Extended TX for the Yaesu FT-857

***WARNING***WARNING***WARNING***

***If you have a newer radio (already tx's on the extended part of 40m - between 7.1mhz & 7.2mhz) this software doesn't work...in fact you don't need to modify your radio at all...unless of course it's to operate illegally on the CB bands!!..***

There are a few programs out there in Internet land that do this job but none easier than 'M0BMN's' WidebanderV4. It also works on the FT-817 and the FT-897.

WidebanderV4 is very very easy to use, first you need a CAT lead (YAESU item CT-62), not the data lead used for audio in/out to the pc. Now check the CAT rate setting of your radio, this is Menu No 19 on the FT857, just make a note of what the value is set to (default for FT857 is 4800bps). With the cat lead connected between the radio and the PC start WidebanderV4, now choose the cat rate for your radio from the pull down menu, next select the com port (serial port) that you have connected the lead to (for most people it will be 1) all you need to do now is choose what you want to do, either wideband the set or return it to standard, just click on your choice, you will get a message telling you its done, now turn off the radio, unplug it from the PC and turn it back on, that's it, radio is now widebanded, to return to standard do the above again and just choose standard and away you go.

If on start-up you get a MSCOMM32 error message there is a easy fix for this...MSCOMM32 is a file that lives on 90% of computers already and is needed if you want to use the serial port for communications...if you get this message then you need to download (link below) and open the mscomm32 folder and then run install.bat...that will install a copy in the correct place for you...now re-boot your PC and re run WidebanderV4 and all should be fine...

Click on the image below to download WidebanderV4

Click here to download MSCOMM32.exe

If an image hasn't appeared please click here to download WidebanderV4

At this point I have to point out to you that the repeater shift settings on the VHF and UHF bands are now disabled, this is not a problem as you can set this back up using memories. If you do the hardware option by removing the covers and resetting the jumpers the same problem still occurs.

Remember, transmitting outside the licensed Amateur bands is illegal. This program is available to help extend the TX on the 40m band. One other point, I'm not holding a gun at your head, you do this at your own risk.