[ICOM] Re 746 Pro Puzzle

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

What must I do to enter a frequency direct using the key pad on the Icom 
746 Pro?	
	
Normally I use an external key pad made by W2FS, John Hansen, that plugs into
the data jack on the rear, but it is not functioning at the moment. I must 
enter
the frequency by using the key pad on the front of the icom 746 Pro instead.	
	
I thought that I had to be in the VFO A mode, press the 'F/INPT' button one
time, press the key pad buttons for the frequency - such as 52.525 and 
press the
'F/Inpt' button again. Apparently not! I get a beep that means an error.	
	
The frequency I want to enter shows on the display, until I press the 'F/INPT'
button, then it reverts back to the previous frequency.		
	
It is as if I were not in the VFO mode, but the memory mode. Yet I have pressed
the M/VFO button and VFO A shows on the display. However, it does show it as
"VFO A '1'.	
	
Am I simply entering the frequency incorrectly on this 2004 series Icom 746 PRO
or is there some other functions I need to first turn off?	
	
For what it is worth: if I press number five on the key pad it does go to its
preset band of 14 MHZ. 		
	
Thank you for your help. This is 'most' frustrating!	
	
Duane Fischer, W8DBF	
dfischer at usol.com