesu FT-101ZD Mark 1 has SSB, CW and AM Only and also only covers the bands 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meters.
FT-101Z and FT-101ZD Mark 2
Production Run: 17-23
160 Meters to 10 Meters with WARC Bands, SSB/CW/AM.
The Yaesu FT-101ZD Mark 2 has SSB, CW and AM Only and also only covers the bands 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 Meters.
FT-101Z and FT-101ZD Mark 3
Production Run: 24-30
160 Meters to 10 Meters with WARC Bands, SSB/CW/AM or FM
The latest in the series and easily identifiable by the grey and silver knobs.
The Yaesu FT-101ZD Mark 2 has SSB, CW and AM Only and also only covers the bands 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 Meters.
The switchboard in all of the previous models had ‘Black’ tumblers, but on the Yaesu FT-101ZD Mark 3 they are ‘Silver’, matching the outer rings on all of the other knobs on the radio.
The Mark 3 is also the only version that has the ‘Audio Peak Filter’ (APF) feature which is switchable on the ‘Width Control’ knob.
Yaesu FT-101ZD – Collection of Technical Notes compiled by Perfect Electronics Limited
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Last Updated : 31st July 2024