How to: Green back light on Yaesu radio
Notes from changing my Yaesu FT-8900R's back ground color to green. The amber color has always bothered me since it doesn't match the rest of the switches and gauges on my dash.
. Lots of the Yaesu Radios are similar so this may give those of you with other models the courage to get in there and switch things up.
First of all you will need two 3mm green 1000mcd LED's. I bought mine on FleaBay and had to get a bag of 100. By the way, I am selling extras on the parts page: https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/253502-green-leds-yaesu-radios-$5.html#post3903037
Replacement of the LED's in order:
-Disassemble and unplug the display unit from transceiver and microphone.
-Unscrew the four screws at the back of the display.
-Strip the knobs (six parts) off the front panel and remove the 2 brass groove nuts from the lower squelch knobs.
-Gently separate the front and back of the display unit. This will give you access to two circuit boards connected by a wire.
-The LCD display is mounted to the front circuit board, locate the 6 bendable metal strips that hold it on and bend them to remove it. Don't use excessive force and once you have it off set it aside somewhere safe.
-On the display side of the circuit board you will see two LED's on the right side. They are bent over sideways. Bend them straight up. With a permanent marker, mark one side of the LED's so you know how it was oriented once out. More to follow.
-Gently pull the LED from one side of the circuit board while you heat the LED points from the other side with a small soldering iron. I found if you heat them evenly at the same time the LED comes out easier. Also if done carefully you should not have to remove or add any solder.
-Once the old LED's are out test them with a 9 volt battery to see which side has the cathode. Do the same test on your new LED's so you know which way to orient them when soldering them back in. Remember the marks I talked about earlier?
-To get the LED's in you need to position the LEDs on the front side and gently push while on the oposite side you heat with the iron. Be sure get them to the same orginal height because they need to be bent over to shine light on the display.
-Once in place, trim the extra length off the back of the LED's with a small wire clip
-Assemble in reverse order and enjoy your new matching display.
Picture to follow.
Notes from changing my Yaesu FT-8900R's back ground color to green. The amber color has always bothered me since it doesn't match the rest of the switches and gauges on my dash.
. Lots of the Yaesu Radios are similar so this may give those of you with other models the courage to get in there and switch things up.First of all you will need two 3mm green 1000mcd LED's. I bought mine on FleaBay and had to get a bag of 100. By the way, I am selling extras on the parts page: https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/253502-green-leds-yaesu-radios-$5.html#post3903037
Replacement of the LED's in order:
-Disassemble and unplug the display unit from transceiver and microphone.
-Unscrew the four screws at the back of the display.
-Strip the knobs (six parts) off the front panel and remove the 2 brass groove nuts from the lower squelch knobs.
-Gently separate the front and back of the display unit. This will give you access to two circuit boards connected by a wire.
-The LCD display is mounted to the front circuit board, locate the 6 bendable metal strips that hold it on and bend them to remove it. Don't use excessive force and once you have it off set it aside somewhere safe.
-On the display side of the circuit board you will see two LED's on the right side. They are bent over sideways. Bend them straight up. With a permanent marker, mark one side of the LED's so you know how it was oriented once out. More to follow.
-Gently pull the LED from one side of the circuit board while you heat the LED points from the other side with a small soldering iron. I found if you heat them evenly at the same time the LED comes out easier. Also if done carefully you should not have to remove or add any solder.
-Once the old LED's are out test them with a 9 volt battery to see which side has the cathode. Do the same test on your new LED's so you know which way to orient them when soldering them back in. Remember the marks I talked about earlier?
-To get the LED's in you need to position the LEDs on the front side and gently push while on the oposite side you heat with the iron. Be sure get them to the same orginal height because they need to be bent over to shine light on the display.
-Once in place, trim the extra length off the back of the LED's with a small wire clip
-Assemble in reverse order and enjoy your new matching display.
Picture to follow.
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