[ICOM] Re: 706 FM problem !

[Casey Raskob III]

All:

    My 4 year old 706 is sick-my "total information awareness" module needs 
to be fixed.

    On 2m FM only, I get a "hash" over received signals.  Strong repeaters 
are 75% signal, 25% hash over that signal.  There's no hash if there's no 
signal...just background noise.  Only when the incoming signal breaks 
squelch.  Best way to describe it is like a stereo.  The left speaker is the 
signal, and the right speaker is white noise.

    I've eliminated Intermod,as this happens everywhere.... run the 
identical antenna system with a different radio for a week and it is 
perfect, and checked SWR, also good.  The other radio is a 2100H, which got 
rave signal reports and had decidedly better RX-no "hash" over the RX.  I'm 
very familiar with my normal routes, and the problem never appeared with the 
2100.

    The 706 was sent to Icom in Washington, and was returned with 
"mechanical items tightened, VCO and PLL peaked"  I'd once peaked the VCO 
myself a few years ago.

    Upon return, the sensitivity was a bit better, but the hash was not 
fixed.  I've eliminated car noise and such.  There's no difference with car 
on or off-and the car is very RF quiet.

    I'm going to send it back again to Icom....SSB and HF all work 
beautifully, was listening to some SW yesterday-all good.  Only FM is a 
problem, but for my uses, VHF is very important.

    Anyone else had this ?  In the alternate, anyone need a 706 for HF-only 
use and I'll get a 7000 ?

    Thanks

    K2FIX