{"id":1442,"date":"2014-03-23T13:32:46","date_gmt":"2014-03-23T17:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/idlenot.com\/?p=1442"},"modified":"2021-08-16T07:44:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-16T11:44:04","slug":"icom-ic-706mkiig-operation-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/idlenot.com\/?p=1442","title":{"rendered":"Icom IC-706MkIIG Operation Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some years ago\u00a0 I purchased an Icom IC-706-MkIIG transceiver.<\/strong>This was the third and final version of this very popular amateur radio. I was attracted to the 706 for a number of reasons, some of which are:<\/p>\n

Small size makes it an ideal mobile radio<\/span>
\nTransmits on\u00a0all amateur HF bands plus 6-meters, 2-meters (VHF) and 440 (UHF)<\/span>
\nReceives 30 kHz-199.999 MHz and 400-470.000 MHz depending on version<\/span>
\nWorks in all modes<\/span>
\nHas digital signal processing for noise reduction (DSP)<\/span>
\nRemovable and remotable faceplate \/ control head<\/span>
\nOne button remote tuner control<\/span>
\nGood meter selections including SWR, Power, ALC, and Bandscope<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s an impressive list of features and the radio really delivers. I used it for many years in a mobile environment without any problems except those pesky menus. It seems that the only way Icom was able to pack so many features into such a small radio was to make many of the settings and choices accessible through a series of complex menus. There just isn’t enough space for lots of dials and knobs. That’s OK if you have a great memory (I do not) and if you are not running the rig mobile. It is next to impossible to make on the fly changes while driving in a safe manner. The vehicle must be stopped or you risk serious injury to others and yourself when that inevitable crash occurs (it’s a crash, not an accident<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\"This<\/a>

This advertisement from May 1999 QST shows the lineage of the IC-706MkIIG. I’ve read that the 706 is the all time best-selling transceiver.<\/p><\/div>\n

Then about 4 years ago the Icom quit working. It would receive for only a few minutes at a time and whenever I tried to transmit it would shut off within seconds and refuse to be revived for hours. I inspected all connections including the power cables going to the battery. I could find nothing wrong. The radio went into the closet until such time as I decided to fix it. That time finally came a few weeks ago. I am at a time in life where I am trying to catch up on many of the things I have let slide. Radio repair was one of them. I had sent a radio to Icom America in Bellevue, Washington in the past. It took two tries for them to fix my new IC-737 but they did do it. It was not their fault. The first time they could not replicate the problem.\u00a0 The second time I told them to run it until it fails or keep it. That worked. I have had that radio working without a hitch for about 20 years now. Why not try them again?<\/p>\n

I checked the Icom web site and found that they now have independent repair shops, located throughout the country, that also are certified on their radios. Which to pick, Kirkland (I already trusted them) or an unknown “Icom Service Center” in St. Joseph, Michigan<\/a>? I called Kirkland. I asked if the Michigan shop was certified to repair the 706. The pleasant lady informed me that the St. Joseph shop was an expert at Icom 706’s and they charged $52\/hr rather than the $84\/hr charged by the home base in Kirkland. I sent it to St. Joseph, MI and authorized up to $200 in repairs. If it was over $200 they would call me first. I got the call after it was all done. The total was $125 including shipping. That was a good call! The official name for the service center is SAR Technical Services, Inc. How long did it take? A little over a week. What was wrong? a shield on the main board had come loose from its solder joints and was jumping around and shorting things. Now it is in solid. I will never again hesitate to send an Icom rig out for service.<\/p>\n