[Yaesu] FT-530 Frequency extend mod

2002年8月22日 20:22:01 -0400

Just a note to those contemplating doing the mod to extend the freq range(s)
of your FT-530...
===>>>> CAVEAT: LIKE ALL MOD INFO, YOU DO THE MOD AT YOUR OWN RISK ==== NO
ONE BUT YOURSELF IS TO BLAME IF THE RADIO IS DAMAGED BY, OR IN THE PROCESS
OF PERFORMING, THE MODIFICATION. <<<===
Without the mod, my radio would only transmit 430-450. While the US 70cm
band starts at 420mHz, the Canadian band -- like Europe's -- starts at 430.
Do not transmit on 420-430 within 75 miles of the Canadian border. This is
the "Line A"/"Line C" reference in the FCC regs. Even two of the UHF GMRS
repeater pairs ( 4 frequencies) are not available North/East of these lines
to prevent interference with other licensed services.
I did check the Rx range of my radio BEFORE contemplating the mod. It was
much wider than the manual indicated. I was able to tune (and save to
memory) frequencies from 110-130 (including AM) and 450 - 470 (including all
the GMRS and FRS channels). The memory settings would retain and decode PL
tones from GMRS repeaters (462mHz). I have seen a few postings that seem to
indicate the Rx frequency range varies depending on the vintage of the
radio.
I have one of the relatively newer FT-530s (circa 1996 or so) that does have
the 'green wire' just inside the transceiver's bottom plate. You can remove
this plate (4 tiny screws) without taking the radio case apart. Take care
when removing the plate as it's connected to the radio with a folded ribbon
cable.
If you do 'cut the green wire' to effect the mod, it appears that you will
have to shrink wrap or tape the two ends to keep them from shorting to
anything in the radio. Older radios (without the 'green wire') apparently
still do require you to split the case and reconfigure one of the solder
pads on the main board.
Mod reference: http://www.mods.dk/
Before even contemplating the mod, be sure to write down all the current
radio and memory savings. I've always made a spreadsheet for each of my
radios that have frequency memories, contemplating that fateful day when the
button cell battery dies.....
In order for the expanded TX range to take effect, you will need to do a
'system reset' during the first power on (hold down both the UP & DOWN arrow
keys while turning the radio on) after doing the mod. This resets ALL
settings to their 'out-of-the-box' configuration. ALL memory channels are
erased and ALL operation settings are returned to their factory defaults.
You may very well need to dig out the manual to re-set infrequently
used/changed features.
============
With all that said, your newly reconfigured radio is NOT legal to use on
services where specific type accepted equipment is required. Most
commercial radios are OK for amateur use, but most amateur radios are NOT
speced for other services. Most of the business bands disallow 'frequency
agile' (user settable frequencies) radios. The few easy-to-set front panel
programmable radios accepted for business and GMRS use only let the user
select from specific allocated channels - preventing impromptu 'splinter
channels' that create interference.
It's in the amateur service where the FCC trusts us (having demonstrated our
knowledge) to properly set frequencies.
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A general note about the web site: http://www.mods.dk/
There are a LOT of mods here. While this mod was posted in English, some of
the mods on this site are in German. If you do not speak German, get
someone who does to translate for you. The on-line translators, while OK
for reception reports, QSLs, and conversation, MAY mix-mash an instruction
or two - disastrous when it's telling you what to solder, unsolder, or
connect!
Most automated translators do not do a perfect job, and even less so with
technical jargon... Tougher still for languages where the nouns, verbs, and
adjectives are usually in a different order from your own language...
-------------------------------------
73
Frank
 ._._.