Modifications for the Yaesu FT-470
FT-470 Undocumented features
The yeasu 470 2 meter/440 handie has a number of
undocumented feature that can add to your enjoyment
of this neat ht. Two modification can easily be
performed from the keypad itself. This first allows
the 470 to function as a 2 meter to 440 crossband
repeater. The second allows you to increase the vhf
receiver range.
Before you can put the 470 into repeater mode, you
need to construct the following cable to p
O---------------L(-----------------------O
L
L
/
8 OhmS
/
/
L
L
L
-----
---
-
'
After constructing and installing this cable on the handie
you need to put it into repeater mode. This is done by setting
the 2 meter receiver transmit frequencies (the repeater does
support transmitting an offset of the receiver frequency). second
turn off the 470, hold down the rpt button on the
keypad and turn the power backions!
Extended receive by the Up and Down Key
Increasing the receiver coverage of the ft-470 is also
very easy to perform. Turn off the 470, while holding down the
up down arrow on the keypad now turn the 470 back on. You
have now increased your receiver coverage to 130-180 MHz.
73'S DE Karl N0IHY @ WB0GDB MSYS @ BBSIHY in bloomington
FT 470 Unlimited (more or less) Rx mod
It's probably best to start with a clean slate, so reset your rig with the
following RESET mod I recently saw on the bbs (I'm sorry but I didn't write
down the contributor)
Put rig on 2m band
Turn rig off
Hold down MR, 2, VFO, and turn rig on
Let go, turn rig off
Turn rig on
Let go, then press DOWNARROW
Now for the actual mod. This mod is outlined for one band, but must be
repeated on the other band (the following mod, not the RESET mod).
Remember, hardware will only support so much. Outside that all you will
hear is transistor noise. (thus it's really not a tragedy that 1450 is the
upper limit.) Another note of interest - after doing this mod you may
observe a repeating pattern of stations as you traverse the spectrum,
as if the band repeats, while the display continues to increment (Upon
doing a similar, but hardware, mod to my FT 411, I noticed this condition
with a cycle of 34.6 MHz. If you want this mod (411) please send
me a note). This condition has been observed on the 411, but hasn't
been verified on the 470. Keep an eye out just the same. You might
also notice this mod is similar to many of the other mods for this rig
sent lately - this is in fact a 'mod'ification of those mods. Thanks to
the original contributor (again, I've lost track of who that was)
-
Make UHF the primary band, VHF the secondary.
-
Tune to 450 MHz.
-
Press FM, RPTSET, and dial 0000 with the keypad.
-
Turn rig off, then on again.
-
Set the RPTSET to "+".
-
Hit REV. Display should read 1450 MHz.
-
Store this in the "U" memory.
-
Hit REV.
-
Tune to 430 MHz.
-
Set RPTSET to "-".
-
Hit REV.
-
Tune down (and ONLY down) to 600 MHz.
-
Press REV. Display should read 000.00 MHz.
-
Store this in the "L" memory.
-
Press UPARROW once to restore to 430 MHz.
To tune in any freq:
Press MR to bring up the U or L memory.
Put rig in MT (memory tune) mode by hitting MR again.
Use UPARROW or DOWNARROW to scan to freq, then store in mem.
The VFO's operate normally, and TX is still standard.
YAESU FT-470 STRAPS
I Have located a total of eight straps, four to the left of
the lithium battery, and four others located under the flat
white cable that interconnects the upper half with the lower
half.
YAESU FT-470 STRAPS.
R69 Vertical, at the 10 o'clock position by the lithium cell.
R68 Horizontal, to the lower left of R69.
R67 Horizontal, just below R68.
R66 Horizontal, just below R67.
R71 Vertical, the leftmost of three, to the left of the upper corner of the ribbon cable connector.
R70 Vertical, the center of three of which R71 is the leftmost.
R72 Vertical, the rightmost of the three.
R74 Vertical, to the left of the ribbon cable connector, below the three. (Note that R74 is below an unpopulated capacitor that does not have a C number.)
There is no R73, or at least it is not on the circuit board
and it is not in the schematic. And, yes, the order of those
three is indeed R71, R70, R72, left to right.
R70, R71, R72 select the mode for the UHF portion of the
FT-470. The choices are :
UHF CHOICES
-------------------------------------------------------------
R71 R70 R72 Rx and Tx. Receive only
-------------------------------------------------------------
0 0 0 430 to 440 Mhz 430 to 500 Mhz
0 0 1 430 to 450 Mhz
0 1 0 430 to 440 Mhz
0 1 1 432 to 438 Mhz
1 0 0 430 to 440 Mhz
1 0 1 220 to 225 Mhz
1 1 0 430 to 440 Mhz
1 1 1 210 to 235 Mhz
-------------------------------------------------------------
R66, R67, R68 and R69 select yhe mode for the VHF portion of
the FT-470. The choices are :
VHF CHOICES
-------------------------------------------------------------
R66 R67 R68 R69 Rx and Tx Receive only
-------------------------------------------------------------
0 0 0 0 144 to 146 Mhz 130 to 180 Mhz
0 0 0 1 144 to 146 Mhz
0 0 1 0 1260 to 1300 Mhz
0 0 1 1 1240 to 1300 Mhz
0 1 0 0 140 to 150 Mhz 130 to 180 Mhz
0 1 0 1 140 to 174 Mhz
0 1 1 0 303 to 343 Mhz
0 1 1 1 8AL to 242 Mhz
1 0 0 0 144 to 148 Mhz
1 0 0 1 144 to 146 Mhz
1 0 1 0 1240 to 1300 Mhz
1 0 1 1 404 to 444 Mhz
1 1 0 0 140 to 160 Mhz
1 1 0 1 1260 to 1300 Mhz
1 1 1 0 101 to 141 Mhz
1 1 1 1 1R3 to 158L Mhz
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Note: The receive only ranges are enabled by powering up the
unit with the up and down arrow buttons depressed...)
When there is more the one combination which has the same
frequency range, the difference is the default step size
and/or the default repeater offset. Of course, choices that
do not match the VCO and filters do not actually transmit or
receive on those frequencies. A particularly strange example
is that the VHF side of the set can be set to tune from 404
to 444 Mhz, but again, it won't actually lock. Even in the
101 to 141 mode, the VHF VCO will not lock - this mustbe for
use with some other sort of VCO (It looks like this would
cover the aeronautical band rather nicely.) There are two
really wierd VHF settings, those for 8AL to 242 and 1R3 to
158L. These must be for use with some other LCD controller -
it displays truly unusual and non seguential thins when
stepped through the "bands".
R74 seems to have something to do with something like
selecting the IF frequency, or something else like that. When
set, it really srews up the VHF reception.
My technique for determining these straps is to remove the
straps that come in the unit, solder wires to each pad, run
the wires out of the unit to a bank of DIP switches, screw
the unit back together, and the go trough all of the DIP
switch combinations. I usually use a stereo microscope and 30
guage wire for this. Since I didn't try powering the unit on
with every combination of keys held down for each DIP switch
combination, there may still be other secrets possible.
TRANSPONDER
The unit does a very good job as a cross-band repeater.
To enable this, turn off the radio, hold down the 'RPT' key
and turn on the radio. Now, anything heard on EITHER band
will be re-transmitted on the other band. There are, however,
a few problems.
First, there is no real internal path for the audio to get
from the receiver to the transmitter, so you either have to
modify the radio, to provide a path, or do what I did which
is to build a short loop back cable connecting the tip of the
earphone jack to the tip of the microphone jack like this:
Mick <-------------IIIII------------> Ear.
100Kohm
This is the way I did it, others have talked tohave used
either just a resistor like me or a small capacitor, or a
combination. On my radio, this value of resistor gave me a
good range of transmitted audio levels by adjusting the
volume control.
The other small problem is that the radio automatically
selects low power on transmit in this mode. This is probably
because of the lack of a real duplexer.
Sensitive for the FT-470, from 130-180, to 430-500 MHz
MHz µV
130 1
135 0,44
140 0,22
145 0,21
150 0,26
155 0,6
160 0,9
165 2,4
170 8,1
175 27
180 90
430 0,21
435 0,21
440 0,21
445 0,21
450 0,24
455 0,31
460 0,5
465 0,9
470 1,2
475 1,3
480 2,9
485 6,9
490 5
495 6,9
500 14
YAESU FT470 cross-band repeater
If you turn on the radio with the RPT key depressed, the radio becomes a
crossband repeater. Dial up two frequencies you want to crosslink (be sure
to pay attention to transmit offsets, if any), turn the radio off. Depress
the RPT key while turning it back on.
The tone encode/decode flags and the
-+ flags will be flashing. When either band's squelch opens, the other band
is moved into the primary frequency display and the transmitter keys.
Note that the power output is decreased to LOW power. I made up an audio interface,
using a mini and sub-mini phone plug. Tie the grounds together, and connect
the center pins through a 0,01 uF cap. and 47K resistor in series.
Adjust the volume control to about the 11 O'clock position. It work for both simplex
cross-band and using a repeater on one band and a simplex freq on the other
band. You do have to wait for the repeater to drop before you transmit on the
simplex freq.
Software RX frequency expansion
-
Program 144.000 simplex into VHF vfo.
-
Press Function key F/M and then press RPT key to obtain the repeater shift.
-
Enter the code 0000 (four time zero).
-
Turn the radio off and then back on.
-
Press the RPT key twice to set + offset.
-
Press REV key once. Now display is 1.144.000 MHZ.
-
Enter this freq. into the U memory (Upper scanning limit) without the repeater offset.
-
Now from 1.144.000 MHZ with + displayed in VFO, go to 1.100.000 MHZ. The
fastest way is to push F/M key and DOWN key but if you pass 1.100.000 MHZ,
you will need to restart from the beginning.
-
Push REV key to obtain 100.000 MHZ on the display.
-
Enter this into the L memory (Lower scanning limit) without the repeater offset.
-
Enter a value of 200.000 MHZ in U memory.
-
Now you can use the two limit memories L AND U as a third VFO able to scan
from 100 to 200 MHZ (push F/M and MR when you are in L memory).
-
For UHF repeat same process at UHF vfo starting from 430.000 MHZ to obtain
a range of 400 to 500 MHZ.
-
The sensitivity is lower than specifications outside the amateur band, but
there are many transmitters you can stil monitor.
-
After this modifications restore your repeaters offsets.
***TURBO SCAN*** 20 frequency in sec
The way to get it to turbo scan is easy. it's done all on the key
board. here's how it goes:
-
Bring up your main band and your sub band on screen
-
Press fm then the alt key
-
Press either the up or down button to scan in alt mode
-
Open sql and look at your main frequency
a) if it stopped on a uhf frequency close sql and try again until
you get a vhf frequency on main band
-
Now comes the easy part. while the sql is still open hit the vfo button
-
Close the sql and hit either the up or down to scan again.
Bang!!! you got it at 20 frequencies per second.
***To get out of this mode***
-
Hit either the up or down button to stop scan mode
-
Hit the fm button
-
Then hit the alt button right after and your back in regular mode.
You will not loose any memory with this mode
VHF xmit and UHF recive
Here is a reposting of the mod to extend the receive range of the new
Yaesu dual band handie to 130 - 180:
-
Turn radio OFF.
-
Hold down both UP and DOWN arrows.
-
Turn radio back ON.
I will trade the mod for VHF xmit for one to open up
UHF for recieve...I want to listen to UHF public
service (450-470).
To enable VHF transmit:
-
Open the radio such that the two halves open
like a sandwich.
-
Locate the internal lithium battery
-
Locate several solder pads to the left of the lithium battery.
-
Just to the top left of the lithium battery is
ONE vertical solder pad. It is almost under the
top left edge of the battery.
-
solder a jumper accross this pad.
Notes:
The other solder pads do several things, none of which seemed
interesting to me: one set VHF band to 144-146, one replaces
2m band with 1260Mhz (would be nice if there was a 1260 Mhz
RF module available...), two others seem to disable the
squelches for the separate bands...etc. like I said, not
too interesting.
Also note that for some reason the automatic repeater shift
(- offset below 147, + above etc...) goes away when you
enable VHF xmit using this mod. I guess you can't have your
cake and eat it to. Oh well...
1240-1300 TX & RX...and...220-225 MHz TX & RX
I have been reviewing the ft-470's capabilities for some time now, and was
just wondering if anyone out there in rf land has done two neat mods that i
have here! we all know that by removing r69 and jumppering it, you will be
able to tx & rx from 140-174 mhz! well, further reviewing made me quite curious!
There are two more mods that you can do with only two (2) micro dip switches,
which will give you: 1240-1300 tx & rx...and...220-225 mhz tx & rx! gee, that
is two more ham bands, and with the aid of the dip switches, we have a total
of 4 ham bands! this idea is not mine in it's entirety, it has been here for
some time, but with only two dip switches it is a welcome treat indeed!
for the vhf side of things:
Remember r69 that you removed and jumpered? well, if you remove r68 and and
a dip, when you engage the switch it will give you 1240-1300 mhz tx & rx! you
see, it actully takes two switches, one for r69 and one for r68. Well, r69
is already done so don't worry about it! and when you disengage it, it will
perform as normaly as it did before!
UHF side of things:
If your rig already can tx from 430-450 mhz, you are half done! when this
mode was performed, you removed and jumperedr72, right? now, all you have to
do is remove and jumper r71, which will coexist with r72, and get 220-225 mhz
tx & rx! gee, that was neat huh!?
Of course, you did use a dip switch for r71, right!?
I recieved the mods from my local bbs, and at the moment can not remember
who gave all this neat info, but there is sure a lot of it! i figured that
if you are boared of a certain band, You could change it! i have not done this
yet, and am wondering if anyone out there has, and what type of sucess he/she
had! what kind of tuning was necessary,(if any!) output power, you know, the
rundown bit! well, hope this helps, and again, hats off to all those who contrib
uted!
The mod floating around (for quite a while now) that tells how to get the FT-470 to tx & rx in the 220 & 1250 mhz bands does NOT work. I have this radio and tried the mods for the rig. The rig will convert to those bands,
but only for looks. It niether tx or rx there. I contacted Yaesu directly and they confirmed this. Would ha been a nice touch! Oh well!
Strappings for FT470-R
A2650 FT470 Strappings
TYPE Freq.Range preset freq. Repeater shift
==== =============== ============ ==============
A1 144-148/430-450 144/430 0,6 / 5 Mhz
A2 140-174/430-450 140/430 0,6 / 5 Mhz
A3 140-174/430-450 140/430 0,6 / 5 Mhz
B1 144-146/430-440 144/430 0,6 / 7,6 Mhz
B2 144-148/430-440 144/430 0,6 / 7,6 Mhz
B3 140-174/430-440 140/430 0,6 / 7,6 Mhz
C1 144-146/430-440 144/430 0,6 / 1,6 Mhz
C2 144-148/430-440 144/430 0,6 / 1,6 Mhz
C3 140-174/430-440 140/430 0,6 / 1,6 Mhz
D 144-146/432-438 144/432 0,6 / 1,6 Mhz
F 144-146/430-440 144/440 0 / 5 Mhz
TYPE R66 R67 R69 R70 R71 R72
==== === === === === === ===
A1 x x
A2 x x (TX= 140-150)
A3 x x x
B1 x x x x
B2 x x x
B3 x x x x
C1 x x x
C2 x x
C3 x x x
D x x x x
F
Control Unit jumper position x = Available zero ohm resistor
= open
!-----------------------!
! !
-------------------------------- -----------!
! !
! !
! !
! !
! !
! HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
! H H !
! H micro- H !
! H processor H !
! H H !
! H H !
! H H !
! H H !
! HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
! !
! . !
! R 6 8 / !
! R / !
! R 6 7 6/ !
! /9 !
! R 6 6 / battery !
! R R R == . .!
! 7 7 7 == / !
! 1 0 2 == / !
! == / !
! == /------!
! == /!
! == ./ !
! == !
! ==<stekker bandkabel !
! == !
! == !
! == !
Onderkant print verder niet getekend.......
For packet : power save OFF!!!!
C 3089 and C 3093 out!!!(squelch faster((4,7 uf))
FT-470 9k6 mods
First you have to get the transmitter unit with the BNC connector on it out
of the ft. You have to made the connections to pin 1 and pin 10 of the
430 PLL UNIT (it ist printed )on the rear. Pin 1 is ground an pin 10 will
be the new RX. Use aprox. 10 cm cables.
Know the TX: You can reassemble the unit because the point you need is on the
front of it. What you need is pin 11 on IC 10487 (it is under the shield).
Pin 1 of 10487 is marked with a dot and it counts against clockwise.
The guy who have done this recommended to use 10KOhms resistors in line.
The TX switch is like in 1200bd packet.
So Peter, i hope this will help you.
As you can see I have some problems in finding the right word for the
electrical things ... sorry.
Full Reset
Effect: Severe! :-)
-
Make hard (paper) copy of all memory info
-
Turn radio off
-
Hold down VFO and MR and turn radio on
-
Replace all memory contents
Notes:
This will reset the auto repeater offset function, so
you will need to re-enable it if you use it. This will also
disable (mask) all memories except #1, so you will have to
enable each of them by hand.
FT-470 Clone Mode
Effect: Allow editing of transmit and receive frequencies.
1) Turn radio off.
2) Hold down F key and turn radio on.
Result: All segments of display are turned on. The radio
will send data out the microphone tip when up-arrow is
pressed. The radio will receive data when the down-arrow is
pressed.
Hyperscan Mode on the FT-470
-
Go into Alt mode by pressing [F] 2 (Alt).
-
Press the Up or Down Arrow to activate the Memory Scan.
-
When the Scans stops on a VHF frequency on the Left Display (The
Main Band), Hit [F] VFO.
-
Press the Up or Down Arrow to activate the HyperScan.
-
To Stop the Function, Press [F] Alt.
A preliminary guess is that there is a software loop underway
in the VFO and the Memory Scan features. By pressing these sequences
of buttons, the register holding the delay count is changed , resulting
in a faster loop.
This counter shows the number of hits since the
9th February 2000
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