[Icom] 756 VFO Encoder

[Greg Ordy]

    Those of you who go back a few years on this reflector
may remember that I got caught up with trying to locate
a cheaper source for the main VFO encoder in the 756 (and PRO).
The encoder would become "erratic" over time, and the
frequency display would jump and jitter as the knob was
turned. ICOM charges $130 (USD) for the part, so the prospect
of a $25 alternative was attractive. That whole thing somewhat
blew up in my face, as my web page describes.


    I was just contacted by Wolf, DJ3TZ. Apparently the
Kenwood TS-850 uses a nearly identical encoder. His 850
developed the same problems as the 756 - jitter over
time. Wolf did more digging than I did, and he determined that the
problem could be fixed by adjusting the micro trimmer pots
right on the board in the encoder. In other words, over time,
the encoder drifted out of alignment, and exhibited the symptoms
that (sadly) too many of us experienced.

    So, this may be a solution for those with the problem. Getting
at the encoder is no fun, and then you have to make the adjustment
after taking apart the metal case. But, it sounds like it's worth
a try, at least before paying $130 for a single part within a $1000 radio.

    The web page with the details is:

http://www.seed-solutions.com/gregordy/Amateur%20Radio/Experimentation/IC756%20Encoder.htm

    Greg Ordy, W8WWV  ordy@seed-solutions.com