It turns out there is a “soft” MARS mod which will allow the owner of either radio to “open up” the transmitter to cover an expanded range. The use of such an “expanded” HT outside of the authorized amateur radio bands is a legal question left to discretion of the user.
Note: Use of this procedure is unsupported, you run the risk of possibly damaging the radio, and radio performance is not guaranteed outside the authorized amateur radio bands in your region.
To “open up” the HT, follow these simple steps, starting with the HT powered off:
- While pressing the PTT and MONI/T.CALL (the button directly below the PTT button) buttons, turn the radio on
- Use the up/down arrow keys to select ________ (Not Needed?)
- Carefully enter the number 62406665
- The radio should reset, with the transmit range expanded.
To reverse the “soft” mod, perform the exact same sequence to restore the original, limited, transmit coverage range.