MARS and CAP Modifications

[Mudfoot]

I've noticed that some retailers are performing these mods upon request for an extra charge. Gigaparts charges around $150 and HRO is $35. Most retailers demanded proof of membership before doing the mods. Now, they leave the legality up to the purchaser. I will say, $35 is a fair price.

Times be changing....

 

[undertaker]

I got my 450D from giga parts. They only charged me about 40.00 for the mars cap mod...

 

[Mudfoot]

Maybe it depends on the radio. I can't remember, but I read where the mod was $150. I just assumed that was their flat rate on all units. I dug a little deeper on both sites. Looks like differing prices based upon rig chosen. I suppose, higher price means more user skill required.

 

[undertaker]

I like the radio im just to dumb to use it!!!!

 

[Mudfoot]

I meant more skill needed to modify the unit.

 

[undertaker]

I understand this radio has so many bells and whistles. I just use it in 11 meters.. I don't know all of the functions even thought I read the manual...

 

[Mudfoot]

I have a triple band HT that I'm about to trade off. I don't use it often, but can't remember how to change settings when I do.

 

[2RT307]

It's been going on for a long time. I had a friend that bought a 746 Pro about 10 years ago, and HRO did it for him then. Truly not many MARS/CAP guys out there for the number of rigs that are converted.

73,
Brett

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I've noticed that some retailers are performing these mods upon request for an extra charge. Gigaparts charges around $150 and HRO is $35. Most retailers demanded proof of membership before doing the mods. Now, they leave the legality up to the purchaser. I will say, $35 is a fair price.

Times be changing....

I agree that around $35 is a fair price for it. $150 is just robbery in my opinion regardless of the radio. In all cases it is simply a matter of either resoldering some jumper pads or removing/adding a couple SMD parts that any tech should be competent enough to do.

 

[543_Dallas]

They used to charge a fee for removing that pesky little green wire from ameritron amplifiers but I don't see that option anymore. Maybe those are sold as the more expensive export models.

 

[Moleculo]

Just send it to me and pay for shipping each way and I'll do it for free. That would give me a reason to play with a different radio for a day or two, maybe write a review...

 

[Hurricane145]

Maybe it depends on the radio. I can't remember, but I read where the mod was $150. I just assumed that was their flat rate on all units. I dug a little deeper on both sites. Looks like differing prices based upon rig chosen. I suppose, higher price means more user skill required.

Some rigs are just more difficult to make the mod. Some you have to dig into the radio quite a ways to get to the components that you need to change. They need much more disassembly. Sometimes you just need to disconnect a wire. Sometimes you have to remove a couple surface mount components which requires more skill, proper equipment, maybe time, etc.

 

[fourstringburn]

The Yeasu FT1000MP was the easiest, it was simple selection in a hidden settings menu.

Too bad the rest of them couldn't be like that.

 

[Mudfoot]

I prefer Alinco's BLUE wire. Caveman can do it.

 

[jon666]

gigaparts charged me 75$ to do my icom 7300
i could have done it myself. but the eyed are not so good anymore. smt
parts are way to small for me.