Icom IC-706MIIG Mars/Cap Open TX Modification FREE and Easy!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Icom 706MKIIG mod showing how to open Transmit. This is a easy mod and it's only the removal of one SMD component. This MOD will allow transmit from Less than 1 MHZ to 199.9MHZ including AM/FM broadcast bands! So you have to be careful or you'll get into a heap of trouble.. and also 400MHZ to 470MHZ.. ENJOY
5 years later and your video is still working magic. I found two of these radios last week in great condition. Did the mod today and all is well. Thank you Sir!!
Excellent! Glad I could help. Those are good radios. I don't have one anymore..
6 years later and this video just helped me. Thanks!
Great to hear! You're welcome... 😊
I had already done the MARS mod on my Mk2g. I did the "crush-the-diode" technique. LOL. This was a great video. I also want to remind folks that if you have memories programmed prior to the mod, they will go bye-bye once the radio is powered on after the mod. Don't ask me how I know that. ;). You'll have to reenter all your programmed channels again.
I don't remember it wiping the memories on mine,... but I think I have heard that some people experience that... Thanks for watching...
Always use a white towel under the radio to enable finding loose parts, screws, ect. that may fall free while working on the rig. I only pop one side of the diode up in case future owners may want to revert back to factory settings. BTW, you look like Al Pacino :)
Great tips! Thank u...
@Take a Bath Productions thanks for the in depth video! I'm about to get a icom ic706 mk2g. I believe it's going to be different from your video, but I saw the link you posted in a few comments to find the procedure for the mk2g. So I'll check it out and hope I can open mine up. Again, thanks for the great video!
HI. You're welcome.. Do you have a EUR version? Or other country? Maybe that's why you said it may be different..
This makes an excellent stable frequency generator with this out of band modification. You just need to transmit into a dummy load near the circuit under test. "AM" mode AUTOMATICALLY significantly reduces the output power (with no audio). I use VERY low power for doing tests. You can also build a pie network attenuator to sample part of the signal if you REALLY know what you're doing. Make sure that the circuit can handle the full 100 watts just in case the power goes to full output, or you forget to turn it down.
Great idea! I hadn't thought of using it for that.. Thanks for the tip.. 😊
Thank you. Mod worked perfectly on two radios for my company.
Great to hear! You're welcome...
Good video quality and to the point! I really liked the split screen.
Thank U!!
I own two of these radios, one in the home and the other one in my Van. I was looking to buy the IC-7000 but could not find any of them, so I just went ahead to buy another 706 M2G.
I like the 706 M2G... it's a good radio.
Hahah....you just sold me on buying one of these....great vid!
Yes, it's a good little radio. Thanks for the comment.. :-)
i have one and i did what you were showning it work thank you i like this 706 mk2g radio its all great \
That's awesome! SO glad I could help... 😀
Did this today. Easy peazy. Thanks
Great job! you're welcome... 😊
Just picked one up in the uk and about to do the mod thanks 👍
Hopefully the Europe version is the same... I can't say for sure.
Hi there. Unfortunately it's not the same and I can't find a resource to do it 😔sad cos if I can't I will have to sell it .
HI, I looked on mods.dk and it looks like they do have the EU version mod listed there. I think it's under Spain, but that still should be the same... You might check it out and see if it's any good.
@@JLPicard440 thanks so much. Will check it asap
I hope it is what you need...
Great video. Could a heat gun be used, or would that be too unfocused and desolder nearby components?
I wouldn't use a heat gun, but a hot air soldering station works great. Much more focused. I have this one from Amazon. They're around $70: TXINLEI 898D . They've gone up, they were around 50 something a couple years ago.. ☹️
thanks for the reply yes fully understand ,i will remember to wear my beer goggles rudy
Thanks so much worked great!!!
Very good.... THANKS...
Guess I've got a job tonight. Lol. Just picked one up and thr mod is the first logical thing to do lol
Absolutely right! That's about the first thing I do to a new radio. I would probably wait till the return period is over if it's new from the store.. 😊
@@JLPicard440 just grabbed yet another Icom tonight an IC 207H and it's 2 diodes and a resistor but still takes longer to open it up than to Mars mod it.
But the 706 had a small issues of way too much output on some bands and very little on others. 80m it was knocking on 150w if you talked loud enough but hardly 15w on 10m. I don't have a watt meter for 2/70 but it sounded really good. All fixed and now 2 more great icoms in the shack.
Oh wow! 150watts looks good on the meter, but it might end up damaging the final. You might try looking on mods.dk to see if anyone reported a fix for that problem.
@@JLPicard440 reflowed the board but also found a component just barely touching the pad to a transistor.
Did it fix it?@@danielhildebrand6892
I have an issue with VHF and UHF not being expanded. I think this rig I just bought may not be a US version as it transmits on VHF and UHF, just not on US VHF/UHF freqs
Yes if the TX was already more than 144-148 and 430-450 then it may already be modded, or a version from a different country.
@@JLPicard440 Any ideas how to fix the VHF and UHF to work on U.S. bands? It's odd that only 11 meter band and U.S. ham VHF and UHF are not allowing transmit, but the the TX is wide open on non ham bands other than 11 (which is fine with me, just need VHF and UHF to work or 2/3s of the radio is useless
@@tonysalvador9845 It doesn't TX at all on 144-148? Even on a portion of it?
@@JLPicard440 Pretty sure all of that part of the band doesn't TX, but does below for sure (probably above too)
@@tonysalvador9845 That's not good. Even if it was another version from another country, it should still TX on all or part of the band. Have you opened it up to see if it looks like someone has tampered with the area where the TX mod is?
Lv this video!
Thank you!😊
Worked for me. Thanks!
You're welcome!
hi there great video mate ,quick question could i just unsolder one side of d2030 and ease it up so the radio could be returned back to original at a later date cheers rick queensland australia
Yes, that would work.. trouble is, that diode is so small you'd have to be a brain surgeon to get it to do that, but if you can, then no problem. I'd put a piece of tape or paper under the side that's lifted up to make sure vibration doesn't move it back down and make a intermittent connection...... cheers..😀
Great work Davy in Ireland 😁
Thanks Davy..... Rudy in Virginia....
Good afternoon friends, what is that modification of removing the diode for? Thank you
HI! It allows the Transceiver to Transmit in a much wider range other than what the ham/ amateur bands are. Some people do this mod to use this radio on the citizens band. It is not legal to do that, but people do it anyway. In my case I would use it on 60 meters and in case of a real emergency it can be used to call for help. Hope that answers the question.
hello this opening is also 11 meters?
I'm about to buy one that isn't frequency open.
73"s Merry Christma
HI, Yes absolutely! The 706 MK2G actually works well on AM... Merry Christmas to you too... 😀
@@JLPicard440 ok great thank you very much
Is there only this diode to blow?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
HI, yes it's diode D2030 and that should open up all the bands.@@yannickguinamant4621
Will this radio work on 11 meter without any mods ? so i can put my CB radio away and use this one for all my needs on the HF band ?
HI it will not work without the mod. Thank you.
Excellent Video!
after removing the diode it worked, but after the reset it didn't work and it went back to how it was before
HI, I've never seen that happen.. Do you have a US version?
I bought it on ebay from Japan
my icom was purchased on ebay from japan but after removing the diode everything remained as before
The Japan version may be different. I've had this come up before and I've tried googling the Japan model but couldn't find the mod... Its been a while and I haven't tried recently. You might try and see if the mod will come up to see what the differences are.
my icom was purchased on ebay from japan but after removing the diode everything remained as before
I answered your comment on a different thread.
And Thanks for the video!
Your Welcome!
does this open it up to cb band ?
HI! Definitely... However, I'd be cautious about transmitting on there with this radio...
@JLPicard440 why is that ?
Not legal... 😊. At least in the US
Can someone tell me whether this is the same as the IC-706MKII as well?
HI, I don't know off hand. IF you go to mods.dk and compare the two mods it should be quickly evident if they're different. You'll have to sign up for an account, but it's free and they've never spammed me.
Where did you get the tuner for this radio, also my mic connects in the back and yours the front so I'm confused.
Which tuner? Are you talking about a built in tuner? It came with the radio. The mic connects to the bottom of the head unit... Do you have a different radio?
@@JLPicard440 What is the magnification of the lens used I need to purchase a headset so any suggestions would be helpful as well.
@@jamespratt5302 I bought that headset so many years ago I honestly don't remember. It really depends on your eyesight! I used to work on this stuff without any aid at all when I was 20 years old.. 😂 But I'm suffering from O.L.D. syndrome....
@@JLPicard440 I feel your pain.
@@jamespratt5302 😂
Do you know if there is any place I could send mine to be modded by someone who knows what they are doing since I don't have any experience in soldering and I don't want to take a chance of ruining my radio
No, I usually do them myself. Giga Parts offers it for around 45 dollars or so... I'm sure there are others, but that was the 1st one I could think of off the top of my head.. hope that helps. thanks.
This did not work on my IC-706MKIIG, do you have any idea why it didn’t work?
HI... Did you remove the right part? If so, sometimes you have to reset the radio. Usually not though. I don't remember how to do a reset, but if you go to mods.dk they'll have the whole mod listed there and there should be instructions.
@@JLPicard440 Yea, it was the right part. I’ll try the reset I didn’t think of that thank you. 👍
@@JLPicard440 Update: That didn’t work, however I did contact ICOM USA and they said that my 706 the Japan version can not be modified to work on all the US ham frequencies on 2 meters and 70 centimeters it’s the only one that can’t be modified. Just my luck. Thank you for your help. 👍
@@W5KJD Wow! I didn't know that.... Arrgh.
Hi Great video, I have two questions, 1 At the moment my 40 mtr band runs from 7.000 to 7.100. Our legale band width now in the UK go's up to 7.200. am i right in thinking that after the mod I'll be able to transmit between 7.000 to 7.200 and beyond,
Question 2 Would it cover the 4mtr Band 70 mhz RX & TX. Thank's in anticipation Paul G4YBI ...
HI Paul.. Yes it should TX beyond 7.200... USA Version TX is to 7.300... not sure why they shorted you guys! I believe it will cover 70MHZ, but probably at reduced power. Probably due to circuits in radio are not tuned to that frequency range... hope this helps... thanks...
hi, how to open freq for ic706, i see thats pcb different to ic706IIG. thanks
HI, I haven't tried this on a 706. Have you tried mods.dk? There should be a mod listed there for the 706 to see what the difference is..
@@JLPicard440 ok thank you very much.
I have a soldering iron 5 - 60watts. What power would you suggest so as not to apply too much heat? Thanks.
I don't think there's any standard setting, you should be familiar with your iron... if you have a junk circuit board laying around somewhere, you can experiment around on that to see where the best setting is... if not.. I would start at around 60% and see what it does. Don't leave the heat for to long, or you will burn something up..
@@JLPicard440 Good stuff Rudy. Thanks!
Hello I watch your video on the Icom 706 MK11G Mod is this the same mod for the 706mk11 thanks
Probably, but I'd have to see the mod for the mark 2
@@JLPicard440 thanks
Take a Bath Productions it’s work or not for 706mk11 ?
Will this work for a original icom ic-706
HI, no it's different. Here's an excerpt from Mods.dk that describes the mod for 706 classic:
Tools required:
#0 Philips head screwdriver
10 - 15 watt pencil tip soldering iron
Magnifying glass
Tweezers
Remove the TOP cover by removing three philips head screws on the top and one on each side. Move the speaker bracket out of the way. Locate D-59, this is a three terminal SMD diode in an SOT package, about 1 x 3 mm (with the radio front panel oriented towards you, D-59 is located in a row of SMD diodes just to the right of the ribbon cbale header above the 9 MHz SSB filter FL-30. There are pads for 5 diodes with only three installed. D-59 is the second from the left).
Useing tweezers and a low-wattage soldering iron (and magnifying glass, if necessary) remove D-59 by appplying some heat to the single leg side of the device while lifting gently, then apply heat to the other two legs and removing the device. Be careful not to apply too much heat, not to rip or burn any traces or not to leave excess solder on the PCB.
Replace the speaker bracket and top cover. Apply power and reset the microprocessor.
TX = 1600 kHz - 54.00 MHz and 118.000 - 174.000 MHz
Hope this helps... 😀
will this mod open up the GMRS frequencies 462Mhz 467Mhz?
HI.... I believe so yes. I don't have access to that radio anymore to tell you for sure. Did I do a test at the end showing the new range? I usually do... I might have written it in the description too...
Thank you I just checked the description and it said 400 to 470
I thought so! I couldn't remember for sure. I'm suffering from O.L.D.!... 😂
@@JLPicard440 me too
What about 706Mk2G with "J" japanese version? Is the procedure the same?
Looks like it's a little different. I posted the mod for you if you have facebook, I put it on my take a bath productions facebook page. Let me know if you can't view it, I'll find another way to get it to you. Thanks.
@@JLPicard440 please contact me jeffhalye@gmail.com
@@jeffhalye7832 We talked yesterday... I haven't been on radio yet to ask my local guys yet..
So, bear with me as I'm VERY NEW to all this, and just got my General....
But this mod, Allows MARS functionality (minus the modem)? And it opens up a greater ability to tune different frequencies to TX on?
It just expands the TX,... from 1.8-54 continuous.. or whatever the frequencies are... also on 2 meters, and 70 cm...
You may also use the 60 meter band once this mod has been completed.I programmed the Five Channels into mine so they are there in the memories.I don't use many memory channels but those are a must for me.
Yea it's a good idea to put 60M into memory,... I can never remember what they are! I just got a icom 7300 that can TX on 60M right out of the box.... 5.255 - 5.405 Continuously....
Hello I get a same Icom 706MKIiG from Japan with J mark! In thailand people says can't open band for JARD model from Japan.
But al the same as here at the video also the mods same have V jumper do everybody know if it true can't open the band???
I don't know about that model.... You could try a google search. I did try it and had trouble finding info about that model. You could remove the component if you dare and see what happens!.. But make sure you don't damage anything in case you need to put the component back
@@JLPicard440 yeah was think same but I better let do it somebody else then my self ;-)
@@LUCTeacherLucas I understand!
done the mod, power out in 4mt okay but no audio!! any thoughts???
ARrrgh... That definitely should not affect the audio. I've done quite a few of these and never had that problem. Did you try a different mic to make sure it's not just that?
Take a Bath Productions done full reset,changed mic mode and antenna, still no joy, am puzzled!,!, must be some internal filtering blocking audio output, it is Europe version .
@@billmcintosh1694 Good grief... no I've never had that happen... if u still have the component, try putting it back and see what it does
Is this the same mod for ic-703 ?
HI.. although the radios look similar, I would go to mods.dk and look at the mods for both rigs and see if they're the same... I'd be surprised if they were identical inside..
I have done this mod to my Icom 706 (mk1, not mk2), and after removing the diode I am still unable to tx across all the bands. The dioide is obviously different to your video, but I found a few guides online and removed the one that was supposed to open it up, but nothing happened. Radio works fine still. Any ideas?
Paul Harding if u don't have a account at mods.dk it's free... there's a listing there for the expanded frequency mod for the original 706 which is what it sounds like u have.... unfortunately the guy didn't list any pictures,...there was a 2nd article talking about a jumper
Tools required:
#0 Philips head screwdriver
10 - 15 watt pencil tip soldering iron
Magnifying glass
Tweezers
Remove the TOP cover by removing three philips head screws on the top and one on each side. Move the speaker bracket out of the way. Locate D-59, this is a three terminal SMD diode in an SOT package, about 1 x 3 mm (with the radio front panel oriented towards you, D-59 is located in a row of SMD diodes just to the right of the ribbon cbale header above the 9 MHz SSB filter FL-30. There are pads for 5 diodes with only three installed. D-59 is the second from the left).
Useing tweezers and a low-wattage soldering iron (and magnifying glass, if necessary) remove D-59 by appplying some heat to the single leg side of the device while lifting gently, then apply heat to the other two legs and removing the device. Be careful not to apply too much heat, not to rip or burn any traces or not to leave excess solder on the PCB.
Replace the speaker bracket and top cover. Apply power and reset the microprocessor.
TX = 1600 kHz - 54.00 MHz and 118.000 - 174.000 MHz
Gonna have to find that jumper article because removing that diode didn't do a thing!
Paul Harding that's strange! I've never done the mod on the 706... I think the jumper one was at the bottom of what they had listed there... careful if u get the free account... they only let u view one article per day
haha yes just found that out the hard way. tomorrow is another day and another article. I think the strangest thing is I crushed the diode as per instructions and it's totally gone now and the radio still works fine, albeit without the ability to tx where I want it to. I used the needlenose pliers method rather than the soldering iron as I didn't have anything small enough for that kind of work. do you think there is any chance that the remaining feet of the diode are causing the problem? there is absolutely nothing of it remaining on top of the board now.
Paul Harding if somehow those feet are able to make contact they will absolutely cause a problem... take a good magnifier and take a look... or a ohm meter... but u could get a false reading from another component somewhere else.... I usually remove the diode or resistor to make sure it can't cause a problem... but I understand if u don't have a small enough tip..
Is the mars mod the same for the ic-7000?
I don't believe so. You might check mods.dk and see if they have the procedure for the 7000
Can the same mod be done on an ICOM 7100 to transmit?
I can't say for sure. I'd say the way to find out would be to look up both mods and see if they're the same... If you like, I can do it over the weekend... Thanks..
Any chance you have this for sale?
I wish I could help. It was a friend of mines radio.
What is the purpose for doing that?
Opens the transmit to go pretty much everywhere the receiver does
Have a yaesu ft7800 similar mod, I'm stuck on a mirage mx25 if you've ever hard of the radio ranger make them,
I had to look it up.... no i haven't heard of that one.. .. we don't have much activity on 10 meters around here.... it's usually dead..
Take a Bath Productions 73,s and cheers for the reply
73's... Thank You....
Hello dear friend, thank you for your great posts here. Can you maybe help me with Mars/Cap mode on an icom 706mk2?? Thank you!
HI, if you go to mods.dk they will have the details of the mod there for the MK2. Im not sure if it's exactly the same procedure or not for the G model. They'll want you to sign up for a free account, but they've never spammed me...
anybody had try to enable japanese S version of MK2? It is 10 watt only, but can be mod to 100 watt by removing some smd
I have my doubts they would give something that's capable of 100watts and choke it back to 10! It wouldn't be cost effective in design it that way.. IMHO.. 😀
@@JLPicard440 10watt online for Beginner Class in Japan...not many American Hams knew bout this...
@@chilskater Interesting.. 😀
Bagaimana cara buka tx 2m band icom 706 yang bukan miig
HI, itu bukan sesuatu yang dapat saya jelaskan dalam mesej 2 ayat!
its an old radio but im thinking about getting one i found one for $500 us
Oldie but a goodie! If it's still working that's a good price if its the MIIG and not the regular 706... 😊
@@JLPicard440 yes its a G with a later big serial number in the 1500000 range so one of the last ones ran
@@bobbyt3451 Nice! 😊
@@bobbyt3451 Nice!
TKS, 73'
YW..😀
I know this is an older video, however. Will this also work with the IC-706MKII? Not the G. Thanks.
I don't remember if the "ii" model is the same. You can google the mods for both and see if they're exactly the same..
I'm thinking the only real change to the G was the addition of UHF. The boards where it matters for the mod is probably the same. I'll need to pull the top and check it out. I looked at the mod description for the II on Mods.DK, but the text description at one point makes me wonder if there are two or one diode needing removed or are they just reiterating where the one is located. I'm RACES and ARES, so having a radio that lets me work on other bands in an emergency isn't a bad thing at all. Appreciate the quick response on an older video.
@@WolfQuantum I was going to suggest mods.dk but you have to sign up for an account there. Some people don't like to do that... 😊😊
Does this mode work on the Japan radios that are locked out of US frequencies ?
HI, you'd have to google both mods... The US mod and the JA mod to see if there is any difference. I don't have access to a JA radio to test and see...