Yaesu FT991A - MARS MOD

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

Thank you Sir. I have looked at the mod on several websites. I did not grasp the procedure till I watched you. Too easy, just 'fiddly' . 73s

[@mohawk14616]

Seriously! A straight to the point - all questions answered - very good camera angle - even when the part you need to solder is smaller than a grain of sand. VERY well done Mike. This is how these videos should be. Thank you for what you did to that virgin expensive radio. You made me feel like I could do it.

[@paulkazjack]

How about bridging those other solder pads one by one to see if it allows 446mhz pmr channels to tx. Thanks.

[@w3smm]

Great video! So do I understand that this will NOT expand a European versions TX on 2 meters to 148? Any idea how to make it into a US version? I have seen the "service mode" option but that only works while in service mode. I'd just like it to work on all of our bands.

[@G1WHP]

Nice job. It’s a similar mod on the TS2000 where you simply remove a couple of zero ohm resistors. But you need bloody good eyesight and a steady hand. 👍🇬🇧👍🇬🇧👍

[@markwarren7116]

Did my TS-2000 with no problems

[@izzzzzz6]

Tip for anyone trying this. Clean the tip of the iron, use good quality unleaded solder and use flux. Too close to blobbing those ic's with solder when using a dirty a blobby tip and no flux!

[@michaelleslie8310]

You can use a circuit writer pen just as well. Though I've found putting a blob on some paper, and then using a toothpick to make the trace is much cleaner then just from the pen.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Now that’s a great Idea. 👍😀

[@niftyfiftycampingadventure795]

Recently done a MARS mod on a ICOM IC- 7300 Equally arse twitching.. Used a 2mm tip and x30 magnification.. One slip and its a basket case.. Thankfully it all worked out ..

[@marcteigh8633]

Awesome info, thank you. And stunned at the performance of the DNR too!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dalekubichek5710]

Wish you would have added a test of 60m TX in VFO mode.

[@This_Month_In_History]

Does this work for VHF/UHF or just HF?

[@YZFoFittie]

Does this mod make air band and GMRS available like it does on the vx-7r?

[@indridcold8433]

Though this will not help you. I have just repaired the Japanese use version of this transceiver. It can receive 30khz to 54Mhz then 88 to 146Mhz, then 430 to 440. It only transmits on the amateur radio bands. I wish there was a way to get all of the 2 meter band and all of the 70 centimeter band.

[@tekspeditionplanet9109]

Thanks for the video. I need a second HF radio for MARS work and that will be my FT-991A. Looks straightforward, but as you say, fiddly.

[@helenasalo7483]

Tnx OM Mike, first 60 mb qso is now in the log!

[@n1kkri]

That digital noise reduction works fantastic. I have some older ICOM and Yaesu gear and its built in DNR is useless

[@n1kkri]

I have been debating that rig and the IC-7300. I had a chance to play with the IC-7300. I want to use the rig also for shortwave as well as AM band reception. When you adjust the I.F. bandwidth wide enough it sounds as good as some old tube receivers I have. How does the 991A sound on AM reception and what is the widest the bandwidth can go on AM?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Not quite as good as an old tube set but close... funny, it one of those things you need to hear for yourself... LOL

[@The_Troll]

Does this modification do anything in addition to adding the 11 meter band?

[@Nordrick]

This mode,does it allow transmit on pmr frequencies?

[@mike-M0MSN]

yep, I think so

[@TM15R]

Great vid. Here in the US, the mod is a bit more complicated. The result is that if you can hear it, you can transmit on it. If you're licensed, fine, if not, be careful.

[@athertop]

You know what that (more complicated) mod is exactly?

[@rigsearch]

Many thanks for the video. Followed it all the way through and widebanded my 991A without too many issues.

[@45pdx]

When you wide band the 991A is the expansion the same as like a 857D? Meaning does it open up VHF/UHF like the MURS and FRS band as well?

[@mike-M0MSN]

No this only sidebands the HF part on this version of the 991A

[@26DR715]

Bought mine already widebanded but i was hoping i would be able to use the pmr channel for local chatter but it does not work. So must be another mod to do that somewhere.

[@jsull5393]

@@26DR715I don’t think there is one, not on the uk version anyway.

[@sdg1970]

I recently bought one that had, had the mod already done. I understand if you choose to TX on the UK 40 with it, it should not be used with more than 10watts due to potential filter damage. Is that correct??

[@boydtravis296]

GREAT GREAT JOB ON YOUR VIDEO!!! THANK YOU. From N4TUX Boyd Travis Kingsport TN.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks for watching!

[@tekazimuth3890]

Does the MARS mod open the VHF/UHF bands as well as HF?

[@Zayne_24]

I just did research to see if the mars cap mod allows a radio to transmit on airband and it says yes but it’s so cool

[@mike-M0MSN]

ah No it doesn't the mod only opens up the extended TX on HF bands not VHF and defo not the air bands / Military ..

[@2wrdr]

For US models what specific frequencies does this open up?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Just the HF bands

[@therealwolfspidertoo]

does it open up VHF UHF?

[@KevinModz65]

My God. Major freaking surgery. My Icom 7300 take the cover off and remove the resistor. This radio you have to dissect it. Im leaving this one stock

[@motodog1977]

WHY HAM RADIOS GUYS PULL THIS OFF TO HAVE A CB RADIO IS BEYOND ME! I'VE "MARS/CAP" MODDED >>>COUNTLESS>ONLY TWO

[@paulsengupta971]

@@motodog1977What about operating on the 60m band?

[@napomania]

same for me

[@6643bear]

I would love to know what the other link pads do , great video, 73s mark G8rde

[@mike-M0MSN]

me too

[@thuff3207]

I found this and thank you for sharing. Once question did this expand the VHF/UHF transmit range.

[@mike-M0MSN]

No unfortunately not.

[@Spykerbot]

Have a 991a and it's missing 2meter channels, is there anyway to get them?

[@napomania]

i use another radio for outband frequencys

[@b0neme]

HRO says that even having them do the mod means the radio can only be sent in for service, not "DOA" replacement. They also say the Yaesu-published procedure says you may lose 1 or 2 dB of receive signal with this mod. Have you seen any loss of signal after the mod?

[@mike-M0MSN]

I have not noticed any difference in the receive signals

[@jamesmackinlay4477]

I called Yaesu on this and hey told me it don't affect it at all.

[@BrekMartin]

That sounds like nonsense.

[@stevepawlak8702]

After this mod my WiresX won't connect. Any thoughts?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Re-enter your Call sign, the Mod resets everything

[@petrel1998]

CE1KP Galvarino : Hi MIKE, my question is all HF, VHF and UHF bands or only HF bands are open. greetings and thanks.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Only HF with this version of the radio.. :(

[@indridcold8433]

If the model for Japanese use has the 2 meter limit of 144Mhz to 146Mhz, witl this small modifications allow the transceiver to operate 2 meter band from 144Mhz to 148Mhz?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Unfortunately No. ☹️

[@indridcold8433]

@@mike-M0MSN What options are there to be able to get the full 2 meter band and the full 70 centimeter band for this radio? Is there anything that can be done?

[@BrekMartin]

@@indridcold8433 download the service manual that details the changes between regions as far as parts are concerned, but by the Jap software will ignore that diode matrix you change anyway.

[@indridcold8433]

@@BrekMartin The best I could do was to get TX HF continuous from 1.6Mhz to 30Mhz then transmit again 50Mhz to 54Mhz. There is a gap between 26Mhz to 28Mhz. I can listen continuously from 30Khz to 199.95 Mhz on all modes. Then I can listen from 400 Mhz to 479.995 Mhz. But 2 meters is still 144 to 145.99 and 70cm is 430 to 439.99. I guess it can be used for 2 meter and 70 centimeter sideband and AM, with some FM simplex on strange lower parts of those hands. It can also be used for HF. Oh well. I can get a cheap TYT to fill in the rest. It is a disappointment. The television option is worthless because it is analogue, so I disabled that. It is a crippled unit. It has plenty of power for a small package, though. 125 watts to 140 watts HF, 100 watts 6 meters, 55 watts 2 meter FM and SSB, 70 centimeters is 37 watts FM and 50 watts SSB 70cm. I am disappointed.

[@BrekMartin]

@@indridcold8433 It’s part of the law with Japan region. Can’t be easily modifiable. Interesting about the range though. 477MHz is where CB is in Australia. I’ll only do the mod if there’s ever a reason to open up the front panel part. Mine is US version.

[@stevenbirch]

That's very interesting, thank you so much. I'm slightly surprised that this information isn't more widely available. I presume that this radio doesn't store any soft service adjustments or "calibration" constants in it's memory that might get erased when you do a full reset? Also would you mind confirming what the new TX frequency ranges are after doing this mod? For example, is 2M extended up to 148MHz (which could be useful in some regions). Do you have the USA or EU model; I understand they have different firmware. Thanks.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Steven Birch Hi, any stored memories are deleted when you reset the radio, as this is a factory reset. I have the EU version and the VHF and UHF bands are unaffected by the MOD. Many thanks 😊

[@stevenbirch]

@@mike-M0MSN Great, thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

[@athertop]

I took delivery of this radio just this week (also in UK - I'm guessing from your accent :-). I had the mod carried out by the supplier, and I can use CB frequencies now, same as you demonstrated. I was a bit disappointed to find out that it doesn't really expand any of the other frequency bands. I was hoping for 440-450 to be unlocked, but alas no! Could you please confirm this was the same after you performed the mod? Thanks, Paul

[@mike-M0MSN]

Paul Atherton hi Paul, yep the VHF UHF frequencies are locked by CPU. There is no hardware mod. ☹️☹️

[@athertop]

@@mike-M0MSN According to the supplier, there is a hardware mod to convert the radio to US spec, which would expand the UHF freq range to 450MHz, but he advised me not to attempt it (even if I did know what was required to do this) as he says that it screws up the HF bands (not sure how as he didn't expand on this). This makes sense as there are several variations of this radio for different world regions which each have variations in their ham bands - I suspect different jumper bridging would achieve this but no idea which and I wouldn't want to risk it personally given the cost of this radio.

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@athertop Agreed

[@meggalavk3ktt]

here in Australia you can tx on 144-148 mhz 430 -450mhz also 50-54 mhz might be worth setting it to vk set up

[@athertop]

@@meggalavk3ktt if we only knew how :-(

[@Jens-dl1bjr]

What about 2m? Extended too?

[@mike-M0MSN]

do not know :(

[@GrizOnTheTrail]

Excellent vid Mike...thank you!!! Is the mod the same for the US version?????

[@mike-M0MSN]

yep

[@pacaronik]

Hi, what about vhf and uhf freq? I can not use my yaesu radio on pmr freq to connect to my young son... Is not fear for users when yesu lock freq CB 11m or PMR and radio cost lots....

[@mike-M0MSN]

EU models are firmware disabled on VHF/UHF unfortunately.. :(

[@nicknitro4420]

From what I was told by a tech the new radios are using guardian of spectrum, which will not allow any VHF UHF out of band transmissions.. This will only work with HF bands..

[@niftyfiftycampingadventure795]

P.S. By the way Chris can you offer any advice. I have a Kenwood TS 2000 The display died . I installed a new display panel from Pac parts USA.. The radio powers up as soon as 13.8v are applied. As the power on switch is integrated into the display panel.. Full RX and TX. Just no power to the display panel.. All ribbons have been checked for shorts . All seems good there.. Lost for A solution ?? Even tightened up all pins and rings on the power lead connecters .. Still no joy..

[@mike-M0MSN]

None without a good look at it, maybe time to take it to a repair shop,

[@teddyarya1234]

is frequency 142 - 143.999 opened by the modification ?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Unfortunately only the HF bands are opened with this MOD, the VHF/UHF remain unaffected (on this version of the 991a)

[@gerclasic]

Hi, I bought the 991A in Japan. The main issue is that in Japan the 2-meter band comes moved to left, so it is locked over 146.000. I know how to manually unlock it, keeping the 3 buttons pressed to access the service mode. But I wish to unlock it definitively intervening the device. I read if I can put welding on one of the pines it can work. Please, anyone has happened the same and knows how to unlock it in this way? If you can comment on that, I will really appreciate it. Greetings

[@wtfmurphy]

Short jp3001 to jp3002

[@RepomanGP]

@@wtfmurphy Can anyone confirm if this does indeed open up the 2m band to match the U.S. band plan?

[@wtfmurphy]

@@RepomanGP nope just HF, no VHF or UHF

[@RepomanGP]

@@wtfmurphy Thank you.

[@wtfmurphy]

@@RepomanGP if you want to get a cheap rig without VHF or UHF, get an icom 7300 from japan and mars mod it so you can use it in the american bands 50mhz to 1.6mhz

[@Neo_Chen]

Was it possible on Japanese domestic market version?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Maybe??

[@seeharvester]

"Now the one I need to short, is that pair there." (points with large blunt object, typically used for beating murder victims about the head and shoulders) 😂 Thanks Mike. Enjoy all your vids!

[@mm7bvp]

@Mike-M0MSN hello Mike always a pleasure to see a fellow ham who doesn't fall into the " but that's for muppet" brigade, a proper enthusiast who enjoys radio as a whole. I like watching your videos as you have an eye for detail and whilst I modified my 7300 (my bum collapsed at going near the tiny component with a solder, so I snipped the resistor/diode instead with baby clippers and hoovered the dust). This mod to the 991A is also a squeaky bumtime moment as my hands are like a typical whisky drinkers hands on a Sunday morning. So I've just ordered a 991A from Lynch and paid to have the mod done. One question Mike if you have the time. Im sure I saw something from the VK side in the comments about a way to expand more than HF (PMR band etc etc) by moving jumpers? Has this been done yet? Once again.. Thanks for sharing

[@Theoisx]

Thx, gonna try this tomorrow :-)

[@stefanpompe820]

This is for 11m Band, Pls show how to expand for 2/70!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Not quite, it expands all the HF bands, VHF and UHF cannot be expanded on this version of the 991A.. you need the USA version

[@helenasalo7483]

I like to know, what MARS means in this case...???

[@mike-M0MSN]

Just wide bands the HF part of the Transceiver (not the VHF/UHF)

[@LW2DAF]

Hi sir, Have you can TX along on 60m band?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes all bands open up to 50Mhz

[@LW2DAF]

@@mike-M0MSN very thanks!

[@paulsengupta971]

@@mike-M0MSNIt seems odd that these radios don't come as standard with the 60m band enabled. Why is that? I've also got a couple of IC-706s, one widebanded so I can use it on 60m, the other I can't.

[@stephenalbright6961]

Do you bridge the Contacts or remove a resistor?

[@roberval5153]

Excellent video, have the Japanese version and I'm from Brazil, 144-148 mhz is allowed here, does anyone have a solution? I agree to pay for the expansion, thank you!

[@n6pud]

I have the same radio. I can't use most of the 2-meter and 70 Cm bands.

[@marcogaravaldi2358]

this is easy, I want to expand VHF and UHF band because in my country it is authorized a wider spectre of frequencies in VHF and UHF

[@markdixon4288]

Can the MARS mod be made by just shorting the pins with a screwdriver during a hard-reset rather than soldering the pins then doing a hard-reset, i.e. like with the FT-DX10 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/goWlqn9np9KEmrM)?

[@SwissAdventureRider]

Worked for me , thank you!

[@RGB06084]

Thanks Mike!

[@dannystephenson4957]

Be very careful people if your intending on doing this mod. I did this to my 991 and now the the screen doesn't work nor transmit. Reversed the procedure to which it made no difference. The radio switches on but it's like the radio is now permanently brain damaged

[@dannystephenson4957]

Update! It wasn't the mod that affected the lack of display and transmit it was my own dumbness of not routing the cables back correctly after the Mars mod and battery replacement. All is good now.

[@michaelm1keyhardy865]

Another intresting mod Mike M1KEY M0FCG

[@apartmentamaturen2dbi176]

Awesome reciever people bash this rig too much

[@blackflagrising3716]

Thanks, right to the point

[@MirlitronOne]

If you want to use a Yaesu for CB, buy a second-hand FT-897D and mod that - it's MUCH easier. (Probably true of the FT-450D too.)

[@motodog1977]

OR BUY A FRICKIN CB RADIO!

[@asherdie]

@@motodog1977 or just do the mod and only need one radio

[@denp54z]

CB won't work on 27555 !

[@killerbites3963]

Not the easiest one to do but not impossible

[@saltire546]

Hi i was thinking about buying this Yeasu will . any of the uk companys who sell them do this mod for me .Also i take it you hold down the fast button and the lock button at the same time .

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi I'm sure that for the right price a mod would be done, and yes your right about the buttons... good luck.. :)

[@saltire546]

@@mike-M0MSN I found a video on youtube where one of the comments states that if you bridge the two points with sharp tweezers ect and then do a reset this will work and no need to use a soldering iron(it fools the cpu) .He did state that it is better to do this with 2 people and that if you need to do a firmware update then you will need to do it again.Seems like a good idea if you dont like soldering small contacts.I did find a uk company who will do this to a new box for £20 .

[@athertop]

Mine was modded by the supplier (radioworld in UK) to bridge that jumper and hence I have extended transmit range on HF bands but this doesn't affect the UHF/vhf bands at all. They said there is a mod to do this but they would not recommend it as said it screws HF bands for UK use. They would not do such a mod or tell how its done. Imagine its a part of their manufacturer agreement.

[@paulsengupta971]

@@johncliff4498How much for taking out all the screws and putting them back in again? 🙂

[@doccarson63]

At 6: 44~6:45 you said touched one second, removed fester? Pestor? Hestor? ¿?¿?¿? The mumbling is so low I couldn't make out what was said. Why were ypu talking so low? Didn't want to wake up the "festor's"? LOL. Great video unless your hard of hearing like me! Hi Hi

[@mike-M0MSN]

Randall Carson Touched for one second removed and then hey presto it’s all done it doesn’t have to be pretty

[@jmd62800]

Amazing 👍👍👍💪💪💪💪👌👌👌

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks ✌️

[@billyjoejimbob75]

OK, so. Step 1: Remove about a half a bajillion screws.

[@mike-M0MSN]

yes. lol

[@gfchr2692]

Being sure to use your JIS screwdriver, not an American Phillips. Drives me nuts when I see screws chewed up by someone using a "phillips" driver on JIS screws. (and it seems most hams don't know what a JIS screwdriver is)

[@evanjones2539]

All of this to turn it into a greasy chicken box...

[@mike-M0MSN]

10:4

[@brabus8317]

Excellent video

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you very much!

[@grahamsmith347]

has any one heard about the radio giong into "GM" mode bye it self ? thus creating a 50 watt "Bug in you house " ?///happed to me .

[@mike-M0MSN]

Oh, Please tell me more?...

[@grahamsmith347]

@@mike-M0MSN My991a went into "GM" Mode all bye it self and turned on the vox .all bye it self .Yeasu put it down the a faulty batch of chips in the suppled mic MH31.i dont go with this so i have had mic and rig on test with dummy load to try get it to fault again .It hasnt!! i still have not handed the "faulty mic back for a new one as required " i simply bought another mic ,on its way .i simply cant swallow a faulty mic caused this !! be carfull ,this realy did happen with a few liseners .

[@mabo4848]

Tnx

[@reallybadaim118]

Great. This mod isn't for anyone with Parkinson's.

[@lions8141]

Or a Covid19 vaccine!

[@markwarren7116]

You did this to put the CB band on a perfectly good Amateur Radio?.....SMH!

[@mike-M0MSN]

No I did this to include the CB band on a perfectly good Amateur Radio. :)

[@alsanderson4917]

Yaesu makes the best CB radios

[@pedrojk6321]

Fatal soldering and not speak and Fast + Lock...???? Fatal video.

[@mike-M0MSN]

??

[@albertbrews5285]

thanks ! I did it! 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

Nice work!

[@motodog1977]

JUST GO OUT AND BUY A CB RADIO! "MARS/CAP" MOD...MY BUTT!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes but Mars is not just for the CB Band... :)

[@doccarson63]

And besides, it's out of this world!

[@stevemazz3121]

nice to have on radio to fill all your needs.... I had a shack with five radios and an antenna FARM....now I have one radio and two scanners and only two antennas.... life is much easier this way.

[@denp54z]

Fiddly = It ain't easy in 'Merica !

[@willian.direction6740]

No need to do mod in my opinion 40m has become the new CB band the way they give away licences these days.

[@madcarew.3256]

thanks for your encouragement on a self learning hobby.

[@johnterry6751]

This is foolish to pull a radio apart like that. Do you know how many times you flexed the ribbon cable? And then you stated you weren’t sure what end the mod was. This is crazy. No wonder Yaesu disavows any meddling with their warranty products. I would never recommend much less make a video of it. KA1LQE

[@mike-M0MSN]

I agree, however when they would not repair it after the front end blow, the warranty was worthless. That said, it was mine to play with and this is how we learn. Foolish or not Terry, I achieved what I set out too.