Inspired by this thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/253505-green-back-light-yaesu-radio.html
Someone had to do it.
Someone had to do it.
Yaesu FT-8800 - color change how to
- Thread starter treerootCO
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #2
In the first and second pics, the LED in the upper right of the circuit is the LED that lights when you key up the mic. I should have left that one red but it is blue now.
Parts list:
Kingbright USA, an opto-electronic LED manufacturer products include all type of LED LAMPS , SMT LED, SMD LED, LED DISPLAYS optoelectronic components - (5)APG1608QBC/E 1.6X0.8MM 0.25MM Ultra thin blue SMD LED.
Parts list:
Kingbright USA, an opto-electronic LED manufacturer products include all type of LED LAMPS , SMT LED, SMD LED, LED DISPLAYS optoelectronic components - (5)APG1608QBC/E 1.6X0.8MM 0.25MM Ultra thin blue SMD LED.
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- Thread starter
- #3
Step 1 - Take your new FT-8800 out of the box
Step 2 - Take it apart
Step 3 - Behind the clear buttons you will find five SMD LEDs. The board is not marked positive and negative so make note of the LED orientation.
Step 4 - De-solder the LEDs. I use a solder sucker and zero force to remove them. Once all the solder is gone, they will fall off on their own.
Step 5 - Take the new LEDs out of the packaging, sneeze, and spend about an hour looking for them on the floor. On a serious note, make sure to ground yourself as static electricity will destroy the LEDs.
Step 6 - Solder the LEDs to the board. I used a small pair of tweezers to hold the LED and solder it a flat as possible. The LED will bend so before it gets pulled into the solder, the opposite end should be close to the same height. Polarity is marked with a green arrow on the back of the LED.
Step 7 - Reassemble.
Step 8 Optional - Squeal in joy that the thing still works when you turn it on.
Step 2 - Take it apart
Step 3 - Behind the clear buttons you will find five SMD LEDs. The board is not marked positive and negative so make note of the LED orientation.
Step 4 - De-solder the LEDs. I use a solder sucker and zero force to remove them. Once all the solder is gone, they will fall off on their own.
Step 5 - Take the new LEDs out of the packaging, sneeze, and spend about an hour looking for them on the floor. On a serious note, make sure to ground yourself as static electricity will destroy the LEDs.
Step 6 - Solder the LEDs to the board. I used a small pair of tweezers to hold the LED and solder it a flat as possible. The LED will bend so before it gets pulled into the solder, the opposite end should be close to the same height. Polarity is marked with a green arrow on the back of the LED.
Step 7 - Reassemble.
Step 8 Optional - Squeal in joy that the thing still works when you turn it on.
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- Thread starter
- #5
The LEDs are 3MM
Take the 4 screws out of the back
Carefully separate the back panel, there is a strip that connects the RJ11
Flip up the clip to release the strip and separate.
Remove the knobs and the brass rings
Bend the tabs to remove the LCD
Unsolder/solder/and reassemble
Take the 4 screws out of the back
Carefully separate the back panel, there is a strip that connects the RJ11
Flip up the clip to release the strip and separate.
Remove the knobs and the brass rings
Bend the tabs to remove the LCD
Unsolder/solder/and reassemble
- Thread starter
- #6
After 
and Before 
Compression is killing that pic...
and Before Compression is killing that pic...
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I have to laugh....
Now the big question: IF the stock colour of the Yaesu was Blue, would you have changed it to Amber???
cheers,
george.
Now the big question: IF the stock colour of the Yaesu was Blue, would you have changed it to Amber???
cheers,
george.
I have to laugh....
Now the big question: IF the stock colour of the Yaesu was Blue, would you have changed it to Amber???
cheers,
george.
only if you change the rest of the interior lighting to amber...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/213060-definitive-led-thread-80s.html
Treeroot, what do you say to helping a mudder out and swapping my 8800 to green?
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- Thread starter
- #10
All I know is a new circuit board is $50 and about a six month backorder. 
but I'm up to it!
but I'm up to it!
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LED Size
I have been looking for a good mod to do on my FT-2900R. What size of LEDs were in the FT-8800, 3mm? Also where did you get the LEDs for the mic mod?
-Donnie
I have been looking for a good mod to do on my FT-2900R. What size of LEDs were in the FT-8800, 3mm? Also where did you get the LEDs for the mic mod?
-Donnie
- Thread starter
- #12
The LEDs in the face plate are 3MM. I purchased the SMDs from Kingbright USA, an opto-electronic LED manufacturer products include all type of LED LAMPS , SMT LED, SMD LED, LED DISPLAYS optoelectronic components
(5)APG1608QBC/E 1.6X0.8MM 0.25MM Ultra thin blue SMD LED.
Attempting the mic LED changeover. Had to buy a new desoldering iron first. By the way Kingbright, now packages the leds differently so they don't get scattered all over the floor.
- Thread starter
- #15
Here are the green LEDs wearsabrowncoat picked up from Kingbright. Part number APG1608CGK C/T. The camera makes it look a little greener than it is. I think it is a perfect match to the Cruiser green as it has a little more yellow in it in person.
do mine do mine!
You guys are doing it the hard way!
If you had a Kenwood radio, changing it to green to match your Cruiser is just a simple menu choice.
