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[N4LRA]

The Yaesu FT-1500 appears to have a problem with the tone encoder malfunctioning when the DC voltage to the radio reaches 14.2 volts.

I and two other hams that I know who own this radio have experienced this problem. The reports we received were that the radio dropping out of the repeater.

I discovered that when I turned the engine off, the problem went away. When the engine was running, the problem would reappear. I monitored the voltage and saw that my normal charge voltage was at 14.2 volts. The radio appeared to work OK until the voltage hit this number, then I would get reports that it was dropping out. The rig was still transmitting full power, but the sub-audible tone was disappearing at 14.2 volts.

Most late model vehicles charge the battery with a voltage of 14.2 volts and not the 13.8 volts used in years past.

WA3CVB told me tonight that he has resolved this radio cut out problem.

He bought a full wave rectifier at Radio Shack and used one of the heavy duty diodes in series with his power cable. This drops the dc voltage to the radio about one volt. This radio appears to work fine at this lower voltage.

73 to all.

Bill