Icom IC-706 - Make It Tea

Try to learn something about everything, and everything about somethingThomas Huxley “Darwin's bulldog” (1824-1895)

Trace: • LF15C - firmware for the DM15 • Computers • DM15L Info • DM41X Progs • DM41X 41z Module • The Nodes • HF APRS Mobile/Portable • HP-11C Info • GM4SLV Allstar 2025 • Radio Update - QRP etc

You are here: Make It Tea » Public Area » Radio » Rig and Key List » Icom IC-706

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.

<-[[.:start]]


====== IC-706 ======

** Mark 1 - the original "Shack-in-a-box" **

  * HF 100W
  * 6m 100W
  * 2m 10W



===== Background =====

  * From the Silent Key equipment of Peter GM0CXQ
  
==== First impressions ====

    * In poor condition cosmetically, internally and externally
    * Intermittent RX performance on several bands, most severely 6m, due to LPF switching relays
    * No Power cable
      * ordered via eBay 24/5/23
    * No microphone
      * ordered via eBay 25/5/23
    * Not "MARS" modified -> no TX on 60m 
===== Initial tests =====

  * Sensitivity ok on all HF bands
  * 6m shows intermittent "deafness" after changing bands - LPF relays?
  * Initially some higher HF bands also showed slow decrease in sensitivity after a few minutes. After transmitting a few times on each band this tendency stopped - have the LPF relay contacts "wiped" themselves clean by carrying more significant signal current on TX?
    * 6m //still// suffers random RF signal loss on RX
  * TX power ok on all HF bands, and 6m, with 100W FM carrier at setting "H"
  * All controls work correctly
  * Fitted FL-223 "Narrow SSB" filter option appears to work (TBC)
  * Frequency calibration not checked but appears to be acceptable.

===== Repairs and Modifications =====

==== Cleaning ====

  * All knobs removed and washed in warm soapy water and all grooves in knobs scraped clean with toothpicks.
  * Front Panel cleaned, all recesses around buttons/controls cleaned with toothpicks and warm water (being careful....)
  * Covers from main unit removed and washed to remove build up of dirt from inside and outside.
  * Inside of main unit vacuumed and blown to attempt to remove as much loose powdery dirt deposits as possible without damaging any connectors or components. Some cleaning of surfaces done where possible.
  * Re-assembled
==== 6m LPF relays ====

{{:public:radio:radio_database:img_20230525_191452_339.jpg?400|}}


  * To cure signal loss on RX I removed the LPF board and was able to pop the clear plastic tops from the 2 relays, used on either side of the 6m LPF section. 
  * Contacts in RL2 and RL3 were cleaned with Contact Cleaner spray, and wiped with paper soaked in cleaner, to remove any dirt/contamination build-up.


{{:public:radio:radio_database:img_20230525_191942_134.jpg?400|}}


  * Tops replaced on relays and LPF board replaced into radio.
  * Receive sensitivity now good and does not vary with time, or following band changing.
  * The relays used on the other HF bands are of a different (more easily sourced) type and can't be opened in this manner. Fortunately they all seem to be healthy at the moment.

==== MARS TX Mod ====

  * To allow use on the 60m band I carried out the simple modification to remove "D59" from the Main PCB, which removes the "TX only in Ham Bands" restriction.
  * Radio now transmits across the whole HF band, including 60m

==== Signalink USB ====

For Digimodes using **fldigi** and a Signalink USB soundcard requires a simple Cat5 ethernet cable to connect the IC-706 Mic socket to the Signalink USB soundcard. The Jumper information is here : [[https://tigertronics.com/sl_wirebm.htm]]

{{:public:radio:radio_database:sl706.jpg?600|}}

==== Rigctl / Hamlib ====


Connect serial RS232 from laptop to **IC-R75** and then C-IV cable between IC-R75 and IC-706. The IC-R75 will convert between RS232 and C-IV. Separate C-IV hex addresses means eachbradio can be addresses individually through one serial connection (/dev/ttyUSB0)

''rigctl -m 3009 -s 9600 -r /dev/ttyUSB0''


<code bash>

gm4slv@laptop:~ $ rigctl -m 3009 -s 9600 -r /dev/ttyUSB0

Rig command: f
Frequency: 10147600

Rig command: m
Mode: USB
Passband: 2400

Rig command: q
gm4slv@laptop:~ $

</code>



===== Further Information =====


  * [[https://groups.io/g/IC706]]
  * [[http://www.hampedia.net/icom/ic-706-enables-out-of-band-transmit.php]]
  * Possible alternative Microphone HM-152 {{ :public:radio:radio_database:hm152schematic.pdf |}}

{{tag>radio ic-706}}

Navigation

Search

Toolbox