[Yaesu] FTDX401 STATIONS

[Michael Charteris]

Hi One and All,
How many of the group out there actively use the FT400/401 series on air 
each day? I have here an FTDX401 and make a point of putting it n air 
regualrly. It is somewhat nostalgic to operate this equipment from the late 
1960's to the early 1970's. Best of all to reply to stations using the 
latest equipment with all the bells and whistles whilst operating something 
in the vicinity of 34 years old and still doing the job.

I have a bit of a theory that the likes of the 400/401 series were somewhat 
left in a timewarp with the FT101 hiting the market in the early 1970's. You 
never seem to see any modifications for the 401 series in the way of 
improvements, which is a bit of a shame really.  Then all of a sudden, one 
did not have to worry about all those valves, just three anyway. The 400/401 
series seemed to have been made redundent overnight and the future loomed 
brightly on the horizon with the demise of all valve equipment. I wonder 
what might have been if the 400/401 series ran for some ten years of 
production, and as to whether improvemnets would have been made over time. 
The other thing is, what if Yaesu produced the FT101 and actually produced 
it in the same case as the FT401 case, that would have been a real 
advancement based on the series. But instead they brought out a whole new 
radio in a whole new look.

I wonder what the thoughts of others oare on these points I have made today. 
It makes intersting thinking to imagine What If??

All the best for now from Australia
Cheers Mike

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