The Yaesu FT-ONE is an all-mode (CW, SSB, AM, FSK, and FM) solid state general coverage HF amateur radio (HAM) transceiver. The use of FM required an optional FM board be installed. The unit was designed for fixed, portable or mobile operation, although the size (380 mm x 157 mm x 350 mm) and weight (17 kg) would make it more suitable for fixed use. The FT-ONE was built by the Japanese Yaesu-Musen Corporation (usually called just Yaesu) from 1982 to 1986. At its release, the FT-ONE was launched as the successor to the FT-902 and as the new Yaesu top of the line transceiver. The FT-ONE was not only Yaesu’s first fully synthesized, computer-controlled amateur band transceiver but it was also the first transceiver with a general coverage receiver. . The FT-ONE was sold on the U.S., Asian and European markets. At $2800 at its 1982 release this was an expensive top of the line transceiver.
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Technical description
The receiver is standard filtered by a 22 pole crystal filter with switchable extra 8 and 6 pole narrow band CW filters, a 14 pole SSB filter and a separate 14 pole CW filter. The RF circuit is based on a - manually or automatically - microprocessor controlled PIN diode attenuator with 2 bipolar power transistors being used as a high level RF amplifier in the receive mode and as a double RF output pre-driver in the transmit mode. This is to ensure continuous output power on all frequencies. To guarantee a clean local oscillator signal to the Shottky diode mixer module 6 separate VCO’s are being used. The final power transistors produce >100W through a 3-stage microprocessor controlled lowpass filter.
Accessories
Pros
Mechanically the FT-1 is very well built; in its timeline Yaesu claimed it to be the top of the line in the amateur radio segment. The set has a nice design, looks very professional and is easy to operate. This standard HAM rig was designed with real general coverage transmit and receive in mind. The standard programmable ROM allows continuous transmitting from 1.8 up to 30 MHz by simply cutting a wire jumper. Its receiver works fantastic thanks to its outstanding x’tal filters. The AM and FM modes are also functioning flawlessly. All components are mounted on easy accessible glass epoxy circuit boards.
Contras
The set is equipped with a relatively bad synthesizer and local oscillator design so it is prone to drift, inaccuracy and phase noise. Yaesu introduced circuit modifications in the later production series to improve on the issue, but was not able to fix the problem for 100% as the major concept remained unchanged.