FT690R problems! - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

M0ICR_London · 17th Apr 2014, 1:39 pm

Hello all,

This is my first post here so please be gentle with me!

I have bought an old Yaesu FT690R which is giving me problems.

The good
---------

RX seems fine on all modes, tested with a friend locally and can hear him on all modes
Main VFO knob works

The bad
-------

None of the front panel push button appear to work, only the VFO A/B switch works
The radio starts to scan upwards when the PTT is pressed. I have tried removing the microphone and just ground the ptt line on the mic socket just to eliminate them microphone but I get the same problem.

The scan problem, in particular, makes the radio unusable for TX.

I suspect a PLL problem ....

Any thoughts / ideas on where to start fault finding would be gratefully received. I would love to get this old 690 back on the air!

73 de Carl M0ICR

orbanp1 · 17th Apr 2014, 4:23 pm

Hi Carl,

I do not have a 690R, but I would start looking at why the push buttons do not work in your radio.
It is the control processor that handles that interface.
It is also the unit that instructs the radio to scan!

There is a button cell battery in the radio backing up the settings for the processor and radio, you could check if it leaked and caused any corrosion around it. You should also check if it still has any charge left in it.

If you suspect PLL problem then you could check the alignment of the radio including the PLL.

The mods.dk web-site has the manual and schematics of your radio, the manual also describes the alignment in detail.

Good luck, Peter

SiriusHardware · 17th Apr 2014, 5:50 pm

Do the front panel buttons work if you unplug the mic?

What happens if you plug a key (or just a plug) into the CW socket?

I'm guessing the CPU may poll all inputs including key rows or columns sequentially, so if any one sensing input is permanently asserted it may stop the unit from scanning all of the others while it waits for the stuck one to be released. For example, a stuck up or down button on the mic would be likely to cause this problem.

Radio Wrangler · 17th Apr 2014, 7:16 pm

The big problem with the TF290/790/690 family is letting nicads burst inside. The stuff goes everywhere and does damage. One I saw was powered up with the covers off and you could see blue sparkly effects on the PCB - rather like hollywood fakes on films.

Have a good check for battery residue.

David

M0ICR_London · 17th Apr 2014, 11:40 pm

There appears to be no signs of burst nicads or any other corrosion or damage inside the radio.

Regards

Carl

davidw · 18th Apr 2014, 8:08 am

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...ichandbag/info
Lots of FT290/690/790 etc knowledge here.

davidw · 20th Apr 2014, 10:12 am

I see you joined the yahoo group Carl...I hope you get it sorted.

M0ICR_London · 20th Apr 2014, 7:56 pm

Thanks to everybody for the advice so far.

Sadly the problem is not yet fixed, but I will persevere. If anyone has any further ideas please do let me know.

Very many thanks ...

73 de Carl M0ICR

Martin G7MRV · 8th May 2014, 5:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidw

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...ichandbag/info
Lots of FT290/690/790 etc knowledge here.

Thanks David, saved me the trouble of directing Carl to my group!
(yep, Im the owner of the Electrichandbag group)

17th Apr 2014, 1:39 pm	#1
M0ICR_London Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 4	FT690R problems! Hello all, This is my first post here so please be gentle with me! I have bought an old Yaesu FT690R which is giving me problems. The good --------- RX seems fine on all modes, tested with a friend locally and can hear him on all modes Main VFO knob works The bad ------- None of the front panel push button appear to work, only the VFO A/B switch works The radio starts to scan upwards when the PTT is pressed. I have tried removing the microphone and just ground the ptt line on the mic socket just to eliminate them microphone but I get the same problem. The scan problem, in particular, makes the radio unusable for TX. I suspect a PLL problem .... Any thoughts / ideas on where to start fault finding would be gratefully received. I would love to get this old 690 back on the air! 73 de Carl M0ICR

17th Apr 2014, 4:23 pm	#2
orbanp1 Heptode Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 675	Re: FT690R problems! Hi Carl, I do not have a 690R, but I would start looking at why the push buttons do not work in your radio. It is the control processor that handles that interface. It is also the unit that instructs the radio to scan! There is a button cell battery in the radio backing up the settings for the processor and radio, you could check if it leaked and caused any corrosion around it. You should also check if it still has any charge left in it. If you suspect PLL problem then you could check the alignment of the radio including the PLL. The mods.dk web-site has the manual and schematics of your radio, the manual also describes the alignment in detail. Good luck, Peter

17th Apr 2014, 5:50 pm	#3
SiriusHardware Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 11,588	Re: FT690R problems! Do the front panel buttons work if you unplug the mic? What happens if you plug a key (or just a plug) into the CW socket? I'm guessing the CPU may poll all inputs including key rows or columns sequentially, so if any one sensing input is permanently asserted it may stop the unit from scanning all of the others while it waits for the stuck one to be released. For example, a stuck up or down button on the mic would be likely to cause this problem.

17th Apr 2014, 7:16 pm	#4
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,905	Re: FT690R problems! The big problem with the TF290/790/690 family is letting nicads burst inside. The stuff goes everywhere and does damage. One I saw was powered up with the covers off and you could see blue sparkly effects on the PCB - rather like hollywood fakes on films. Have a good check for battery residue. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

17th Apr 2014, 11:40 pm	#5
M0ICR_London Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 4	Re: FT690R problems! There appears to be no signs of burst nicads or any other corrosion or damage inside the radio. Regards Carl

18th Apr 2014, 8:08 am	#6
davidw Heptode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 643	Re: FT690R problems! https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...ichandbag/info Lots of FT290/690/790 etc knowledge here. __________________ Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality!

20th Apr 2014, 10:12 am	#7
davidw Heptode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 643	Re: FT690R problems! I see you joined the yahoo group Carl...I hope you get it sorted. __________________ Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality!

20th Apr 2014, 7:56 pm	#8
M0ICR_London Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 4	Re: FT690R problems! Thanks to everybody for the advice so far. Sadly the problem is not yet fixed, but I will persevere. If anyone has any further ideas please do let me know. Very many thanks ... 73 de Carl M0ICR