[ICOM] Icom Service and my IC-820H

[J. Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT]

Mike,
Agree with your service points, but I have had good experiences with
Kenwood's tech support on the phone.

As for the IC820H, I've had one since early in the production and it has all
factory updates.  There was one problem early on with the way the wave
soldering was done, but Steve Kostro, N2CEI of Down East Microwave and I
fixed them and I've had no troubles since.  

I also had Steve do two other mods which I like and you might consider doing
them as well.

1. We stuck a Down East GaAsFET preamp in the 432 receiver...makes a big
improvement, especially since I don't use long coax runs (< 50 ft and
usually hardline)there is no need for remote preamps.

2. We put in a relay inside and two SMA connectors on the small back cover
plate to allow the rig to be changed between 144 MHz operation and
transverter operation.  There is a small switch on the left side near the
rear to change operating bands, but the accessory jack had a spare pin so we
used that to control the use of PTTs for normal 144 operation and 144 IF
operation with transverters for 903, 1296 and 2304 MHz.

The cool thing is being able to listen on 432 while operating 903, 1296 or
2304!  This mod to an IC-821H would be even better with split audio.


73,
Gordon Beattie, W2TTT
201.314.6964
w2ttt at att.net
w2ttt at arrl.net
w2ttt at att.com
 
-----Original Message-----
From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Michael P. Olbrisch
Sent: Wednesday, 30 August, 2006 00:21
To: 'ICOM Reflector'
Subject: RE: [ICOM] Icom Service Center in Washington

 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of AD5VJ Bob
> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 1:41 AM
> To: Icom Reflector
> Subject: [ICOM] Icom Service Center in Washington
> 
> Hi Fellas:
> 
> Haven't been on in a while because my IC-775 that I traded up 
> even for a TS-2000 (best deal I have ever made) was in the shop
> suffering from dual watch issues.
> 
> The Icom IC-775 is the best rig I have ever owned or operated 
> since 1965.
> 
> But Icom didn't just stop at the immediate issue read-on.
> 
> Again *ICOM TOPS THE REST*.
> 
> Now I know why I keep coming back to Icom, or at least did - 
> Now I am home to stay.

It is THIS kind of service that makes me loyal to ICOM.  My experience with
kenwood has been exactly the opposite, which is why I made the comments I
did yesterday.  Starting with the TS-820 cathode resistors, thru the 4xx
series, and the 930 driver and tuner problems.  There was something in the
940 too, but I forget now.  Internal power supply was it?   Haven't worked
on one in about 8 years.  

I once screwed up an IC-730 installing the LDA card in it.  Got a connector
in wrong, popped a chip inside.  I sent it in to Icom.  I told them that I
- I -  blew it up.  They fixed it for free anyway.

BTW - I rate Yaesu and Alinco somewhere in between.

Your $$$ is a vote.  If you vote for junk be it material or services, they
will continue to make enough of it for the people who like it.  That goes
for radios, cars, houses, repair shops, supermarkets, whatever.

BTW - I am NOT as happy with my IC-820H.  5 major problems in 4 years - it
is the other side of the coin.  I wish it was as reliable as my 3 IC-901As.
I will be looking to replace the IC-820H in the near future and will not
recommend the IC-820H to anyone.  I want something with 144, 440, and 1200
all mode and satellite capable.  Only thing I am sure of is it WILL NOT be
kenwood.

Mike.


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