[SignalOne] Signal One 1030C (Modified Icom 781)

Wed, 11 Jun 2003 11:01:41 -0700

Yes, it is an Icom 781 repackged in a Hewlett Packard cabinet with a custom
front panel.  There was someone in New Mexico or Texas that had acquired the
Signal One name and was issuing these beasts to the military at cost+++
prices.  He advertised on the Internet for a while, offering to take in a
781 and for only $4000 return it as a Signal One Milspec 1030C.  Our Navy
MARS club has two of them.  We tried to get an instruction book from him,
but he wanted $400 for just the book.  He offered to repair them on a 24
hour turn around for only $3500 a quarter.  When I mentioned we were just a
Ham Club, he suggested the Navy would be able to foot the bill.

He closed up shop a year or so ago.  Just stopped answering the phone and
pulled the website.  But after the first call he wouldn't return calls to us
anyway.

We ordered a 781 manual from Icom for $40.  It covers most of the boards.  A
couple of digital interface boards (for externally controlling the
transceiver) are not covered by the manual and we don't have any information
on them.  (Does anyone here have any info?)

They seem to be good radios if you like Icom design.  Big, and lots of
buttons.  Both still have minor problems, which haven't been corrected yet.
If you have any info, or questions, will be happy to correspond.

Bill Smith
[email protected]

----- Original Message -----
From: Ora Smith
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 7:51 AM
Subject: [SignalOne] Signal One 1030C (Modified Icom 781)

I searched the threads for info on this radio, but didn't find anything.
Can anyone shed light on its history?  The unit is marked as a "Signal
One 1030C" and has a Signal One serial number and Signal One logo on the
S meter.  It looks like an IC-781 with a light colored front panel, a
Collins mic plug instead of the standard ICOM plug, plus it has a
Collins mechanical filter board installed using gold plated connectors
(the board sits on top of the ICOM filters, and includes GAsFET amps).
According to the guy I bought it from it has been modified internally
with upgraded PIN's and different RF output transistors, plus various
other things; however, it remains enough of a 781 to use the 781 service
manual on it.

It is NOT the 1030CI ( which I have also seen referred to as a 1030C),
which was built into a extended height 781 cabinet.  The cabinet is
stock ICOM except for the different colored front panel and perhaps
different knobs.

The fellow who sold it to me said he talked with Don Roehrs who said
this radio was one of a batch of 6 produced as prototypes for the Marine
Corps. I doubt that it was done for the USMC, because it is set up as a
ham band radio, i.e., no extended transmit mod and the band selection
labeling and selection is strictly ham.

I heard from another source that this rig may have been made by someone
who bought the rights to the Signal One name and was trying to start a
business remanufacturing upgraded IC-781's, but never got past the
prototype stage.

Can anyone shed light on the history of this radio?  Whatever it is, it
is a GREAT rig!  I have put my OMNI 6 up on the shelf.  The Rx is
outstanding, and with outboard audio DSP it has become the finest
receiver I've ever used.  I get good reports, too.

I have pictures in case anyone wants to see what it looks like.

Thanks es 73,

Ora Smith

W9DJ

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