[Azrocks]

OK, Please don't let this turn into a discussion of whether this is right or wrong. I just want to show what is involved in modding a Yaesu FT8900 for extended transmit. I believe the procedure is the same for the FT8800. I'll check.

First, remove the radio from your vehicle and get set up in a comfortable place with good lighting.

You will need the following tools (no soldering iron is needed).
- small phillips head screwdriver
- small needle nose pliars

1. Remove the (8) screws on the cover of the radio. There will be two on each side and four on the top. Do not remove the screws holding in the speaker. In the picture you will see four large screw heads. These are for my quick release bracket (which I highly recommend). The arrows just show where the screws are located to be removed.

[Azrocks]

2. As you remove the cover, the speaker connection will have to be removed. Just give a slight tug on the wires and they will easily come unplugged. Set the cover aside.

[Azrocks]

3. Now position the radio so the front is facing you. On the far left corner facing you is a row of diode slots. There will only be two diodes installed. All the other instructions I have read say that it is necessary to use a soldering iron to remove the diode. Good luck with that! The diodes are tiny.

All I did was use a pair of small needle nose pliars to crush the diode. This worked wonderfully and took about a second.

I have indicated in the picture the diode slot strip in the rectangle and the arrow shows the diode that needs to be crushed.

[Azrocks]

4. That's about it as far as the mod goes. Reconnect the speaker and screw the cover back on.

NOTICE!

A. Don't freak out when you go to turn the radio back on. The radio does a factory reset. All the indicators on the dispay will light up and then show your original factory settings.

B. All your programming will be lost! I use the following software for programing. G4HFQ Radio Programming Software
It works great and gets good reviews over the junk Yaesu recommends. I just reprogrammed my radio to what is was before.

C. You will have to change the radio type from a drop down menu in the software if you are using that to put programming back in. My radio type went from "81" to "80" after the mod.

That's it!

Here's a pic of my setup as I am reprogramming it in my Dodge. I can easily move the radio between my FJ40, truck, and suburban.



Good luck! Do this mod at your own risk.....etc, etc.

[Azrocks]

I found this picture that shows the location on the FT8800 of the diode strip. It looks a little different than the 8900 but bascially the same.

[e9999]

similar mod to that for the 7800 where you have to remove the "lower" resistor jumper (R1288).

a bit confusing cuz 2 different documents show 2 different resistors locations but should perhaps be obvious when opened up... looks like there are some differences between the US and euro models too. caution required I think.

[alvarorb]

Looks like the closest diode to the corner.
Not too hard.

Regards

Alvaro

[Azrocks]

Yup, that's the one.

[e9999]

why do you keep on calling these things diodes?

[Azrocks]

Originally Posted by e9999

why do you keep on calling these things diodes?

Because everything I've read call them diodes. They do look like resistors to me. I'll have to look at the schematics.

[_Walker_]

you guys happy with the 8900? Im thinking of getting into radios etc, and have been looking at this fellow... good buy? It wont do air band or marine band will it?

[Azrocks]

I really like the radio. There's probably a reason to question the practicality of FM 6 and 10 meter though. I got it to expand the usefulness of cross band repeat using 6 meter simplex.

If you don't need the extra bands, I'd probably look at the 8800. Memory management on the 8800 is a little different than the 8900 as well.

The dual receive is wonderfull. There is also a home channel scan that is really useful. With it I can monitor two channels on one side of the radio while scanning all frequencies on the other side.

There is an AM receive mode that I use to scan aircraft frequencies. Along with every open repeater in AZ, I also have police, fire, fbi, fema, dps, some other public service freq, FRS, GMRS, aircraft, and some others. Like all HAM radios, it doesn't scan fast enough to be a super effective scanner. At some point I will get a dedicated scanner.

Anyway, back to your original question. The 8900 is a great radio. For the price differential I felt it was worth getting the FM 6 and 10m. Go to Eham.net and look at the reviews of anything you might be interested in.

[Pskhaat]

Originally Posted by Azrocks

Along with every open repeater in AZ, I also have police, fire, fbi, fema, dps, some other public service freq, FRS, GMRS, aircraft, and some others.

Would you be willing to share the list?

[Azrocks]

Originally Posted by Pskhaat

Would you be willing to share the list?

Sure! I can send either the excel spreadsheet or if you are using the same programing software and have the same radio I can send the direct programming file. Let me know.

[_Walker_]

are there any simmilar radios that can both receive AND transmit on FM as well as AM? im looking for a unit I can use when wheeling, but also use for work (Airband)... and id rather not have to dish out for two radios...

[psfpilot]

x2...is there a possibility of transmission and/or reception on UHF and VHF aviation bands with this mod?

[Azrocks]

Originally Posted by psfpilot

x2...is there a possibility of transmission and/or reception on UHF and VHF aviation bands with this mod?

Couldn't tell you. Here's what the mod leaves you with on the FT8900. There may be more but this is what I'm sure of.

TX: 28-29.7 / 50-54 / 144-148 / 150-170/ 430-470 MHz (USA)
RX: 28-29.7 / 50-54 / 108-180 / 320-480 / 700-958 MHz (Cellular blocked in the US)

TX: FM
RX: AM/FM

[mrlocksmith]

I may be wrong but dont the AV bands use AM still, This is an FM radio

Mark

[Azrocks]

There is an option in programming that allows reception of AM but it is FM transmit only. I can scan aircraft and DPS AM bands.

[nakman]

This is cool stuff, thanks for posting that. I agree it's a good idea to have this capability some day, kind of like knowing CPR. I hope I never need either.

[hatfieldcb]

I've seen a couple of USB programming cables lately. Is that all you need besides the software?

[alvarorb]

Chris,

These radios have a Serial port. The USB cables you are looking at, probably have USB on one end, serial on the other. If you have the right cable, all you need is the software.

For cables, I use Welcome to ttl2usb.com products. They make a nice usb/serial adapter, plus cables for many radios.

As far as Yaesu software for my mobile radios, I use Bob Freeth's software from G4HFQ Radio Programming Software

For my handheld, I use Jim Mitchel's VX Commander, Jim Mitchell - KC8UNJ

The nice thing about using the USB2ttl adapter is that you pay for the USB converter once, and then all you need to get for each radio is a $10 cable.
This way there's only one USB to Serial adapter driver on your computer.

Regards

Alvaro

[hatfieldcb]

I was considering one of these on eBay. What do you need to program an FT-2800?

[alvarorb]

Chris,

To program the FT-2800, I use this:
G4HFQ Software - FTB2800 Details

The cable you posted is to program a FT-7800/FT8800, not a FT-2800.
The FT-2800 is programed by removing the mic and connecting a cable in it's place. The cable on your post has different connectors.

Regards

Alvaro

[hatfieldcb]

Originally Posted by alvarorb

To program the FT-2800, I use this:
G4HFQ Software - FTB2800 Details

The cable you posted is to program a FT-7800/FT8800, not a FT-2800.
The FT-2800 is programed by removing the mic and connecting a cable in it's place. The cable on your post has different connectors.

Right. Thanks Alvaro. I was confusing things. I have both a FT-8800 and an FT-2800. I'll pick up the USB cable and software for the FT-8800 and eventually I will get the cable and software for the FT-2800.

[Azrocks]

Originally Posted by alvarorb

As far as Yaesu software for my mobile radios, I use Bob Freeth's software from G4HFQ Radio Programming Software

For my handheld, I use Jim Mitchel's VX Commander, Jim Mitchell - KC8UNJ

Yup and yup. Both are quality programs. For those looking to buy programming software for a Yaesu radio don't even think about using the junk Yaesu recommends. If you don't believe me, be a sucker and try it or read reviews on eham.net.

[groucho]

So your desire is just to receive on the frequencies ouside the band? Or are you trying to make the radio transmit on AM in those freqs?

[Azrocks]

Originally Posted by groucho

So your desire is just to receive on the frequencies ouside the band? Or are you trying to make the radio transmit on AM in those freqs?

The mod will not allow you to transmit on AM.

[_Walker_]

So basically were hooped and need to have more than one radio hey?

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by _Walker_

So basically were hooped and need to have more than one radio hey?

You will be far, far better off with a $50 CB and a good 2M (or dual band) HAM radio. I have bought 5 or 6 CB radios at garage sales for $2 or less (usually with a cheapie mag mount.) You need to be licensed for the HAM radio. A lot of local 4x4 clubs and groups still use CB but you will be surprised how many guys are becoming believers after seeing the benefits of 2M communications for off-road use.

-B-