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-
- Yaesu Mods, FT-23R, FT-73R, FT-211R/H
- =====================================
-
- The uP's in the FT-23R and the FT-211R/H can be set for several frequency and
- memory mode combinations. These modes are controlled by the jumpers (solder
- pads) marked 7,8 and 9 on the processor board of either radio. Here's a list
- of what can be done:
-
- JUMPER CONFIG DISPLAY MODE
- 7 8 9 NUMBER
-
- open open in 1 140 to 164 MHz, amateur mode
- open in in 2 140 to 160 MHZ, amateur mode
- in open in 3 144 to 148 MHz, amateur mode
- in in in 4 144 to 146 MHz, amateur mode
- open open open 5 220 to 550 MHz, commercial mode
- open in open 6 440 to 450 MHz, amateur mode
- in open open 7 50 to 300 MHz, commercial mode
- in in open 8 430 to 440 MHz, amateur mode
-
- Both of my radios (USA) were shipped from the factory in config #3.
- They can be converted to config #1 without re-tuning just by changing the
- jumpers. The tuning range can be further expanded by changing to jumper
- config #7. The FT-211 has separate VCO's for transmit and receive and will
- lock over about 38 MHz from approx. 130 to 180 MHz. The FT-23 has only one
- VCO and the overlapping lock range (Xmt & Rcv) is about 25 MHz from approx.
- 135 to 175 MHz. Don't forget, if you adjust the VCO you must re-align every
- electronically tuned stage in the front end of the radio. The transmitters
- can be tuned for somewhat higher power output above 164 MHz but at a great
- power loss at 2m.
- The commercial memory mode will cause these functional changes:
-
- 1. When in the MR mode, the channel number will be displayed instead of
- frequency. You can toggle back to the original "amateur" mode display by
- pressing F<up-arrow>. Pressing F<down arrow> takes you back to commercial
- mode. However, when switching from D to MR, the display will always revert
- to the commercial mode.
- 2. The function of the Dot<Pri> button will be exactly reversed. That means
- now you can press just one button (Dot) to get into or out of the Primary
- function. The Pri funtion (in memory mode) will be indicated by a large
- "P" on the left side of the display.
- 3. The only indication of low power operation is in the memory mode.
- A "C" will appear in the upper left corner of the display (where the
- primary "P" used to be). The bargraph will always read 100%.
- 4. The band scan is now even more useless. The uP will painfully count from
- 50 to 300 MHz.
-
- I have been able to modify my FT-211RH to scan at about 10 chan/sec by
- speeding up the uP clock. This also speeds up every other uP function by x5,
- so you have to be fast on the "F" key. No squelch sensitivity or synthesizer
- lock-up problems have been encountered with this modification while scanning.
- Basically, I replaced the 800 KHz ceramic resonator (pn. CSB800K) with a
- Radio Shack 3.58 MHz color burst crystal. The resonator is located on a small
- (2.5 sq cm) sub-board that is stuck with double sided tape to the radio's
- processor board. This sub-board is actually an outboard clock for the uP. The
- schematic I got with the radio showed the uP's internal osc. being used - so
- I don't know if my version differs from newer radios. This mod works fine
- until you turn the radio off and then back on again. A startup glitch then
- wipes out all of the memories. To delay the oscillator start up, I added a
- 220uF 10V electrolytic cap between the red wire on the sub-board and ground.
- Positive goes to the red wire. A convenient ground is the bare wire located
- diagonally across from the red wire (on the sub-bd).
- So far I have been unsuccessful with this mod on the FT-23R H-T. Since it
- uses the uP's on board osc, there seems to be no way to delay it's startup.
- Every time you turn on the power the uP resets.
-
- These are not intended to be step by step instructions. Also, you will want
- to have a service manual before you begin. If you're not familiar around
- surface mount components you may want to "learn" on something with cheaper
- consequences. Finally, don't adjust the VCO's unless you are familiar with
- how a synthesized radio works. Use your own judgement!
-
- Ken Gianino WB0QNA
-
-
- FT23R Freq. coverage
- ====================
-
- I have just spent an hour or so fiddling inside my FT23, and I have had some
- success. I eventually found the 50-300MHz coverage configuration, plus
- another interesting one. I have also attempted to sort out the table supplied
- by EA4CAI.
-
- 7 8 9 coverage (or, "display shows")
- =============== =========
- (1 = link made)
-
- 0 0 0 220 - 550 (!) strewth!
- 0 0 1 144 - 164
- 0 1 0 unknown, untried
- 0 1 1 140 - 160
- 1 0 0 50 - 300
- 1 0 1 144 - 148
- 1 1 0 unknown, untried
- 1 1 1 144 - 146 UK spec
-
- I don't know if the 0-0-0 option really covers the frequencies as listed
- above as I have no antennas to try with. Also there is no guarantee that what
- the display says is what the radio can receive. What is required now is
- someone with an FT23 and access to a frequency counter, to check out what is
- actually happening.
-
- Anyway, that's the result of my findings, thanks for putting me on to these
- mods in the first place.
-
- 11-Aug-88
- G6SUQ
-
-
- FT23 frequency coverage
- =======================
-
- Some of you may remember that there was a bulletin circulated in Spanish
- about extending the coverage on an FT23. I asked a student who was staying
- with us to translate it for me, and I thought that others may find it useful.
- I have done the modification to my FT23 which was previously to the standard
- UK spec. It now works very well on the VHF marine frequencies (as I wanted),
- however, it's sensitivity drops of very rapidly as you move away from the
- standard frequency coverage.
-
- Cheers Richard G1PVR
-
- FT23R
-
- This Handheld covers a frequency of 140-164Mhz originally for the version
- supplied in the UK. Nevertheless, by means of a simple modification, the
- coverage can be extended to 50-300Mhz.
-
- Open the case:-
-
- BE CAREFUL. DON'T LOSE THE SPRING FROM THE TOP OF THE BATTERY!
-
- On the left of the processor, 6 pairs of PCB pads will be found marked 7, 8
- and 9.
- As supplied, the 9 is closed and the 7 and 8 are open.
-
- To widen the coverage, open the 9 and close the 7. 8 is left as it is.
-
- The following table shows the coverage with different combinations of 7, 8
- and 9.
-
- 9 8 7 Coverage
- ------- --------
-
- 0 1 0 440-450Mhz (FT73R)
- 0 0 0 300-550Mhz "
- 0 1 1 430-440Mhz "
- 0 1 1 50-300Mhz (FT23R)
- 1 0 0 140-164Mhz "
- 1 0 1 144-148Mhz "
- 1 1 0 140-160Mhz "
- 1 1 1 144-146Mhz " (UK SPEC)
-
- Note. 1=closed, 0=open.
-
- I hope that the information is useful.
-
- Translated from Spanish by Alfonso (EA4CAI)
-