Yeasu FT8700-R/ Modifications

[DaveInDenver]

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.

I don't disagree that you can tinker with radios all you want to use for the hobby. It's actually sort of implicit that you are expected to do so as a means of learning electronics and EM/RF. It's just my understanding that a radio modified for out-of-ham-band TX (i.e. public service frequencies) might be grounds for fines or confiscation, though.

 

[RoundOut]

I bet what most people really want (I am speaking of myself and assuming that I am like "most people") is the ability to have just one unit that does everything they need or want.

For me, I wish I could have a radio that did all the HAM bands, CB, FRS, GMRS (and if I were a pilot, Aviation) in both RX & TX, plus NOAA, Aviation (since I am not a pilot), and local emergency freqs in RX only, plus AM/FM/XM/CD/DVD/MP3/WMA/Bluetooth cellphone interface/backup camera/PA.

If This were available and legal, wouldn't it be cool to have it in a single DIN?:wings:

 

[1leglance]

roundout...I think you hit the nail on the head..
Usually when you see topics like this come up sooner or later the person metions wanting to comm with FMS, CB or something without having another radio.
I can completely understand that since my FJC has a cb, dual band, handheld FMS and laptop....I would even consider ripping out my factory radio if I could get 1 unit to TX on everything!
Sure it would mean still having multiple antennas but soooo nice to only have 1 radio.
I understand that the gov wants/needs to keep thing sep...and the manufactures are fighting it since you have to buy more stuff....but of course we would all like a simpler/cleaner interior
Good point

 

[Pskhaat]

just my understanding that a radio modified for out-of-ham-band TX (i.e. public service frequencies) might be grounds for fines or confiscation, though.

Hmmm. Okay, what about this corollary: let's say I make my own radio from parts (as I can do) and TX on Ham bands but all it would take would be one notch on a dial to hit 143.995. I am thus in posession of a radio that I made that did not prevent a possible TX out-of-band.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Hmmm. Okay, what about this corollary: let's say I make my own radio from parts (as I can do) and TX on Ham bands but all it would take would be one notch on a dial to hit 143.995. I am thus in posession of a radio that I made that did not prevent a possible TX out-of-band.

OK, sure, Scott split hairs how ever you want. But going into a radio, removing a band limiting diode or resistor demonstrates intent to modify the radio to do something beyond ham. Taking an old Motorola business radio and making it a repeater base for a ham station is one thing. You are assuming the responsibility for making it meet the technical requirements for the task and if your homebrew radio steps over the end of the band by a couple of KHz I really doubt anyone is going to be up in arms. Taking a 7800 and messing with it to TX 10MHz beyond it's upper 2m limit or 20MHz beyond its UHF range is not within tuning or construction tolerance no matter how you look at it. If your bench built radio tuning was that sloppy, you would have an obligation as a confident and conscientious ham to not use it on the air and get it fixed up right.

 

[ntsqd]

snip....
as a confident and conscientious ham.....

I think regardless of what the radio can or can't do, it comes down to this phrase. As I previously stated, negligent intent is far, far different from allowing yourself the option of communicating in the most effective manner should an emergency arise.

Isn't the mod in discussion part of "MARS/CAP" operation, what ever that is?

 

[Pskhaat]

your bench built radio tuning was that sloppy, you would have an obligation as a confident and conscientious ham to not use it on the air and get it fixed up right.

Now that Dave is a valid and great argument!

As a complete aside and genuinely separate from that sub-topic, I know many new `software' radios never truly de-tune due to their nature, but I would speculate that the radio boards and components themselves are capable of wide band and it's just configuration changes on the same board that are used by Vertex across different business/ham/marine bands?

 

[DaveInDenver]

I think regardless of what the radio can or can't do, it comes down to this phrase. As I previously stated, negligent intent is far, far different from allowing yourself the option of communicating in the most effective manner should an emergency arise.

Isn't the mod in discussion part of "MARS/CAP" operation, what ever that is?

No, I think he wanted to use his radio on GMRS/FRS freqs, which is not technically legal. FRS in particular is very specific about requirements. The spirit IMO of 'conscientious' is to follow the guidelines for the hobby, which are fairly clear in previous interpretation by the FCC if you take the meaning of the using any means to include public service or commercial frequencies. The rule in my estimation is to allow you as a ham to use any ham band in an emergency. Since I'm but a lowly technician, if the situation warrants I could attempt to hail on HF, for example, and not be in trouble.

 

[93BLAZER]

Gosh, I never thought a simple, "Does anyone know what modifications are available..." would start this type of discussion.

I know it's unlawful to transmit on public service bands. But, as I explained in my second post I merely wanted to make the mod to use with my existing Motorola radios and cheap Walmart radios in a DIFFERENT COUNTRY!

Thanks oufit for the link.

I also hoped that someone would chime in about the use of the Sabers.

Thanks for all the great input!

 

[FJ-Ollie]

All my radios have the mods done to them (VX-170, VX-7R, and FT-8800R). Next year I'm going to be pitting and prerunning for some of the Baja races and all the team radio frequencies run in the 15x.xxx ranges. It's all about discipline. If you don't have the discipline not to transmit out of ham bands, don't do the mods. I only transmit in the 15x.xxx MHz range when I'm talking on the team freqs.

 

[mountainpete]

The subject of amateur radio modifications is one that many members take seriously (as we can all see here!) because there are very clear laws around appropriate use. In the end, it's your radio and your choice if you want to modify it or not.

For the Saber radios, check out this site - it's appears to be quite comprehensive.

http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/saber/saber-index.html

Pete

 

[gary in ohio]

I know it's unlawful to transmit on public service bands. But, as I explained in my second post I merely wanted to make the mod to use with my existing Motorola radios and cheap Walmart radios in a DIFFERENT COUNTRY!

Well FRS is only legal in the US and canada. Your Sabers unless you licensed them in the "DIFFERENT COUNTRY" are most likley not legal either. Granted mexico has little enforcement but doenst change the status.

Every country has an FCC like agency to regulate radio waves, Many frequencies are defined by world regulatory boards and international treaties.