Hello, Thanks for the demo. The reception seems to good. One thing people do not mention, when the demo starts, on a Communication receiver is 1) TIME 2) LOCATION. This is highly necessary. Reception depends on both the factors. Perhaps it’d be even better if the time is mentioned in UTC. That way SWLs can understand the time much better and compare with their geographical location. RUclips is International. 73. Location is highly necessary, because some areas of the world are “night” and some daylight. The frequency of any broadcast depend on day and night. Please note. Thanks much and appreciate your demo.
I really enjoyed this video. The 7700 was out when I was new to the hobby. I was too young at the time to afford one, so the closest I could get was reading reviews. It's great to have a video that spends so much time going through all of the features. So thank you. Now I'm inspired to try to do a similar video with my Icom R70.
Picked up one of these about a year back... recapped, new speaker, aligned, two corroded connectors....works and looks like new...lots of fun and easy to use
I've just aquired a FROG 7700 myself and although it hasn't yet been delivered, I'm already happy with my choice. I decided I'm going to do DXing only with sdr receivers and I'm going to use these rigs mostly to listen to music and the news. It has very good audio and I liked the fact that you showed very clearly how bandwidth filters work. I also have a Kenwood R-2000 that is in another property and also like it very much, but the FRG-7700 is more complete though, with more features. 73!
Yes, i was playing with it yesterday, so much fun. Everything works, except the mode switch and volume knobs picked up some dust, but that was cleared after 30 mins playing with it. The mode switch knob is somewhat loose and i will see if i can tighten it somehow or replace it. All other knobs feel very goood and solid. I am very pleased with my purchase. I put i video response of the receiver in action, i took it yesterday. Better video coming up. Cheers!
Your most welcome. The addons seem to be much less common than the receivers even here in the U.S. Many times they can be found for less via amateur radio traders because the addons tend to get heavy biding on eBay.
880 khz...You were receiving CBS outta New York City and a Yankees game. Damn good sound and catch on the long wire. I enjoyed every one of those 21 minutes, but I would. You're doing better than I am, and I'm jealous. LOL. PLus I have a hard time getting WWV on any frequency with the long wire inside. That's just a nice rig Paul, and I know you are enjoying it. Waitng to see the video when you open it up and check it out inside. Thanks for letting me know you uploaded the vid...Bravo...
Hello William. Thank you. I'm impressed with these receivers. Performance seems excellent even when not taking into consideration how old they are and that they are a early PLL unit. I feel very fortunate to have found find this 7700 and for such a good price. 73's Paul
Hello Stefan. Sorry for the delay in replying. Lighting took out my home network last Friday. Just got it back up and running today. Longest I can ever remember going without internet. Thank for explaining the Sommerkamp brand. I have seen a lot of European equipment through the years with that brand name, including Yaesu items, but never knew any of the story behind it. I've had a few RCI-2950 radios with the Sommerkamp name through the years. 73's Paul
I just picked up one these FRG-7700's with the FRA-7700 from the original owner. It is in mint condition and is so fun to use. the case screws appear to have never been touched. I will keep this radio
Thank you my friend. Wait until you get an outside antenna up. That will be a game changer. Show you how much I know, I had no idea what game that was or where it was being broadcast from. LOL! Honestly that was the first time I tried it on MW. Since I don't have a proper antenna for MW I figured reception would be bad down there. Yes I really like this receiver even if it is old. It seems to work very good and I like old stuff as you know. Video of the insides will be coming in the near future.
Nice rig - I have a Kenwood R-1000 which is pretty similar. The problem with shortwave is the vast amount of broadcasts are from crazed evangelists telling me I'm going to hell.
Hello Paul. This FRG 7700 is also in my collection. But it does have the label of SOMMERKAMP (Swiss Brand). SOMMERKAMP Switzerland (Lugano), was the first distributor of YAESU products in the 70ies and 80ies here in Switzerland and other european countrys. Best 73s..
that seems to be a great radio. I am currently looking on different sites and markets for one or something similar.They are not so plentiful as I'd hoped I can't wait to get into some serious SWL. Thanks for sharing
No, in stock form they top out at 30MHz. There was an optional VHF converter in six different versions sold by Yaesu for these but I'm not aware of any of the six versions covering 88-108.
Glad it's working well & it looks very nice. The mode selector was so dirty on mine the radio couldn't work. Therefore I had to pry up a corner of the metal backer plate to get cleaner inside of it. I can't remember how the control is mounted but try removing the mode selector knob & see if there is a nut recessed in the face used to tighten the mode selector. If it mounts that way some needle nose pliers or similar device can tighten it. If the nut is not under the knob then it's inside.
Thank you. Honestly I enjoyed making the video but worry about how long it ended up being. I was a young lad when these were new as well. If it hadn't been for this one selling so low because of being dirty and not properly tested I still wouldn't have one. They tend to bring over $200 on eBay even today. Your Icom R70 is a great receiver. Many say much better than the 7700. I'd love to see a video of it. 73's Paul
My FRG 7700 is picking up some signals so is working to some extent. My question is what is the minimum antenna I need to setup to check if it is in good shape or not?
Thank you. They do still sell for decent prices to this day. I won't say what I paid for mine for fear of upsetting people. I was very fortunate and won it for well below market value. Since it was so dirty and nasty I guess most potential bidders weren't interested in it. For early 1980's PLL technology they really seem work well. 73's Paul
Sorry to hear your 7700 laid down. They are nice units and I still use mine as my primary receiver. There are excellent condition 7700's out there but finding one for what I consider a decent price takes some time. Hope you kept your old one. They have value and use even if only for parts. 73's Paul
Yes, thanks for the tip, i removed the knob from the volume switch and there is a nut recessed in the face. A slotted screw drive so i will just use a flat-bladed screwdriver. I didn't know you can tighten knobs this way. But first i need to clean it with the electronics cleaner.
Yes it has one. Can't tell in the video because there are two lights on above the receiver and the cameras light is shining into the face of he radio as well. 73's Paul
Congrats. Working correctly they are very nice receivers. Mine was very dirty and neglected when I received it. The AC cord does look exactly the same as the PC types. A check on the inside of the the back of receivers power connector and using an ohm meter on a PC cord will tell you if it will work. I have a feeling it's the same but I haven't confirmed that and and therefore recommend checking to make sure. I use a wire antenna on mine but I also use an antenna tuner inline. 73's Paul
Not sure what bulbs you are referring to. For the meter and indicators probably so. If you are referring to the frequency display I don't know. I remember there is something special about the display in these receivers and the Kenwood R-1000 as well, but I don't remember the specifics. I'm sure plenty of info is available via the web about the display. 73's Paul
I got this receiver today, and i am eager to try it. It feels like a nice chunk of equipment at 6kg weight. Unfortunately the guy i bought it from had no power cable, no antenna or anything else that comes with it. It is overall in good cosmetic condition but needs some cleaning. I got the manual from the interwebs, says i can use a simple coated wire as antenna, and the power connector looks like the PC type power connector. Can i use that one?
Have you sorted the power cord out and tried the receiver yet? If it works or needs very little you did great at the price you paid. Even as a parts unit it's probably worth what you paid or more.
I miss my 7700.....it gave up the ghost about 9 years ago. I used its timer feature & piped the sound of WHAS 840 (Joe Donovan's overnight show, using wide band) into the VCR so I could hear the whole show. As to SW, I only had a longwire around the room; I know I coulda done better.
We're getting into DX season, which is an ideal time for me to shoot the video. I'll try to do that in the next month or so. What did you use to shoot the video? I've got a smartphone and my wife's camera. Hopefully one of them can produce decent quality video.
Thanks for the tip. I would love to get my hands on some addons, the FRA-7700 antenna, FRT-7700 tuner and the FRV-7700 VHF addon. Would be nice to complete the setup. 73s, Daniel
You are right. There are two of these addons up at eBay as we speak. Together with shipping it would cost me ~120$ to get the FRV-7700, which is too much really. I got the receiver for ~80$.
You can make it turn into a VHF receiver if you by a frv-7700 from off radio world for £70 that's where I got mine from and it works great I live in jersey Channel Islands and I can pick up the airport and also london airport
Hello, Thanks for the demo. The reception seems to good.
One thing people do not mention, when the demo starts, on a Communication receiver is 1) TIME 2) LOCATION. This is highly necessary. Reception depends on both the factors. Perhaps it’d be even better if the time is mentioned in UTC. That way SWLs can understand the time much better and compare with their geographical location. RUclips is International. 73.
Location is highly necessary, because some areas of the world are “night” and some daylight. The frequency of any broadcast depend on day and night. Please note. Thanks much and appreciate your demo.
I just got one yesterday and man is it fun. This one had been stored for 15 years. It works great
I really enjoyed this video. The 7700 was out when I was new to the hobby. I was too young at the time to afford one, so the closest I could get was reading reviews. It's great to have a video that spends so much time going through all of the features. So thank you.
Now I'm inspired to try to do a similar video with my Icom R70.
Picked up one of these about a year back... recapped, new speaker, aligned, two corroded connectors....works and looks like new...lots of fun and easy to use
I've just aquired a FROG 7700 myself and although it hasn't yet been delivered, I'm already happy with my choice. I decided I'm going to do DXing only with sdr receivers and I'm going to use these rigs mostly to listen to music and the news. It has very good audio and I liked the fact that you showed very clearly how bandwidth filters work. I also have a Kenwood R-2000 that is in another property and also like it very much, but the FRG-7700 is more complete though, with more features. 73!
Yes, i was playing with it yesterday, so much fun. Everything works, except the mode switch and volume knobs picked up some dust, but that was cleared after 30 mins playing with it. The mode switch knob is somewhat loose and i will see if i can tighten it somehow or replace it. All other knobs feel very goood and solid. I am very pleased with my purchase. I put i video response of the receiver in action, i took it yesterday. Better video coming up. Cheers!
Your most welcome. The addons seem to be much less common than the receivers even here in the U.S. Many times they can be found for less via amateur radio traders because the addons tend to get heavy biding on eBay.
congrats on the 7700,ive had mine for about 4 years now and realy enjoy it,spent $290 for mine so ya they still hold there freakin value lol.
880 khz...You were receiving CBS outta New York City and a Yankees game. Damn good sound and catch on the long wire. I enjoyed every one of those 21 minutes, but I would. You're doing better than I am, and I'm jealous. LOL. PLus I have a hard time getting WWV on any frequency with the long wire inside. That's just a nice rig Paul, and I know you are enjoying it. Waitng to see the video when you open it up and check it out inside. Thanks for letting me know you uploaded the vid...Bravo...
Hello William. Thank you. I'm impressed with these receivers. Performance seems excellent even when not taking into consideration how old they are and that they are a early PLL unit. I feel very fortunate to have found find this 7700 and for such a good price. 73's Paul
Thank you. I've watched many of your FRG-7700 videos. Really enjoy them.
Mine just has whatever the stock filters are. 73's Paul
Hello Stefan. Sorry for the delay in replying. Lighting took out my home network last Friday. Just got it back up and running today. Longest I can ever remember going without internet.
Thank for explaining the Sommerkamp brand. I have seen a lot of European equipment through the years with that brand name, including Yaesu items, but never knew any of the story behind it. I've had a few RCI-2950 radios with the Sommerkamp name through the years. 73's Paul
I just picked up one these FRG-7700's with the FRA-7700 from the original owner. It is in mint condition and is so fun to use. the case screws appear to have never been touched. I will keep this radio
Hello, I want to buy one. Does it need external air on FM without noise or clear intake? Please reply. Thank you.❤
Thank you my friend. Wait until you get an outside antenna up. That will be a game changer. Show you how much I know, I had no idea what game that was or where it was being broadcast from. LOL! Honestly that was the first time I tried it on MW. Since I don't have a proper antenna for MW I figured reception would be bad down there. Yes I really like this receiver even if it is old. It seems to work very good and I like old stuff as you know. Video of the insides will be coming in the near future.
Nice rig - I have a Kenwood R-1000 which is pretty similar. The problem with shortwave is the vast amount of broadcasts are from crazed evangelists telling me I'm going to hell.
You are lol
Hello Paul. This FRG 7700 is also in my collection. But it does have the label of SOMMERKAMP (Swiss Brand). SOMMERKAMP Switzerland (Lugano), was the first distributor of YAESU products in the 70ies and 80ies here in Switzerland and other european countrys. Best 73s..
that seems to be a great radio. I am currently looking on different sites and markets for one or something similar.They are not so plentiful as I'd hoped I can't wait to get into some serious SWL. Thanks for sharing
No, in stock form they top out at 30MHz. There was an optional VHF converter in six different versions sold by Yaesu for these but I'm not aware of any of the six versions covering 88-108.
hi Paul.great video this is one great receiver,thanks for uploading.73s from N.Ireland
Glad it's working well & it looks very nice. The mode selector was so dirty on mine the radio couldn't work. Therefore I had to pry up a corner of the metal backer plate to get cleaner inside of it. I can't remember how the control is mounted but try removing the mode selector knob & see if there is a nut recessed in the face used to tighten the mode selector. If it mounts that way some needle nose pliers or similar device can tighten it. If the nut is not under the knob then it's inside.
Thank you. Honestly I enjoyed making the video but worry about how long it ended up being.
I was a young lad when these were new as well. If it hadn't been for this one selling so low because of being dirty and not properly tested I still wouldn't have one. They tend to bring over $200 on eBay even today.
Your Icom R70 is a great receiver. Many say much better than the 7700. I'd love to see a video of it. 73's Paul
I bought one of these new, with the matching active antenna - still have it - nice radio.
My FRG 7700 is picking up some signals so is working to some extent. My question is what is the minimum antenna I need to setup to check if it is in good shape or not?
Wow, 1984. I was only 4 years old. Thanks for the info!
Thank you. They do still sell for decent prices to this day. I won't say what I paid for mine for fear of upsetting people. I was very fortunate and won it for well below market value. Since it was so dirty and nasty I guess most potential bidders weren't interested in it. For early 1980's PLL technology they really seem work well. 73's Paul
Sorry to hear your 7700 laid down. They are nice units and I still use mine as my primary receiver. There are excellent condition 7700's out there but finding one for what I consider a decent price takes some time. Hope you kept your old one. They have value and use even if only for parts. 73's Paul
Yes, thanks for the tip, i removed the knob from the volume switch and there is a nut recessed in the face. A slotted screw drive so i will just use a flat-bladed screwdriver. I didn't know you can tighten knobs this way. But first i need to clean it with the electronics cleaner.
I just picked one up for 200$, did not get it yet. Hoping its not to bad, will make a nice addition to my collection.
on the yaesu frg-7700 can u pick up aircraft freqencys on it like 119.575
No, this is a HF/shortwave receiver, goes upto around 30Mhz. Airband is on VHF band between 108-136 MHz
Thank you Ian. I really like this rig. 73's Paul
Yes it has one. Can't tell in the video because there are two lights on above the receiver and the cameras light is shining into the face of he radio as well. 73's Paul
I wish I could find one of these rigs but it picks up EVERYTHING. Maybe a portable one.
Congrats. Working correctly they are very nice receivers. Mine was very dirty and neglected when I received it. The AC cord does look exactly the same as the PC types. A check on the inside of the the back of receivers power connector and using an ohm meter on a PC cord will tell you if it will work. I have a feeling it's the same but I haven't confirmed that and and therefore recommend checking to make sure. I use a wire antenna on mine but I also use an antenna tuner inline. 73's Paul
Not sure what bulbs you are referring to. For the meter and indicators probably so. If you are referring to the frequency display I don't know. I remember there is something special about the display in these receivers and the Kenwood R-1000 as well, but I don't remember the specifics. I'm sure plenty of info is available via the web about the display. 73's Paul
I got this receiver today, and i am eager to try it. It feels like a nice chunk of equipment at 6kg weight. Unfortunately the guy i bought it from had no power cable, no antenna or anything else that comes with it. It is overall in good cosmetic condition but needs some cleaning. I got the manual from the interwebs, says i can use a simple coated wire as antenna, and the power connector looks like the PC type power connector. Can i use that one?
Have you sorted the power cord out and tried the receiver yet? If it works or needs very little you did great at the price you paid. Even as a parts unit it's probably worth what you paid or more.
I miss my 7700.....it gave up the ghost about 9 years ago. I used its timer feature & piped the sound of WHAS 840 (Joe Donovan's overnight show, using wide band) into the VCR so I could hear the whole show. As to SW, I only had a longwire around the room; I know I coulda done better.
I just bought one off ebay, serial # 1E 051951, any idea what age this is?
We're getting into DX season, which is an ideal time for me to shoot the video. I'll try to do that in the next month or so.
What did you use to shoot the video? I've got a smartphone and my wife's camera. Hopefully one of them can produce decent quality video.
Thanks for the tip. I would love to get my hands on some addons, the FRA-7700 antenna, FRT-7700 tuner and the FRV-7700 VHF addon. Would be nice to complete the setup. 73s, Daniel
A Sony Bloggie model MHS-FS2 is what I use. Many devices including phones do quality video anymore.
Very good receiving!!
Could you please inform us what type of antenna are you using in shortwaves??
Hi I have 1 as well if you look on the back you can use a uhf Arial or you can use a pice of wire where it says sw/bc or the bc 1 on the receiver
You are right. There are two of these addons up at eBay as we speak. Together with shipping it would cost me ~120$ to get the FRV-7700, which is too much really. I got the receiver for ~80$.
great video and nice radio. 73s
Thank you Joe. 73's Paul
I believe that equates to March of 1984.
Just bought a used FRG-7700 on Ebay and need to know what antenna you are using?
He said that he had bypassed his tuner and was connected directly to a log wire.
God you must live near Boulder to get WWV that strong hi...Fred UK
At night, WWV is heard thousands of miles away on 5 MHz.
Is it possible to replace the bulbs to LED ?
Also my serial number starts with 4C, do you know when it was manufactured? Thanks!
March 1984
no meter light?
You can make it turn into a VHF receiver if you by a frv-7700 from off radio world for £70 that's where I got mine from and it works great I live in jersey Channel Islands and I can pick up the airport and also london airport
Looking into getting me one of these little baby's......and your voice sounds familiar lol bulldog jr. Just got down lol
Can this receive commercial FM 88-108MHz WFM band?
Been using mine since 1983 Its been great. 0nly my Icom R-70 is better
DEFINITELY A POOR RECEPTION RADIO