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Modifications for the Yaesu FT-90

Yeasu FT-90 TX 130-180, 410-480

MHz.
FT-90 Microphone PTT Lock Mod

Yeasu FT-90 TX 130-180, 410-480 MHz.

I just figured out the mod for the Yaesu FT-90. It will give you TX 130-180 MHz / 410-480 MHz.

1. Remove 4 screws from bottom of radio.

2. Remove R2156 (connected to pin# 21 on Q2021, the CPU HD6473337YTF16)
3. Replace cover and screws.
4. Perform a Master Reset (hold down DISP/SS, <| |>) and turn on power.
That's it!
Perform this Mod at your own risk.

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IZ5CCV

KB2LJJ Radio Mods Database

This modification works both for the US and the european version. So the use same R for mod, but different firmware.

Update 05-04-2001:
Unless you are good at working with SMD's, do not remove R2156. Instead, cut a small, about 1-2 mm, piece out of the
circuit trace that goes from R2156 to the CPU. By cutting the trace right next to R2156, you can always place a solder
bridge back in the trace to make it "normal".

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The value of R2156 is zero Ohms. It provides ground to pin 21 of the CPU.
top of page

FT-90 Microphone PTT Lock Mod

Microphone MH-36, to use the "Lock" switch to lock the PTT as well as the top buttons.
Inside microphone,
1. Cut circuit trace between solder jumpers 3 and 4.

2. Solder jumpers 1, 3, and 4.

3. Place wire jumper from solder pad below jumper 4 to jumper 1.

Connect other microphone to Yaesu FT-100 & FT-90

Author: Bjrn Karlsson

This modification is originally made for FT-100 but should also work for FT-90.
Heres a description on how connect UP/DOWN and PTT to Yaesu FT-100.
Here below does I a description how components shall connect to radio.

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6-pins modular jack

Mic-jack Yaesu FT-100 / 90 / 8100.

Pin 1: SW 2 multi-function switching
Pin 2: N.C. (9600bps packet data output FT-90)
Pin 3: + 9 v
Pin 4: GND
Pin 5: Microphone Input
Pin 6: SW 1 PTT, UP och DOWN
73 Bjorn SM5SWI

User comment

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Subject: More info

From: John Shepherd

KB2LJJ Radio Mods Database

I was interested to see Bjrn Karlsson's information on how to "Connect other microphone to Yaesu FT-100", as I have
been looking for some time for a way of using PTT, rather than VOX, with another microphone.
My curiosity pushed me to try the same circuit on SW2 and it works. It gives you the P, P1 and P2 buttons. However,
there was still the ACC button missing, so I put a variable resistor from SW1 to ground and found a fourth position.
The circuit below gives you PTT, UP, DOWN, ACC, P, P1, and P. At least, it works on my rig. Don't forget that you can
programme the functions of P, P1 and P2 on the FT-100.

Some info for FT-90

Author: -

Serial Numbers
For all Yaesu/Vertex radios that I've seen, the serial numbers are in the format of YPXXXXXX where "Y" is the
production year, "P" is the production run and "XXXXXX" is the radio's unique number.

Slow CTCSS De-response

The FT-90R (along with the FT-2600M) uses the MX-Com MX165C CTCSS Encode/Decode IC. The way that Yaesu
incorporates it into the 90, makes the receiver mute several hundred mS late. Even though the FT-2600M uses the same
chip, the de-response time on it is much more desirable. I figure that replacing the following FT-90R components with
the same values that are used in the 2600M will give better performance: R2132-2.2M, R2135-330k, C2100-0.1uF.
If anyone has a chance to test out these values in the FT-90R configuration, please let me know your results. I will try
this out as soon as I have a chance.

Squelch Problems
The FT-90R has an infamous squelch problem that makes the receiver squelch and un-squelch at a very high rate while
receiving a signal. This seems to be caused by extreme temperatures, high or low. Yaesu will do a squelch alignment
for the price of $30 plus shipping. If you have access to a service monitor, you can align the squelch yourself with the
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KB2LJJ Radio Mods Database

aid of a $20 service manual.

Radio Alignment
Connect the radio to a 13.8VDC regulated power source for use on all steps. Signal levels in dB are based on
0dB=0.5V. It is suggested that you refer to the "FT-90R Technical Supplement" provided by Vertex Standard. I am
not responsible for any damage you may cause your radio.

Internal Alignment
To access your Alignment Menu, you must build a plug that plugs into the microphone jack of the radio. Wire it so pins
1,4, and 6 are shorted together. Insert the plug while turning the radio on. Upon entering the Alignment Menu, take the
plug out. The following is what you will find in the Alignment Menu of your FT-90. The numeric values may be
different, however. For Receiver adjustments, use the RF signal generator set for 1kHz tone at 3.5kHz deviation. Use
the arrow buttons on the front panel to switch between each alignment item. To save levels when the RF Sig Gen is
used, press the DIAL or the microphone's [VFO/MR] button. To adjust manual settings, rotate the DIAL. To change
bands while in the Alignment Menu, press [SET] on the front panel. Press [DISP SS] on the front panel to save settings
and exit (once alignment is complete).
Item Ad144/Ad433 Description
DC V
FLPO
HIPO
MID1
MID2
LOW
MOD
TUNE
CTRCTR+
SQ-S
SQ-T
S-1
S-F

203
255
222
122
69
36
177
0
185
154
59
21
86
155

203
255
210
142
88
49
177
0
152
184
61
22
99
171

VDC From The A/D?

Always 255?
High Power Adjust
Mid1 Power Adjust
Mid2 Power Adjust
Low Power Adjust
Modulation Adjust
Receiver Tune?
?
?
Sql Threshold
Sql Tight
S-1 Adjust
S-Full Adjust

Fast squelch mod for FT-90r

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Adjust/Level

Method

No Info
No Info
50/35W Out
20W Out
10W Out
5W Out
4.0kHz Dev.
No Info
No Info
No Info
-11dB RF In
-2dB RF In
-2dB RF In
+25dB RF In

No Adjust
No Adjust
Manual
Manual
Manual
Manual
Manual
Manual
Sig Gen
Sig Gen
Sig Gen
Sig Gen
Sig Gen
Sig Gen

KB2LJJ Radio Mods Database

Author: Jochen Heilemann, DG2IAQ -

FT-90 fast squelch optimization, a must for mobile usage".

User comment

Subject: RE: FT 90 SQ MOD

From: DG2IAQ, Jochen Heilemann

I received this user comment:

---------------------------------IF THAT CAP. (C2007) MAKES THINGS WORSE; WHY WOULD THEY HAVE INSTALLED IT IN
THE FIRST PLACE ???

Hello.
I really can't tell you. The rig works ok with this cap but not on all mobile cases for me. The original squelch delay
isn't acceptable for me. It works much, much better without that cap.
In my tests today, as I was mobile and had a QSO to a weak stations, about S1 - S3 maximum, the rig works very,
very fine without any problems. I received all transmissions from them. As the signal grow a little stronger I closed
the squelch knob totally, up to maximum. The reception works fine again !
So maybe the cap would produce a higher *AVERAGE* squelch behaviour. That might be ok, when you're using the
FT-90 at home and you want or must filter out weak, noisy signals with a permanent signal value. (background
QSO's). With this original cap the totally closed squelch would mute more, I expect.
But on mobile usage you can't filter out weak signals cause of the permanently changing signal levels, the fading
effect. It has a opposite effect ! The slow squelch behaviour mutes too much of the fading receiving signals. The
reception is interupted permanently but you normally don't recognize this. You think, the signal *IS* so bad, but it
isn't !!
If you don't like the mod, you can re-solder that cap or you can use a new one (SMD or tantalum type).
73,
Jochen, DG2IAQ

FT-90 programming software

FT-90 programming software. Trail version.

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