FT-8900R Mod Question

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Libuff
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:37 am

FT-8900R Mod Question

Post by Libuff »

hey all... i purchased a VX-7r after a friend of mine had one modded to include the non-ham stuff... i have a need to have a mobile radio with the similar functions. i've seen the mod on the web, but it seems to be limited with discussion on the frequencies that can be transmitted on...

can anyone elaborate further on frequencies that can be transmitted on? the VX-7r, properly modded can transmit from ~40mhz - 799.99mhz, in both FM and AM... just curious with mod if the FT-8900R has the same performance...

thanks for any info guys.
Libuff
RadioTweester
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:13 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

Post by RadioTweester »

The FT8900 mod will only open up the VHF and UHF transmit (see below)
The Lowband Rx/Tx remains 28-30MHz and 50-54Mhz.
FYI: The VX7 only transmits in AM on 40-75.995MHz

FT-8900 Range:
28-30Mhz Rx/Tx
50-54Mhz Rx/Tx
108-180MHz Rx
137-174MHz Tx
320-480Mhz Rx
420-470MHz Tx
700-823.9875MHz Rx
849.0125-868.9875MHz Rx
894.0125-913.9875MHz Rx
939.2125-958.9875MHz Rx
984.2125-985MHz Rx

To ease programming and if you want to be able to program the lost 33cm frequencies, I'd advise that you get FTB8900 software (under $20). I don't think it's as good as some of the Vertex commercial programs but it's much better than the RT Systems/ADMS programs. Unfortuanately it doesn't allow out of band programming on the lowband end.

If you want to save some $$$, the Yaesu programming cable (ADMS cable or Vertex CT-29A) can be used (with an adapter) to program the radio. If you wan to build the adapter I've made a CRUED schematic below. The male stereo connector should has data on the center conductor of the plug, on the Mini-DIN Data is pin 2 and ground is pin 5.

1 * || *6
2* *5
3 * *4

With the Mini-DIN plug-in end facing you

I made mine from an old mouse cable. I use these cheap type of adapters to program my most of my radios and scanners.

Hope this is of assistance. Feel free to message me if you have questions.

-Tom
Last edited by RadioTweester on Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
ke5ufg
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 11:46 am

Re: FT-8900R Mod Question

Post by ke5ufg »

I have ordered this radio. I Google search all equipment before I buy. I like to look at mods. This is why I am replying to this post.

I joined the site and I am replying for only one reason, I have found a discussion on modifications with out a bunch of a-hole dinosaurs on their soap boxes giving unsolicited lecture replies about legalities.

To those of you reading this post that like to give those replies, dig your head out. If someone has passed the test for license, gone out and researched a radio, bought it, then researched to find out about modifying it, they probably know about the legalities of transmitting on non ham bands with a modified ham radio.

If someone posts a question like “what is the law regarding transmitting on modified equipment” have at it. Other wise answer their question or move on to the next question and stop boring everyone with your pompous answers to questions no one asked.
ZS4N
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:04 pm

Re: FT-8900R Mod Question

Post by ZS4N »

HI TO ALL

DONE THE MARS CAP MOD FOR FT8900, ONE PROBLEM, HOW DO I MOVE THE AUTO REPEATER SHIFT BACK TO THE SOUT AFRICAN BAND PLAN. THE AUTO SHIF MOVE UP IN THE AMERICAN BAND PLAN AFTER THE MOD. GREETINGS

NICO
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