Yaesu: Yaesu FT-212RH Problems

[MLeP]

My father (W5IJU) passed away some years ago and I inherited his amateur radios. I recently retired and decided to hook up some of his old equipment to try my hand in his old hobby (I am studying for Tech license also, will try soon wish me luck).
I started out with his 2meter set, it is a Yaesu FT-212RH. I got a Tram 1480 antenna that I have it approx 30 feet up on a pole. I have an old Astron RS-20a power supply driving it.
My problem is that the radio seems to be locked (Turning tuner nob has no effect) and I tried the F + Lock keys on the radio to unlock it but nothing happened. I also am not getting much sound out of the speaker and what I am getting almost sounds like a very low feedback, I also get none of the tones from speaker when I press one of the buttons on radio, this is from an external speaker as I get no sound at all from the internal speaker. I am showing "On The Air" when I key mic and I am showing 1.3 swr's on my meter (If I cal'ed it right). I did download the manual and tried to figure out the problem on my own, but I got nowhere.
Any suggestions and help with my issue's would be greatly appreciated.

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[ko6jw_2]

Unfortunately this is a very old radio and a variety of things could have gone wrong with it over the years. I'm sorry to say that you will probably do better to just get a new radio. The FT-212RH is very limited compared to current models and even in good working condition it has only 18 memories and did not come standard with a CTCSS decoder. The cost of repairs would probably be greater than a new modern transceiver.

You could get a very basic 2 meter radio like the Yaesu FTM-3200 for about $150.

It would be satisfying to be able to use your father's old gear, but the reality is that a current model is cost effective and will offer many more features.

Good luck with your license and I hope that you can get on the air soon.

 

[danesgs]

Good luck getting your technician license. Having repaired many older receivers and a few transmitters, I agree with K06JW_2 that its better for you to get a new rig. Some of the older radios are just either too old to fix or not cost effective.

KJ4DGE

 

[AE4NG]

Not that I’m any sort of radio technician but have you tried resetting the radio? That would be the first thing I’d try before considering a complete loss.

 

[MTS2000des]

These late 80s Yaesu's are chock full of electrolytic caps, a lithium memory battery that, when low, will exhibit these exact symptoms. Not a good radio for a new ham if not restored by someone. The advice given about getting a newer rig is sound. Maybe one day in the future start down the restoration path to honor your father's memory the way people restore their folks' cars.
(anyone seen this Chevy ad lately? Doesn't it make you tear up?)

 

[MLeP]

I

Not that I’m any sort of radio technician but have you tried resetting the radio? That would be the first thing I’d try before considering a complete loss.

Yes, I tried to reset it but nothing happened.

 

[MLeP]

I am to the point now to where I do believe I will shelve this radio for the time being and move on to a new one for the 2 meter band.
I do have a few other of my dad's old radio's that I will be trying to get going also. but like the 212RH their all older so we shall see.

Thanks to all of you that responded.

 

[w2xq]

I am to the point now to where I do believe I will shelve this radio for the time being and move on to a new one for the 2 meter band.

I would encourage you to consider a dual band (2m/70cm) radio. Particularly around urban areas you may find the 440 band is more active than 2m. The differential cost of a dual band radio is minimal over a 2m unit. Good luck.