Hi folks,
This is primarily aimed at users of the Yaesu FTA-550 or FTA-750.
Has anyone had a similar experience to what follows with these radios?
I recently purchased a 550 as a back up radio. It was DOA but then magically came to life after a number of power supply swaps.
I sent this back and got a 750 from a different region. It seemed OK but then also became unresponsive seemingly randomly.
After some investigation with the 750 I can see that if the battery is removed for more than about 7-30 seconds it will then not respond to power up. Not only that but when in a non responsive state it has a parasitic power drain that will flatten the battery completely in short order.
If the battery is removed for more than 7-30 seconds (this varies greatly) and then the power button is depressed while the battery is re-inserted the unit respond normally and there is no measurable power drain when shut down.
Essentially I have had two units that if you replaced the battery could end up non responsive and proceed to flatten the battery with out warning.
See videos of the troubleshooting as I tried to replicate the issue.
First the 750 where I discovered the power button hold workaround
https://vimeo.com/134139188
Secondly the 750 showing the parasitic drain when non responsive
https://vimeo.com/134283013
Lastly the 550 DOA - I would say this was a similar issue. Forgive the grumpy tones on this one MyPilotStore were a nightmare to deal with. ML&S in the UK (where I purchased the 750 from) quite the opposite.
https://vimeo.com/130580333
Yaesu UK are investigating this with the vendor and myself and Yaesu Japan but I said I would also see if anyone else has seen similar issues.