Yaesu VX-8DR CAP/MARS GMRS FRS Mod

[@nr3rful]

all these 'do gooder' comments. ....understand he is doing this for emergency situations. in an emergency any means of communication on any band with or without a license on any radio is valid. ....

[@luxonlex4453]

Yup, that is why it is called MARS/CAP modification: MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio Service) / CAP (Civil Air Patrol), also USCG-AUX (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary) extended frequency modification. I suppose one could use it on FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) in an emergency. However since FRS and GMRS are outside the Amateur Radio Scope of operation, there will be no HAM self-policing of those bands. If its used in an emergency, I doubt the FCC would take the time to investigate his PEP coming from an HT and issue a NAL (Notice of Apparent Liability) so as long it is an emergency. So, put your Ham Badges away,... slip the pen back into the pocket protector and wipe the dust of your flannel shirt and go back to the 80 meter band and wait for Art Bell to check-in on the net.

[@TH-xo4zx]

It actually was designed to be broke off.. good guys Yaesu

[@knguye11]

Thanks for the video. I did the same with my Yaesu FT1DR. It works great!

[@prepperbear8568]

+knguye11 Cool

[@QtmMtrlzr]

Running into an issue with the MARS mod on my FT-857, the radio only transmits with < 1watt at 462/467mhz after the mod. In the regular 70cm band it transmits with the full ~20 watts. There seems to be a sharp roll off in transmit power around 453mhz that renders it almost useless for GMRS usage. Any advice to get it working with full power without doing an external amp?

[@captain8741]

people keep saying it is illegal to have a ham radio that will also transment on GMRS and FRS. Can someone tell me why and show me the law/reg that says so? I can't seem to find it.

[@TJackSurvival]

Thank you for posting this. It was a bacon saver! Awesome!

[@DOTdirtbiker]

Thanks for doing the mod on video and sharing.

[@fixedit7488]

Advantages of one of these Yaesu's over the Baofengs? I have the GT-3TP with 8watt output and pretty happy with it.

[@AndrewSmith-pp6ir]

Ive got both, Baofeng GT3P $50 No HF but gets all uhf CB 470mhz unlike this $500 radio that is great quality but not getting to at least 480MHz uhf

[@Coalrollinfurry]

Incorrect, baofeng can go to 520 u got old software, no baofeng gos on cb frequencies way too low @27.meg

[@1958Eagleeye]

Wow, did not know about this at all. Thank you.

[@АнатолийЛаскин-с7п]

I understand that this will provide an opportunity to transfer to a larger range of frequencies?

[@adisonwu]

You are awesome, it works really great now. :)

[@ericlessard6653]

thank you for the video! Using the WWW I was able to watch a video about so south American person who was at least using 11 and 10 meter band for rx-ing !?? any ideas by now someone must have an answer??

[@prepperbear8568]

Thanks for watching...still studying manual on all the bells and whistles this unit will do. Added adapter and hooked it up to my attic 6ft tall Diamond X50 dual band antenna--picked up many stations/very sensitive reception. Yes, already did the battery upgrade. Ordered the newest 7.4 volt 2400mAh pack from Batt America. Much thicker but a perfect/click fit. We'll see how long it lasts...the stock pack only went about 5 hours.

[@davidaix5771]

I thought the Yaesu VX-8DR Was a quad band radio 6m 2m 1.25m and 70cm? With wide band receive

[@donnieboy007]

Will this same mod work on the Vx6r?

[@fab9114]

thanks for the video I need to do the same on my ft70 but so small! I will try with the same tool ;-)

[@hbltzll]

You said their are others for MARS/CAP, were you meaning frequencies, or other pieces that will need to be removed? 73's KF5WNY

[@nitrous122]

id like to know what is its full tx range does it go above 148 say up into 151 range and does it need any software reset of any sort

[@brookegermond6123]

Hey, I took some still pics of your video and enlarged them. I think I got it! Thanks man!

[@Voodoo8648]

is the resistor in the same location as the VX8GR? Will this work on the VX8G?

[@HamishMacArthur]

By any chance does it stretch upto transmit on 476.400-477.400MHz?

[@tarapos]

Where did you get the radio stand?

[@Ilandr69]

I'd like to know what stand that is you're using on that radio?.....very well done vid BTW!!

[@GamingAmbienceLive]

does this unlock all FRS frequencies?

[@ericbnyc]

Worked for me. Nail clipper idea was fantastic. How did you get the old glue off so cleanly? I used a razor and acetone and got most but not all. Initially had a 'blank' config after mod, and tried to upload freq's via cable and got a 'radio not as expected' kind of error message. Had to download the existing radio config which was now blank, cut and paste my frequencies & repeaters into that version, and upload them plus all settings back up to radio again. Works well, AND - for all you mod critics - I am a licensed ham AND a volunteer who is authorized to transmit on non-Part 97 frequencies when deployed. So, no hate mail please.

[@IMDeus]

Is there anywhere to get a new seal?

[@jamesquinn6874]

Do you still have it

[@micb9597]

I have Japan version Standard VX 8 I removed the resistor and no work tx outside amateur band. Does anyone know how to do it?

[@BluRidgePrepper]

With funds not being an issue, is there a better ht than this one or is this one the best on the market?

[@Coalrollinfurry]

BluRidgePrepper well yea, theres always the ht thats not an a ht...

[@allenstruck3727]

Does this mod enable you to transmit on CH 16 in an emergency situation only.

[@Coalrollinfurry]

Allen Struck u mean marine 16? Marine is license by rule, meaning unless your on the water, you must have a license, but hey, nothing is standing in you way if u wanna talk to boats from the beach, just leave 16 for real emergencies. Listen to the draw bridge operators, its kind of fun how many time a boat named “marigativelle” will call the bridge.

[@124worth]

How come mine will transmit but won’t receive?

[@bbjuneau]

Nice vid. Thanks!!!

[@TheReconPrepper]

remember you don't have tx on frs if the govt is asking. :) you can't have a removable antenna and that much power on frs :)

[@micjubba2271]

Its sad they make up that stuff to restrict what people do with thier radios

[@scottgarvy]

Do you have to reboot after mod?

[@scottgarvy]

I mean reset the radio.

[@laurenbish3116]

WY1BLE It isn't necessarily illegal to use Ham capable equipment to talk on FRS/GMRS, if the transceiver is type certified and you have the appropriate licenses. The things is that most (maybe all?) Ham gear would not be type certified for FRS for at least two reasons: 1) The power levels they are capable of are above those allowed for FRS. I am sure in today's world of computer control of the TX, that they could limit power to the legal amounts in those freqs, but apparently no one has bothered? 2) The removable antenna. FRS requires the antenna be fixed and not removable or replaceable. I assume the reasons for these constraints are to limit the range of the transceivers so they will be less likely to interfere with each other or other people in nearby freqs.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

This was a message from the FCC super snoop and snitch patrol. Don’t you think we know that ?

[@TheLinuxGuy88]

I can see how this would be helpful but FCC Rules part 97 state that radios operating on FRS frequencies must have a permanently attached antenna and use no more than 0.5 watts of pep.

[@henrywilson7802]

What about vx6r

[@damoupit]

Hello poppa bear you can also get the radio un locked it goes 50-52 144-146 430-440 but u find a dealer hat unlocks the radio you can go 50-54 140-174 420-470 tx rx and all other frees rx only

[@brookegermond6123]

Thank you. That was a great video. I do not break the law, ever, ever, ever when the federal government is involved. And will not at this time be modifying my radios. However, this world does look like it may be headed for a crash. And if the federal government crashes, so does its FCC laws. And, in a possible post government era knowledge like this will come in handy. But for now, I shall advise all to follow the law and pray we never do have to live in anarchy. Thanks for the video.

[@prepperbear8568]

Don't be a "sheeple". Tear your tags off your pillows & blankets, mill out an unmarked AR lower, and mod your Yaesu VX-8DR.

[@rem1473]

You really can't use a VX-8DR with blister pack FRS/GMRS radio's. The FM deviation is not the same. The VX-8DR is not capable of transmitting at the 2.5khz deviation that FRS uses. FRS/GMRS use 2.5khz deviation (12.5khz channel spacing). The FCC designation is 11K0F3E for this modulation. The VX-8DR is only capable of using the wider 20K0F3E which is 5khz deviation (25khz channel spacing). The VX-8DR is not capable of using the narrow 2.5khz deviation. The "Narrow FM" mode referenced in the VX-8DR settings is actually the wider 5khz deviation. I believe Yaesu calls it "Narrow" to distinguish it from the "Wide FM" mode in the VX-8DR, which refers to broadcast FM stations. Broadcast FM stations use 150khz (+/-75khz) deviation. In the Baofeng's, things are named quite a bit different. "Wide" in the Baofeng is a 5khz deviation, while "Narrow" is 2.5khz deviation. You can set a Baofeng to wide, and set the VX-8DR to narrow, pick a FRS/GMRS frequency and you can communicate. However, you're not using a modulation that can be understood by blister pack FRS/GMRS radios. Sure, you can break the squelch by keying up the mic. But you won't be effective at getting your voice through. The FRS/GMRS radios will probably sound really quiet to the VX-8DR. The VX-8DR will sound like much of the audio is clipped or garbled to the FRS/GMRS radios. In fact, the VX-8DR might even prevent other FRS/GMRS radios from communicating on adjacent channels. Some Amateur Radios can be configured for the Narrow deviation (2.5khz), but the VX-8DR is not one of those. I am not trying to talk anyone out of mod'ing their VX-8DR. It's your radio. Do what you like. Just understand what capabilities that you will have or will not have when you are done. The Marine VHF band uses 5khz deviation, so the VX-8DR should work fine over there. That's why I mod'ed my VX-8DR. FYI: Some of the MURS frequencies are 2.5khz deviation and some are 5 kHz deviation.

[@rem1473]

Oops, my mistake. Apparently the VX-8DR might be able to do half deviation. I was just perusing the manual further, and found Menu item #37: Half Deviation. The manual is not specific, but it's possible that this setting is 2.5khz deviation. If that's correct, then you should set Half Deviation to "on" for any FRS/GMRS frequencies. Someone with a radio will need to do testing to verify this is correct.

[@brookegermond6123]

Lol,I am a sheeple. Nothing to see here Eric Holder. Lol Hey, is there anyway you can show that with a little closer look? If not, maybe tell me what I'm looking for in the back of the radio. Maybe written directions will clear it up a bit. I can't quiet see the resister. Is it the one on top? The first one? I haven't taken mine apart so I don't know exactly what those small pieces look like. Plus, there was a flashing light on your screen after words. Was that the radio or something off camera? Hey, thanks for your video again. This kind of knowledge may be very important some day. Plus, to all hams, I do not believe its illegal to modify a radio. It is the "transmitting" on those frequencies thats illegal.

[@prepperbear8568]

Take the battery off. The seal is behind that. Next peel the "waterproof" seal off the (dark grey sticker like) . The resistor?/jumper target is the only one showing toward you---very small. Kinda like the japanese engineers purposely put it that way---hmmm. That's the one I closeup show in my video. PS. the flashing lights in the video you mentioned was the mothership making their hourly contact with me. Best of luck

[@762gunr]

Prepper Bear Exactly. Pretty dumb that people don't understand it's conveniently located VERY much on purpose. Why? VERY simple answer actually. If company X makes radios that can't be modified for out of band(Rat Shack etc) the consumer will simply go buy the other brand. The big 3 Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood all make really nice radios and are furiously competitive. On a side note I just bought two Baofeng UV-82's and am very unimpressed next to a real HAM radio. The dual display is a joke as it is only dual band NOT dual VFO(it's functionally no different than a single display). The VU meter is not a meter(low and high signal both just produce full bars). The LED's blink randomly. I will probably sacrifice both radios for use as a micro solar powered cross band repeater enclosed in an ammo can. Tell me what you think. 73's

[@HugDeeznueces]

+Prepper Bear can you reuse the seal or do I need to buy a new one

[@АнатолийЛаскин-с7п]

Hello,I'm from Russia,English is not know,so use online translators, which makes the removal of this resistor?thank you

[@МиткоДимитров-о9б]

!!! READ CAREFULLY !!! You make this modification at your own risk ! I am not responsible for any failure or damage to your Yaesu VX-8E The modification is for educational purposes only ! Do not use frequencies for which you do not have a license ! !!! Only for Yaesu VX-8E !!! Remove smd resistor ! 1 Power On 2 set MODE 3 # 21 CW ID type in “AH029M” 4 Push “SET” to get out of set mode 5 Power off 6 Push HM/RV + MENU power on 7 Turn Dial to choose MODE * * * 8 Push F/W 9 Power off 10 Power on Enjoy !

[@scottshort9931]

Nope, screwed up my memory function. Can’t input PL tone for programming now. Don’t do it

[@damoupit]

Might be different in Usa to uk sorry

[@RosarioDiPeri]

Cant even see what you are grabbing and cutting!

[@brothertyler]

BEWARE: You cannot use CHIRP after this mod. It will throw an error when you try to upload.

[@scottgarvy]

I think you can if you delete the old template and create a new one after the mod.

[@brothertyler]

@@scottgarvy Also the APRS modem function does not work anymore.

[@scottgarvy]

​@brothertyler I don't have GPS so it's not an issue for me.

[@Achisachis73]

Do Not do it, it will change the programming of the radio reducing power to about 2 Watts. This is not a jumper it is a resistor of about 86 ohms

[@scorpiotaurus]

Care to elaborate? This is the first time I heard of this. The programing remained unaffected for the two I've seen modded. I'm holding off with this mod because I don't want to compromise my 8dr.

[@Achisachis73]

Scorpio Taurus what I mean by programming is that all these new radios are SDR, the resistor will change the settings in the programming and will reduce the output power by removing it. In addition to that it is illegal to operate like this, good to know though.

[@BrianMcDanielKC4LMD]

What did your bench test show, Achisachis73? Can you provide some back up to the claim that the mod reduces power? Is that in the ham bands, or in MARS/CAP/FRS/GMRS bands? I'm confused.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

You’re full of shit

[@Achisachis73]

@@bulldogbrower6732 oh you are on your period, got cramps?

[@Achisachis73]

Power drops to 1 watt with this mod

[@innernetfunhouse1161]

No it doesn't.

[@Achisachis73]

@@innernetfunhouse1161 yes it will eventually, it is a glitch in the SDR

[@Ilandr69]

I'd like to know what stand that is you're using on that radio?.....very well done vid BTW!!

[@prepperbear8568]

A spring loaded stand used for cellphones