FT50R - Software Modifications Ingra-Beton@t-online.de, Date: 31.03.97 ======================================================================== This is modification of the first version, with same fix up's, typing error corrections and better explanations (one Example too). The Problem: ------------ I have purchased a FT50R a couple of days ago and tried to make the MOD's as described by Bill Childers (KE6VVW). The removal of the solder jumper Nr.1 worked just fine and the MARS/CAP was there. But as I tried to make the Trick to pull the adapter cable out of the radio, ..., that don't work. RT Systems says: > The firmware inside the radio has been changed so that pulling the plug > will not toggle the radio into a European mode. This change was made in > radios with the 3rd and 4th digits of the serial number greater the 05. > -- > Rod, RT Systems Amateur Radio Supply, Huntsville AL. > Sales 1-800-723-6922, Tech 1-205-880-3093 So I had to find something else, here it is. This is a method to do any MOD to your FT50R. The procedure is very simple and fast done: 1. You make a template from your FT50R 2. Change 3 Bytes in the template 3. Upload the template to your FT50R So you can switch to any BAND, you don't have do hardware interventions or similar staff like pull the adapter cable out, ... If you want do return the FT50R to its original state, just upload the old (unmodified) .TPL to the Unit. Information and explanations: ----------------------------- All MOD's can be made by software only. To do the MOD's you need the ADMS 1C Software (I am using the 1.05 Version) and a HEX editor to manipulate the .TPL file (I am working with .TPL file's only) I am using HIEW 5.24 (Hacker's View) but any HEX editor will do the job (PCT, Norton, Multiedit, ... ) Everyone has noticed the problem after making same MOD's to the Unit that the old .TPL files can not be uploaded to the Unit any more. There is a simple protection scheme (2 bytes) that prevents uploading a .TPL file from a different hardware configuration to the Unit. This is a description how to bypass this protection. By uploading a .TPL file with different hardware configuration, ( from a other Unit or just to change the 2 bytes) the Unit will be assigned to this new configuration. First a description of Terms and Positions: 1. Current_Byte ............... This is the Byte that tells the current Status (Hardware configuration) of the Rig, you can get this Byte as follows: - Make a .TPL file from the Rig.(Menu: ) - Edit the .TPL File with e HEX Editor. v this is the first byte* - On the File Address 05E2 is the sequence 07 XX ^ Current_Byte (Addr.:05E3) - The Current_byte can be in the Range from 00 to 06. - *the first byte is usually 07, by experimenting with nonstandard Numbers you can change this byte also. (03 or same other value, but very rare) 2. Key_Byte (Security Key) .......................... The Key_Byte is at the same place as the Current_Byte, but in the .TPL file you intend to upload. If you want to upload a .TPL File to the Rig, the Key_Byte must match the Current_Byte (that means that the Hardware configuration of the Unit and the .TPL file you intend to upload must be the same). Just change with the HEX Editor the Key_Byte of the .TPL file you intend to upload to be the Current_Byte and you can upload anything (any .TPL file) to the Rig. !!! No more CERR Messages !!! (As mentioned in 1. if you change the first byte, you have to change this) (byte also (in the .TPL File you intend to upload) to be the same Byte as) (in the Template you have just made to read the Current_Byte. ) 3. Band-Set_Byte ................ - Edit the .TPL file you intend to upload with e HEX Editor v* v Sub_Band-Set_Byte (Addr.:0CE8) - On Address 0CE6 is the Sequence 07 XX XX ^ Band-Set_Byte (Addr.:0CE7) This Byte tells the Rig to switch to Band XX (XX is a Nr.between 00 and 06) To change the Band simply change the Band-Set_Byte to the desired Number. After Uploading the Modified .TPL File to the Rig, it switches to the desired Band and the Current_Byte becomes the Band-Set_Byte. That means if you want to upload later something else to the Rig, you have to change in the .TPL File you intend to upload the Key_Byte to the new Current_Byte (with the HEX Editor). The Sub_Band-Set_Byte tells the Rig in with Sub Band to switch (see Table) *The byte (0CE6) is usually 07, rare 03 or same other number. Example ....... Now, to do a band change do as follows: - let's assume you have BAND_A1 (USA) and want to switch to BAND_F3 - make a .TPL file from your unit (let's assume original.tpl) - copy the original.tpl to mod1.tpl (this file we are going to upload) - read the Current_Byte from original.tpl (as described in 1) (for the BAND_A1 we assumed you have it will be 01)) - set the Key_Byte in mod1.tpl to be the Current_Byte (01) (as described in 2). It is logical that the Key_Byte will already be 01, you've just made the copy, but it is a matter of principle, keep reading. - set the Band-Set_Byte in the mod1.tpl to 00 (for the BAND_F) - set the Sub_Band-Set_Byte in the mod1.tpl to 03 (for the Sub BAND F3) - upload the mod1.tpl to the unit. - power off, power on, now you have BAND_F3, DONE. - let's assume you want to switch now to BAND_B2a - make a .TPL file from you unit (let's assume temp.tpl) - read the Current_Byte from temp.tpl, it will be 00. (BAND_F) - copy the original.tpl to mod2.tpl - set the Key_Byte in the mod2.tpl to be the Current_Byte (00) - set the Band-Set_Byte in the mod2.tpl to 02 (BAND_B) - set the Sub_Band-Set_Byte in the mod2.tpl to 01 (Sub BAND B2a) - upload the mod2.tpl to the unit.? - power off, power on, now you have BAND_B2a, DONE. and so on ... Here are the MOD's (Band's) available: -------------------------------------- I 00 01 02 03 I <- Sub_Band-Set_Byte (Address 0CE8) -------------------------- 00 I F1 F2a F2b F3 I 01 I A1 A2a A2b A3 I 02 I B1 B2a B2b B3 I 03 I C1 C2a C2b C3 I 04 I D1 D2a D2b D3 I 05 I H1 H2a H2b H3 I 06 I FrEE FrEE FrEE FrEE I -------------------------- ^ Band-Set_Byte (Address 0CE7) When you set the Rig in a band (with the Band-Set_Byte) then you can switch from Sub Band X1 to X3 (if solder jumper 1 removed) with the key sequence: - Hold Lamp and Knob by powering_on to switch to X3 Subband - Hold Lamp and Knob by powering_on (you will see ALRST prS5) and then press the function key to switch to X1 Subband The TX for the X3 Bands is: BAND SUB_Band TX F 3 120-222 320-500 A 3 140-174 420-470 B 3 140-174 420-470 C 3 140-174 420-470 D 3 144-146 432-438 H 3 144-148 430-450 FrEE 50-300 300-540* *It will TX from aprox. 118-233 and 312-508 RX from aprox.71-540 and 590-999 depending from the Unit. The Sub Bands 1,2a and 2b are with restriction variations in TX and RX and I am to tiered to examine them closely and write them down. I guess that they are not very interesting. ARS lost - effect ----------------- The FT50R has e BAND_PLAN like database and depending for witch country your unit is configured (A,B,C,D & H) it is using the repeater database? from his Memory for that country. It is understandable that for the BAND_FrEE and BAND_F (TX:120-221&320-499) there is no data in the database because those band's are not for any specific country. That is why the ARS does not work any more, and not? same mess up (magic) in the memory of the unit. That does not mean that it is not possible to enter additional data to the ARS memory database (I am working on it). If you want to use the ARS again you just have to switch it into any ordinary country BAND_X and it will work again. Original .TPL file ------------------ If you don't have a original .TPL file, you can make (improvise) one: 1. Start the ADMS 1C software 2. Goto the File Menu and save a .RDF file as original.rdf (don't download anything from the Unit, don't use a template) 3. Change with a HEX editor the first 3 bytes from RDF to TPL 4. Set the Key_Byte in this file to be the Current_Byte of your Unit 5. Rename the original.rdf to original.tpl 6. Start the ADMS 1C and upload the original.tpl to the Unit. This will switch your unit to BAND A1 (USA), ARS will work again ! Disclaimer: ----------- Don't TX and RX at frequencies that you are not allowed to! I do not guarantee the validity of this information, as Yaesu may change programming or hardware so that some of the techniques in this document may cease to function. I am not responsible if these instructions damage your rig in some way. All I can say is that I have performed the following procedures to my unit, and I am quite pleased with the results. Your mileage may vary, etc.