[ICOM] 706 and 745

[K8RI]

That may be the case, it may be partially the case, but I think it's far 
more than just bean counters.
Electronic parts become obsolete, solid state and digital ICs rapidly 
become obsolete.  Displays and most custom, or radio specific components 
are likely custom and batch made and many of the rigs functions are 
programed into EPROMS. There are many old car parts around and some 
small shops make specific after market parts, some even for restoration, 
but it's not that way with electronics. Ham rigs are basically a 
small"nitch market" Most of these use components that are not custom are 
made but are produced  by the hundreds of thousands.  IF the 
manufacturer of the component (not the one of the radio) were willing to 
make a few hundred or even thousand, imagine the cost of setting up a 
line distributed across a few thousand or few hundred ICs. The price of 
the individual components would be more than the radio.   Making 
transistors and ICs is a very involved process so one they are gone, 
they really are gone.  I've been involved with the equipment in research 
for producing prototypes and proof of concept circuits.  I'd say it's 
worse than model change over at the automotive plants.

I often wonder how many of any particular rig are manufactured and sold. 
It's amazing they can sell them at as low a price as they do.  I look at 
the top of the line rigs and try to figure out how they manage to sell 
them at as low a price as they do.  Sure they are expensive, but out of 
my reach and they are extremely complex.  I could go into a number of 
cost cutting procedures (pages) they can use and still maintain quality, 
but this post is already too long.

So there are reasons parts for discontinued rigs can be difficult to 
find.  It's to the manufacturers advantage to use standardized ICs, 
transistors, and logic chips. Unfortunately they often user their own ID 
schemes on the items which makes them very difficult to find.  Some 
manufacturers (not Icom that I know of) have been known to use power 
transistors and ICs that are near the end of the production life cycle 
to save money. Today's rigs are very complex compared to "the rigs of 
the old days", plus most have some sort of programming internally often 
referred to as "firm ware".  I was able to get parts for a 745 long 
after they had been discontinued.  OTOH when it comes to transistors 
*most* can be replaced with a goodly number of "in the ball park" 
equivalents. They only need similar or better ratings and it helps to 
have the same lead configuration.

Restoring a 50 year old rig or station to like new condition can be far 
easier than repairing a 20, or even 10 year old solid state rig. Lot 
simpler too even with the scarcity of tubes and the likely hood that old 
tubes may be gassy. <:-))
Have you seen the prices that used, but tested 12AT7s, 12AU7s, or 
12BH7s  are going for?  Try to find some sweep tubes for some of the old 
ham amps.  At least I have a stash of 6146 A's and Bs.
   Of course much of that is the fault of the audiophiles.

73 and good luck,

Roger (K8RI)

On 3/13/2011 3:07 AM, Pete Barnes wrote:
> ADAM
>   All caps "cause you are a god (no caps)we have a dilema as Icom has abandon
> us on vintage radios so I guess it's up to us to create our own database for
> "sorry yer screwed
> buy a new radio"attitude.
>   Sorry for the attitude but I despise bean counters...and to me that's what
> we get.
>    I restore old cars and there is a good response from the manufacturers
> ,why not here?
> Is that not good business?WHY PISS OFF a client(or future sale)when he could
> be yours
> for life? As you can tell I'm NOT impressed.
>
>
> Sat, Mar 12, 2011 at 11:37 PM, Adam Farson<farson at shaw.ca>  wrote:
>
>> Hi Guys,
>>
>> To lower the resonant frequency of a 10.7 MHz coil to 9.1 MHz, either
>>   inductance (more turns) or  capacitance will need to be added.
>>
>> Cheers, 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ
>>
>>    Another possible option may be to use the 10.7
>>> MHz coil and remove
>>> some wire form it until it resonates at 9.1 MHz. The issue is if
>>> this is the
>>> type that one can get access to the windings and modify them.
>>
>> ----
>> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
>> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
>> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>