[WriteLog] ft1000mp frquency read out

[Jerry Flanders]

I recently practiced chip removal using a Harbor Freight hot air gun 
(around $10) on a few old circuit boards. I actually salvaged several 
parts. You might be able to remove your chip with this HF gun by 
placing a couple wires under the chip with a rubber band pulling it 
up while applying the hot air. Got to be careful to not overheat and 
loosen nearby chips. Maybe a heat shield would prevent this.

Jerry W4UK

At 11:53 PM 5/20/2008, Hal Kennedy wrote:
>Bob, The "good" news on loss of CAT operation in a Yaesu MP series radio
>is its not that hard to fix.  I lost it in one of my MPs in a lightening
>strike, and a month later I lost in my other MP in a second storm.  BTW,
>both times the other end - the computer end of the CAT connection was
>also blown.  I had to replace the motherboard in my logging computer
>both times.
>
>What is almost certainly blown in your MP is the actual CAT serial
>interface chip.  It is shown on the schematic.  You can order the part
>from Yaesu - they will charge you about $20 (what I did the first time).
>I then found the same part in the Digikey catalog for $1.47 - which is
>where I bought my second one.
>It is surface mount and it is very easy to get to.  You can replace it
>by removing the bottom cover and installing a new chip.  Its right there
>- you do not have to remove any circuit boards.  You do have to know how
>to unsolder a 14 pin SMD chip however and solder in a new one - which is
>not a task for beginners.  It's too bad they didn't put it in a socket -
>as the thing makes a great fuse.
>
>I tried removing my first one with a small iron and solder wick and made
>a huge mess of things.  I started lifting circuit lands off the board
>and backed off and took it to an expert who charged me $100 to replace
>the chip.  BUT, I watched how he did it and did the second one myself in
>10 minutes with no trouble at all.  There is a special U-shaped
>soldering tip that is usually used for this - it fits over the IC and
>heats all the pins at the same time - but that's not what this fellow
>did.
>
>Secret to success:  He used two small irons.  He ran a bunch of extra
>solder down both sides of the part and held the two irons on the pins -
>one on each side.  This way he was able to have the solder on all 14
>pins liquid at the same time.  If you just pull the irons up at that
>point the part will usually come with the irons.  If not, you may need a
>third hand with a set of tweezers.  After the old IC is out, solder wick
>up all the solder, put the new part down, and carefully solder each pin.
>10 minutes and $1.47 later I was back in business.  BUT - I've been
>soldering for 45 years and have small irons.  If you don't feel
>comfortable - take it to anyone who can do an SMD device - doesn't have
>to be a "radio repairman."
>
>73
>Hal
>N4GG
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: writelog-bounces at contesting.com
>[mailto:writelog-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of robert beaudoin
>Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:59 PM
>To: WriteLog at contesting.com
>Subject: [WriteLog] ft1000mp frquency read out
>
>Thanks to marsh ka5m, Hal n4gg, Barry w5gn for help on my ft1000mp
>problem.  Well I am a long time user of writelog and was aware of your
>sugestions, but I did double check what you said.  After another two
>hours
>of trouble shooting with diferent computers and a ts870 I realized
>what I had suspected in the begining but was really wishing was not true
>but was.
>The ft1000mp mark 5 lost it's CAT operation. No signal in or out the
>serial port.
>Not sure how it happenedm tho I discovered it day after severe
>electrical
>storm.  This storm ruined my rotor control box.   After messing up both
>rigs
>during storm last summer I developed habit of disconecting antennas
>after EVERY
>USE OF RIG. I had antennas disconected this time also. So maybe this had
>nothing to do CAT malfunction.  Everything else about rig and writelog
>work fine so will
>wait till after Alabama QSO Party in 2 weeks before sending rig back to
>Yaesu.  73 Thanks again for help.