Hardware Hacking

There are a few different methods documented, I have inlcuded all of them here.
How to set up for HAM band only or CB/HAM mode.

This first version may not be correct, if it does not work for you try the second version of the mod below.

* Disconnect the power cord.
* Remove mini jumper on the CN1 of front PCB.
* Short two terminals of SMT3 momentarilly to discharge capacitor and reset CPU.
* Reconnect power cord.

HOW TO GO TO CB MODE FROM HAM BAND MODE

* Set ‘FUNC’ button on and press number ‘2′ (call) button for longer than 3 seconds.
* Now pressing ‘2′ button will switch between bands, A B C D E F G H I J.
* Set ‘FUNC’ button on and press ‘2′ button for less than 3 seconds.
* Now you can toggle between frequency and channel display modes.
* Set ‘FUNC’ button and press ‘2′ for longer than 3 seconds to go to Ham mode.

This version was sent to me by a visitor and is confirmed as working on his unit.

* Unplug power cord!
* Carefully remove Warranty Seals (if you use a hair-dryer to warm them, they come off very nicely, what a joke!) and remove cover from radio.
* As you look toward the front vertical PCB you will see the 204 CPU mounted, just below and to the right (looking from the front down into chassis) you will see a small diode, it is near the bottom of the vertical PCB.
* This radio is primarily a SMD design and the diode is a conventional diode, clip it!
* Go to the CPU and on the right hand end you will see a tinned pad at each corner of the chip, short them out!
* Carefully replace the screws and the Warranty Seals.
* Repower the unit.
* Turn it on.
* Tap the FUNC button, hold button #2 for at least 3 seconds, and there it is… Channel 9!
* Tap the Func button and tap the Call (#2) button and you will see the frequency displayed! Reach out and touch someone FreeBander!

This version is different from the first version above, there are two (2) jumpers bridge on the back of the main board called “Con1″, it is not located on the front PCB, and the does not seem to be any “pads” named “SMT3″ to short out the CPU.

Albrecht AE201S Frequency Modifications
This modification allows an Albrecht AE201S to be expanded to 454 channels.

These Mods are for Export Applications Only! Improper use may be in violation of Radio Regulations in your country.

Just press the FUNCTION button, then press and hold the CALL button for about 3 seconds.

Release button and the unit works on 454 channels until the radio is switched off again.

Once switched to 454 channels mode you can toggle between channel number and frequency display by pressing FUNCTION + CALL, by touching the CALL button for a short time.

The mod is to increase the amount of channels of the Albrecht SS485,Dragon TRC-485 or Radioshack TRC-485 that originally comes with 40 channels from 26.965 to 27.405.

The mod is to alter the pins of the 80 pin microprocessor (Albrecht SS485=SY202, Dragon TRC-485 = SY201, Radioshack TRC-485 = HYU4011Q06 FP), so that the pins where either disconnected from the circuit (open) or connected to the circuit (close), for pin 31 (open), pin 32 (open), pin 33 (open), pin 34 (close) the radio then had 400 channels of transmission/reception.

To control the bands you must touch pin 3 of the CPU with pin 29 for one second.

You can re-wire the NB switch to do this (the NB button is connected between pins 3 and 28), this is easy to do, read on !

Refer to the diagram below to assist with the description:

1. Locate the track that comes from the NB switch (SW403) and connects to pin 28 of the CPU, and cut it quite close to the switch (between SW403 and SW405), but not too close, as you need to solder a jumper onto it on the switch side of the cut, (pin 28 is shared with the CH9 button (SW405), so disconnecting the entire track or cutting it after the CH9 switch WILL cause other problems !)

2. After cutting the correct track run a jumper wire from the cut track (on the NB switch side of the cut) to one side of the MODE button (SW404), this MUST be the side that goes to pin 29 of the CPU (the same side that also connects to SW406, the SCAN button), OR if you are not sure you can run a jumper wire directly to pin 29 of the CPU.

3. That is it, your done !

Bands available after the modification:

25.165-25.605
25.615-26.055
26.065-26.505
26,515-26,955
26,965-27,405
27,415-27,855
27,865-28,305
28,315-28,755
28,765-29,205
29,215-29,655

To transmit / receive on all of the 400 channels it is necessary to adjust the VCO.

Enabling Full Band Mode, Version 1

* Hook up radio to power and turn on for a minimum of 10 seconds.
* Turn off radio and disconnect from all power sources.
* Remove Bottom cabinet cover.
* Locate Diode D2 on the vertical Front Panel PCB (see image below), this is the only Non-Surface Mount component found in this area.
*Clip or remove (unsolder) Diode D2.
* Reset the radio CPU by temporarily shorting the two front panel circuit board pads (see below) located near & just right of Black Potentiometer.
* Hook the radio back up to power and turn on the radio.
* Press the FUNC button, then press and hold the CALL button for approx. 3 seconds. The frequency and band indicator ( A-J) will appear on LCD.
* Tap the CALL button to select bands A through J. FCC CB frequencies are on band E.
* To switch between channel and frequency display, press the FUNC button and then press the CALL button.
* When turned off and on again, the radio will always default to original 10 meter settings.
* To automatically return to last used frequency and mode, simply tap #4 button or press the FUNC button and then press and hold the CALL button for approx. 3 seconds.

Enabling Full Band Mode, Version 2

I recently aquired a Titan II and all I had to do was find the four pins at the (conv1) location on the board and jump them (1&2,3&4).

For the Titan II, Black Hawk, AE845, Magnum 257 & 357

Instead of using the func switch and the holding the call button for 3 seconds, program into memory a channel in 11 meters or use LCR. quick and easy.

Enabling Full Band Mode, Version 3

In reference to the Magnum 257 mod, I just got a new one and there’s been a slight change. There is now a “reset board” inside the radio that contains a reset button so you don’t have to short out the board to reset. Also, the diode that you clip to get extra frequencies is no longer there. There is now a jumper on the reset board. You move it from CN1 to CN3 and it opens the frequencies, no cutting/soldering required!

The reset button and jumper are the only differences in the mod, everything else remains the same.