Subject: mod for IC-T8A


Yes it definately is. Far to many Hams are just equipment operators
these days.  First I have to tell you all the normal warning stuff like
these mods are microscopic!!! you need a pointy soldering iron and a
steady hand!  Openning the unit will void the warrenty aswell!
Secondly I have been colating information but so far the US/CAN
versions do not mod the same as the AUS/EURO versions. If I could get
some configuration information from you as you do the mod it would be
greatly appreciated.

If you hold the [*] and [#] and then power a number is displayed and
discribes the internal diode configuration. could you note this and
tell me what it is please.

My radio gave this ---> 050E02



Next the radio is openned with the two lower back screws and the SMA
ferrul! grab the bottom Al bit and pull up and out carefully as there
is a rubber gasket.

Take this moment to stare in aw!!!

on the front where the little square TX/RX LED lives (lower left corner
of the LCD display) are a number of pads and diodes.

Above the LED are 3 positions for 3-pin diodes. The left one is rotated.

To the right of the LED are 6 positions for 2-pin diodes and one jumper. 
(the diode locations have a dot and a cresent the jumper is the uper 
right location that only has a dot).

Before doing any thing could you write down what diodes are in what 
position and any markings on them please.




My radio looked like this inside:

-------------------------------------------------------------------



    E W W


 LED




                                  __0__
                                 |     |
                                 |  >  |
                                 |_____|
                                    o




                                        _____
                                       |     |
                                      o|  A  |o
                                       |_____|





-----------------------------------------------------------------------


OK so far the bottom right horizontal 2-pin diode (marked "A")enables 
50MHz TX
Remove carefully and save as you may need it.


My radio gave --->   050E00   and   TX on 50 -->> 75.995 MHz is ENABLED!!!
                         (other bands same as before)



next if you carefully desolder the centre (outside) pin on the left 
3-pin diode and the carfully lift it about 0.5 mm above the board it 
will effectively disconnect those two diodes. Also reconection can be 
done simply with a solder blob!



My radio gives  ---> 050200    and   TX is as follows:
                                       50 --->  75.995
                                      136 ---> 229.995
                                      300 ---> 399.995
                                      400 ---> 599.995

                                      RX  CELL BLOCKED



Good luck!!   This is where I quit!   K4YC  <><



If you can check the software displayed diode configuration at each step 
it would be appreciated.

This should have enabled Free band TX every where!

Now the iffy one
remove the right 3-pin diode completely and see if this resets the radio 
on power up. It did on mine (displayed clear)!! then check the 
configuration number again. and then see if cellular is enabled!

If no cellular put the 2-pin diode between the left top pad and the 
centre bottom pad of the right 3-pin diode. Black line up and left "A" 
down and centre. Powering up should clear everything again.

Check the configuration again. If you now still do not have cellular you 
will have to remove all other 2-pin diodes (assuming there still are 
some) I did this by just lifting one leg. However mine was already 
almost like this I just had to lift one leg on the left 3-pin and the 
bottom right horizontal 2-pin all else was already as described.

Good luck and let me know what you find at each step.

O I was wondering if you had the programming software yet. I have made 
an inteface but the SW is not available in Australia yet!!!

Cheers
ERIC.