I recently found that the “quick mod” I discovered for the FT-891 isn’t the threat to the radio I thought it was (see my posts in this thread). The reason I thought so is because shortly after experimenting with this mod, the receiver lost its sensitivity and I had to send the radio to California for repairs. It turned out to be a pin diode that needed replacement. I lasted about a week without my FT-891 and decided to brave the horrors of interstate 4 (I.E. Disney traffic) and buy a new one at the newly opened Ham Radio Outlet in Winter Springs while the old one was being repaired. This put me back on track (the expensive way) for HF while mobile.
As soon as the old radio was back from the shop, I removed the new one and installed the old one back in the truck. All went well for about 7 months, and then the receiver came up with the same issue. Because I already had a new unit, I removed the old unit and put it in its box, installed the new unit and all was fine. Another 6 or 7 months went by and the same issue with the receiver has now happened with the new unit as well. The newer unit has never been modified in any way; I was afraid to try the method I found due to the results I had with the old unit. There is something obviously wrong with my setup in some way.
The only thing I can think of is possibly the way I switch between antennas. I have a selection of HamStick antennas I use for 20, 40, and 80 meters, I store them loosely in the bed of the truck. These antennas are covered with a vinyl sleeve around the wire coils. The bed of my truck has a liner. I’m thinking that possibly there is a static charge on the antennas when installing them after pulling it from the bed of the truck.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what may be causing this issue with the front end of my FT-891's? Could it possibly be the antenna situation described above? I'm tired of buying new radios and fighting with Mickey Mouse.
As soon as the old radio was back from the shop, I removed the new one and installed the old one back in the truck. All went well for about 7 months, and then the receiver came up with the same issue. Because I already had a new unit, I removed the old unit and put it in its box, installed the new unit and all was fine. Another 6 or 7 months went by and the same issue with the receiver has now happened with the new unit as well. The newer unit has never been modified in any way; I was afraid to try the method I found due to the results I had with the old unit. There is something obviously wrong with my setup in some way.
The only thing I can think of is possibly the way I switch between antennas. I have a selection of HamStick antennas I use for 20, 40, and 80 meters, I store them loosely in the bed of the truck. These antennas are covered with a vinyl sleeve around the wire coils. The bed of my truck has a liner. I’m thinking that possibly there is a static charge on the antennas when installing them after pulling it from the bed of the truck.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what may be causing this issue with the front end of my FT-891's? Could it possibly be the antenna situation described above? I'm tired of buying new radios and fighting with Mickey Mouse.
