YAESU FT710 MARS/TX Frequency Expansion Modification EU/USA

Here is a short clear video showing the Wideband/MARS TX Modification on the Yaesu FT710
The procedure is quite simple but you will be attempting this is at your own risk, it may also invalidate your warranty.
#hamradio #yaesu #electronics

[@thestonerguy5276]

That seems a lot easier to do than the Ft-891 or IC-705. Thanks for the video!

[@gtretroworld]

Thanks, I have yet to have fiddle with a FT891 and IC705 but both are radios i fancy trying one day.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

wish they used physical jumpers, my hands aren’t steady enough to do that bit of soldering

[@gtretroworld]

Honestly if you take your time with a small iron it will be over and done in seconds, if you were local i would’ve gladly done it for you.

[@indridcold8433]

I used a solder rework station and very fine solder. I only used the hot air aspect of the solder rework station. It is more forgiving than a big sloppy soldering iron.

[@gtretroworld]

@@indridcold8433 I think most that are watching this are not very confident with working on expensive equipment. I normally don’t recommend anyone using hot air without experience or a quality tool as i have seen a lot of damage to surrounding components.

[@m7frs272]

Fantastic work Neil, great video 👍

[@gtretroworld]

Thanks Ben, Hopefully it will be of use to someone over the next few years.

[@m0ogy]

Thanks for the video Neil 🙂

[@gtretroworld]

Thanks Dave, hope you’re well.

[@philiprhodes5537]

Loving that yaesu Neil thats a nice bit of kit for sure and tempting me to buy one now..
Obviously I’d not want to stick a hot iron inside it though I’d leave that to you as you seem more competent than me at that sort of thing..
Fab channel mate hope to maybe catch up with you sometime soon and purchase another moonraker off you for my collection..

[@gtretroworld]

Thanks Phil, Yeah It seems to be a very popular radio especially while Yaesu are offering seemingly endless cash back offers. I am tempted to buy one myself in the near future to have a proper play and run it against the DX10.

[@MartinEvans-qw6kr]

Hello mate nice to watch your videos spoke to you in m&s today I was on till

[@gtretroworld]

Thanks and it was good to meet you today. I will hopefully pop a few videos up in the future that cover other Retro goodies as like i said it has gone a little off track.

[@indridcold8433]

I have done it several times for people that pay me to do it. My question is, what do the other solder pads do?

[@gtretroworld]

Good question, I presume those will be for other regions, Japan etc. I will send Yaesu a mail and ask the question and report back.

[@indridcold8433]

@@gtretroworld Thank you. Your efforts are well appreciated.

[@gtretroworld]

@@indridcold8433 Thanks 👍

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

Great video, thanks! I have an FT991a that I bought from GigaParts with a MARS mod. The mod only addresses the HF portion of the radio and not the VHF/UHF. Do you know if it's possible to modify that as well? Thanks again!

[@gtretroworld]

Thanks, Yes the FT991 is MARS/HF only. You can use service mode to enable VHF/UHF but it isn’t a permanent or ideal workaround. I will dig a little deeper and if i find anything i will let you know,

[@Industrialsoundfanatic]

Tried this mod, but holding down the buttons on start up won't activate the mod for me.

[@gtretroworld]

It maybe worth going back and checking your solder bridge as this has never failed with the few i have done. You can also reset the radio in the menu if it is easier with All Reset, hope this helps.

[@Industrialsoundfanatic]

@@gtretroworld I don't have the latest firmware, maybe this could be the problem.

[@gtretroworld]

@@Industrialsoundfanatic I am not really sure as this and the others were checked and updated if needed before hand. I will say it is always worthwhile keeping up with the latest firmware updates.

[@Industrialsoundfanatic]

@@gtretroworld Thanks buddy, great video and good advice.

[@gtretroworld]

@@Industrialsoundfanatic No problem and thanks for visiting the channel.

[@andycarless9069]

Nice clean job 👍👍

[@gtretroworld]

Thanks Andy 👍

[@KH07734]

Yet another mod where a blob of solder is used…. There is supposed to be a zero ohm surface mount resistor at 1/10 watt installed to make the connection.

[@gtretroworld]

There is absolutely no difference between this and a Zero ohm resistor, maybe the resistor would look prettier but that’s it. Even the Yaesu paperwork quotes use a solder short and probably every tech and shop is doing the same.
Thanks for visiting the channel.

[@KH07734]

@@gtretroworld I beg to differ, The whole point of the pads is to employ a break in the circuit as protection with a 0 ohm resistor at a very low current rating to pop or break when a back feed or over current is applied and to protect the downstream components. If it were as easy as a blob of solder it would have a jumper point so it can be jumped. I guess we agree to disagree. although my 2 electronics degrees will steer me in the right direction.

[@gtretroworld]

@@KH07734 You will find most of the time the only reason 0 ohm resistors are used is it is loads easier for a machine to fit them over a link. The chance of even a low current resistor popping across this area and acting as protection would probably never work in my opinion and allow as much current through it anyway, well maybe not as much but you see my point. Anyway I always welcome any comments but maybe you should contact Yaesu as like i say this is exactly to there specific instructions and has been for decades across multiple radios. Thanks again.