Avionics Question
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:06 pm
Maybe there is someone out there that can make a suggestion or tell me what I have overlooked with a problem I have.
I have two ICOM IC-A200 radio's. One newer, one older. The older unit began to work intermittenly so I sent it to ICOM in Washington. ICOM "cleaned residue off boards, resoldered loose board coax connectors,touched up misc solder joints, got rid of heterodynes & birdies (sounds not desirable on a transceiver) and tested for long-term stability>" Upon replacing the radio in its tray, the radio has power (screen lights, frequencies can be changed, transmit indicator (TX) comes on when the ptt is activated, but it is not receiving nor transmitting). When the squelch is pulled out, the volume of "noise" is less than the other radio. I can put the other radio in that tray and it works perfectly, but if the problem radio still won't work in the other tray. IE: changing trays has no effect on the operation of either radio which tells me the trays & their connectors, including the antenna, all appear to work as they should. Discussed w/ the ICOM tech & they restated the unit worked perfectly on their bench & after asking, he stated they put the radios in an actual tray rather than simply connecting the connector to the radio. His suggestion was to clean the pin connectors with denatured alcohol, including the antenna port on the radio. I did so with both contact cleaner, denatured alcohol & even used a pencil eraser (something I have seen done in the past). Still doesn't work. At this point the only option I see is to return the radio to ICOM for futher analysis This costs about $38 for shipping & insurance & ICOM's minimum of $84 +. It would be worth that cost if it solved the problem. Before I do so I wanted to see if you folks might spot a step I may have missed or have a suggestion to try before resorting to returning the radio again. Prior to this problem, the radio has worked perfectly which was one reason for purchasing a second unit which also works perfectly. HELP
I have two ICOM IC-A200 radio's. One newer, one older. The older unit began to work intermittenly so I sent it to ICOM in Washington. ICOM "cleaned residue off boards, resoldered loose board coax connectors,touched up misc solder joints, got rid of heterodynes & birdies (sounds not desirable on a transceiver) and tested for long-term stability>" Upon replacing the radio in its tray, the radio has power (screen lights, frequencies can be changed, transmit indicator (TX) comes on when the ptt is activated, but it is not receiving nor transmitting). When the squelch is pulled out, the volume of "noise" is less than the other radio. I can put the other radio in that tray and it works perfectly, but if the problem radio still won't work in the other tray. IE: changing trays has no effect on the operation of either radio which tells me the trays & their connectors, including the antenna, all appear to work as they should. Discussed w/ the ICOM tech & they restated the unit worked perfectly on their bench & after asking, he stated they put the radios in an actual tray rather than simply connecting the connector to the radio. His suggestion was to clean the pin connectors with denatured alcohol, including the antenna port on the radio. I did so with both contact cleaner, denatured alcohol & even used a pencil eraser (something I have seen done in the past). Still doesn't work. At this point the only option I see is to return the radio to ICOM for futher analysis This costs about $38 for shipping & insurance & ICOM's minimum of $84 +. It would be worth that cost if it solved the problem. Before I do so I wanted to see if you folks might spot a step I may have missed or have a suggestion to try before resorting to returning the radio again. Prior to this problem, the radio has worked perfectly which was one reason for purchasing a second unit which also works perfectly. HELP