FT8800R Control Head

[62Truck]

As some of you are aware the buttons on the control head on the FT8800 do not light up same thing with the 8900, this is one thing I do not like about the radio. Other then that it is a great radio. There was a mod posted where a guy installed LED's in his, but my soldering skills are not that great and I really don't feel like butchering up a control head being that it is impossible to find a replacement, so I came up with a cheap idea.

Today I was at the dollar store in one of the local strip malls, and they had some mini neon lights that plug into your lighter plug and they were a dollar a piece so I picked up one and thought hey this would be great to mount above the control head to shine some light onto the buttons. I'm going to share a few pics of what I want to do. I'm probably going to pick up a second one. I intend to hard wire these in with a switch.

Let me know what you all think and if you have any thoughts or opinions you would like to voice, but please lets keep this civil.

 

[N5DRM]

I think it's a great idea. I've been wanting to do the same thing in my mobile for the 7900 rig. We have several dollar stores here in central Arkansas; Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree to name a few. Which store did you find these in? Good luck with lights and I'll be interested to see what you end up doing. Keep me posted and thanks.
73,
David

 

[62Truck]

I think it's a great idea. I've been wanting to do the same thing in my mobile for the 7900 rig. We have several dollar stores here in central Arkansas; Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree to name a few. Which store did you find these in? Good luck with lights and I'll be interested to see what you end up doing. Keep me posted and thanks.
73,
David

Dave, I pick up the light from "just a buck". The one I went to had these lights in a few different colors, Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green. I went with Yellow so it would match the display on the the control head. Auto Zone and Advanced Auto also sell these lights but I think they sell them for around 16-20 dollars.

 

[ramal121]

I bought some LED "chart lights" at a marine supply store to light up my dim stack in the work truck. I don't remember what I paid but I'm sure "through the nose". Great find and great idea!

 

[62Truck]

I'm off from work tomorrow so I'll probably put the one I bought yesterday in. I just have to dig up some switches I have laying around.