Since 1994, I have maintained an owners directory of FPM-200 transceivers. So far, I have managed to locate 39 of these radios, in various stages of repair. Every year or so another one seems to pop up. Interestingly, three of the radios have popped up in Italy. The prices of the FPM-200 vary greatly, but generally increase as more collectors become aware of the radio. Although as recently as ten years ago, one could buy an excellent one for under $1000, in mid-2003, one traded for $3250, without the power supply, and in 2004 the price had increased to nearly $5000. Obviously, condition is paramount for collectable radios in this price category. The lowest reported sale price was UK£15.00 (!)

The FPM-200 was first advertised in in QST in 1957 as the premier rig in the Hallicrafters lineup. The cost was $2660, and the radio was a technological breakthrough for the era. The FPM-200 featured solid state circuitry (except for the 6146 finals and driver), built in DC-AC inverter, twin PTOs, bandswitching 80 - 10 meters with linear 1 kHz readout, and fiberglass printed circuit boards. Fewer than 50 radios are believed to be produced. Several were assembled from spare modules. The supplied accessories included a matching AC supply, mobile mount, chrome mobile lock in leather pouch, an abbreviated manual and a full manual. It is the rarest of all Hallicrafters radios, surpassing even the famous SX-88 receiver.

Service Hints: It is necessary to remove the rear panel to gain access to the T/R relay contacts, and to replace some of the HV electrolytic capacitors (highly recommended). Although the number of screws is intimidating, the rear panel comes off easily with no complications.
(2) Periodically lubricate the rotary switches. Their phenolic wafers are brittle, but can generally be epoxied together if one breaks. The mode switch seems trouble-prone in this regard because it is switched frequently. Best not to use it too frequently.
(3) If you get abnormal power output, check the braid connection on the BNC antenna port.

If you have repaired your FPM-200, I'd appreciate your dropping me a line with the details. A few known issues: The audio volume is abnormally loud, even at lowest setting. The sidetone volume is often too low, because of a leaky low voltage electrolytic capacitor in the sidetone circuit. The switching power supply produces hum in the audio output. Keep in mind the FPM200, like all radios, like being used. It's best to keep yours in a dry place and to fire it up a couple of times a year at least, even if it is not entirely functional. Keep a can of DeOxit D5 and a tube of lubripate handy for the potentiometers and the rotary switches.

If you know of an FPM-200 which is not on the following list, or if you have sold or purchased one already on the list, please email me the the particulars. Click the email button at the bottom of this page. Also, I fear a few radios may have slipped through the cracks because of my negligence, and I apologize if yours is one of them. Pse email me and I'll try to make amends. Thanks!

FPM-200 OWNERS LIST
(revised 10 October 2020)