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Installing a Z10000-U Buffer Amplifier in a
Yaesu FT-920 Transceiver
Chuck, K7VRE, has provided the following details illustrating how he
installed a Z10000-U buffer amplifier in his FT-920.
Installation of Clifton Laboratories
Z10000-U Broadband Buffer Amplifier
In a Yaesu FT-920
By Chuck, K7VRE
A Yaesu FT-920 is my primary station HF transceiver. I remembered using a panoramic adapter
in the ‘60s. The more modern transceivers incorporate an LCD display which may display a
panorama of received signals. When I became aware of N8LP’s Digital Vector RF Wattmeter
(which I purchased), that webpage led me to Jack Smith’s Clifton Laboratories page. There
appeared a solid state version of the “old” panoramic adapters, but, with more capabilities. I knew
that this was a product, not a boat anchor, I needed in my station. Like too many transceivers, no
IF output is provided in stock units. This is where the Z10000-U comes in. It provides an isolated
IF output for the Z90. The following sequence was used to install the Z10000-U.
1. Disconnect everything from the FT-920.
2. Lay the FT-920 upside down on a soft towel.
3. Remove the bottom panel per the Yaesu Instruction Manual.
4. Locate J-1007 near the left edge, as viewed from the back panel, of the main PCB. This jack
is used only during alignment of the basic FT-920. After obtaining a matching coaxial plug,
Icom p/n 6510003240 (Yes, Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood and others all use the same part but with
a different number) and attaching a short section of the RG-178, we have a ready connection
of the IF signal to the Z10000-U.
Fig. 1
5. Remove the screw and cable bundle restraint located between J1007 and J1006. Place the
two parts in sealed bag and label it. If you ever need it again, you will have it.
Fig. 2
Installing a Z10000-U Buffer Amplifier in a Yaesu FT-920 Transceiver - Page 1 of 3 - DX Engineering, 2018
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6. Install the aluminum spacer in the threaded hole where the afore mentioned screw and
retainer were located (Fig. 3). Yes, the threads are quite different. Use due diligence and
carefully tighten it just to the snug point. Do not use the “spot tight” method where a fastener is
tightened until you see spots!
Fig. 3
7. Carefully locate and drill a 0,25 inch hole in the rear panel (casting). Be absolutely certain that
the SMA connector with attached RG-178 will clear J1001 and J1005 when you install it (Fig.
4.) I was fortunate and had minimal difficulty getting the connector into its hole. Because the
rear panel is part of a casting, in my case there was no space for the lock washers in the
location I chose. In Fig. 5A, you can see where the output cable was run back to the Z10000U. The Z10000-U was installed with the fish paper as shown in Fig. 5B.
Fig. 4 Fig. 5A Fig. 5B
8 The connection for 12VDC was made with a splice in the wire to pin 7, plug 1018.
Fig. 6
9. Double check all connections and reinstall the bottom panel. This procedure provided a clean
install, and still allows ready access to the components on the main PCB.
Installing a Z10000-U Buffer Amplifier in a Yaesu FT-920 Transceiver - Page 2 of 3 - DX Engineering, 2018
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10. Figure 7 shows the back panel with the SMA and the decal “IF OUT” installed.
Fig. 7
My sincere thanks to Jack, for his ready answers and assistance to make this a success.
Chuck K7VRE
Installing a Z10000-U Buffer Amplifier in a Yaesu FT-920 Transceiver - Page 3 of 3 - DX Engineering, 2018
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