Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
That is awesome, I am sure these will be very popular. I want two when you are in production.? The display is likely a tad small given the bulk of the Racal RA17 front panel, I would envisage it being mounted externally . However, I am impressed very much with your design.
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
Nice modification,?
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73 Lex PH2LB?
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New digital readout for the FRG-7
Hi,
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In a previous post, I've announced that I was making a new kit for a digital readout with also a MHz indication.?
Now I've assembled the first PCB's and they function?well.
For an impression, look at
@Pentagrid, concerning your remarks about the RACAL RA-17. I'm in the lucky position to own one now.
I'm busy, finding the right points for the signals and the power supply. The kit will probably replace the S-meter.
For anyone who is interested, please contact me.
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Best regards,
Marcel de PA8MA
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Hi,
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I have my FRG-7 for sale.
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It is an early version without the "fine tune" control.
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It is in good condition for its age an works well.
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I am looking for offers near ?150 and it will need to be collected from RG31 area of Reading, Berkshire UK.
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Comes completed with original manual and circuit diagram.
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Marcel, that is excellent work. Just a suggestion to increase the versatility of your design dramatically. As you know, the VCO frequency of the FRG 7 runs from 55 to? 85 mHz with a 55mHz 1st IF. The very common Racal R17 uses the same Wadley loop design, with slightly different VCO frequencies, this one spans 40 to 70 mHz with a 1st IF of 40 mHz.. IF you could find? a little room to program a few extra? bytes into the "megacycle" routine, a keypress perhaps to alter a pointer to a lookup table, this would increase interest enormously..... there are many Wadley loop receivers? out there.that are lacking a good readout, I think interest would be very high. I would buy two without question.
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Hi Marcel,
It looks good and I am glad you got it working well. I am looking forward to buying one.
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Hi Chris,
Coming back to your question concerning the MHz readout, it seems my proto is working well.
I could stay to the Arduino, but I had to squeeze everything out. I'm now at 99% of the memory.
I also switched to 7 segment characters. I've included some pictures.
Now I can start to design a new PCB. Hope to have it ready within a few months.
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Regards, Marcel
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One more¡ this one for $4.99 is cleaner and even closer! It¡¯s called ¡°Bebas Neue Semi Rounded¡±. Link: https://www.myfonts.com/products/regular-bebas-neue-semi-rounded-204747 73, Randy K7RAN shot: 
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Addendum¡ screen shot for ¡°Redgar Clean¡± by Graphite (link in previous post): 
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Hi gbrandy and Randy, thanks for your reply. I'll give a try.
73 de PA8MA
Marcel
The font ¡°Redgar Clean¡± by Graphite is a $12 font that comes pretty close! Note the serif on the number ¡°1¡± as well as the curves on the 3, and 5, and the straight vertical sides of the zero. Link:
73, Randy K7RAN
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The font ¡°Redgar Clean¡± by Graphite is a $12 font that comes pretty close! Note the serif on the number ¡°1¡± as well as the curves on the 3, and 5, and the straight vertical sides of the zero. Link:
https://www.myfonts.com/products/clean-redgar-162082
73, Randy K7RAN
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If you can get a reasonably detailed picture of the dial, there are several web sites that can try to identify the font from a picture you upload to them. I believe I¡¯ve used this one in the past: ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Marcel, de PA8MA
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 3:24 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Yaesu-FRG-7] Font used for FRG-7? Hello,
I'm working on a new version of the digital readout. Does anyone know which font has been used for the dial in the FRG-7?
Regards,
Marcel
de PA8MA
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Hi Chris, yes that is my goal. But it is more effort then expected. The Arduino run out of memory and the speed is too low. So I have switch to an ESP32. And a redesign of the pcb.
Hi Marcel,
Does this version have the Mhzas well as the Khz readout?
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Hi Marcel,
Does this version have the Mhzas well as the Khz readout?
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Hello,
I'm working on a new version of the digital readout. Does anyone know which font has been used for the dial in the FRG-7?
Regards,
Marcel
de PA8MA
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The mind boggles at some of the "mods" you find, most are just a bastardisation. This one appears to route DC through another fuse to the RCA connector at the back. The rest appears to be a tapping via the coax cable to something on the PCB. There are no active components on the added PCB so I am guessing its an output for an external frequency counter.
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There's a small board located on the underside of the RF board. I assume it's some type of mod.   There are 2 RCA jacks added on the back skirt of the receiver. Labeled VFO and PWR Wonder if anyone is familiar with this mod...external VFO??
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Well again thanks much for your help..
As an industrial electrician for years I understand exactly your previous comment.
I guess it would be bad juju to say i hope it fails again but... maybe not..
Again thanks,
Brian
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In the repair industry, these "events" happen with no explanation, and are the worst thing. Do we give the radio back to the customer knowing full well it is not really repaired, but could fail again at any moment. On the other hand, how can we now repair it properly when it is working fine with no fault to hunt down. A conundrum.
I suggest thanking your lucky stars and enjoy the radio.
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Well here's a crazy turn of events.... I removed the cover on the HG unit. poked around a bit. Then removed the enclosure, looked things over and was about to to check the transistor as you suggested.
I powered the rig up and low and behold it's receiving!!! The lock light is going on and off like it should as I tune the MHZ control.
So I guess my question is: Is there a possibility that the crystal was "stuck" as the radio has been sitting for probably a few decades???
I think I'll still replace the crystal but wow... did not expect that... unless something else is lurking !!!
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Lex PH2LB
Randy K7RAN