HF radio repair

J

jerryat

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20 Mar 2004
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Hi All,

Does anyone know of an HF transceiver repair man in the Plymouth/Exeter area who could carry out a repair on my Icom 706 MkII HF ham radio?

It's more of a mechanical than an electronic fault as such - the 3.5mm socket outlet for the external speaker does not 'hold' the plug securely enough to prevent intermittent breaks in the sound. Holding it in firmly 'cures' the problem, but obviously isn't practical at sea, and although I could use the socket on the detachable control panel, it's not what I want to do.

The socket is fixed directly to a circuit board deep inside the unit, and I feel it's a bit beyond my 'expertise' to repair! I've tried my ham radio club, but haven't found anyone willing to have a try.

Grateful for any contacts you may have. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Could try this:

Marine Radio Services Ltd
50 Merton Way
West Moseley
Molesey
KT8 1PQ (Road Map)
Surrey

Tel: 020 8979 7979
Fax: 020 87831032


Does mail order repairs if you need it.
 
A while ago I had a radio repaired in Plymouth
There is a door to the left of Marine Bazaars entrance that goes up the stairs to the repairers premeses
Can't remember the name or whether it's still there !!!
Very good service though !
 
I had my ICOM 806 repaired by ICOM themselves - they are in Herne Bay. It was returned with free carriage - I paid for repair, it would have been free - they said, but for modification to open up for all bands carried out on purchase. I had bought it in USA.
I would go to them - very helpful and they stand by their product.
 
Many thanks chaps, I'll try the local Plymouth contact first then the others if it's not successful!

Thanks again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Thanks BB! Yes, I did know Marine Bazaar had moved, but was going to have a look by the old place to see if the repair chap mentioned still operates there. There used to be an excellent ham radio shop round the back of Laira some years ago, but it's long been closed I believe.

I'll see if anything's listed in yellow pages as you suggest. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
This type of fault is typical of where the socket has been mounted (soldered) directly to the printed circuit board and is mounted on the board. Any sideways movement flexesthe board and cracks the thin PCB tracks. The fix is usually to resolder the socket onto the board and or run solder along the tracks near the socket.

The socket is mounted on the board to facilitate quick (cheap) construction though mounting on the panel with flexible wires is much stronger and more reliable. Most electronic gear is the same these days. good luck olewill

Sorry to sound critical but it is a sign of the times that Ham operators used to build there own gear for experimentation. Now a ham is seeking a repair facility. I suspect ham radio is in its dieing days.
 
Quote >> Sorry to sound critical but it is a sign of the times that Ham operators used to build there own gear for experimentation. Now a ham is seeking a repair facility. I suspect ham radio is in its dieing days. << quote

Hi William,

Sadly I think you are correct. Even the 'old timers' in my ham radio club didn't feel confident enough to have a go. None of them now make their own HF equipment, but do get hugely involved with different types of antennae, competitions etc.

Actually it's not the repair itself that stops me having a go myself, but getting access to it. I've repaired pcb's before, but as luck has it, the board I need to get to is at the bottom and means the removal of other boards first. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Totally agree about using flexible wiring and it is my intention, whether I do the work or have it done, to make the existing socket redundant and bring an in-line socket on flexible cable out through the casing to replace it.

I can see the socket and it does NOT appear to be moving relative to the pcb. I'm sure it's just the internals of the socket which is faulty.

I'm going to have another play with it this weekend and see it I can pluck up enough courage to have a go and taking lots of pictures to help with reassembly!

Cheers, Jerry
 
Nice radio and well suited to /MM use - the RX current I did find a little supprisingly high

not a local repairer but

CASTLE ELECTRONICS
Amateur Radio & Commercial Radio Servicing and Repairs by Geoff GW4AQU

Tel: 01938 810778
Tanybryn
Pool Road
Llanfair Caereinion
Nr Welshpool
Powys
SY21 0HN


Superb service and timely . No connection just happy customer.
 
Hi rogerdog,

Thanks for the info. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif As I mentioned in my last post, I'm going to have another look at the problem myself, and if I'm still gibbering afterwards, I'll give this chap a call. I'd far sooner the work was done by a geniune ham than a general radio repair outfit.

Regards, Jerry
 
Hello Jerry,
good luck with the repair - the '706 is not the worst to work on as as least you can (just) see most of the components - the key is to remove both top AND bottom covers (if I can still remember the radio correctly) to give room to see what you are doing.

Obviously anti static precautions would be wise (ideally a grounded soldering iron) lots of good light (not below decks with normal cabin illumination - good angle poise type light needed) and don't overheat anything

Otherwise Castle for the repair - genuine chap

Good luck and hope to speak on the air sometime

73

Reuben
 
As I get older, I no longer attempt anything like this without serious magnification. I borrow a low power dissecting microscope from work and that transforms simple soldering jobs. There are lots around in schools, labs, electronics places etc and it should not be hard to get the use of one.
 
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