Yeasu FT8700-R/ Modifications

[93BLAZER]

I was curious as to what kind of modifications are available for the FT8700-R?
Is there a place in the Phoenix Metro area that does this?

Many thanks

 

[DaveInDenver]

What do you want to change about your 7800? You have something in mind I'd imagine. If it's to open the transmitter for non-ham frequencies, that is ILLEGAL and no legitimate radio shop will do that for you.

 

[crawler#976]

The TXmod is very simple on a 7800, all it takes is removing or crushing a 0 ohm diode. There are many websites with the pictures of the correct diode available.

I mod'd mine before installing it. I used a sharp pointed tweezer and a magnifing glass to crush the diode. Yes, you need a good magnifing glass - the diode is extremely tiny...

Our local county Sherrif's office uses 15x.xx freq's. It's legal to use a radio to contact them in an emergency if there is no other option available. I also wanted to be able to communicate in Mexico (if I ever decide to head down to Puertecitos to visit BX) on the race radio freq's. Other than that, the radio will not be used out of the FCC band plan.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Our local county Sherrif's office uses 15x.xx freq's. It's legal to use a radio to contact them in an emergency if there is no other option available. I also wanted to be able to communicate in Mexico (if I ever decide to head down to Puertecitos to visit BX) on the race radio freq's. Other than that, the radio will not be used out of the FCC band plan.

Just keep in mind that if you invoke the 97.403 and 97.405 rules to talk on a public emergency frequency, you had better be in very, very, very dire need. Not just a broken down truck or lost hiker, but you have a situation that is very seriously threatening life or property and you have absolutely exhausted every other means. The FCC does not take it lightly when someone does this and it could cost you a whole lot of money if the FCC doesn't judge the seriousness of the situation like you did. This happened in San Diego a few years ago. Fella came up to an injured person (I want to say a cyclist, but my memory is not great). The authorities thought he could have used a cell phone or walked to get help rather than hailing help via a local fire department.

What exactly is the rule on modified radios? Is it really legal to have one as long as you follow your license rules? I understood just being in possession of a modified radio was illegal. Not true?

 

[gary in ohio]

There is almost no reason to modify the radio. You already have extended RX and the radio is not legal to transmit outside the ham bands. There is almost NO reason to do a transmit mod. Any transmission outside the ham bands is illegal, and gives ham radio a band name.

 

[crawler#976]

§97.403 Safety of life and protection of property.

No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radiocommunication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.

I remembered that section from the exam. Found the info at:

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/toc.html

Mark

 

[gary in ohio]

Just keep in mind that if you invoke the 97.403 and 97.405 rules to talk on a public emergency frequency, you had better be in very, very, very dire need. /QUOTE]

And NO WHERE does 403 or 405 say you can use your ham radio on the police bands. The rule only applies within the ham bands. the rule existed long before frequency agile radio where around. The rule means you can use any part of the ham bands, or modes outside your license class to get help. It doesnt mean you can go outside your bands.

 

[DaveInDenver]

And NO WHERE does 403 or 405 say you can use your ham radio on the police bands. The rule only applies within the ham bands. the rule existed long before frequency agile radio where around. The rule means you can use any part of the ham bands, or modes outside your license class to get help. It doesnt mean you can go outside your bands.

I've heard that conclusion as well and FCC enforcement does seem to support this. One thing is for sure is the subject is not perfectly black and white. Should you literally 'use any means available', you had better be able to explain your actions and expect non-trivial repercussions.

FWIW, the word-for-word text:

§97.403 Safety of life and protection of property.

No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radiocommunication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.

§97.405 Station in distress.

(a) No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance.

(b) No provision of these rules prevents the use by a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a), of any means of radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a station in distress.

 

[1leglance]

for me this issue falls into the area of the old saying:
"better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6"

Of course I would only use my Tx ability in a life threating situation and if the FCC felt that wasn't cool at least I would be around to argue about it...
The idea of needing this ability and not being able to do it...I don't trust myself to try to remember how to mod my radio in the field..well that would just piss me off

Good flow of ideas and important for everyone to read this stuff....

 

[gary in ohio]

The problem with the "Ill call the police and worry about it later" is that it many not even work even if you have your radio modded. Unless you know how the police channels are setup you may never reach them. Unlike ham radio and many business bands , many public safety radio systems are not symmetrical. Just because you hear the output frequency and PL tone doesn't mean the input pl is the same and doesn't mean the input freq is offset the same as ham radio.
On top of that many public safety use DCS and other digital tones to access the repeater. Few ham radio have have digital mode squelch. With the move to trunking and even a bigger move to 700 mhz the issue will soon be gone anyone.

 

[93BLAZER]

Great feedback, but...

My purpose for information on how to mod the radio was NOT meant to transmit on a public service freq, but was geared towards modification to operate on the GRMS (sp) freqs. People that I travel with would be more likely to have the cheap Walmart Motorola Talkabout radios. Usually they come in packages of two and if there are not enough to go around... I would have the Yeasu.

Also, I travel and PLAN on traveling into Mexico more. I have a two Motorola Saber radios that are programmed with God knows what and would think that in Mexico (no FCC) it would be safe to operate those there. If my Yeasu was modified to tx on those freqs, then I think it would be one more radio that could be of use.

I came across the Sabers thinking that they would be more powerful than the previously mentioned Walmart Motorola Talkabouts and I would have increased range and performance. This was before I cam across these forums and learned how popular 2M -HAM radio communications are between off road enthuists.

So in the end, I know it is UNLAWFUL for a civilian to operate on a public service freq.

See you on the trails with my Full Size 1993 Chevrolet Blazer!

 

[gary in ohio]

Great feedback, but...

My purpose for information on how to mod the radio was NOT meant to transmit on a public service freq, but was geared towards modification to operate on the GRMS (sp) freqs.

Still not legal to use on GMRS or any other non ham frequency.


[/quote]
Also, I travel and PLAN on traveling into Mexico more. I have a two Motorola Saber radios that are programmed with God knows what and would think that in Mexico (no FCC) it would be safe to operate those there. If my Yeasu was modified to tx on those freqs, then I think it would be one more radio that could be of use.

No FCC, but government men who are in charge of radio spectrum. Dont get caught on the wrong frequency, your asking for trouble. Either that or just have a wad of cash to buy your way out.

 

[ntsqd]

Hum, we seem to have the "Strict Constructionalist vs. Liberal Constructionalist" argument going on here.

The point, then, in question is not the letter of the law, but what the framers of the law had in mind when the code was written. That would require mind reading those who have surely passed on. In other words it can be debated until the cows come home with no resolution.
What matters is how the current courts will enforce said code(s).
Sound vaguely like the 2nd Amendment bruha?

I do not see any mention of specific freq bands excluded from consideration for use in an emergency in the sections cited. Had the FCC been severely concerned about this they would have ammended the code to provide what ever exclusions they deemed necessary. Completely aside from any technical challenges, saying that you can't use those freqs in an emergency is sort of an Ex Post Facto in reverse.

I would expect that for the FCC to claim incidental intent in the ownership of a modified radio to be hard to prove, while a claim of preparation for an emergency would not only be hard to disprove but would fly in the face of the founding purpose of US hams - as codified by the FCC. They may be like the IRS, but they too still answer to the court system.

 

[Pskhaat]

What exactly is the rule on modified radios? Is it really legal to have one as long as you follow your license rules? I understood just being in possession of a modified radio was illegal. Not true?

Again, my logic is that as a Ham practicing a non-commercial hobby I can modify any commercial radio or build my own in order to facilitate non-encrypted 2-way radio communication within my alloted frequency sets based upon my amateur license level. As a Ham, I given that implicit license to practice the hobby of electronics and radio communication.

It follows that I can modify my own commercial Yaesu radio if only to salvage or replace parts. TX out-of-band is obviously not in question. GMRS ability is also not in question (the answer is no).

IANAL, but without citing precedent or other cases we can not be so sure that the CFR rules are limited in emergency to Ham frequencies as that restriction is clearly not stated.

If the FCC fined me or revoked my license for saving a life by communicating out of band in said emergency, I would (first get a good lawyer but then) denounce the practice and community thereof.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

http://www.mods.dk/index.php?ModelId=97&RadioRec=yaesu