[Icom] Re: Bad LCD's in the IC-756

[Bill Gode, Sr.]

I spoke by telephone to several people at Icom America when my IC-756
LCD began to exhibit blue lines about a year ago.  The radio was 3-1/2
years old at the time and there had been numerous reports of this
failure on the reflector.  After more than three years without a problem
and with a serial number in the supposedly safe mid-3000s, I thought
mine was okay, but no such luck.

Icom's initial response was to act stupid (something that was,
obviously, second nature to them).  When further pressed, they admitted
knowledge of the problem, but refused to agree it was a latent defect,
or assume any costs to repair a radio out of warranty.  

I suffered with increasing intermittent blue lines for the next year,
finally sending the radio to Clif at Avvid Electronics last month. 
<http://www.avvid.com/>  Clif had it repaired and back on the UPS truck
within 4 days, charging $55 labor, plus the cost of the part ($165) and
return shipping.  Clif did a fine job and saved me at least $50 and a
couple of weeks, compared to Icom's quote.  

It's my personal belief that most IC-756s will eventually succumb to the
dreaded blue line disease.  It has nothing to do with serial numbers and
those who brag that they didn't have the problem were just lucky enough
to have dumped their radios before they broke.  

I won't wait to see if the problem recurs on this radio.  It's going
with me to the next hamfest.

Bill, W9NHQ

Ernest Jurusik wrote:
> 
> Joe:
> 
> I sure do agree with you. I sent an e-mail to ICOM
> outlining my LCD problem and asked them if their
> procedure was to replace known defective equipment
> without charge. ICOM didn't even grace me with a
> reply. One reason why I no longer buy ICOM.
> 
> Ernie, W8DCH
>