🔼V1.5 Upgrade Instructions

Overview

You can read about the V1.5 improvements here.

This upgrade will require you to open up and modify your VH-109 radio. As with any time you mod a product, there is a risk of damaging the product. Please read these instructions carefully before begin.

In addition to reading these instructions, you should be comfortable soldering electronics, including surface mount components.

What You Will Need

Description
Qty
Notes

VH-109 Rework Kit

1

WestCoast Products P/R: WCP-2492

70W Soldering Iron

1

Solder

1

We used:

63/37 Sn/Pb, .8mm diameter, 2% flux

Solder Wick

1

#2 Phillips Screwdriver

1

Tweezers

1

ESD Tweezers highly recommended

Instructions

1

Remove (4x) Case Screws

Using the #2 Phillips Screwdriver, remove the (4x) case screws shown in the locations indicated above.

2

Remove The Back Cover

Even with the back cover removed, there are four snaps that are keeping it attached. To remove these, you'll need to press on the (long) sides of the back cover until they release.

You can use a flathead screwdriver to pop the back cover off. However, doing this can damage the plastic housings and/or the PCBA.

3

Remove (2x) Resistors

Using the soldering iron, remove the two resistors indicated in the images above.

4

Clean Up Excess Solder

Use the soldering iron and solder wick to remove excess solder. Check to make sure there are no solder bridges between the four pads as this can create problems later.

5

Install Flex PCBA

Line up the flex PCBA from the V1.5 upgrade kit in the orientation shown.

With the flex PCBA in place, solder it in (5) locations:

We recommend soldering in the order shown in the image above as this will help keep the flex PCB in place while soldering.

6

Install The Back Cover

Line up the back cover and then press it tightly to snap it in place. Be careful that nothing gets pinch in the case and that the bottom cover doesn't bulge.

7

Install (4x) Case Screws

Install the (4x) case screws you removed from Step 1.

To avoid stripping the existing threads out of the plastic material, we recommend turning the screw counter-clockwise until you feel the screw click, or drop into the existing threads.

8

Install V1.5 Sticker

Using the tweezers to apply the V1.5 sticker from the V1.5 Rework Kit to the housing, just above the 12V printing above the Weidmuller connector.

More Help

There are video instructions available on YouTube:

If something is not clear, or you are ever unsure of something, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Last updated