[ICOM] Icom 7800 Problem ?

[KG4LRU at aol.com]

Too the list 
I been an owner of 7800 since January this year , In fact 3 one used and  two 
new ones. A group of us all bought 7800 at the same time a few serial  
numbers apart.
 
The first radio was used upgraded Roofing Filter radio was just returned  
from Icom with the upgrade purchased from Burghardts in SD from Jim The screen  
would disappear I was able to reinstall the display cable that was not fully  
seated and all was well . I really enjoyed the radio everything worked Just 
Fine  except the screen problem. I liked so much that Bought a new one and 
shipped the  radio who in turn resold the radio T a Buddy of mine in BC Harry  Ve7JH 
in  BC . HE received it and all was well for two weeks Then one day screen 
Flashed  bright white  and radio tripped the rear circuit breaker after 
resetting  the radio did power back up and worked but no power output. The radio was  
returned Burghardts for repair and tradded for a new 7800. ( Harry and I have  
run 781 since the radio was first built) Harry had decided that owning a new 
one  since he owned the 781 so long that he would prefered to own a new unit 
as I did  . Burghardts shipped him a new one . Used one had lost its finals .
 
In the mean time My new 7800 had Two weeks of run Time on it and it Died  
same fate as Harry Used one . Now Harry had  new one  and my new one  was in 
transit back too Burghardts .
 
WE also had a buddy in KC MO KB0VSL who runs a new 7800 Bought from  
different dealer But had serial number very close to ours  his 590, mine  604 Harry's 
616.  WE all used the same antenna s and use out board antenna  Tuners .  With 
talking with Jim at Burghardts and Dan Miles at Icom it was  suggest that 
because we had out board Tuner this caused the problem ,  Understand  that both 
Harry Ve7jh has over 50 years  Naval Radio  Officer and I was first Lic in 
1969. And never had a problem with our 781 or any  other radios in the Shack . 
 
Dan Miles ran  a short Test at Icom on a 7800 It was thought the  radio was 
going into oscillations  causing the finals to go away or  the on board Tuner 
was be left on causing the problem. Need less to say the 7800  passed not 
showing any problems whats so ever.   
 
Burghardts replaced the Both of our radios with new ones . I have had My  new 
7800 now just shy of two weeks with very little run Time since I travel  
weekdays for work. Harry on the other hand  has been operating his everyday  . I 
just received  email from him That his new 7800 ,ser 645 failed .   Bottom Line 
he was in the shack got a call from the XYL to run too the store .  He left 
the radio on his return the radio was off But the red light was not lit.  he 
reset the main switch on the back panel . The radio did come on and received  
But No power  output  .  
 
 
Now my radio is still working  . But it got me thinking what could  cause 
this failure without transmitting .
Now I have heard of other 7800 having failures of the same sort. But was  
never been able to confirm if they had been the same type of failure . 
 
 I am guessing here  Voltage spikes from the power Lines ? Cant  really 
believe that we could have three failures on the 7800.  I live in KY  were our 
power company has power  spikes I can here them on my apcs not  sure how big of 
spike . Also my 781 and Harrys 781 have never had a failure  , Only difference I 
can see is the 7800 has switching supply and the 781 has  Linear supply . 
 
Has anyone out 7800 land experience this type failure .   I   was thinking 
maybe losing neutral ground could be the problem.  I did a  quick check but I am 
 not seeing an unbalanced line.
 
I know that 200 watt radios have had more final problems than the 100 watts  
ones regardless of Brand ,this was confirmed By Jim  at Burghardts  .
 
I am thinking Heavy Duty surge protection . Please If you have had  this type 
failure Let me Know.
 
 
 
Phil Zavagli AI4DQ    






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