Ft-7800

[masterkeymaster]

I have a ft-7800 since the new model came out what would happen if you just change the control heads from the 7800 to the 7900, and what would happen if you connect a control head from a 8800 and 8900 to a 7800?

 

[LtDoc]

I can't answer your question, but it would be interesting to find out. I do know that several of the later models of Kenwood radios can swap control heads with no problems. There's no great benefit really. You don't gain any abilities if your radio didn't have that 'ability' to start with. (The '710 control head does have the TNC built into it, though.)
- 'Doc

 

[kb0nly]

The FT-7800 and FT-7900 are supposed to be swappable from what i read on the other forums, supposedly one of the posters had both and one day accidently mixed them up, didn't realize it until the radio with the 7900 head already had all his memories in it, he was hooking them up on the bench to clone between the two radios and swapped the control head cables without realizing it!

The 8800 and 8900 are probably also swappable since they are the same series when it comes to the control circuitry.

However, i wouldnt take a 8800 head and put it on a 7800... Looking at the schematics i don't think anything would go BOOM since the control cable pinout between the head and radio is basically the same, but they wouldn't function and could cause processor damage since the heads are quite different between the two series of radios.

8800/8900 should be swappable
7800/7900 should be swappable

But as already mentioned you don't gain anything. However if you had a radio with a dead control head and needed a replacement from another parts radio it is possible. But otherwise your not gaining anything.

 

[texasemt13]

I'd like to know the answer to the OP also when it comes to light. More and more of these rigs are popping up in our ARC, and it'd be good knowledge to have in case we needed a quick fix.