[Yaesu] FT-51R saga and programming hint

[hershman@ix.netcom.com]

On 01/30/98 15:01:25 you wrote:
>
>Howdy Y'all,
>
>Quite a while back I had written to the list about the FT-51R misbehaving
>(refusing to turn on again) when replacing a spent battery pack with a
>freshly charged one. This seems to happen regardless of which pack is being
>removed or replace (FNB 38, FNB 35,etc). I promised to report on the results
>of the big Y's attempts to fix it:
>
>The rig went back to them twice, each time accompanied by a detailed
>description of the problem. After the first time, in which the rig was
>mistakenly "repaired" by Lentini, where I bought it, despite it being under
>warrantee, no improvement was found. So back it went, this time directly to
>Yaesu, with an unhappy letter asking that they replace the rig. (BTW, these
>trips involve sending the rig back and forth from 4X to the States, a
>time-consuming saga in itself). Yaesu were not interested in replacing the
>rig, even though I had gotten only days of usage out of it despite owning it
>for months. Instead, on the invoice they wrote:
>"REPLACED CONTACT ASSEMBLY, ALIGNED AND TESTED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATION"
>
>the parts list included:
>FT-51R CONTACT ASSEMBLY
>SPRING CONNECTOR
>
>Presently, the rig does light up about 75% of the time when replacing the
>pack, which is much better than it used to be -- it's the other 25% that is
>so annoying. I have learned that if I wipe a finger across the  pin-like
>battery contacts on the bottom of the rig before putting on a new pack, this
>raises the percentages to around 90%... I have a theory that the problem is
>not mechanical at all, but rather is connected in some way with the rig's
>self-protection circuit from over-voltage input (over 11 volts), or with its
>(usually mistaken) attempt to identify which pack is attached to it (menu
>item #25). I think that as a pack's voltage drops, this value is stored in
>the rig somewhere (maybe a capacitor holding charge?) and mistakenly used as
>a reference when a new pack is installed, causing the protection circuit to
>kick in. That would explain why the finger on the contacts tends to solve
>the problem - it discharges the stored voltage. This may be a lot of BS, so
>I'm interested in hearing other's experiences with this problem.
>
>Now to the hints:
>
>The autodialer memories have enough room in them for both the access code to
>my autopatch and the phone number itself, but the autopatch needs a pause
>between the access code and the actual phone number. Pauses can be inserted
>while programming the autodialer memory by using the "REV" button. One can
>insert as many pauses as necessary, keeping in mind the 15 digit limit for
>each memory.
>
>Something that is not real clear from the manual is which parameters can be
>stored in individual memories, and which ones are global for the entire band
>or rig. I would have liked to see a chart detailing this. As it is, I really
>like the ability to store TXpower individually in each memory, so I can
>switch from one repeater to another in my usual stomping grounds without
>having to readjust power to save battery juice. I can even program a couple
>instances of the same repeater, one for when I'm nearby and one for when I'm
>further away, and store these things in sets, each set for a specific
>location, which is easier than resetting power manually from the keypad.
>
>Hope someone can benefit from these ideas. I'm interested in feedback, mods,
>or other ideas regarding this radio.
>
>73 de 
>-Avi
>
>
>--
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>Submissions:              yaesu@contesting.com
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>
>

I would consider sueing them in small claims court. I got sick and tired of being ignored by the 
builder of my home. I sued him with an attorney and got much more $ than I wanted. Oh, just 
before we went to court he said he would do all the work. I said:" I want to go to court: to 
little to late."
    I have had several similar experiences at a mattress store etc. Just pay the extra $25-$35 
to have a Sherriff hand deliver the summons. You can sue up to $2000 in most states and 
represent yourself. Just remember to be WELL Prepared and organized. I felt like "Johny Cokran"
from the Oj SImpson Case and got my "REVENGE". The court is always on the Consumers side long as
you are well organized etc. You will find that 95% of the time the company you are sueing 
against will "fold" and give in before the trial if they know you will win or if it is cheaper
to say"give you a new FT-50" etc. Try it...sue.... Its the American Way!!!
   73's  NS1R  Steve


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