Hi all,
So I was browsing the internet and learned of a really simple modification to the yeasu ft2900r mobile 2m transceiver. The radio comes stock with the abilty to receive from 136-174 MHz but will only transmit on the 2m ham band. Performing this mod, according to what I read, unlocks it for tx on I believe the entire rx range.. I was wondering if anyone on here ever heard of or performed this mod.. and yes I have legal reasons to do so..
thanks
I know it's tempting. So easy to go in and clip a wire, solder a pad or remove a resistor. But you really need to look at a couple of things before deciding to do this.
The license for your volunteer fire company is held by the department, the city, the county, or some such official government agency, not you. That license dictates a number of things, including how many mobile/portable transmitters can be used, where they can be used, and who can use them. Which ever agency holds the license is the only one that can authorize adding transmitters. Just as someone without an amateur license cannot legally start using an amateur radio, you cannot just start using public safety frequencies without your own license, or the permission of the agency that holds the one you want to work under.
Modifying an amateur radio has some legal ramifications, not only for you, but the agency that holds the license. Popping up on their frequency with a non-type accepted radio can jeopardize your departments license. That won't look good, and Mr. Chief, Captain, or whoever might not take kindly to it. These sorts of things can be career shorteners. Not to mention it would jeopardize your own amateur radio license.
The correct way to do this is to first get permission from the license holder. This needs to be in writing, according to the FCC, not just verbal. Second, get a properly type accepted radio. There are some inexpensive Chinese brand mobiles and portables out there that can be had pretty cheap, plus they can do the amateur bands.
I don't really see a point in jeopardizing your job with the fire company, your ham license, and your reputation just to save a few bucks. It's certainly your choice, none of us can tell you what to do. But seriously, why risk all that?
Do the modifications work, well, sort of. The radios have filtering in them to reduce spurious emissions, harmonics, etc. Transmitting outside the designed frequencies can cause issues. First, as was noted above, heat. Second, the filtering isn't designed for where you would be transmitting, so interfering with other public safety radios is a possibility. Third, the lack of narrow deviation will make your transmitted audio sound like utter and total crap to the rest of the radios.
