Hi David,
I can't say whether the extended transmit modification "changes to FT-857 with no D". But here is what I believe happens when the modification is made:
- The radio has transmit coverage which matches the receive coverage, *except* no transmit below 1.8 MHz; no transmit in the FM broadcast band; no transmit in the aeronautical VHF band. - There are no special channel positions on the radio for the five amateur 5 MHz channels. However, with the extended transmit capability the five channels can simply be programmed into five of the 200 memory channels. - Two-meter band and 440 MHz band amateur repeater offsets are no longer set automatically. However, any offset can be set before saving a repeater pair into a radio memory. - All memories are erased on the radio... but with CHIRP, you can easily restore your previously programmed memory channels. - For programming with CHIRP, specify FT-857/FT-897 (*not* FT-857D/FT-897D).
The details on how to make the modification are available online -- e.g., see MARS Modification For Yaesu FT-897D https://www.txarmymars.org/downloads/FT897D-MARS-Mod.pdf. I understand that upon presentation of proof of MARS or CAP participation, Yaesu technical support will also provide the modification instructions.
David / K7DB
On Wed, Sep 21, 2016 at 8:05 PM, D.J.J. Ring, Jr. n1ea@arrl.net wrote:
Is this one of the changes that happens when you open up the FT-857D? I never did that mod because I thought it would no longer work correctly on 5 MHz amateur shared band.
It changes to FT-857 with no D?
David