FT-7800 TX mod - will it erase memories?

[schmidtjm1]

Hi Guys,

I want to extend the TX range for my FT-7800 by removing the diode, but will doing this and cycling the power erase the memory storage or just extend the TX range.

Thanks,

Jon W8SA

[W0LPQ]

Jon I presume you are trying to get it to work on the MARS network. It would appear that most radios, when you do a reset, do in fact dump memories .. since it takes you back to the initialization of the radio. Whatever you had programmed in .. is gone.

Bill, W0LPQ/9

Just remember you cannot legally use it anywhere else other than MARS and if NTIA approves, then CAP use.

[K9YLI]

The first question is always. WHY?
It is illegal to use an amateur transmitter, outside the ham bands.
So why make it possible to ,at least ,inadvertantly
transmit outside the ham bands and there fore make the
user liable for a fine up to $11000.
The BS about using in a "emergency" is likely never to happen an any ones life time, where NO other communications is available.

[WA9SVD]

As Bill said, almost ALL mods of ANY type, whether receive or transmit, WILL require a "hard reset" to function properly, which will erase all settings, and return the unit to factory defaults. (Whose ever fault that is.)
So before doing ANYthing, write down the settings you have in the memory banks.

But as also asked, WHY do you want to make this mod?
Detailed instructions on any mod available for MARS qualified equipment is usually readily available from your MARS organization.

But again, realize that whatever your rationalization for wanting extended transmit capability, it's probably illegal. And if you use it on Public Service frequencies, you may also jeopardize your group's license with rather substantial fines or even revocation as well.

Finally, remember that it takes only "one small snip for mankind" to really mess up a radio if you don't do the mod correctly, and THAT won't be covered by any warrantee. Repair is sometimes more costly that a new radio.

Choose wisely.

[w4bgn]

From my experience of being there while a friend modded his, yes, it erases all memories and reverts back to not being programmed.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (w4bgn @ April 21 2007,20:08)]From my experience of being there while a friend modded his, yes, it erases all memories and reverts back to not being programmed.
And WHAT, pray tell does ARES have to do with modifying a radio? The ONLY legal justification for modifying a radio is participation in MARS. (CAP is no longer a viable option for that radio; it doesn't meet NTIA standards.)
ARES or even RACES participation does NOT give anyone the legal right to transmit outside the Amateur bands, whether a radio is modified or not.

[g6otz]

What about operating in another country? I go to the US (operating under the reciprocal agreement) and I operate every year in Australia (VK6 licence held). A UK 2M rig is as much use as a chocolate fireguard as they stop at the end of 145Mhz. I could do with opening up my FT857 which is the rig I take.

I also have a OFCOM (read as FCC) Notice of Variation to allow me to operate 5Mhz you got it the FT857 doesn’t TX on 5 …..

I also carry a Marine VHF radio on my boat. Would be nice to have the FT857 capable of TX on marine (yes illegal but who cares if you are sinking in shark infested waters) although noted if I have the 857 I could use HF to call MAYDAY on Ham frequencies legally.

73’s Andrew G6OTZ & VK6AAC.
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[WA9SVD]

No offense, Andrew, but the question was posed by an American Amateur, and our replies were thus geared toward U.S. regulations. Certainly, the rules and regs in the U.K. and VK land are probably different, as are frequency allocations in different ITU Regions. And a U.S. radio would operate 144-148 MHz without modification.
Currently, for U.S. Amateurs the only legal use of any Amateur equipment outside of the Amateur frequencies is participation in MARS; there the license authorization is not ever from the FCC, but from the various branches of the military.

The rules and regs that apply to you in the U.K. or VK land regarding use of equipment on other than Amateur frequencies may be different than our rules and regs here in the U.S., but you would be expected to follow our FCC's rules if you visit our country, just as we American Amateurs would have to respect your OFCOM's rules and regs if we visit your country.
But many Amateurs (particularly some new licensees) do not realize that along with the possibility of opening up the transmit range of a radio, comes the responsibility of assuring it does NOT operate outside the Amateur bands. Yes, there ARE many that think they can use modified Amateur equipment because they are in law enforcement, or Emergency Medical response, volunteer fire fighter, or the like. The FCC has made it abundantly clear that those rationalizations are NOT acceptable use of modified Amateur equipment, and that certified, commercial equipment MUST be used in those services.

[g6otz]

No I think the rules are the same which are based on IARU guidance or the other way around!! (Has to be to enable reciprocal licensing). What I was trying to say was I buy a UK legal radio it transmits on 144-145 (146 is Fire and Police in UK !!) This radio can be taken to my house in VA (or in Perth, WA) but is of little use because most if not all repeaters have inputs in the 146 range, for this radio to be any use I would need it to be opened up.

I can buy an American rig legally and bring that into the UK and operate legally in the 144-145 range, except I now have a radio that is capable of transmitting on UK Police frequencies. (I am a retired Cop, I've seen it happen). In view that a Radio Ham is deemed a responsible person, I see no problem in having an open radio or one that can be programmed to TX on local authorised ham frequencies. When I am in UK my FT50R will only transmit on 144-145, when I am in VA it will transmit on 144-146 (bought at HRO), I block 146 in the UK to prevent any accidental transmission. My FT857 was bought in UK so is U.S. in VA on VHF.

Cheers & 73's

Andrew.

P.S. only three weeks and counting to Dayton!
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[g6otz]

Just a quickie I just thought about after I sent my last update, (This applies I’m sure every where, check it out locally) a radio ham has studied ‘radio’ and passed an exam, they buy a ham radio transceiver, it only transmits on ham radio frequencies local to where it was bought #144-145 in UK 144-146 in USA and Australia. On HF it transmits on the allocated frequencies, 5Mhz is different in UK to USA !

In Australia you buy a 4x4 and go bush, you get your safety equipment including an MF/HF radio for the ‘RFDS’ flying doctor service, for the VKS (4x4 HF) service and HF RADTEL service; #no exam is required and no training, just pay your money for a licence, that radio transmits 1.5Mhz to 30 Mhz no gaps.

Not that I have marine MF/HF on my boat, although I have the licence, I don't go far enough out to sea, but I’ve looked at the kit. Icom (and others) marine kit transmits 1.5Mhz to 30Mhz no gaps.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif “Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get me!”

[ka5piu]

Hello.

FCC approved commercial equipment also does 1 to 30 MHz, no gaps.
It is the Amateur Radio equipment that is limited.
The commercial equipment puts out a far cleaner signal.
And, for Aviation, there is equipment that is fully type accepted that does 30 MHz to 512 MHz, no gaps and fully programmable from the front panel.
So, it is part the use of the frequency and part the equipment.

[WA9SVD]

Hi Andrew,

You raise some valid points, that may well apply to yourself, and are a reasonable explanation for considering a "mod.". But I doubt those points are applicable to the vast majority of individuals determined to "open up" the transmit range of their equipment.

Indeed, (at least in the past) many have admitted they were somehow connected with public service, and wanted to modify their equipment so they could use their Amateur radio on Public Service frequenices and not have to carry (or purchase) two radios. (Indeed, the Police Dept. in one major city here in the U.S. actually started using modified Amateur equipment for their routine law enforcement work, In addition to a hefty fine from the FCC, they were required to dispose of the Amateur equipment and purchase certified commercial equipment. So much for saving taxpayer's money!)
The FCC has, time and again, ruled that use of modified Amateur equipment is NOT permissable in ANY Service other than Amateur, regardless of the rationalization or inconvenience. (Equipment for the other Personal Services must be certified; Amateur transmitters do not need certification.)
Many (certified) commercial radios WILL cover a wide range of frequencies; such as 136-174 MHz. But such radios are programmed for licensed frequencies, and once programmed, the frequency (or frequencies) can not be changed by the user from the front panel of the radio.
I'm not sure the rules are really set down by the ITU (the IARU is strictly an Amateur Radio organization, and has NO authority in regards to equipment restrictions.) indeed the equipment standards ARE different in many countries. The infamous "Dual use" CB radios (AKA "Export models") that operate on both the 40 U.S. Channels, as well as Amateur frequencies are not legal to sell, etc. in the U.S. solely because CB equipment requires certification , and the FCC will NOT certify CB equipment that can transmit on ANY frequency other than those 40 channels. But such equipment IS apparently legal in other countries, as some companies attempt to skirt FCC rules by labeling such equipment as "export" models, to be sold only to individuals outside the U.S.
The point is that individual countries set the standards and requirements for equipment usage and even frequency allocations, within the ITU specifications. It's our FCC that placed the power limit and frequency restrictions (five specific "channels") on U.S. 60 Meter operations; but other countries, such as Canada and Mexico, our closest neighbors, may well have wider frequency availability or power levels greater than that allowed Amateurs in the U.S.
Likewise, the maximum power allowed to Amateurs varies by country; in the U.S., we are allowed 1500 Watts PEP output. I believe you have a different (lower) limit in the U.K., and various countries in Europe have different limits. That's not something set by the ITU.

[g6otz]

Larry, some good points made, I was only referring to ham radio re. IARU. Yes you are correct we do have lower power in the UK. Yes rules are different, but there is an element of advice and international cooperation. I think we may not quite be on the same frequency with this debate! I'm not trying really to justify a mod or condone any illegal activity, just to stimulate people to look at the debate from different angles. I agree that many of my examples are using commercial equipment but I was hoping people would have considered the impact that some are used by totally untrained people, there was recently a case where a Spanish fishing vessel (not sure if it was the license holder) briefly caused excessive interference to the oceanic clearance centre at Shannon.

I guess if I have a complaint it’s with the UK OFCOM for not allocating 146 to Hams !!!

Cheers,

Andrew.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (g6otz @ April 29 2007,12:26)]I guess if I have a complaint it’s with the UK OFCOM for not allocating 146 to Hams !!!

Cheers,

Andrew.
Hi Andrew,

What are your 2 Meter frequencies in the U.K.? (Are they the same as the rest of Europe?) Is it 144-145 or 144-146 MHz?

In the U.S. and the rest of ITU Region II, Amateurs are allowed to operate 144-148 MHz, and at least in the U.S., that is a primary allocation, so we don't share the frequencies with all sorts of other users.. (Although some countries in the Region could be more restrictive.) Regions I and III are different, so it may not be the "fault" of your OFCOM if there are problems.
A similar dillema occurs in our country; your Family Radio Service (or whatever name is used "over there,") is at the high end of our 70 cm Amateur band. But many of us that live near seaports hear the unlicensed operation of foreign operators who bring their radios with them when they come into port here, even though use of the units isn't legal here in the U.S. I don't know what services you have in your country for the 462-467 MHz MHz range that OUR FRS uses, but I doubt use of our radios would be legal on your side of the pond.

It IS a shame that Amateur frequency allocations can't truly be International and consistent. At least the 2 M situation isn't as bad as 40 Meters!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[g6otz]

It's 144-145, that's what causes UK. The license free handi sets that you can get from Radio Shack etc are on 466, I think. They are limited to 50mW. Yes it's a pity that they can't get it all harmonized. Our allocation has just been expanded on 40M (up to 7.2 Mhz) 30M is only digital (not digi voice !!) that's a pain as it is a good band.

When we did get the extra bit on 40 my rig was OK as I bought it at Dayton in 2005.

73's Andrew

[g6otz]

correction PMR446 is on 446 between <= 500mW

73's Andrew