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One of my FT817nds (serial no 4H) won’t transmit on the top half of 40m. My other one is fine and this one works on the lower half and on all other frequencies. I’ve just started using this one on 40, previously it’s been 20m and above. Anyone any ideas please? A web search has only brought up “won’t transmit at all”.
Any help gratefully received...
Cheers,
Andy M0DEL
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It is probably set to the earlier European 40m model, 7.000 to 7.1000. ? The ND model cannot be programmed externally, you will need to open it up and do the solder modification. ? Mike – KD5KC -- El Paso -- Texas. ? The canyons are calling, colorful and deep.? But I have promises to keep. And miles to go still in my Jeep...?? And miles to go still in my Jeep... ? 
? ADVENTURE:? The respectful pursuit of trouble. ? ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Andrew Lindley Sent: Tuesday, August 4, 2020 12:17 PM To: [email protected]Subject: [ft817] TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200 ? One of my FT817nds (serial no 4H) won’t transmit on the top half of 40m. My other one is fine and this one works on the lower half and on all other frequencies. I’ve just started using this one on 40, previously it’s been 20m and above. Anyone any ideas please? A web search has only brought up “won’t transmit at all”.
Any help gratefully received...
Cheers,
Andy M0DEL
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Hi Andy – a memory lurking in the back of my mind, didn’t the UK have a
reduced 40m allocation at one time?
?
Perhaps this 817 dates from that time and has the reduced band set
internally?
?
Just a maybe, good luck!
?
Steve VK2ARS
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From: Andrew Lindley
Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 4:17 AM
Subject: [ft817] TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200
?
One
of my FT817nds (serial no 4H) won’t transmit on the top half of 40m. My other
one is fine and this one works on the lower half and on all other frequencies.
I’ve just started using this one on 40, previously it’s been 20m and above.
Anyone any ideas please? A web search has only brought up “won’t transmit at
all”.
Any help gratefully received...
Cheers,
Andy M0DEL
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?Hi Andy,
I had the same issue with my 817. You need to open up the band by either soldering some pads in the head (display) assembly or by using software. Soldering the pads is rather tricky due to the size and space inside so you need to be confident soldering. If I remember correctly you remove Some pads and add others. The software route is the easiest but is not permanent. Both options will give you 7.0 to 7.2MHz TX.
Google “M6PWLradio” and look under Useful Information, I have a copy of Yaesu’s official method to open up the frequencies. Unfortunately I can’t remember where I got the software from but I found it with Google.
Best regards
Mike Mynn (M0PWL)
De Mike - M0PWL Isles of Scilly, IN69UV, EU-011
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On Tue, Aug 4, 2020 at 06:24 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote:
It is probably set to the earlier European 40m model, 7.000 to 7.1000.
?
The ND model cannot be programmed externally, you will need to open it up and do the solder modification.
Still worth trying a PC/Software based MARS mod, my rig is an early 'ND' model and took a software mod ok. Rgds, Peter..... ? -- Peter..... (G1FXE)
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FWIW my elderly FT817 needed “expanding” to cover the extended portion of the 40m band, I did mine via the “jumpers” sadly a side effect is losing the ARS functionality.
73 de G0FVT
?
Sent from for Windows 10
?
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That is interesting…….. I had always thought-heard-been told only the FT-817 could be opened up with software.? One of the “improvements” of the FT-817ND was that it took a physical MOD to open up the frequencies.? And he clearly stated he has an FT-817ND. ? Which software do you use to open the FT-817ND please?? Got a URL for download or a place to purchase? ? Thanks - VERY much. ? ? Mike – KD5KC -- El Paso -- Texas. ? The canyons are calling, colorful and deep.? But I have promises to keep. And miles to go still in my Jeep...?? And miles to go still in my Jeep... ? 
? ADVENTURE:? The respectful pursuit of trouble. ? ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Mike Mynn Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 1:28 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ft817] TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200 ? ?Hi Andy,
I had the same issue with my 817. You need to open up the band by either soldering some pads in the head (display) assembly or by using software. Soldering the pads is rather tricky due to the size and space inside so you need to be confident soldering. If I remember correctly you remove Some pads and add others. The software route is the easiest but is not permanent. Both options will give you 7.0 to 7.2MHz TX.
Google “M6PWLradio” and look under Useful Information, I have a copy of Yaesu’s official method to open up the frequencies. Unfortunately I can’t remember where I got the software from but I found it with Google.
Best regards
Mike Mynn (M0PWL) ? Isles of Scilly, IN69UV, EU-011
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Thanks for all your suggestions. I did wonder about the old uk allocation but thought it was expanded before the nd was released. I’ll let you know when I’ve got it sorted. Probably not immediately due to other commitments ?
73
Andy M0DEL?
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Go dkmod. They have all the info on this.?
Cheers. Owie. ?vkyba@...
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On Wed, Aug 5, 2020 at 12:06 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote:
Which software do you use to open the FT-817ND please?? Got a URL for download or a place to purchase?
?
Thanks - VERY much.
?
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Mike – KD5KC -- El Paso -- Texas.
Apologies for the delay Mike, i have to dig through my software archive to find the answer. The application i used was called 'softjump', this appears to just change a 2 byte value in the rig and it stores the previous value to revert the mod. I was real suprised i still had the app & the file to revert given now long ago i extended my 817 ! It may still be available for download (google search suggested), if not let me know and i'll share it with you. 73 ? -- Peter..... (G1FXE)
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Thanks to all who responded. I tried the Widebander software mod (Thanks Robin G4JDO) but to no avail. Plucked up the courage & downloaded the Yaesu jumper mod sheet and reset the jumpers and all’s working great. I kept a record of my settings and restored them and the little rig is as good as new (and transmits everywhere I want it to ?. Hardest part of the mod was reseating the ribbon cable!
73 de
Andy M0DEL
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On Wed, Aug 5, 2020 at 10:25 AM, Peter (G1FXE) wrote:
Still worth trying a PC/Software based MARS mod, my rig is an early 'ND' model and took a software mod ok.
Rgds,
Peter.....
Fyi, my rig is a '4E' serial number. ? -- Peter..... (G1FXE)
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Very good. ? I was pretty much certain the software mod DOES NOT WORK for the FT-817ND.? Even though someone said it worked for him, I wasn’t buying it.
Glad you got it working.? Enjoy. ? Mike – KD5KC -- El Paso -- Texas. ? The canyons are calling, colorful and deep.? But I have promises to keep. And miles to go still in my Jeep...?? And miles to go still in my Jeep... ? 
? ADVENTURE:? The respectful pursuit of trouble. ? ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Andrew Lindley Sent: Friday, August 7, 2020 7:41 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ft817] TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200 ? Thanks to all who responded. I tried the Widebander software mod (Thanks Robin G4JDO) but to no avail. Plucked up the courage & downloaded the Yaesu jumper mod sheet and reset the jumpers and all’s working great. I kept a record of my settings and restored them and the little rig is as good as new (and transmits everywhere I want it to ?. Hardest part of the mod was reseating the ribbon cable!
73 de
Andy M0DEL
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On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 08:56 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote:
?
I was pretty much certain the software mod DOES NOT WORK for the FT-817ND.? Even though someone said it worked for him, I wasn’t buying it
?It was me who said it. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't make it not possible. As i said my ND was an early model (4e serial) perhaps they changed things after that run ? -- Peter..... (G1FXE)
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Perhaps you have an early “ND” with the non-ND panel unit.? Often when there is a major change in progress, there are a few “abortion” units made from new parts here but old parts there as they use up the last of whatever they have on the assembly lines.? ? The panel unit change was made somewhere at Lot-30, or so says the bulletin.? The ND panel unit uses solder jumpers.? Period. That is what makes them an ND panel unit, it was a requirement to gain type acceptance.? This is clearly defined in the maintenance bulletins put out by Yaesu during that transition period. ? Vy73 – Mike – KD5KC El Paso, Texas – DM61rt ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Peter (G1FXE) via groups.io Sent: Saturday, August 8, 2020 1:50 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ft817] TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200 ? On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 08:56 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote: ? I was pretty much certain the software mod DOES NOT WORK for the FT-817ND.? Even though someone said it worked for him, I wasn’t buying it
?It was me who said it. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't make it not possible.
As i said my ND was an early model (4e serial) perhaps they changed things after that run ?
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)
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On Sat, Aug 8, 2020 at 12:49 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote:
Perhaps you have an early “ND” with the non-ND panel unit.? Often when there is a major change in progress, there are a few “abortion” units made from new parts here but old parts there as they use up the last of whatever they have on the assembly lines.?
?
The panel unit change was made somewhere at Lot-30, or so says the bulletin.? The ND panel unit uses solder jumpers.? Period. That is what makes them an ND panel unit, it was a requirement to gain type acceptance.? This is clearly defined in the maintenance bulletins put out by Yaesu during that transition period.
?
Vy73 – Mike – KD5KC
El Paso, Texas – DM61rt
Mike anything is possible. I haven't disassembled the radio? to have a look. However, I can confirm that the display has the 3 back light colours selectable. ? -- Peter..... (G1FXE)
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That is interesting Peter.
The solder-blob change to the ND version panel unit was a requirement to pass type-acceptance.? Before that, using the software to modify it made it too easy to use the radio in places it was not designed or accepted for.?? I do not believe CB was the issue in this case.? While VFO control of the transmitter is still illegal on CB, I can’t see any free-banding CBer going through the trouble of using an FT-817 on a measly 5-watts when so many other 100W+ radios were available.? OTOH, why do we use the FT-817-series on a measly 5-watts?? Portability!? The FT-817 provides a level of portability that no other SSB-CB radio can match.
Side-note:? I once owned a Belcom LS-202.? That was a 2m-HT.? It worked FM, and SSB!? Someone talked me out of it, and to this day I regret selling it.? And I’ve never seen another.
There were 4 major changes to the FT-817ND.? The software programming was changed to the solder-blob configuration.? The violet back-lighting was added.? The 60m-band was added.? And the final board was improved.? I believe your radio is likely a very rare exception.? If you know, what version did you get?? If you modified it some time ago, you may not remember.? I also wonder if you ever replaced the final board, and if so, was the original the non-ND final?
Long ago I had copies of the Yaesu technical bulletins spelling out the serial number effectivity of the changes.? The change from 817 to 817ND was in lot-30.? I no longer remember how many radios were built in each lot, I only recall is wasn’t an even number that one would expect.? I wonder if you ever tried to decode your serial number totally?
One of the minor difficulties with the USA version of the 817ND was that the USA 60m channels was changed, and CW/digital was also added.? Yaesu made no attempt to correct this in radios already sold.?? However, the free program CHIRP will allow you to edit the 60m frequencies and modes, and I have done so here, adding CW for the two lower channels.? I have considered modifying mine for full 60m coverage for when I visit Europe, but I really cannot recall if I ever made a 60m contact there at all.? I can check that quickly…… NO.? Of the hundreds of contacts I’ve made throughout Europe, not a single 60m contact.? I need to fix that, next visit.
I was talking last night on the local 2m-SSB net.? I was sitting out in the garden using the FT-817ND.? I think there was only one or two stations on the net I could not copy.? Several stations were surprised at how well 5-watts on a rubber duck antenna was doing.? The farthest station I worked was 26 miles away, and the other side of a 7,000+ foot tall mountain.? He mentioned that he had owned an FT-817 several years ago, but sold it.? And hearing me sitting in the garden, he wished he had kept it now.? I told him that in my opinion, 80% ± that sold an FT-817 had bought another within 2 years.? He said it was just about 2 years ago when he sold it, and maybe it was time for another.? We were both laughing about it. ? Mike – KD5KC -- El Paso -- Texas. ? The canyons are calling, colorful and deep.? But I have promises to keep. And miles to go still in my Jeep...?? And miles to go still in my Jeep... ? 
? ADVENTURE:? The respectful pursuit of trouble. ? ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Peter (G1FXE) via groups.io Sent: Monday, August 10, 2020 4:16 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ft817] TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200 ? On Sat, Aug 8, 2020 at 12:49 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote: Perhaps you have an early “ND” with the non-ND panel unit.? Often when there is a major change in progress, there are a few “abortion” units made from new parts here but old parts there as they use up the last of whatever they have on the assembly lines.? ? The panel unit change was made somewhere at Lot-30, or so says the bulletin.? The ND panel unit uses solder jumpers.? Period. That is what makes them an ND panel unit, it was a requirement to gain type acceptance.? This is clearly defined in the maintenance bulletins put out by Yaesu during that transition period. ? Vy73 – Mike – KD5KC El Paso, Texas – DM61rt
Mike anything is possible. I haven't disassembled the radio? to have a look. However, I can confirm that the display has the 3 back light selectable.
?
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)
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On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 01:35 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote:
There were 4 major changes to the FT-817ND.? The software programming was changed to the solder-blob configuration.? The violet back-lighting was added.? The 60m-band was added.? And the final board was improved.? I believe your radio is likely a very rare exception.? If you know, what version did you get?? If you modified it some time ago, you may not remember.? I also wonder if you ever replaced the final board, and if so, was the original the non-ND final?
Mike, As previously I certainly have the 3 colour back light & the 60 metre band. I'll have a look later i the week to see if the solder blob points are there & what PA is fitted. Funnily enough much like your contact I regretted selling my original 817 hence picking up the ND version quickly afterwards. I found it odd at the time that I managed a 'software mod' when my colleagues ND had to be de-blobbed or blobbed (can't remember which) ;-) ? -- Peter..... (G1FXE)
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Hi Mike and Peter
I have been following along here with this discussion, and just
noticed that Peter is and I
would presume have a UK version of the ND. While Mike has a US
version of the ND.
Might that be a possible cause of differences between what is
seen and allowed to
be used to modify the rigs? Just a possible cause of the
difference.
Good discussion though, I did buy my first 817 in 2003 if I
remember right at my
age it is possible I am off a year or two. I sold it in the
middle of the time Ten Tec
came out with the 516 Argonaut so I sold it and got one. During
use I found that
the 516 was not happy with battery power when it dipped below
about 11 Volts which
didn't take to long. Requiring the use of a AC PS and hampered my
portable activities.
So sold the 516 and purchased another 817 in about 2006 which was
again an original
model. Had it every since and is my only working ham rig. Love
it, and I do have a 40W
HFPacker amp model IV that I can boost the power out on the HF
bands but don't use it
very much. On digital modes I find that 2 1/2 watts or 5 watts is
usually enough.
Cheers guys.
Marty kd8bj
On 8/10/20 9:31 AM, Peter (G1FXE) via
groups.io wrote:
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On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 01:35 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote:
There were 4 major changes to the FT-817ND.? The
software programming was changed to the solder-blob
configuration.? The violet back-lighting was added.? The
60m-band was added.? And the final board was improved.? I
believe your radio is likely a very rare exception.? If you
know, what version did you get?? If you modified it some time
ago, you may not remember.? I also wonder if you ever replaced
the final board, and if so, was the original the non-ND final?
Mike,
As previously I certainly have the 3 colour back light & the
60 metre band. I'll have a look later i the week to see if the
solder blob points are there & what PA is fitted.
Funnily enough much like your contact I regretted selling my
original 817 hence picking up the ND version quickly afterwards.
I found it odd at the time that I managed a 'software mod' when my
colleagues ND had to be de-blobbed or blobbed (can't remember
which) ;-)
?
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)
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On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 02:42 PM, Marty Hartwell wrote:
I have been following along here with this discussion, and just noticed that Peter is and I
would presume have a UK version of the ND. While Mike has a US version of the ND.
Marty, You are correct I do indeed have the UK version but it does appear that my rig is somewhat unique in allowing a Softmod as others with UK versions (including my colleague who bought his within weeks of my purchase) are unable to use this method BTW I also have a HFpacker amp..well most of it anyway as I have still to complete the build ! ? -- Peter..... (G1FXE)
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Andy M0DEL