Last week, my wife remembered that a husband of a co-worker who was no longer interested, was selling some ham stuff and she scored this on Tuesday for $100.



A Yaesu FT70, hardly used with box, manual. This will be used to monitor ham frequencies and maybe transmit future local ham emergency channels.

But the cool thing is today, I performed the "MARS mod" on it, allowing transmitting on 137-174 and 420-470 MHz frequencies. Yes, GMRS transmissions. It is actually a good radio, works well.

Some “radio Karens” might tell you that’s illegal. I’d do the same mod if I were you though

The clear case version is $10 cheap than the $59 black one I use for the HT home base station. Better display than the BF IMHO.

Edit: looking at the pics, I'd rather pay the extra $10 actually.

(2nd Gen) TIDRADIO H8 GMRS Handheld Radio with Bluetooth Programming, Repeater Capable, NOAA, Long Range Two Way Radios, Walkie Talkie with 771 Long Antenna, Rechargeable Battery - Crystal, 1Pack https://a.co/d/eIWddgw

Or the green for $55

(2nd Gen) TIDRADIO H8 GMRS Handheld Radio with Bluetooth Programming, Repeater Capable, NOAA Weather, Dual Band Long Range Two Way Radios with 2500mAh Rechargeable Battery- Green, 1Pack https://a.co/d/4JLbrZR

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
Last week, my wife remembered that a husband of a co-worker who was no longer interested, was selling some ham stuff and she scored this on Tuesday for $100.

A Yaesu FT70, hardly used with box, manual. This will be used to monitor ham frequencies and maybe transmit future local ham emergency channels.

But the cool thing is today, I performed the "MARS mod" on it, allowing transmitting on 137-174 and 420-470 MHz frequencies. Yes, GMRS transmissions. It is actually a good radio, works well.

Nice!! I think that's going for about $160 locally. It's a more feature rich version, including digital, of what I bought. Mine is analog only. If I buy more, I may buy digital capable versions.

Let me know how you set yours up (Yaesu SW? RT ADMS sw? Chirp?). I bought the Yaesu USB-Serial cable but haven't decided what PC sw to use yet.

The mod is just a desolder / resolder a specific cap?

^^^^^^^^^^^

I haven't done any programming on it, just inputed some frequencies in its memory banks. I haven't even hooked up my Wouxun HTs to a computer, no need for me to do so. But for now, the FT70 is on the back burner, the Wouxuns are my main radios for two-way comms. And yes, the MARS mod was knocking off a soldered resister with a tiny screwdriver, which opens up frequencies for transmitting.

I thought I’d resurrect this thread for my GMRS question..

I have a technician license for amateur radio, but am looking towards GMRS to fill the role of emergency com’s for my small family. My wife has no interest in getting an amateur radio license. Anyway.. she is 7 to 8 miles away at her job during the day. Typical urban sprawl. My problem is there are no repeaters between us, there’s actually only one or two in the area and they’re in the opposite direction. So, my question- is GMRS viable in this situation?

Maybe. Depends on what’s in between you two and how high your antennas can be.

Both radios would be typical handheld and 5 watt’s. No giant antennas. I don’t see how simplex could possibly work.

quote:

Originally posted by dry-fly:
Both radios would be typical handheld and 5 watt’s. No giant antennas. I don’t see how simplex could possibly work.

Wide open flat or hills and trees? GMRS is UHF and carries pretty well if you have line of sight.

One option would be a TD-H8 HAM version, set to unrestricted mode. Gives a legit 8w power (GMRS version is closer to 4 even though advertised at 5)

Use it for regular GMRS use and very unlikely to draw the ire of the FCC.

25-50 watt mobiles could be had for use in vehicles and can be used as a base at home as well

I’ve transmitted 20-30 miles with a handheld with clear line of sight. It all depends on what’s in between you two.