[Yaesu] FT-8100R Back In Service Again ...

[WD8ARZ]

Now that I have been retired a couple of years, I have settled into 
using ham radio more than I did while working. While sorting stuff the 
other day, I came across my FT-8100R stored away in a box and forgotten 
about. At least I had stored everything with the radio. Mic, power 
cable, remote head cable kit, ADMS-2D FT-8100 v1097 Programming software 
and programming cable.

Note: The ADMS-2C is only for the FT-8500, FT-3000M  and the FT-8000R 
radios. The 2D upgrade kit works for the FT-8100.

I do remember that long before storing the FT-8100R, I had done the 
modification / repair procedure to the control head to fix the volume 
control problem connections. In essence I remove the connector and 
soldered wires from the volume control to the pcb directly. That 
annoying problem fixed permanently.

Decided I wanted to put it in the mobile again, but wanted to re-learn 
using it before I did. So I have it set up in the house and have been 
reading the manual and testing it out again. Fortunately all is still 
work well. Had never used the remote head cabling kit, so figured I 
might as well install that so I could put the small control head of the 
FT-8100R on my dash with out the whole radio being there. Wouldnt you 
know it, all the screws Yaesu had put in that kit were the wrong size 
and would not fit! Unbelievable.  Found at Lowes the 2.5mm machine 
screws I needed - Handi - Pack part# 87290. They were too long, but easy 
to cut down. Smoothed off the cut end after the cut, and they worked fine.

Had forgotten a lot of nice features in that radio. True dual bander, 
easy to use and oh yes, love the scan mode that lets you auto store in 
separate memories for that purpose, the frequencies in use in your area 
... or any other area you visit. Just save in a new memory file whats in 
the rig before doing a fresh scan. Save memories for each area of 
interest and load em on when you want them. Sweet.

Even though I use Kenwood TM-D700AG dual bander with my other Kenwood 
gear for SkyCommand, I wanted a separate dual bander in the vehicle as a 
stand alone dual bander.

Now to find and dig out my Ft-50RD so I can mate those two Yaesu rigs 
back up again. There are some special features in those radios that work 
only with each other.... but I remember that I need a new control panel 
in the HT. Buttons got way to intermittent to use anymore. Wonder if 
those are still available ... time for me to do some research ... hi hi

73 from Bill - WD8ARZ
Traveling down the Yaesu memory lane ......
Gosh, need to fire up the FT-1000MP again one of these days :-]