[ICOM] Repair-Battery-Caution

[Roger (K8RI)]

Use caution when replacing that battery. In some of the older Icoms, 
such as the 741 and 751 (IIRC) they will lose their memory and have to 
be reprogrammed (at the factory).  These batteries which are listed as 
having a 3 year lifetime *usually* and I emphasize the usually, last on 
the order of 10 years or more.

Changing the battery requires jumpering the new battery or at least the 
proper voltage across the battery socket before removing the old 
battery, so with those rigs it's a good idea to replace the battery 
before it goes completely dead.  Lose voltage and the memory is gone.

Some of these batteries are (or were) available with the memory module 
already programmed (and updated) for a very reasonable price.  Its been 
a while, but i think I purchased the whole module for around $12 USD. If 
still available they are undoubtedly more than that now.

73

Roger (K8RI)