While accessories are not really an essential for new hams, investing in them can make the ham radio experience into ways that helps newbies appreciate the craft more. Factors to consider when looking for the right radio includes HF radio capability, filters, portability, and whether the device is capable of processing VHF and UHF signals. Radio is the most significant investment for someone new in ham radio. What equipment should ham radio newbies have? This device used in ham radio differs from those used in broadcasting as it enables two-way communication rather than the disc jockey having overall control over the airwaves. The Icom IC 706MKIIG, a mobile transceiver, works by processing signals received and converting them, as well as sending signals so that it would be possible for two parties to exchange messages. The device contains both a transceiver and a receiver to enable two-way communication.
#Icom ic 706mkiig plus#
9 HF ham bands coverage plus 6 meters and 2 metersĪ transceiver is an important piece of equipment in the world of ham radio broadcasting.The Icom 706 continues the standard created by the brand in the world of radio transmission. The Japanese company is behind radio equipment like the two-way radios that are commonly used in the shipping industry, land mobile communications, and ham radio communities. Icom is a brand known for manufacturing radio transmitting and receiving devices. People who are new in the field of amateur radio could benefit from learning more about ham radio and the Icom IC-706 before making a purchase on eBay. While it is still considered a niche, the community and companies manufacturing equipment for use has grown significantly. Ham radio has gained a lot of following in recent years. Thank you a thousand times for the nice details that Jose, EB5AGV provided in doing this mod.Icom 706: The Ideal Transceiver for Beginner Ham Radio Enthusiasts Most of this information was found at EB5AGV’s web site at: If my radio again ends up in my vehicle, I will have it switched, so I can make sure no power is applied to it while I start or stop the engine. Constant starts of the vehicle, and heavy loads and fluctuations at the battery, enter the radio, and are applied to the finals because of the previously mentioned problem with them not being switched. I did have mine in a vehicle at one time. If you have an older IC-706MKIIG with the same problem, you CAN repair it.Īs a side note about the Icom IC-706MKIIG: Apparently, damage can be done to the final transistors while the rig is off when the installation is in a vehicle. I videoed the process for your viewing pleasure. Being a hardware kind of a guy, I decided I could do the repair following his steps. He replaced the transistors in one of these older Icom radios with newer transistors, and he documented it very thoroughly. I did a lot of searching around and found Jose Gavila’s (EB5AGV) web site. An alternative was to “replace” the final amplifier board at the cost of over $400. They were no longer being made, and they are extremely rare to find. It had SRF-J7044 Mosfet transistors for the HF finals. The ball was moving to my court, because #1: the repairman was too busy to take additional jobs, and #2: the repairman informed me that my radio was of an “old” design. Finally, in late 2012 or early 2013, I contacted a repairman about my radio. My radio sat for a few years, with me occasionally looking at it and wondering what to do. One of mine, was drawing current, and a lot of it, all the time. If all is working well, and there is no drive to the transistors, there is no current drawn. Apparently, the final amplifier transistors in the IC-706MKIIG are not wired through the power switch, but they get their power directly from the 12VDC line coming into the radio. The problem was, it was NOT turned on! I immediately unplugged it from its 12V powers supply, and pondered it for a long time. IC-706MKIIG amplifier board with new final transistors mounted in modified circuit board.Ī few YEARS ago, I noticed that my Icom IC-706MKIIG Amateur Radio Transceiver was very hot. Final amp board with old finals removed, and ready for board modifications.