Subject: Here is HTX-242 Mod 136-174 RX/TX

NOTICE:  use at your own risk

Posted by Jeff Parrish (KB9GXK) on September 11, 1998 at 00:16:12:

I didn't try it quite yet, but here's what I found to expand the RX/TX to
136-174MHz
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Special NOTICE: This is for the HAMS who say radio shack radio's are "can't
be modified, because the FCC was real strict with Radio Shack", or buy a real
radio so that you can modify it. That is a bunch of bull.

Mod: Expands TX from 143-149mhz to 136-174mhz

Tools Required: Phillips Screwdriver, Mini screwdriver, Soldering Iron (Fine
tip) , NeedleNose Pliers

Process:

1. Remove Screws on bottom and top 2. Take the Bottom and Top off the Radio
3. Unplug Speaker from top of the radio and remove the dials from the face
plate 4. Unscrew the screws on the top and bottom of the face plate. 5.
CAREFULLY: remove the face plate from the radio 6. Remove the bolts and
washers (little rings) from the dials (countersunk into the dials). 7.
CAREFULLY: remove the LCD and plastic around it by pulling gentle and
wiggling it a little being careful not to bend the LCD pins. 8. Remove the
screws holding down the PCB from the cases 9. CAREFULLY: (Plug in type PCB)
remove the PCB from the radio and place the VFO tuning dial face down and to
your left. 10. There will be two blue jumper mounts on the PCB. Remove the 1
closest to the 2 black raised chips that are closest to the VFO tuning dial
(this jumper should be near the middle of the board) The other jumper makes
the transmitter do 143-144 (military) and it is near the side. 11. Put all
the parts back together and blamo you have 136-174mhz RX/TX

Notes: If you do it right you won't even loose your memories. This mod took me
about 30 minutes to complete and my radio is working fine. However
I'm sure this voids the warranty and the service contracts so you may not want
to do it for that reason alone. I checked the radio out (with a frequency
counter) on several frequencies and it is performing well. This mod requires a
little skill but most people that are hams could do this mod. This mod was
given to me by a fellow North Carolinian
KC4VYY , and I just put it in a simpler form. I wanted to thank him.

Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 22:15:45 -0800
From: Hugh Henderson <hughh@polarcom.com>
To: editor@qrz.com
Subject: HTX-242 Mod

Hello:

    The instructions for the mod to open up the HTX-242 that you have on
your site are not very clear. I am attaching 2 scanned images that show
which SMD (surface mount devices) that can be removed to open up the Tx.

    This mod is not for the faint of heart. Any damage you cause to your
radio by doing it, is your responsibility. You should also note that
doing this mod most likely voids the warranty. Operating on frequencies
outside of the amateur band may be considered illegal. Modifier beware.

    To open up the Tx for 143 - 144 Mhz, remove the small blue SMD shown
on the right of the picture. To open up the Tx for 136-174 Mhz, remove
the small blue SMD shown on the left of the image. Do NOT remove both of
these devices (one or the other, not both).

73's
Hugh - VY1HH