Weird problem with FT-60R

CommJunkie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-22-2011, 7:33 PM

I have a Yaesu FT-60R that I was switching banks on the other day. I intended to switch to "NOBANK" to get to all of the channels, and accidentally hit "BANK10" which has nothing stored in it. When I pressed the FW key, the radio froze and I couldn't do anything. I switched the radio off, and now when I turn it on, the radio powers up, light comes on, but nothing is displayed on the screen. I have tried to press buttons thinking the screen was just shot or something, but it appears that the radio is either bricked or somehow locked out. I have never had this radio programmed by computer, I always program it by hand.

I'm lost as to what could be wrong. I have been looking online for 2 days and no one seems to have had the same problem. Anyone know of a solution?

kb0nly · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-2011, 9:42 PM

Do a full reset first of all, thats the best step when any radio hickups. I have never seen this happen, or even heard of it, but a full reset would be a good step.

CommJunkie · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-2011, 10:06 PM

Thanks for the reply.

If you mean holding the MON button in while turning the radio on, and doing it that way, I can't because the buttons don't function.

N8IAA · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-2011, 10:43 PM

Do you see the WIRES icon on the screen when turning the radio on? You may need to press F, then 0. Have had a 60 for many years and never had this problem. Does the battery have a full charge? This causes problems with how the radio functions.
HTH,
Larry

CommJunkie · #5 (**permalink**) 07-22-2011, 11:10 PM

No icons at all. Completely blank. I thought of a dead battery too, but I charged it overnight and no change.

kb0nly · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 10:19 AM

If you can't do a reset then your pretty well hosed.

I would try connecting to the computer for programming, see if you can get any response, but then again you probably can't since you can't get into the clone mode either.

Time to call Yaesu!

My 60r has been very reliable.

RadioDaze · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 11:10 AM

Did you try removing the battery completely for a while and then replacing it?

KC9WZO · #8 (**permalink**) 01-13-2013, 12:42 PM

Just attempted to do a memory reset to reprogram the radio by hand. The same thing happened. Followed directions and when I pushed the last button the screen went blank, it is lighted but there is nothing on it. I do get the tones when I turn it on but have taken the battery out for an extended time, have even tried the AA Factory Battery Pack assembly with new batteries, no change there seems to be nothing I can do with the radio at this point key pad is lighted but no buttons do anything. Did you ever find a solution? My radio is only about 3 months old and hardly been used and worked fine until now.

CommJunkie · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2013, 2:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC9WZO

Just attempted to do a memory reset to reprogram the radio by hand. The same thing happened. Followed directions and when I pushed the last button the screen went blank, it is lighted but there is nothing on it. I do get the tones when I turn it on but have taken the battery out for an extended time, have even tried the AA Factory Battery Pack assembly with new batteries, no change there seems to be nothing I can do with the radio at this point key pad is lighted but no buttons do anything. Did you ever find a solution? My radio is only about 3 months old and hardly been used and worked fine until now.

No, I never found a solution. If you bought your radio new, I would warranty it.

I still have the radio in case one day I find a solution or even a cause, but nothing so far and it's been almost 2 years.

MTS2000des · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2013, 4:53 AM

It's a firmware bug. You can send the radio to Yaesu if it's still in warranty.
The service manual can be found here, see if you can force it into alignment mode using the procedure in the service manual. If not, it may be bricked and may have to go to Yaesu.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...AV6tVX89IcNYjQ

It's too bad this radio, like many other Yaesu ham products, is designed with firmware in masked ROM, so you can't just reload the firmware and bring it back to life. Ancient design methods for a modern radio.