VX-5R Modifications
(Hardware)

In the battery compartment of the VX-5R, under the plastic cover, are 8 solder pads.  
Each individual pad is either soldered (CLOSED [X]) or not soldered (OPEN [O]). The 
first 5 pads are thought to control the specific functions of the unit, such as wide 
band receive, wide band transmit, etc.  The last 3 pads are used to set the radio's 
"personality" as to the country.  This controls the automatic repeater shift, splits, 
and in the North American units, activation of the WX scan feature.

There are several different versions of the VX-5R, depending where they are shipped, 
and sold.  This study is a "work in progress" where I request those from other 
countries to send additional information to me in regards to their country, the 
solder blob configuration, and unit designator (A1-Japan, A2-USA, etc.).  E-mail any 
additional info/corrections to: jboehner@DueSouth.net  .

In regards to the first five solder pads, it appears that whenever a solder pad is 
CLOSED, this BLOCKS features of the VX-5R.  For the USA/A2 version, the unit has its 
maximum receive and transmit abilities with all of the first five pads open.  Pads 6 
through 8 set the country, so the USA unit is XOO.  Thus, a full featured USA unit 
would have only solder pad 6 closed, to give it a proper USA personality.  HOWEVER, 
the new USA (A2) units are permanently configured for USA use via the CPU, and you 
cannot change the bandplan via the (last three) jumpers.  USA is XOO for jumpers 
6,7 & 8, but opening them all will not make any difference.  It will still have a USA 
personality.  If you have any doubt, regardless of the USA version you have, just 
solder pad #6 and reset the unit.


Additionally, due to regulations in different countries, Yaesu has apparently made 
CPU changes.  For example, in the USA version, the unit is cellular-blocked, as well 
as the cellular image frequencies.  This appears to be at the CPU level, and not 
restorable (Via the solder pads, you can block these frequencies in a non-USA unit as 
well).  In the Japanese version, wideband transmit cannot be enabled (non-restorable), 
and the unit is shipped to not allow wideband receive (restorable).  I have not heard 
from anyone in France, but generally the FM broadcast band is blocked, as inclusion of 
this subjects the buyer to an additional entertainment tax.


Should you wish to remove or add solder blobs, the safest way (IMHO) is to use good 
solder, and solder wick.  To remove, place the solder wick on the solder blob, and 
place the soldering iron on top of the wick.  The solder should be collected on the 
wick.  With the wick still hot, remove the wick.  The solder blob should be gone.  To 
add a blob, heat both the pad and the solder at the same time.  After adding or 
removing solder blobs, you must do a full reset of the unit:  Hold down MR-VFO-4 while 
powering up the unit, then press the "F" key when prompted.  If you have saved your 
frequency information with the Yaesu ADMS software, you will need to make another 
software template of your transceiver.

It should be noted that Edward T. Grant vx5@geol.com has made an excellent software 
program called "EVE" that can do the modifications via software ONLY!  The only real 
difference is that a full reset of the unit (above) will restore it to its original 
configuration.  EVE can be found here: http://www.geol.com/vx5/ . Thanks go out to Ed 
for his excellent programming skills.

DISCLAIMER(S)-This information was compiled via the internet for educational interest 
only.  Modification of a transceiver may be unlawful and may void Yaesu's warrantee as 
well.  In the USA, modifications might void the unit's FCC certification.  It is 
unlawful to transmit on frequencies where you are not authorized to do so.  In the USA, 
use of the unit to transmit on commercial (non-HAM, MARS or CAP) frequencies is 
prohibited, and reception of cellular or cordless phones is prohibited as well.  Your 
unit may be damaged via any modifications, and all modifications are at your own risk.  
So there<G>!


SOLDER BLOBS-COUNTRY

American (A2)
OOOXXXOO
Or
OOXXXXOO

German (B1)
OOOXXXOX

European(?Designator)
OOOXXXXO

Asian/Finland(B2)
OOOXXOXO

Asian/Hong Kong (B3)
OOOOOOXO

Japanese (A1)
OXOOOOOO

Sweden (B2-58C/B3)
OOOOXOXO


Positions from Left:
1-Unknown
2-When closed, forces RX to ham bands only.  If open, holding BAND+HM/RV+TXPO while powering 
  up toggles between wide RX or ham only RX.  There might be an internal shunt in parallel 
  to the solder pads to force ham-only.
3-800/900 MHz blocks.  It has both an internal shunt AND a diode forcing it to be read as 
  closed even without a solder blob in some models (USA)
4-When open, MARS/CAP transmit (limited)
5-When open, wide band transmit (full)-Freeband

(6,7,8 sets country code.  OOO-Japan/A1, XXO-Europe, XOO-USA/A2, XOX-German/B1, OXO-Asian/Hong Kong/B2/B3)

6-When closed, sets unit to American Personality (WX, proper ARS)
7-When closed, sets unit to Asian Personality
6&7-When both closed, sets unit to European Personality
8-When closed, possibly blocks 6 meter transmit, adds German offsets when solder pad 6 is 
closed as well  (145.6-145.8> -600 KHz, 438.5-439.425> -7.6 MHz)

After changes, do full reset:
Hold down MR-VFO-4 while powering up unit, then "F" when prompted.

Last updated:
4/25/99 10:08:40 AM