Mars Cap Mod?

[222DBFL]

Undertaker best thing to do when you get that radio is to read the manual. Not trying to be rude at all really. It's just the best thing to do. It will show you how to set the radio up and all the functions and features. Also check out the internet as well and watch some YouTube videos of guys using them on 11m SSB. You'll want to set the RX and TX EQ up and the Compression and many many other things as well. And I promise you will find it all if you just read the manual. Before I ever plugged my Icom 746 in I read the entire operation manual at least twice if not more. That is the honest truth. I learned a lot just by doing that. And also you can use the VFO to get to any frequency the radio will go to with the mars/cap mod. You'll. E happy with that radio. Know of a couple of gents that run them and they sound very good on SSB, 11m. Good radio for the money. Anyhow, read that manual and you'll get the gist of how it works. Then you play with it and get all the settings where you want them. Not truly that hard once you understand what everything does. I learned much and still am learning little things about my radio and I have had it for about a couple years with a lot of use for a while out of it. Have fun with it and make sure you have some good speakers for the receive!! It will truly make a difference with s radio that has EQ and can change a lot of setting to get what you want to hear out versus a regular cb or export radio. Enjoy it!! You'll be wanting another after a while I'm sure LOL!!

 

[undertaker]

Great thank you my friend!!!

 

[Mudduckmobile]

When you get the mod done on the radio how do you get it o go to 11 meters?

As w9cll wrote....scroll the bands. Or put in your favorites in memory.
Read the manual as you wait for the rig to come, then read the manual from the box too it is your best friend.
FT-450D Operation Manual - Yaesu
https://www.yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?...FT-450D...pdf...application%2Fpdf
HF/50 MHZ TRANSCEIVER. FT-450D. OPERATION MANUAL. YAESU MUSEN CO., LTD. Tennozu Parkside Building. 2-5-8 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku ...

 

[fourstringburn]

ok what is the alc meter this is my first real nice rig.

To expand on what W9CLL said, hit the band button until 10 meters shows up (28.000 MHz) then use the VFO knob from there. Most radios remember the last frequency tuned on each band selected to make it easier for the next time. Also consider using memory channels for saving frequencies.

The ALC (automatic limiter control) meter is for setting the mic gain. As W9CLL said, set this for SSB for best audio. Typically set the mic gain so voice peaks stay within the ALC bar graph meter range with a little headroom for voice peaks. This will ensure your audio is loud enough but not distorted or overdriven. The compression or speech processor level settings is automatic by choices in the menu settings for this radio. Using the speech processor will give your audio punch on SSB and is most commonly used by operators. This will affect mic gain settings so check your ALC meter again and adjust mic gain if necessary.

222DBFL said it best by reading the manual preferably now while your radio is being shipped to you so you will be familiar with your radio when it arrives. Compared to CB and exports, it's quite a difference and may seem a little overwhelming at first but you will get and learn to really like how HF radios operate and the fact you have a lot of control of the radio without having to open it up and use the golden screwdriver.

 

[undertaker]

Is there a certain type of antenna I will need ??

 

[543_Dallas]

Is there a certain type of antenna I will need ??

Nope. If you only plan to transmit on 11 meters all you need is a standard CB antenna with pl259 connector. You can still listen to the other bands with it.

 

[Mudduckmobile]

Is there a certain type of antenna I will need ??

I have Sirio 5000 "trucker" antenna w/Breadlove mount. sometimes I remove the Sirio, and use a 102 whip. And when I dx afield I use a fullwave loop antenna. I drive around with the Sirio 5000 as my daily driver center tuned at
27.465. 102 is at .555, and my loop is at .500.
I hope this helps.

 

[undertaker]

Awesome gentlemen!!!!

 

[Mudduckmobile]

It's real fun to listen to the other bands, I'm doing so to learn how to operate.

 

[w9cll]

The ALC is Automatic Limit Control. It's measuring the compression level of your audio. The lower the lever the less compression and better signal quality. You can run it higher when trying to break a pile-up but for general qso's just run it low.

 

[543_Dallas]

It's real fun to listen to the other bands, I'm doing so to learn how to operate.

Don't take any notes from 14.313.

 

[Mudduckmobile]

7192.00

 

[Beetle]

Rather than say RTFM, I'll say RTMF.

Read the manual first.

 

[undertaker]

Ordered radio from gigaprts and I will read the manual.............

 

[Road Squawker]

...(edit) I have a FT450D, ... Hands down the best rig I have had yet. Loved my Optima mk3, the rci2970n4 was fun but a waste of money. FT 450d my first real radio....

Oh Oh,... now you said it....................