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public:radio:radio_database:ic706

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Rig and Key List

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 to give access to 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-233 “Narrow SSB” filter option appears to work (TBC)

Repairs and Modifications

6m LPF relays

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

  • Caps replaced on relays and LPF board replaced.
  • 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

Further Information

public/radio/radio_database/ic706.1685079400.txt.gz · Last modified: 06/03/25 06:49 GMT (external edit)