[ICOM] Icom Service and my IC-820H

[Michael P. Olbrisch]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of J. Gordon 
> Beattie, Jr., W2TTT
> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 7:17 PM
> To: 'ICOM Reflector'
> Subject: RE: [ICOM] Icom Service and my IC-820H
> 
> Mike,
> Agree with your service points, but I have had good experiences with
> Kenwood's tech support on the phone.

They were even a problem on the phone last time.

> 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.  

Maybe mine is a lemon.

First, the master osc went out.  Then caps in the pll.  Can't remember the
rest, but right now when you fire it up cold there is very weak audio,
getting stronger as it heats up.  Run it at full power too long and the TX
quits. But it comes back when it cools.

Back when I was a poor soldier I HAD TO fix my own stuff.  Now with the new
career and army retirement, I have the $$$ to fix it, but not the time
anymore.  As many problems as it has given me, I will replace it instead of
fix it.  I'll list it on the E-place as a tech-special-as-is.

I need something multi-mode on 1296 anyway.
 
> 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.

I have SSB electronic (2000s) at the antenna.  And my 2.4 stuff is so good I
need 9dB of attenuation to set the noise floor to S-0.

> 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.

I have a similar switch.  Got to be careful not to transmit into the D/C.

Thanks.

Mike.