The YaesuMusen FT-401B

"Boat Anchor" is an endearing term used to described old, obsolete Amateur Radio equipment. Typically this equipment was heavy and cumbersome due to the large transformers needed to convert the AC line voltage into the proper DC high voltages required for the vacuum tubes to operate. The equipment is so heavy it can be used as a boat anchor! 

Here is the latest edition to my "Boat Anchor" collection, a YaesuMusen FT-401B from the early 1970s. This rig is a hybrid, meaning that it uses transistors to handle many of the lower power tasks.  Back in the early 1970s transistor technology was not up to the task of handling high power duties so transmitter output in the FT-401B is achieved using vacuum tubes. 

The YaesuMusen FT-401B supports AM, SSB, and CW modulations and is capable of 560 W (PEP input) using SSB  and 430 W (input) using CW without the assistance of a linear power amplifier!

Eventually the YaesuMusen name was shortened to Yaesu for the US market. This rig is a great addition to my collection and I look forward to repairing it and getting it back to original spec!

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