Subject: HTX202 NOT MODIFIABLE
Greetings HTX-202 Fans:
It seems that human nature dictates that every major item we purchase be
"hot rodded" into something other than what the manufacturer intended. Our
first car, our first radio, and now:the HTX-202. Regardless of the total
lack of necessity for most owners, everyone wants to broad-band the 202.
Perhaps in our evolution, there is a little CB radio mentality left under
the surface. Who knows? But hopefully, I can answer a few questions which have
yet to be answered to the ham community.
The HTX-202 is based on the ICOM 02AT with certain design modifications
besed on Tandy's specs. These variations include encode/decode, additional
memories, and a full width LCD display. Contrary to rumor, no part of the
radio is Kenwood or Yaesu! ICOM sold the rights to their design to Tandy to
do with what they would.
Whan Tandy sought to produce the unit, they went to their usual Korean
source for cheap gadgetry:MAXON. Maxon then built the 202 for Tandy, under
license from Icom. The HTX-202 is surprisingly sturdy, and well constructed,
considering that Maxon has the worst quality control in the industry.
Be that as it may, before Tandy would produce the 202, certain specs
had to be met. Foremost, after the repercussions from their 10-meter rig,
Tandy insisted that the 202 NOT BE CAPABLE OF MODIFICATION! Period.
This worked out well, as the tighter bandpass gives the 202 it's
exceptional selectivity and immunity to intermod. When you brag to your
friends about your tight front-end, just remember that the cost of this
important function, is the lask of ability to kerchunk your local police
department's repeater. Why complain anyway?
Most 202's will not take a BP-7 Icom pack. The BP-8 usually works well.
If the Zener diode in the bottom-feed circuit is bad, only a 9.6-vdc pack
or less will work. A minor headache at the very least.
ALWAYS:Slide off your NiCad pack when using external DC power from
your vehicle or a power supply! Leaving the pack on while mobile puts too
much burden on the Zener diodes, and generates heat at twice the normal
rate. Save your radio... Take off the pack!
Unlike it's Icom brother, the 202 will not top charge an Icom pack
while on external DC power. Refer to the warning above!
HIDDEN FUNCTION:Holding the unction button while depressing the
ight button will cause the display lighting to remain on until the
ight button is pressed again.
HELPFUL HINT:Discard your belt clip... Install a commercial H.T.
"D-swivel" available at any FM 2-way Business Radio dealer. Add the mount
to your belt, and VOILA... No more dropped radios.
WARNING:DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BOTTOM-CHARGE THE STOCK NICAD PACK IN AN
ICOM BC-35 OR CLONE CHARGER. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!
DESIGN FLAW:Some early production (S/N 2500 and down) radios had the
NiCad Zener Diode located too close to the finals, causing final transistor
failure when used on external DC with the pack in place. This was remedied
in production, and Tandy will remedy under warranty.
Hopefully, this will address all remaining questions and rumors in
regard to the HTX-202. It can't be modified. Big deal! It is a sturdy, well-
built, dependable radio and a bargain at the price. Be happy with a great
deal on a great radio. My HTX-202 got me through in an emergency situation,
where my 800-MHz commercial trunked radio failed... That's more than
enough for me!
----- 73 de Jim. N9PEK
P.S.:TNX Tandy... For once, I'm a happy customer!
