Review of Yaesu FT-757GXI

A large number of points of light crossed the sky, A large number of points of light crossed the sky. We will also take care of them, but they occur very often in our country “second hand” devices, which were written about years ago. Often this literature is only accessible with difficulty, so allow me, to be the first to introduce the Yaesu FT-757GXI today.
Ide o 100W allmode KV TCVR. The ranges of the VFO pair are from 0,5 do 30 MHz, is available 8 memory. Built-in SSB/CW/AM/FM filters, automatic key, NF speech processor, calibrator, IF shift a noise blanker.

TCVR looks very pleasant – the gray color of the cabinet goes well with “aluminum” buttons and controls. The cast iron cabinet enables excellent heat dissipation, which is assisted by the increased temperature of the turbine. On the top panel there is a speaker and automatic key control (MAN/AUT, full/half-BK, which can be linked with AirScout and operability). There are several controls and connectors on the back panel. There is a carrying holder on the side, small feet on the reverse. There are legs and a folding backrest at the bottom.

The blue LED display shows the frequency, selected VFO, SPLIT mode, turning on RIT and the number of the selected memory. To the left of the display is a hand S/PWR/SWR/ALC meter. Below the display are the CLAR buttons (RIDE) a D-LOCK (tuning lock) and rubberized tuning knob with finger hole. There are six buttons to the right of the display: VFO A/B, SPLIT, MR/VFO, VFO/M, VFO>M, M>VFO.

Below them are the PMS buttons (programmable scan) a 500kHz (UP/DWN button step switching – po 500 kHz or by KV bands). On the right is a double MIC and DRIVE control (CW/AM/FM power setting). Below them is a pair of rotary SHIFT regulators + that after a while they will put even more pressure on you (adjustment of the MF shift and its narrowing) a SQL + NB.

On the left side is a series of buttons: METER ALC/PO, RF AMP, TO, PROC, NB, AGC-F. To the left of them is the main switch, above it MOX and VOX, below it an 8-pin microphone connector and a 6.3″ headphone jack. To the right of them is a manual LSB/USB/CW-W/CW-N/AM/FM mode switch and a double AF/RF regulator.

On the rear panel, in addition to the antenna and power connector, there are also CINCH connectors for NF input and output, ALC, keying, of a low-level RF signal for the transverter, jack 6,3″ to CW key and data connector for connection with PC. In addition, there are less used rotary controls for VOX settings, processor and turning on the calibrator.

When the switch is pressed, the TCVR comes to life. The receiver seems to be less sensitive than competing models, but the timbre of the NF signal is softer and more bassy, which is very nice – the sound is not sharp. Tuning is very pleasant (the stiffness can also be adjusted), but the tuning step is constant and unchanging, which I consider the biggest minus of this device, since it is not possible to enter the frequency from the keyboard as with other devices. Eight memorials are quite a few for today's times, moreover, they are not tunable, i.e, that if we want to debug, we have to press the M button first>VFO and then tune. However, TCVR can be controlled from a PC via an interface.

On CW, the FT-757 has two built-in filters, and a wide one (2,7kHz/-6dB – SSB filter) or narrow (600Hz/-6dB – CW filter). Further band narrowing is possible using IF-SHIFT, but that's not the real nut anymore. Reception of AM radio transmitters is pleasant (excellent sound), but the filter is quite wide and is often a problem with QRM. FM has a built-in filter with a bandwidth of up to 15kHz, which is quite a lot. If you are interested in this type of operation, I would recommend you to replace it with MF 455kHz.

RX/TX switching can be done via PTT on the microphone or VOX. Modulation even when using the processor is excellent. With the MD-1 desk microphone, opponents claim, that it resembles the modulation of the FT-1000. Adjusting the keying speed with the small pull potentiometer on the top panel is quite difficult in contestos. ALC despite the rich power reserve of the final transistors (power can be increased to 150-180W) it reduces the output power relatively soon, I recommend using ATU. The cooling turbine starts only at elevated temperature, but it is quite noisy (luckily it never runs long).

A wide range of accessories can be purchased for the FT-757: table microphone MD-1, any speaker cabinet from the SP-x series, FIF-232C (interface PC-TCVR), FTV-700 (transvertor), FC-757AT (automatic tuner), PHASE-1-4R (automatic switch of four antennas), FP-757HD (source), FP-757GX (switched source), or PA FL-7000.

Editing:
TX unlocking 1,5 – 30 MHz
– disconnect the FT-757 from all cables
– open the TCVR as described in the manual
– on the board “CONTROL UNIT” find jumper SW03 and flip it to the second position
– close the TCVR. After switching on, the TX will work from 1,5 do 30 MHz

Acceleration of SQ reaction:
– just reduce the capacitance of C158 (10uF) a C159 (4,7 uF) and 1uF. You can find them near transistor Q22, unsolder them or cut them out and solder new ones in their place.

Interface PC – TCVR (CAT):

The scheme actually says it all, but I have to note, that connects the lands of PC and TCVR, which may not always be appropriate. But nothing prevents that, to use optotransistors.

which is a combination of quality circuit construction with the design of the successful IC-706:
Frequency range: 0,5 – 30 MHz, TX only amateur bands
MF: 47,060MHz, 8,215MHz a 455kHz
SSB and CW sensitivity for s/w 10dB 0.5uV (0,5 – 1,5MHz) a 0,25uV (1,5 – 30MHz)
AM sensitivity for s/w 10dB 4uV (0,5 – 1,5MHz) a 1uV (1,5 – 30MHz)
FM sensitivity 0.5uV for 12dB SINAD
Dynamic range: better than 100dB
RIDE: unlimited
LF power: 1,5W/4 ohm under distortion 10%
Selectivity (-6/-60dB): Determination of the plant(W) 2,7/4,5kHz, CW(N) 0,6/1,3kHz, AM 6/18kHz a FM 15/30kHz
Output power: SSB 100W PEP, CW 100W a AM 25W PEP
Unwanted radiation: 40dB below the output power
amtérsky KV/VKV transceiver: 12 up to 16V (nominal 13.8V)
Max. consumption: 1,5A RX, 19A TX
Dimensions: 238x93x238mm (š,in,h)
Weight: 5,2kg

Overall, I would rate the FT-757GXI with a mark 2, but it provides an excellent price/utility ratio. I think it's a good choice for a beginner amateur.