Yaesu FT-50 MODS

[JoeP]

I was wondering if anyone has successfully performed the extended receive
(and/or freeband/mars/cap) mod on an ft50rd that has a serial number
beginning with 8H? I'm assuming that it still works for later models. Most
of the information I've read on the subject is a little dated. Please let me
know, if anyone has had problems, I'd hate to ruin a perfectly good radio.
Thanks,
Joe

[Brad Kellison KA8TOK]

if you have bought it recently as NEW not USED then no it won't work.. from
April 1, 1999 there not made to modifiable. if you have one of the ones usedn
before this date(above). then your fine.. the mods will work.

[trey...@my-deja.com]

In article <375FC617...@four-way.net>,

I have never made a mod to my FT-50 but the PTT button broke off. I got one
from Yaesu right away but can anyone tell me how to take the darn radio
apart?

Tom
trey...@email.exide.com

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[Dave Martindale]

trey...@my-deja.com writes:

>I have never made a mod to my FT-50 but the PTT button broke off. I got one
>from Yaesu right away but can anyone tell me how to take the darn radio
>apart?

- Take the battery and antenna off

- Remove the two knobs (they just pull off)

- Move the rubber covers on the DC input jack and mic/phone jack out of
the way, so you can see into the jacks

- Remove the black "nicad battery" sticker on the back of the radio

- You will see a slot in the rear of the radio under the sticker with
two pots and a trimcap on a PC board - don't touch them

- At the ends of this slot are two small screws - turn them several turns
counterclockwise, but not all the way out. Then push on the screws.
The keypad should pop out the front of the radio. Once the keypad
and its gasket are clear, remove the two screws completely.

- At this point the only thing holding the radio in the case is two
small tabs on the metal chassis down near the bottom of the radio
which fit into two notches on the plastic case. Holding the radio
facing you, press on the circuit board through the keypad hole
while spreading the lower rear part of the plastic case slightly with
your fingers. The lower part of the metal radio chassis should push
back and out.

- Slide the radio chassis and out of the case, clearing the knob shafts
and antenna jack.

Now you can replace the rubber PTT boot.

When reassembling the radio, it's best to pull the little rubber
transmit/receive indicator light pipe up out of the case. Then install
the chassis in the case without worrying about alignment of the light
pipe. When the chassis is seated properly, insert the light pipe from
outside the case - it will go to the right place on the circuit board.

Dave

[RICHARD J SAMPSON]

Does this mean that the MARS/CAP mod will not work too?
Brad Kellison KA8TOK wrote in message <375FC617...@four-way.net>...

[Bryan Herbert]

The "FREE" Band mod can not be performed with a serial number of 7L or later.
However, the CAP/MARS mod "can" still be performed on all radios by removing a
simple diode and solder pad, mods for this radio can be found at qrz.com.