[Yaesu] FT-101ZD TR Relay Problem?

[Dennis L. Wade]

Hello,

    After almost 15 years, I've dragged out my gear from storage to get 
back on the air.  Recently, I've erected an antenna and hooked 
everything up, so there is no real "it worked fine yesterday" frame of 
reference.

    The problem I noticed was that sometimes, but not all, on returning 
to receive from transmit, the signal levels would be considerably down 
from their "normal" levels.  This low receive condition would persist 
for a long time, only occasionally returning to normal levels.  After 
some investigation, I've concluded that the TR relay is probably at 
fault with fouled contacts.  What threw me was the lack of symptoms on 
transmit:  I thought I'd see erratic SWR and or power out indications, 
but apparently the problem is limited to the receive side.  Only the one 
contact is dirty?  I'll have to open it up and see.  Any one else have a 
similar problem?  Any other likely suspects?

    While I have the thing open, is there any other preventative 
maintenance I should perform?  My `ZD has remarkably low hours, and is 
in nearly mint condidtion having been stored in the original plastic in 
their original boxes.  But, 15 years is 15 years...and I'd like to head 
off any problems if I can.

    Did Yaesu offer an AM board for this unit?  Just how pricey is it 
these days?

               Thanks in advance for your advice.

                          Dennis

Dennis Wade
KG6ZI
Carmichael, CA