FT23R YAESU FT-23R EXTENDED FREQUENCY RANGE: 'Circumcising' the FT-23R is remarkably simple. Removing one solder blob (pad #7, clearly marked, 10 o'clock position from the speaker, 9 o'clock from the microprocessor) lets the radio receive and transmit from 140.0 to 163.995 MHz. The two circuit boards with surface-mount components are uncluttered. When opening the radio, be careful not to lose the tiny coil-spring inside the battery-release button. I haven't measured receiver sensitivity, nor do I know about performance in big-city RFI; the FT-23R is considerably more sensitive at 162-MHz weather frequencies than is my modified Icom IC-02AT. [source: W9MKV]