FT 891 Mars

Note: I say 851 in the vid, but, mean 891.
Mars conversion, I think. If you try, you're on your own,

[@timbookedtwo2375]

I tried it. My radio did not brick or blow up. Transmitting into a dummy load, all frequencies are now open. A factory reset is necessary after the mod. These suckers really are small! You definitely need a magnifying glass, a very pointy soldering tip, a steady hand hand nerves. And a glass of scotch whiskey for afterwards to celebrate your success.

[@buzzsah]

LOL, The scotch right, after it's done. Glad it worked out for you. I took my 891 out of the van, and used it as a backup in the newer radio room I added on about 14-16 months ago. Have fun.

[@seeharvester]

I need the scotch first to steady my hand. 😁

[@radioaxe6964]

Worked for me no problem. Don't forget to do a factory reset after completing the soldering by pressing and holding the "function" and "clarifier" buttons on power up. 73s.

[@buzzsah]

lol, that screwed me up one. lol. I forgot to reset and put the radio back to stock. lol.

[@radioaxe6964]

@@buzzsah No problem :) Thanks for posting.

[@Kowalski301]

As far as I can see, it doesn't matter if the two bridges connect after soldering, because there is seemingly a bridge from factory on the circuit board, so you are effectively joining all four points together either way.

[@buzzsah]

My not, it would make it easier for sure. I opened it and right. Thanks for bring it to my attention. 73s

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

Additionally use the function button along with the clear button when powering up to get full frequency coverage after modification is done. KI5UHA

[@buzzsah]

Thanks for stopping by and sharing the info.

[@jfrphoto01]

Its not the clear button, it is the clarifier (CLAR) button.

[@timhardy9522]

The "Philips" screws are not Philips screws. They are Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) screws and you should be using a JIS screwdriver to remove or install them on any Japanese radio.

[@buzzsah]

lol, I'll have to remember that. :)

[@edwinradbruch886]

Got a new FT-891 in Europe in June 2020. This mod works well. Open from 500kHz to 50MHz. After this MARS you have to FIRST RESET it by pressing F and Clar and switching it on. ITS a total RESET ! -but nessesery, the man from Brazil told us.

[@buzzsah]

Good, not everyone can figure it out. How do you like the 891? I still run mine in the van but thinking of moving to the shop.

[@buzzsah]

Tom J Otley left a comment but can't reply to it. So I hope he sees this. I sold my 757 around 83, don't remember the conversion, that was 40+ years ago. :) Just got back into radio around 2018.

[@buzzsah]

Sorry for the late reply. I sold my 757 around the same time, I sold everything in 83/84 and about 5 years ago I started up again.

[@pablogartze]

Great video! I just a FT 891 this week, I’m doing the mod thanks!

[@buzzsah]

be careful and do a reset.

[@AB1Vampire]

nice collection of wing nuts.

[@buzzsah]

LOL, Nuts is the keyword. LOL, Thanks for checking out my nuts. :)

[@j.kevinhunt147]

Get a Circuit Writer "pen." Get a paper clip. Straighten one side of the paperclip so that you can hold the paperclip between thumb and index finger, and have a straight length of the paperclip to use for applying the liquid solder from the Circuit Writer pen. Get a cotton ball or a jar lid. Squeeze the Circuit Writer so that you get a little pool of its contents on the cotton ball or jar lid or whatever. Now, dip the end of the straight part of the paper clip into the little pool of liquid solder from the Circuit Writer pen. Then touch the paper clip end to the gap between the radio solder pads, and lift it back out. Repeat with the second set of radio solder pads. Let the radio set for several hours; I'd do this before bedtime and let it dry overnight. You then put the cover back on the radio and you're good to go. This is the easiest and safest way. You can't damage anything with a hit soldering iron this way, and you won't risk lifting a trace off of the PCB. Just eyeball each gap after you dab it with the paperclip. If you accidentally used too much of the liquid solder,.no big deal, just use a Q-tip or cotton ball and clean it up and try again with less liquid solder. Once it dries, it will work just as well as if you had used hot solder. It is also easier to reverse the mod if you desire to do so in the future, as this liquid stuff has a lower melting point.

[@buzzsah]

Hmm, thanks for the info, I always use heat but open for trying new things. Sounds like you've done some time in electronics?

[@enginedave]

Whats good about using the circuit writer is it cleans off with acetone

[@ronaldreynolds9870]

Ron here again,. N8DUK receiving my new YAESU FT-991A tomorrow and I will be attempting to do the MARS mod, This is a real big job account the Radio has to be torn all apart, ( TOP, BOTTOM AND FRONT) very many screws too, but only one solder joint to solder! Hoo-Ray, 73

[@buzzsah]

Good luck, take pics and take your time.

[@buzzsah]

kb1vi

[@ValerieReese]

Did I tell you that after my Marine Corps days I spent a few years working in a small airport installing radios in private aircraft. All that radio electronic stuff brings back those memories. I should find some pictures and do a video of my past days. I was in my 20's.

[@buzzsah]

WOW, you needed to be radio cert to work on aircraft, did you keep up your certs? Pic would be a good vid-slide show. You should go for your ham ticket.

[@ryany4326]

You only have to bridge the contacts during the reset, not permanently. Use a Flat head screwdriver Or other piece of metal or wire, bridge contacts temporarily and do the radio rest ( hold F and Clar while turning radio on, continue holding F and Clar while radio boots) After boot up radio is reset and in Mars Mode. Remove screwdrivers/ temporary contacts and radio stays in mars mode. No soldering and NO WARRANTY VOID. If it has to go in for warranty just do another hard rest

[@buzzsah]

Good to know, there wasn't much out there back then, only schematic and a few non-English vids. The radio is now a base unit and waiting for the weather to warm up a bit, so I can make up an antenna. Thanks for the info.

[@thebugg333]

@Diego Aragón Garza No, this is an HF rig only. For a mobile shack in a box I use an icom 7100.

[@reiddixon9708]

You’re not blowing it up. Thanks for showing

[@buzzsah]

So far mine is still working

[@charlesgoede2809]

It almost looks like there is a common circuit 'trace' on the board between the two open lower bridging points to begin with, if that's the case you need not worry about solder jumping across both pads. Does anyone else see the trace? What does the schematic show?

[@charlesgoede2809]

Stop the video at exactly 5:00 and enlarge the image to see what looks like an existing trace across the lower two points

[@buzzsah]

Thanks for stopping by, I haven't had much time to put it out of the van nor check the specs. Had a few heart issues so been feeling like crap. I'm putzing around the shop a bit but nothing important. Thanks for the heads-up and noticing, at 70 my eyes play games but I will check it out next week I hope.

[@ronaldreynolds9870]

I just got my ft-891 2 DAYS ago, I got the MOD done, It was not easy but got it ok, tnx for mod instructions. Ron N8DUK Columbus, Ohio P. S. I used a fine point soldering iron and magnifying glass and if you take the 4 screws out of the shield plate and remove just in front of where you going to solder, It will be much easier.

[@buzzsah]

Good, thanks for the info, I hope it helps others. I just installed the 891 in my radio room I just added on.

[@buzzsah]

KB1VI

[@SevenFortyOne]

I'm thinking about buying one of these radios for field use.

[@buzzsah]

So far all I've been doing is buying lol. I installed it about 2 weeks ago but haven't tried it, today I installed the FC-50 auto-tuner so now I can test without worrying. the only thing I need now is a small inline meter.

[@9999plato]

I would just attach a large power pole plug and put the other end attached to my ground wire. IDK if in the even of a lightning strike that either connection would save the radio.

[@buzzsah]

Thanks for the recommendation, I picked up a few lighting protectors for the antenna connection box, out on the side of the shack.

[@Mark300win]

are the two soldering spots connected as well or they should stay separated

[@buzzsah]

I will have to look again. It's been a while. I will get back to you.

[@Mark300win]

@@buzzsah thanks

[@tomjotley7775]

You did it in the name of the science..

[@buzzsah]

757, WOW, about 40+ years ago. I had 1 about 1983+-, Can't remember the conversion. Sold everything in 83 and off the air until 2018

[@tomjotley7775]

@@buzzsah Hello Buzz !!! Yes, 757GXII mods for MARS was simple There was a ( I think resistor or Diode ) vertically mounted on PCB board It was sticking up like sore thumb After that, just clipped it with small pliers and MARS mode was done I also did MARS mode on my FT-891 few hours ago after seen how you did it, ohhh my god, I will not do this again on my second FT-891, my eye sight is up thecreek, no magnification glass, and shaky hands like 10 on richter scale It is bit scorched but radio works.:)

[@buzzsah]

@@tomjotley7775 LOL, same here, my eyes change faster than I can buy glasses. I have my everyday pair, but I picked up a pair of those adjustable in 2020, I broke them a mouth ago and ordered another pair. I find them to help in the shop and on the computer. The FT891 was in the van, but I decided to use it in the shack. I have an antenna for it but, I'm too old and out of shape to climb a 50ft tower. lol

[@BadassWeldingVideos]

did it work?

[@quickstarthamradio8453]

im sure it worked, i read the responses to some of the comments. great video, 73s

[@buzzsah]

Sorry, Yes. Again sorry for not posting.

[@OYMInternetRadio]

You never did a power up on or checked to see if it needed a reset. What was the outcome?

[@buzzsah]

O, sorry, I was on call and had to go. All is good and the radio was in my van for a year and now in the radio room. I'll try to do a update.

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

You have to use the solder method or use two smd 0 ohm resistors or wire connectors to each of the solder pads without touching one another from side to side. After connection the radio has to have the function pressed along with the clear button at the same time when the radio is powered up. KI5UHA

[@jfrphoto01]

@@GaryLordsWayMinistry Clarifier, not clear!

[@w9x7cv3vg6]

you did id the radio as a ft 851 twice....i trust this is really a 891...after seein the whole video,i think theres a sequence to hit this or that button while turnin power on or like i said maybe only crossing over one joint and resetting...must look for other info links if u have no other info..tnx

[@buzzsah]

Oops did I? it is an 891 if I did I will check and remove the video. Sorry and thanks.

[@alexalexeev695]

Does this Mars mode work on FT-891 from Japan? Did anybody try that?

[@buzzsah]

Not sure, did you buy it from them directly? If you find out, let us all know. Sorry I can't help

[@delms7418]

YEA!... But did it WORK????..Video ended before finding out!... Does anyone know if it worked or did he make a boat Weight!

[@buzzsah]

After a reboot all good. 45 years of boat archers lol

[@WW5RM]

I believe they make screws with a wing nut head. I prefer a wing nut myself but i think they do that probably to cut cost and also on the compact rigs its smaller and less likely to get bumped and come loose. So the mod worked? Probably had to do a reset?

[@buzzsah]

The wings are the way to go, yes a reset for sure

[@michaelhamilton3778]

FT-851…..? Ummm……… you mean FT-891 ,,,, right?

[@buzzsah]

Right, I was looking for this to change it. Thanks.

[@davidp73]

Does this mod open it up for 11 meters (cb)?

[@buzzsah]

Yes. Take your time.

[@davidp73]

@@buzzsah ok great thanks

[@PaulTait2020]

Buzz why didn`t you show the radio on after the mod. To show exactly what it actually does?

[@buzzsah]

I wasn't thinking about it, I just wanted to get it installed. By that time I was beaten. I however have it in the shack as a backup now, I will do a quick vid this week.

[@guns4funcajanajustin]

Nice one Buzz! Earth calling Mars lol

[@buzzsah]

LOL, Someday, maybe. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYCsqnV3mN9kr6s

[@reiddixon9708]

I sent mine back cause all the buttons went dead. The Yaesu guy fixed it CB channels would have voided my garrentee

[@buzzsah]

Yes it will void warrenty

[@reiddixon9708]

I see a little. Your phone does better. I think you’re saying connect the two vertically.

[@buzzsah]

I would say, connect them with a small wire jumper in case you need to remove them, or are not sure.

[@straightpride451]

Yes, I see them cute lil Dude.

[@buzzsah]

Vary find soldier tip. Be careful what you do. Check other vids from other channels as well. Reboot when done.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

So is that a Yaesu FT-891 HF Transceiver ? and when you say mars is that the Military Affiliate Radio System conversion? Wow that's a really small circuit board with my bad eyesight even with my magnifying light I doubt I could see that clearly.

[@buzzsah]

Yes Yaesu FT-891 and yes Military Affiliate Radio System. It is getting harder for me to see as well, not like the old days.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

I remember Mars when I was a Ham operator back in 1968 to 73 I handled message traffic for Vietnam

[@buzzsah]

Did you keep your ham ticket up to date? My wife let her's exp. back in 89. After being off the air 30+ years I feel like a novice lol. I bought a DMR HT a few months ago and with a 5 watt HT I can talk around the world, its crazy. Now I have to figer out how it works.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

No it let mine expire back in 1978

[@buzzsah]

I here its a lot wasier now, no code needed.

[@josephroblesjr.8944]

i wish there was an easy way to add a jumper so i could undo it easily when I decided I wanted to sell it!

[@j.kevinhunt147]

Joseph Robles: See my comment above, about doing this with a Circuit Writer pen. Much easier and you can't hurt the radio.

[@buzzsah]

you maybe able to run a small switch with a short piece of 24-20 g wire

[@W9BTM-WQNX906]

You said the 851 but in description says 891. Which radio is this mod for?

[@buzzsah]

Im sorry, 891.

[@petervdbroek1]

thank you for the good video. 73"

[@angelscomputers]

but it worked? 🙄

[@buzzsah]

Yes, but the solder station I was using back then sucked, making it harder than it should have been.

[@n8mrc]

891

[@buzzsah]

For some reason I kept calling it 981 lol.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

sometimes I don't comment because you are way over me with this electronics,, and I don't know what to say.. lol

[@buzzsah]

lol, I know how you feel. I have a few that I don't understand, lol. I thank you for your support.

[@docswanson1]

Use a 4x16mm set screw as a stud

[@buzzsah]

I need to watch my vid again on it. But I will remember it. Thanks

[@ragheadand420roll]

AI6TN also suggests using vise grips...and pliers and a 200 weller brazing gun. Jeff is a wing nut

[@buzzsah]

That would be too easy, I like to work at it

[@jeffp9522]

One subject at a time, please. After listening to all the irrelevent bulls**t, you dont even finish the damn mod video and tell us if it worked! Definetly a non-subscriber.......

[@buzzsah]

Glad I was able to help. If you knew how to read a schematic you'd be able to figure it out. But when you take a charity test for your ticket your still stupid.

[@jamesfoley2720]

@@buzzsah It works and the factory reset is to hold the F and CLAR while powering ON.

[@w9x7cv3vg6]

ok buzza..since no follow up from you..i found another video,spanish as it is....so to get right to the mod...just go to about the 9 minute mark,and watch the steps to reset the radio to open setup.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpWkp3Wce86NjZY and this video seems to have been out before yours..73

[@LouisBodnar]

Did the mod work?

[@buzzsah]

Not completely, I would say no0 wait until someone or I have time to figure it out.

[@w9x7cv3vg6]

hey ! you did not come right back

[@jfrphoto01]

Worked just fine on my FT-891. Just have to do a nonstandard hard reset. Hold the "F" and the CLA" keys down and turn the radio on. Release the keys and you are done!

[@thejewishredneckprepper4675]

Et phone home.Shalom

[@buzzsah]

lol, on ET. Thanks. Peace

[@n5sgc]

Too much redundancy!

[@buzzsah]

Sorry, but some need more than others. I see it in every class. Thank you for your input. Have a good weekend.

[@おやぢらいだー-w4u]

ちょっと見ずらいなぁ。

[@buzzsah]

Sorry, I just hooked it up in the shack so I may open it to show.