[ICOM] Icom 746 Pro

[J. Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT]

Hi Folks!
I love my TWO IC-746PROs and have not had problem with either rig.  These
rigs are both pre-S/N 3351, are always on and live in 70-80 degree
temperatures 24 hours a day, except during lightning storms when they are
off and disconnected.
I also think that they make wonderful IFs for transverters as I have used
them with my DEM transverters.  I have opened up the HF transmit to allow
their use as an 30 MHz IF for my 222 MHz transverter which does not get in
the way of the 28 MHz IF used for 432 MHz nearby.
73,
Gordon Beattie, W2TTT
201.314.6964


-----Original Message-----
From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of flearl at msn.com
Sent: Friday, 24 November, 2006 08:07
To: icom at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [ICOM] Icom 746 Pro

Hello All:
           I've read a number of resources that discuss the 746 Pro, seems
like a lot of radio for the money but also has some common issues with IC151
failing resulting in TX output failure.  Icom has reportedly "fixed" the
problem after s/n 3351 then read I another site where a fellow had the same
failure with a rig in the 35XX range.  Not good. Doesn't seem that everyone
agrees what the problem is, static discharge, heat, or power applied to a
component (IC 151?) at all times causing the failure.  Icom says heat is not
the problem. At least one local fellow had a mystery TX output failure in
his 756 Pro 3 which was attributed to static discharge, everything was fine
one day and then no power output next power up.  No storms, no winds, no
events seem to support that theory.  My question is...Has Icom fixed the
problem with the 746 Pro or is it to be avoided?  How immune to overload on
RX is the 746 Pro?  Are the 6m and 2m sections as good as the HF section of
the rig? How does a 746 Pro compare to a 756 Pro 3 on receive? 
73
Warren NØWF
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