FTdx100 2026

Yaesu in 1967 test marketed a unique new transceiver with many advanced features that would knock out the US Manufacturers from their dominance in the ham market. Clever hams from JA did not sell this radio in the US but instead in select markets where they could find the warts. This radio was called the FTdx100 and was the prototype for the FT-101 which when released spelled a death knoll to the US equipment manufacturers. The FTdx100 used all Germanium transistors in the solid-state circuits and three tubes in the final, a 12BY7 and a pair of 6JM6's. The power supply was internal to the radio and there was a switching power supply converter installed so by plugging in a special power cord you could operate the radio from 12VDC. It was not designed for maintenance as may SS circuits were installed in metal boxes that were soldered shut. To change out the HV Filter caps required a major disassembly of the radio. For a radio 69 years old... it sounds pretty good. This is the 2nd one I have owned, and this one actually works. 73's Pete N6QW