USA vs EXPORT Icom

[trx680]

so I’m on the icom website looking at the ic-2730a
There’s a difference in the export versus USA
Is the export just the USA with the Mars mod?

USA Version	Transmit	144–148, 430–450MHz
Receive	118–174, 375–550MHz*1

Export Version	Transmit	137–174, 400–470MHz*2
Receive	118–174, 375–550MHz*2

 

[MTS2000des]

USA warranty? My guess is there is none.

 

[trx680]

USA warranty? My guess is there is none.

Im talking about the frequencies of the radios.

 

[GlobalNorth]

If it is 'Grey Market', watch out. There is no warranty and no repair support for it. Authorized dealers are not allowed to sell them and if they do, they can lose their dealer status. If there is a problem, you may have to ship it to Asia or elsewhere to buy parts, get it serviced, etc. This assumes that ICOM made it and it isn't some Beijing rip-off.

Outside of the USA, "MARS" is a planet and not a USAR/USAF auxiliary program. If you want to mod your radio to out of frequency operation, use a USA model radio so someone can work on it or get parts.

I bought a high end cassette deck that was 'Grey Market' and it was a nightmare after it started acting up in the 1980s..

 

[trx680]

Ok, I guess that I’m leading everyone to think that I wanna get one of these export models, not the case.
I’m just trying to figure out why there is a difference in the frequencies.
I was wondering if you took the American version and did the Mars modification, would it be the same as the European version as far as having the same frequencies?

 

[mmckenna]

I was wondering if you took the American version and did the Mars modification, would it be the same as the European version as far as having the same frequencies?

"Export" and "European" are probably going to be two separate things.

The actual amateur radio bands are slightly different depending on where you are. Some countries have less access than we do in the USA. I think that was mentioned above. Some non-USA market radios won't cover the full 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands. I believe someone tried to modify a European market radio to work in the USA and they ran into roadblocks. I know Japan not only limits the transmit capability, but it was also hard coded and couldn't be changed, no matter how many resistors were removed/jumpers cut/button pushes.

And….
While the FCC does not require type acceptance on the transmitters within the amateur radio bands, they do require Part 15 certification on the receiver. So, buying a non-USA market radio might result in not having access to parts of the 2 meter/70 centimeter bands, and not having an FCC compliant receiver.

 

[K9KLC]

Ok, I guess that I’m leading everyone to think that I wanna get one of these export models, not the case.
I’m just trying to figure out why there is a difference in the frequencies.
I was wondering if you took the American version and did the Mars modification, would it be the same as the European version as far as having the same frequencies?

Probably be pretty close....won't get into the legalities of transmitting out of band though. That you already know.

 

[chief21]

In other areas of the world, what we know as amateur radios will often be used in commercial service.