Yaesu FRG-7

Still considered a fine general-coverage receiver — ~$300 in the mid-1970s when transceivers lacked built-in SW receivers. Matches FT-101 / FR-101 / FL-101 / FL-1000B station aesthetics.

Analog tuning rolls through 1 MHz of spectrum without digital stepping pops. For SW broadcast (+6 kHz bandwidth), 1 kHz readout is enough — no need for 10 Hz digital precision.

Yaesu built several pieces for Sears in the mid-to-late 1970s. The Sears FRG-7 used a black case; the amateur-market unit was traditional Yaesu gray.

See also: Sears Yaesu 2m transceivers (3880 / 3573).

Replaces the stock blue Yaesu IF filter. Toggle on rear chassis selects bandwidth — 6.2 kHz for general listening, 3.7 kHz for SSB and weak signals.

Kiwa Electronics FRG-7 filter mod

Still available on hamfests and online ($100–$400 depending on condition). Ask sellers detailed questions — W4CLM’s eBay horror story: leaking D-cells, dirt, gashed grille, “good working” from a barn find.

Loss of sensitivity and dead preselector often means front-end FET Q-101 (3SK40) failed. Replace with NTE-454 (3N211 no longer available). FT-101 owners used 3N211 for static protection — NTE-454 is today’s substitute.

If MHz indicator is 1 MHz off, adjust T201 on oscillator unit PB-1523 until stations appear on correct dial readings and the red lock lamp extinguishes.

Add a small 12 V peanut bulb behind the S-meter (use existing lamp dropping resistor — don’t melt the plastic case).

Analog dials benefit from marker ticks every 100 kHz. PB-1068 board (100 kHz HC/13Uw crystal) from junked Tempo One / FT-200 — two wires: 9 VDC and RF output.

• 9 V from TP-406 on AF unit
• RF output best injected at rear SO-239 (experiment showed this beats VC1 tap)
• Rear-panel switch — no front-panel defacing
• +20 dB marker every 100 kHz as expected