yaesu vx-7 mod danger? [Archive]

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M3VLX

11-27-2008, 08:01 PM

I have heard that if you mod a vx-7 or indeed an FT7800, FT8800 etc to freeband, that when you try to use the programming/ interface cable to try and programe your settings in again...it won't work again....and you have to load everything in manualy. Is there any truth in this?

I notice that the vx-7 commander software allows you to do all the mods from within the software, however, when you do it, the frequencies are still locked....any ideas?

W0LPQ

11-28-2008, 02:23 AM

Comments removed to appease a few.

XU7ADQ

11-28-2008, 07:46 AM

One could only hope that if someone makes a freeband or illegal mod to any radio, when it is keyed it smokes ... poof..!

Problem solved.

Well ..... W0LPQ you are a great help!
The poster is a recently licenced M3, and is asking for any helpful advice re a modded radio.
Old fart syndrome, and giving comments like yours do nothing whatsoever to help get new blood into the hobby (YES HOBBY).
Lighten up and get a life is MY advice to YOU.
I don't give a toss what you think of me (I'm thick skinned), but if you have nothing constructive to add, add NOTHING!
I'm sure that the poster is well aware of the legality or otherwise of a modded radio, and doesn't need some jumped up old goat telling him it's 'naughty'.
You obviously stick to the very letter of your licence conditions don't you?
You have never opened a repeater without giving a callsign, and you never go 32 mph in a 30mph zone do you?
Life goes on, and I can't think of anyone who's died because they bend the rules a little.
Whether you reply to me or not, I don't honestly care, but just think on - that M3 could be a ten year old kid, who could be upset about your comment.
Remember Thumper in 'Bambi'; "If you can't say anything nice, say nothin' at all"!

My two pennies worth.
Good Day!

M3VLX

11-28-2008, 10:57 AM

W0LPQ

11-28-2008, 01:29 PM

Comments removed to appease a few.

KA1MDA

11-28-2008, 04:20 PM

"The poster is a recently licenced M3"

At least one thing stays the same no matter what side of the Atlantic you're on: It always seems to be the "newly licensed" guys that want the freeband mods (oh, excuse me, I meant to say "MARSCAP" mods) for their radios. Makes one wonder what their true motivations were for memorizing the question pool.

Tom, KA1MDA

W6GQ

11-28-2008, 08:23 PM

Thank you XU7ADQ...As for The other guys comments...I'm not into the politics of whats legal or otherwise in the USA..I am in Britain, and this should be of no concern of yours, in any case. I simply asked a question about a mod....in a mod section of a forum...thats what it's for. Radio amateurs, used to be nice guys, but seems standards have slipped a little...

I was standing by for an answer myself, If I am correct you are only asking if the radio can still be programmed with the software if the radio has an open mod?

W0LPQ is, FOR SURE, one you should put on your ignore list, I only seen what he said because someone quoted him. It is a typical response though from him. He is the first to complain about how bad ham radio has changed for the worse yet he is last to actually help.

This section should not be open for debate in my opinion because it is the modification section, let the debates happen in the questions and answers section, but the moderators and administrators let it go on. Selective moderation. So be it. If you bring up something political in any forum except the political section, it gets moved. This section though is a free for all. Makes no sense, and it does not have to because we do not own the forum and people like W0LPQ will be the first to point this out.

I make sure I provide the information when I can, that is what this forum section is for, oh and I know it drives some people crazy LOL.

Personally I do not think the mod should be done for this radio. But I am not going to put you down for wanting to do it. You are an adult, you have to decide why you want to do it.

Good luck

W0LPQ

11-28-2008, 09:41 PM

Comments removed to appease a few.

KC9MAV

11-28-2008, 10:02 PM

Its your risk to mod the VX-7R.

I opened that puppy before and it is tiny tiny tiny. Get you pencil tip soldering out if you want.

K1MIZ

11-28-2008, 10:03 PM

BLAH BLAH BLAH. HEY I WILL ANSWERE YOUR QUESTION

I have a moded 8900 and a modded vx7. :eek: It TX everywhere it can RX. :eek: I have the programing software for them. I have programed them both by hand and by laptop. Manytimes at that. :eek: I have NOT run into any issues with either of them. I have had both radios since day one of being a lic ham.

Just be aware, if you do mod them, they do TX everywhere :D so make sure you set up you odd splits on freqs that are not to be TX on. IE: Public saftey.;)

M3VLX

11-29-2008, 01:05 AM

ok...william...you don't give a damn...we've established that..maybe you should vent your anger on a CB forum, because from what I have heard from you dont appear to have any adult reasoning...Try asking questions in an adult and reasonable fashion before becoming judge, jury and hangman. As for wanting to talk to the law..get your facts right...The UK police use Tetra. As a serving police officer...I should know this. The mods were required for other amateur stuff and marine band use, .. as I now have a boat....As for Mars/caps...that's an american thing and bear no real meaning over here.....furthermore, I am not newly licenced, and given my employment status, would certainly not be obviously be trying to break the law in this country by transmitting on bands that I wasn't authorised to....that said...I find your comments very premmature, immature, and offensive.

Chuck...have tried the mod via the commander software....and it doesn't work....still says TX Error.

Sticking to the real objective of this forum....any ligitimate help still welcome..

W0LPQ

11-29-2008, 02:35 AM

Comments removed to appease a few.

ZL3GSL

11-29-2008, 02:39 AM

Oh dear. Why the personal abuse, guys.?

I don't know what "other amateur" purposes you need to modify an amateur tranceiver for, but OFCOM might have something to say about modifications for "marine bands".

Have a look at this guide (www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/maritime/information/of168a.pdf) to the legal requirements applying to marine radio in the UK.

If the set needs modifications for marine band use it isn't in "conformity" (type approved), so it's illegal to use it for marine radio.

M3VLX

11-29-2008, 02:58 AM

I have spoken to ofcom regarding the matter, and they appear to have no problems...however, the real problem I am having is with this "forum"....It appears to be a meeting place for people with personal issues with each other.....and I just don't have the time for that...I will seek out genuine help from people that are eager to help other amatuers....thanks to the guys for any Answers to the original quiery.

W6GQ

11-29-2008, 07:39 AM

VE7NOT

11-29-2008, 08:00 AM

M3VLX

11-29-2008, 11:58 AM

Thought I would let him try and work that one out for himself..if that is possible.. some people seem to think that there is no life outside of their own domain. Yes....and also allocated amateur bands can vary around the globe, for example ...70cms.. yes...there is life beyond Indiana.

KB1RDX

11-29-2008, 12:37 PM

I don't know about the VX-7 but with the FT8800 and the software from G4HFQ you have to do a download from the radio before setting the memories up, this tells the software what type radio you have. If you do this and then mod the radio when you connect it again the download will fail unless you follow the instructions and again download from the radio, see what the new radio type is and then manually use the drop down chart to change your pre-programed list to the new type save as a new file then download. All this is right from the software instructions. YMMV

K7MHI

11-29-2008, 06:55 PM

fun thread.

I have a VX-7 and its been opened (via software) and there are no issues at all with it. Do remember however that the radio isnt built to run on bands out of HAM so if you do transmit for long times you run higher risks of ruining your radio.

as for the 7800 i also have that poped and have never had issues with it, I have never used it off band either so I dont know if it works there.

KA1MDA

11-29-2008, 10:43 PM

What people often overlook is theta the vx6r and the vx7r are '4band radios'.... They will do 6m, 2, 220 and 440... however...

the vx6r stock has no 6m

the vx7r has no 220? (could be wrong but I heard that)

With the mod you gain the extra band!

Not only that it could be a 5 band radio when you consider in europe the is a 4m band which the radio do.. So W0LPQ has an invalid argument...

Do you really think Yaesu or any other manufacturer would sell a 4 band radio with 1 band intentionally disabled, when they could advertise and sell it as a 4 band radio (probably at a higher price) with no additional parts or developement costs? Of course not! The reason they are sold as 3 band radios is because they can only meet spectral purity and/or other specs on 3 bands. Although the radio's firmware and pll may allow it to transmit on that "extra" band, there is a legitimate reason why the manufacturer chose to disable that "extra" band in the final release.

Tom, KA1MDA

K1MIZ

11-29-2008, 11:50 PM

M3VLX

in my comment i had said "blah blah blah", that wasn't directed at you. It was directed at all the crap i read before my post and after yours so i figured i would give you an honest answere since no one else could do so. i hope you didnt think my sarcasim was directed at you.

As for the radios , well i am not sure what your issue could be then. When I used the programing software , once it was downloaded to the radio , it was moded. As for the 8800 I cant answere as I have the 8900. I know it wasnt part of your question but the 8900 had to be opend up and something removed. i think but i am not 100% sure but i think the 8800 is the same way.

You might have better luck going to the VX7 and the ft8800 yahoo groups. there is always help full info i find in the yahoo groups

M3VLX

11-30-2008, 12:20 AM

Thanks for all your help guys...and chuck..no offense taken...I must have a duff vx-7, im thinking...unless it's an issue between the software and the europian model...something's stopping it from happening, if the software mod works with US models....Wish some of these Europian guys could have the brains to develop some software....lol

Update

Right..solved the problem now: I found this item elsewhere and it will benefit anyone that may have the same problem in the future with the VX-7R especialy the newer batches, when trying to mod via commander.[/

Look at the serial number of your unit. If it starts with 7 you may not be able to do the freeband mod via software. There is a chart below that you can look at your serial number and figure out it's manufacture date.

It has come to light that as of late February or early March Yaesu modified the chip-set on the latest VX-7's so that they can not be modded via software. You can still upload frequency lists and such. Just not mod the band lockouts. There is a rumor the old unsolder the tabs under the battery mod still works but no one has verified it.

Jim Mitchell - KC8UNJ is currently working on a possible fix for the changes Yaesu made blocking his software mod capability. He says in the Yahoo groups he is optimistic he can find a work around.

There has been talk of a MAC version by someone else but I have not dug into that option.

As for the build date of your radio, if it was before March 07 you should be ok. The following will tell you the build date from the serial number.

The first digit is the year of production: 6=2006 7=2007 etc.
The second digit is the month of production: G=May
C = January
D = February
E = March
F = April
G = May
H = June
I = July
J = August
K = September
L = October
M = November
N = December
Third and forth digits is the lot number.

Information: courtesy of ATVUTAH- Thank you