[Icom] ICOM ic756 screensaver?

[Jerry Flanders]

I tried researching this question (LCD projected MTBF) several years ago 
when we were discussing this same question in regard to the original 756 
monochrome display. I found that "typical" ratings for LCD displays are 
such that we should expect failure within perhaps 10 years for an average 
unit. I don't remember the MTBF figures, but I converted it and came up 
with the 10 year figure that I do remember for sure. I found this info with 
a GOOGLE search, so one could probably do it again today.

I suspect that collectors will not be able to find many fully functioning 
LCD radios in the distant future. Maybe an aftermarket industry will pop up 
to keep the old ones going. I don't expect ICOM to stock spares forever.

I just expect to purchase the latest/greatest every 3-4 years and avoid the 
problem that way. I had the original 756 then, and have the PRO now...

Jerry W4UK

At 13:24 2/14/03 -0500, you wrote:
>Thank you for your experience as to LCD failure history.  From your post, I
>am not sure, however, if you are referring to LCD displays in general or to
>the Icom displays specifically and not all displays are created equal.
>There have (in the recent past) been posts relative to failures of the
>original '756 display though I *believe* this is a failure of the active
>display, not the backlighting source.  I fully concur that cycling a
>fluorescent tube on/off can indeed be more damaging than leaving it on but
>these tubes still have a finite lifetime.  Since the Icom displays do have
>a menu settable brightness level, the hardware exists to allow the display
>to be "backed off" without literally shutting it down.  I would be
>interested as to any data that shows how the life of a fluorescent display
>(or backlight source) is affected by intensity reduction (and method of
>same); we know that an incandescent lamp's can be strongly extended by
>reducing the current to same.
>
>My intent here is not to raise issues about a nonexistent problem but a
>proposal to (perhaps) enhance these superb radios.  I know of no
>(published) data on the MTBF for the Icom displays (or backlights) and we
>all have experienced how "Murphy" can rule when it comes to timing and the
>use of equipment.  Fixes may indeed be easy (though not necessarily cheap),
>but downtime can be a killer; not everyone has the good fortune to have
>spares sitting on the shelf.
>
>If something can/could be done to improve reliability of equipment,
>especially if it is low cost, IMO, it should be considered or at least
>discussed.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Tom - WA2BPE
>
>
>"Mel Martin (VE2DC)" wrote:
>
> > The life expectancy for LCD VDUs is pretty good based on our experience
> > at work for about 4 years... One failure out of about 35 in service...
> > Much better than the CRTs.
> >
> > I think it's debatable if a screen saver would actually be a good
> > thing... Turning the fluorescent tube on and off might be harder on the
> > hardware than leaving it on...
> >
> > And it should be fairly easy to fix...
> >
> > I would suggest that everyone stop worrying and just enjoy the radio
> > unless there is a demonstrable problem...
> >
> > Mel...
> > VE2DC
> >
> > -