ICOM radio not working

[speedy]

I got a ICOM IC-A3E radio.I can stil hear poeple talk but when i start to send only radio's very close to me say 50m can hear me.Is there anything i can do or do i need to send it away for it to get fix.

[ZULU1]

Hiya, We fix about 15 or so a month of these, when they get tired, the second pin on the small microphone pin collapses, this prevents an external input from transmitting. If the radio is transmitting on the normal side ptt, then this is the fault. Will cost about R 200,00 plus carriage for us to fix. We will also be able to supply you our own moulded new twin plug to fit it.

Hope this helps

Zulu1

[speedy]

I have swop antennas.Still wont work.Also try and swop headsets.No go.The internal mic also wont send it.

[speedy]

How do i get hold of ZULU

[ZULU1]

Send it to us, maybe the output transistors are popped ?? we will endeavour to fix it and as we are coming to Parys, maybe can arrange with a microlight courier ??

These are tough little radios and we have spares available.

Send pm with details and Melanie will sort out details.

Whilst on the subject of Icom radios, I picked up this thread via Icom, this confirms my strong views on the ICA 4, the report is on the F3 which is the commercial direct equivalent to them and makes for interesting reading. I use a ICA 4 and occasionally a ICA 6.

eina Zulu1



Icom Wins 2001 Soldier Battlefield Intercom Award

The U.S. Army selected the Icom IC-F3S Portable for the new Soldier Battlefield Intercom.
"We are honored at our selection, especially after the rigorous testing and stiff competition with other radio industry leaders", said Chris Lougee, Land Mobile Division Manager, Icom America Inc. "The Icom IC-F3S had the lowest failure rate during harsh test conditions, and was overwhelmingly preferred during combat situations by the soldiers", he added.

Icom America will deliver over 22,000 units to fulfill the fielding plan to Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, Light Infantry and Mechanized Infantry units. Other agencies may purchase the Soldier Intercom on Icom America's GSA Contract GS-35F-1094D. It includes an Icom IC-F3S portable transceiver, spare battery, AA alkaline battery pack, combat carrying case and a Telex Stinger stealth headset all packaged and shipped from Icom America, 2380 116th Avenue NE, Bellevue, Washington, 98004.

The Army tested several transceivers in a tropic environment because the humidity and heavy foliage represented a probable worst case scenario. They were inserted into standard training exercises, over a 4 week period, at the U.S. Army Tropic Test Center, Republic of Panama, in an operationally realistic field environment while engaged in offensive and defensive battle drills. Test results were published in the "System Evaluation Report For The Soldier Intercom (SI)", June 22, 1998, by the US Army Operational Test and Evaluation Command. Although the Icom IC-F3 was tested, they selected the IC-F3S after deciding that no keypad requirement existed.

"The Icom IC-F3 clearly was favored by the soldier test participants", the report states. Also in the report, "The Icom ranks as the best value of the intercoms tested". The Icom IC-F3 exceeded the performance criterion for standing, and prone operation, over rolling grassland and slightly wooded terrain, in a low power mode. Also, the Icom IC-F3 operated properly after being jumped in airborne operations.

The Icom IC-F3 experienced only one failure in 1167 operating hours, exceeding the mean time between operational failures criterion (MTBOMF) by a factor of 3. It operated 24-42 hours with the rechargeable battery and 21-36 hours with the throwaway AA cells (10% transmit, 10% receive and 80% standby mode). The soldiers considered the Icom radio the most durable of all the commercial radios tested, and the one preferred to take into combat.

The average temperature ranged from 75-88°F, average humidity was 87% and the average rainfall was .47 inches per day. These environmental conditions are especially harsh on electronic equipment.

The soldiers were asked to assemble, insert batteries, initialize and communicate over the Icom radio without the use of the manual. More than 2/3 of the soldiers rated these tasks as extremely easy. These results indicated the ease of use of the Icom radio, and that the training requirement will be minimal.

[speedy]

Try and send it to you on Tuesday.Thanks.

[Rudix]

Send it to us, maybe the output transistors are popped ?? we will endeavour to fix it and as we are coming to Parys, maybe can arrange with a microlight courier ??

Yes, sounds like popped finals as well, only outputting milliwatts from the pre-driver.

ZULU, a question, are you aware of a intercom system that will allow me to use 2 radios ? Listen to both at the same time and select with a switch to TX ?

Regards,
Rudi

[ZULU1]

Yes sir, we are building at present for three radios, namely the Icom F3, the ICA200 with a HF for a Angolan security operation, priority switching over each line and auto music (cell) mute with incoming signal, battery back up and powered from the plane / vehicle. Almost like a UPS type set up on the intercom.
We will most probably make a smaller version for civil usage.

The skill is the switching circuits as the commercial radios are a three wire set up as the mic is wired in series with a 2k2 ohm current limiting resistor which activates the PTT. The Aviation radios Icom and Vertex are much simpler with a four wire set up. I have a option in our existing chatterbox to do this also which is a heap smaller and ideal for farm usage, It monitors both radios but switches manually to operator choice. The music also mutes automatically with either line in (or ptt press) and fades back in with a time delay.

If coupled to our Vee rabbit antenna makes a perfect small farmers comms set up. See pics of our King post antenna on Oddballs trike. This was used with a ICA 23.

eish Zulu1

[Rudix]

Yes sir, we are building at present for three radios, namely the Icom F3, the ICA200 with a HF for a Angolan security operation, priority switching over each line and auto music (cell) mute with incoming signal, battery back up and powered from the plane / vehicle. Almost like a UPS type set up on the intercom.
We will most probably make a smaller version for civil usage.

The skill is the switching circuits as the commercial radios are a three wire set up as the mic is wired in series with a 2k2 ohm current limiting resistor which activates the PTT. The Aviation radios Icom and Vertex are much simpler with a four wire set up. I have a option in our existing chatterbox to do this also which is a heap smaller and ideal for farm usage, It monitors both radios but switches manually to operator choice. The music also mutes automatically with either line in (or ptt press) and fades back in with a time delay.

If coupled to our Vee rabbit antenna makes a perfect small farmers comms set up. See pics of our King post antenna on Oddballs trike. This was used with a ICA 23.

eish Zulu1

That sounds great !

I want to use it with the normal airband radio (A22) and a second non airband only radio like a Icom IC 706 or Yaesu FT 817 or 857. The second radio to be used for VHF/UHF and HF comms.

I would be REAL interested in a unit that can handle that !

Rudi

[Henni]

Speedy,

Has your radio problem been solved? If so, then what was wrong?

I have the exact same problem with the exact same radio. I'm going to courier it to Zulu, but let me first check if it's not something obvious that could be fixed locally. I'm in a hurry to have it working.

Regards,

Henni

[speedy]

I gave the radio to a friend of mine.He has send it to ICOM in Durban.One of the Amps was blown.R1200 later and it was fix.Working as good as new.

[John Young]

I got a ICOM IC-A3E radio.I can stil hear poeple talk but when i start to send only radio's very close to me say 50m can hear me.Is there anything i can do or do i need to send it away for it to get fix.

Had the same problem - finals were blown (voltage spike ).

Couple of hundred rand and it's as good as new.

ZULU1 is your man although he was not around when mine blew.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

[Henni]

Thank you all,

I'll have to courier to Zulu then - problem is being without it in the meantime.

I've already forgotten the horrific last leg of the previous weekend's flight and am once again rather keen to fly, as usual!

Henni