[Yaesu] Re: Heathkit frequency counter adaptation for FT-101b

[Carol L Maher]

Hi Alex,

In regards to your digital display:
Output from the FT-101 VFO can be taken at either pin #6 or #7 of the VFO
output (Octal) output socket.  I'd recommend you become more intimate
with the transceiver by opening the bottom and you will see two heavy
GREEN
wires coming from the VFO output to this socket.

I believe you may however run into some problem trying to make the 
Heathkit unit, look and read like a YC-601 counter.  The FT-101 VFO runs
from 8700 Khz to 9200 Khz.  While there are frequency display units
available
that can read and display the VFO for a 500 Kc segment of any band.
Making the first two digits read properly to display the Mega Hertz
segments
could be a problem for the Heathkit counter.

There are kits available that can be set to almost any offset,
I have one such counter made by S&S Engineering.
See link: http://www.sseng.com/catalog/pc1.htm
or  http://www.sseng.com/  (Main Page)

The PC-1 gives me 100 Hz digital accuracy reading directly from the VFO.
This counter will read for example 110.0 = What this is telling
me in the case of one small counter I use on an FT-101E.
While looking at the (White) Bands on the band switch 40m, 20m, 15, 10A &
10C 
For example on 10A band, I could be on 28.110 but when switching to 10B
(RED)
band indicated by the band switch.   I'm would now be on 28.610 Mhz.
I just have to be smart enough to remember I went up 500KC when switching
bands.  In reality I am just reading the VFO output and using an offset
that
is set up by internal dip switches in the display to get me in the ball
park for
a digital reading.

While having seen the Heathkit units around at hamfest, I do not know
a whole lot about it's internal workings or just exactly how Heathkit
made
their unit work.  It may present a challenge to get it right, on the
other hand
it may be easier then I'm thinking.  I saw something in an old Fox Tango
bulletin way back in 1974 or 75 about using the Heathkit counter on
an FT-101, if I can find it.  I'LL write it up for you and send it along.

Keep in mind, the YC-601 is a DISPLAY..........a true frequency counter
hooked to the VFO will only give you the actual frequency of the output
from the
VFO.  Most of the display units like the early Spectronics DD-1 and
YC-601B
have offset circuits and so forth built into the counter to give the
proper reading
to the end user, which is easy to read and pleasing to the eye of  the
operator.

If I can help you any more, feel free to drop me another note.
Good luck, keep me posted on your success.

Regards
Carol Maher
W4CLM


On Sat, 17 May 2003 14:38:26 -0400 ALEX MARCIANESI <azm at sympatico.ca>
writes:
> Hi Carol,
> 
> I was wondeing if you could tell me which pins on the vfo socket 
> control 
> the frequency display (YC-106). Because I have the Heath SM-104a  in 
> which 
> I would like to use with my FT-101B, any ideas?????
> 
> 
> 73's from Alex VE2AIU   Montreal Canada