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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-301 series

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-301 series
Reviews: 18MSRP: 935 (When new for 301S/D per Oct
Description:
Introduced in 1976 -- first solid-state 100 Watt HF Rig.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.foxtango.org
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00184.6
K6EE Rating: 2018-09-07
Ok transceiver with receiving problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Owned the analog readout version of the FT-301 for a few years when they came out. The transceiver design is nice with plug-in modules and the optics is pretty cool (lifted to a striking degree from the Collins KWM2). The solid state transmitter worked flawlessly as far as I could tell. The receiver suffered from spurious reception - on better antennas it received spurious signals independent of VFO and preselector settings. In direct comparision, the receiver did not match the performance of a Drake TR3. Other disadvantage in today's time: Last generation of transceivers without the WARC bands and no easy option to add them. I never regretted to part with it.
IT9AHH Rating: 2017-04-18
vy fine piece of gear Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hello...this is the second ft 301d that I buy. The first I had in 2010, but was an absolute junk bought from a seller who I have never met again...a vy poor seller!!!
Today I have agn the ft 301d bought in California. This rig is virtually unused...new factory!! The receiver is silent as my other radios. I had dozens of hf radio and this is second to none.
Excellent receiver; 200 watts almost full power out... selectivity on the low bands ensured... essential commands all right on front panel..no menù. I use it with a vy fb keyer Logikey k1... also have an audio dsp datong fl3 but I do not think I'll need much. ... if you find a ft 301d buy it right away ... but be care to those who sell it.
73's
Franco
it9ahh.
VA3UMA Rating: 2016-12-18
What a lovely rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my 3rd FT-301D in 6 years. All are in good working condition. Gave away the first to a close pal, have the second one in my vacation home/shack, and was missing it! So, purchased this 3rd set last week. Came with FP-301D, FV-301, CW filter, and the stock mic.
I had replaced the display boards in the first two (search for my call on youtube – for those videos). This one has the original display in mint condition – from an estate sale.
Yes, this rig does not have all the bells and whistles, but RX/TX quality is good, and it is easy to operate. Besides, it looks good!
I have the other classics of that era – FT-101ZDMK3, FT-902DM, FT-ONE – HF rigs – to compare, and a matching FT-221R VHF rig.
Despite not having an IF shift (among others), these rigs are value for money, easy to repair, and superb build quality. Display was a problem, but we have replacements available now, so, not an issue. The built-in RF speech processor is one of the best I’ve seen/used.
If you are looking for a 70s all solid-state classic with an affordable price tag, then this is the rig!
K4SUE Rating: 2015-11-09
FT-301D updated Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Updated review - Owned both the 301 and 301D back in '78. I can't remember why I sold them, but nostalgia got the best of me lately and I bought a 301D and FP301. Biggest complaint I see on the boards is VFO drift and mine certainly had the problem. But careful adjustment of the temperature compensating trimmer TC801 brought the rig back to spec. Now 200 hz drift in an hour might nave been OK in the 70s, but it doesn't hack it today. So I installed the K4DPK VFO stabilizer and she's rock stable. A very pleasant rig to operate - not an FT1000MP by any means - but a very sensitive receiver and a lot of analog fun!
I'd have rated it a 5 in 1978, a 4 without the stabilization.
Updated - 11/9/2015 - added the Elcon EL-31 replacement display. This is a drop in replacement for the Display-Logic unit PB1542. Uses modern components to update the frequency readout. Adds other functions such as power supply voltage display, variable brightness, selectable 10hz/100hz resolution and ability to download and install software updates. It's a kit, with a thru hole board (so no surface mounted parts), and a simple calibrate and install. Well worth the investment.
PY4SD Rating: 2013-09-27
FT-301 impressions Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought a complete line of FT301D. I was not expecting much from it and that was a really great surprise. The rig itself and external VFO Works with incredible stability. After the realign maintenance, wow!, it Works great. The reception isn´t so sensible than the FT-101 and 901DM that I had before and sure, less sensible than the modern rigs. The analysis must be performed with eyes that keeps the focus over another era. The FTV-301 tuner also is great. No demerits for the line accessories at all. That is my preferred for rag chew. Sure, for DX and digital modes, I prefer the new ones, micro processed, but if necessary, The FT-301D accomplishes the mission without major matters.
KE4AMQ Rating: 2012-08-27
nice vintage rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I BOUGHT THIS RADIO ITS THE 301D 100W VERSION AND A MATCHING POWER SUPPLY THEY BOTH WORK GREAT THE RADIO IS MISSING TOP AND BOTTOM COVERS BUT WORKS GREAT FOR A BACK UP RIG TO MY 990 AND THE BEST PART WAS 50 BUCKS FOR THE PAIR.
KF2IB Rating: 2012-03-14
A modern solid state analog boatanchor! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have a FT- 301 with ps/speaker. I love it! I call it a modern boatanchor. great audio & receive! I'm using a D-104/TUP-9. I've been leaving the processor off. I'm just a rag chewer so it's all the radio I ever need. I bought it for less than 200.00. I put more money into my antenna system.
JA1ML Rating: 2010-06-19
Nice old transceiver Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Still have my first rig FT-301, display has some problems but unit sitll works great. Nice old rig, fun to use. Also belong to the users group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YAESU_FT-301/


Yoshi
W2SI Rating: 2008-10-30
A great rig for its time Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The FT-301 was my first SSB rig, bought in 1977 not long after it first came out. Before that I used an array of boat anchors that my Elmers sold to me dirt cheap to get rid of them (and which I wish I still had), mostly on 80 and 40M CW.

Originally I wanted to get a Ten-Tec Argonaut and work SSB QRP, but a salesman at AES talked me into buying an FT-301SD (digital display, 20W PEP). I quickly discovered that a small-lot dipole did not work very well with only 20W, so I purchased the Yaesu external solid-state linear (this was before the CB'ers killed any 10M linears).

I used this rig for about 15 years until I did something stupid and fried it (don't ask). I never had any intermod problems, mainly because there were no nearby hams, and used it for CW and SSB DXing on all bands, feeding a longwire and a Mor-Gain 5 band dipole through the 301 antenna tuner that I picked up at a ham store in Phoenix, AZ on a business trip.

It always worked well for me and did anything I asked of it. The external linear got pretty hot when contesting but I stuck a muffin fan on top of the heat sink and that helped considerably. The notch filter was great for killing broadcast carriers on 40M CW, and the noise blanker worked well. I'm currently using a TS-520 and an FT-757GX, but if I ever saw an FT-301 at a hamfest in good condition I'd be pretty tempted.
NU0R Rating: 2008-03-17
Great Receiver Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I acquired my 301S from a gentleman who had given up radio to pursue other interests. It just sat on the bench for a long time and finally I got around to trying it out. WOW! Boy was I ever surprised. I have 7 HF radios and my newest is the Icom 746Pro. The receiver on this radio is excellent. I have never heard such clear audio from any HF rig. I am able to make lots of contacts even though the 301S only puts out 10 watts P.E.P. I always receive great audio reports. If the other staion is S9 I will usually receive and S6 or S7 report. I definately plan to keep this radio. It is in mint condition. This is my first venture into QRP radio and I think I may already be hooked. If you get a chance to get a 301S in good shape then I would definately grab ahold of it as it is a keeper! NU0R