HELP!!! Need info on how to program a Yaesu FT60-R

[bwilson477]

I know that this is a site that is usually just reserved for scanners, but I am having extreme difficulty programming thes d@%& radio and I thought that I would take a shot in the dark for help here. I do have various scanners, which these days are used mostly by my wife to isten to me while I am at work at the ambulance service here in Lee County, Ky. This Yaesu is actually a HAM radio that I bought new just the other day, but it has been upgraded to transmit on all frequencies from 144.000 to 999.999. It is a field programmable model, but I bought the programming software and cables with it, and even after reading all of the manuals, I still can't figure it out. Is it just me? If anyone out there can help, please do! I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Brian Wilson

 

[Grog]

!st, it's got "Upgraded", it's modifed to operate on frequescies that it's not certified to operate on.

2nd It can't transmit from 144-999. Try 835.2125 and let us know what happens.

3rd try http://www.eham.net/ or http://www.qrz.com/ for Ham radio equipment.

If all you want to do is listen, use a scanner, not a Ham rig.

:x

 

[bwilson477]

didn't work

O.K. First I tried the 835.2125 and it did not accept it. It went to 823.987.

Second. I did not buy it for a HAM rig. I bought it because I needed another radio to replace my previous two way for the ambulance service and fire dept. We use 155.145 frequency, and the 154.430. I also volunteer for a Fire Dept that uses 460.550 for it's frequency, and I bought this radio so that I wouldn't have to carry two seperate radios. I did not know that it was a modified HAM rig until after I had already purchased it. Many apologies if I have offended someone, but I would just like help to program it for the frequencies that I need. I have the frequencies, transmit and recieve as well as PL tones, but I can't get them put into the radio.

Third. I do have several scanners, and can use those quite well, thank you! I would like to thank you for the web links.

 

[SCPD]

Be careful about using, meaning transmitting, non-type accepted equipment in a service it's not meant for. Even though an amateur (ham) radio can be modified for transmitting outside the ham bands it's not certified, by the F.C.C., to do so. Doing so could cause unintentional interference to other users via spurious emissions.

 

[Grog]

Plus it would be against the law, as in a FCC violation. They like to send fines that would pay for several used cars, at least what i can afford to drive

 

[eorange]

To store a freq in a memory location:

1. Select the freq using the VFO. You can also set the Tx power, repeater offset, CTCSS/DCS tones, etc., in preparation for storing these settings along with the freq.

2. Press and hold [F/W] for 1 second.

3. Rotate the knob on top to pick a memory location, or do nothing and it will pick the next one for you.

4. Press [F/W] to store the frequency.

Erik

 

[bwilson477]

Thanks a bunch!

Thanks guys,

I finally got the thing figured out. Thanks especially to eorange. You were dead on. I got the help from one of my buddies in the local Sheriff's Department who is much more familliar with this kind of radio, and between the two of us, we got it figured out. It really is very simple, and I guess I ws trying to make it harder than it really is. I have sent in some new frequencies and some corrected frequencies and PL tones to the administrators that should show up soon for Eastern Ky, especially Lee, Owsley, Wolfe and Jackson Counties if anyone is interested. Once again thanks for your help guys!

 

[eorange]

You're welcome. Enjoy the HT!

Erik

 

[N_Jay]

Re: Thanks a bunch!

Thanks guys,

I finally got the thing figured out. Thanks especially to eorange. You were dead on. I got the help from one of my buddies in the local Sheriff's Department who is much more familliar with this kind of radio, and between the two of us, we got it figured out. It really is very simple, and I guess I ws trying to make it harder than it really is. I have sent in some new frequencies and some corrected frequencies and PL tones to the administrators that should show up soon for Eastern Ky, especially Lee, Owsley, Wolfe and Jackson Counties if anyone is interested. Once again thanks for your help guys!

Just checking,
You did notice that the use of that radio on commercial/public safety frequencies is not legal? Right?

 

[Grog]

I'm pretty sure he does not care

 

[eorange]

I find it hard to believe that the FT-60 can be upgraded or modified to transmit on bands outside of the stock range and the MARS/CAP mod. Think about it - a radio that could transmit on 144 - 999 MHz would have to have a lot more to it in terms of frequency synthesis, mixing, output stages - certainly a lot more than what would be in a $200 radio.

It's more likely the original poster is still comprehending and understanding the actual capabilities of the radio, as evidenced by the basic question he posted here.

Erik

 

[N_Jay]

I find it hard to believe that the FT-60 can be upgraded or modified to transmit on bands outside of the stock range and the MARS/CAP mod. Think about it - a radio that could transmit on 144 - 999 MHz would have to have a lot more to it in terms of frequency synthesis, mixing, output stages - certainly a lot more than what would be in a $200 radio.

It's more likely the original poster is still comprehending and understanding the actual capabilities of the radio, as evidenced by the basic question he posted here.

Erik

The MARS/CAP modes are usually not frequency specific.

They just open up the programming.

How well the radio works is up to the hardware.

Sure you can put in 999.000 MHZ, but where you are transmitting, if at all is a guess.

I agree he does not care if it is illegal,
but I still wonder if he KNEW it was illegal when he bought the radio?

 

[eorange]

The MARS/CAP modes are usually not frequency specific.

In this case, it looks like it is. From the mods.dk site:

Mod will give TX 137-174Mhz and 420-470Mhz and is verified for US spec radios only.

This extends beyond the normal 2m/70cm range for (Army) MARS and CAP usage, although no ham radio has been certified by the NTIA for this purpose. At any rate, it does not appear to give "wideband transmit".


Erik

 

[K2KOH]

I am not saying this to start a flame war, but I have to speak my mind. I normally stay out of the matches...whenever someone from public safety comes on and says they're using a ham radio instead of an issued radio, people tend to get a little out of control by constantly reminding the person that it isn't legal.
First, it isn't our job to police someone who buys the radio. Second, most of the time, amateur band transceivers work a whole hell of a lot better than issued radios. I know of a very large department whose officers went out and bought modified Yaesu FT50's because the GE radios they were issued were garbage. Unfortunately, those of us in public safety have very little input into the types of radios we carry; it's the lowest bidder, and that's usually MA/COM or Motorola. I am not impressed with either radio company, and that's after 22 years on the job. Do remember, it's not management who has to use these radios; it's us poor slobs on the street or in the burning buildings.

Lighten up a little, guys. Again, this is not meant to start a flame war. This is just me expressing my humble opinion.

73
Kieran

 

[Grog]

The real problem is when a PS person who is not a radio person ends up with too many features that cause problems. I've seen FF with radios that they could not figure oiut, and those were pretty basic kenwoods.

I've seen people buy a CTCSS only radio whose system used DPL. It's the little things I worry about. I'd hate to think someone responding to my house is having problems using his modded ham rig to call for directions, or to update dispatch.

I've only used a modded ham rig on PS freqs when my FD radio was dead, or could not get the repeater (twice).

If the end user is careful, and knows what they are doing, then It's up to them to obey the regs. As long as the feds don't find out, they might not get into trouble. We all know the FCC probably won'y catch a PS person using a non type-accecpted radio, but if they do the fines might be a little uncomfortable for the user or the dept (if issued)

Yes, I've heard of modded ham rigs being issued.