706MkIIG Obsolete Finals

[WA9FVP]

I found this on mods.dk

---------Snip--------

The 706MKIIG radio has 2 different versions of the PA
board. The older PA board's finals (1590002690)aka
(srfj7044) are no longer available and would require
replacement of the PA board. The newer style PA board
transistors are part# 1560001190 (rd70HVF) and can be
ordered by The 2 styles of transistors are not
interchangeable.

The complete PA board is part# 98413600 and sells for
apx $442. The catch 22 is that this board is the old
style board, with the old transistors. We do not have
the new style boards available yet so, if the finals
fail again, it's another board replacement.


Kevin McClinton, W7JRL
Technical Support Representative

ICOM America, Inc.
2380 116th Ave. NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Ph. (425) 454-7619
Fax (425) 637-8417
www.icomamerica.com

---------Snip--------

[AD4U]

This makes me wish for the "old days" when Drake, Heath, Collins, Swan, etc dominated the Ham market.  These manufacturers supported their equipment and most any part you need for these rigs is still available and reasonably priced.

Drake will still arrange to have a 40 year old 2B receiver serviced or repaired.  In the past year I needed an IF transformer for a Drake 2B.  I called Drake and they referred me to a source that still had them.  In fact almost any part you need for a 40 year-old Drake 2B receiver (except the dial and cabinet) is still available.  It is a sad day when parts for a rig still in production are not available or are obsolete.

That is why I still have and use Drake equipment.  In my opinion a Drake R-4C receiver (with upgrades and readily available modifications) will still out-perform any and all "modern" HAM receivers, even those with DSP and such.

I just had to put my two-cents in on this subject.

Dick  AD4U

[KB1LKR]

When was the mods.dk post made?

What's ICOM America, Inc.'s Tech Support Dept. say if you ask them, *directly*, *today*?

Are you in the market for finals, or just a casual observer?

[N6AJR]

check with scott at MTS, he loves to fix ICOMS and he is Very reasonable

[KE1MB]

I had to replace the VHF final. It is the same part as the HF final. $83  for one. Well there is a supply of other devices out there and if ya had to, could find something close to the original and do some "tweaking" on the main board to match the new devices. If you screw up...   then just buy the new mainboard with finals.

[W4DL]

I hope that the whole post is inaccurate;  I own a 706 and if I had to pay that much to replace the finals I would be less than amused.  I can buy a couple of 3-500Z's for my amp for much less! There is so much of the appliance junk out there that is becoming throw away.  The other guy posting is right; you are better off buying some older stuff you can still fix cheap; especially if all you do is casual operating.  The Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu  
ripoff is becoming obvious.

[WA2JJH]

Hmmmmm...if you had an icom 7800, I wonder what their treatment of you would be.

[WA2JJH]

Maybe I will call icom and said I was going to 7800's
for all members of the ROLEX YACHTMASTER HAM RADIO CLUB.

  YOU THEN PAUSE AND SAY.....I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED.
I READ SOME DUDE GOT THE COLD SHOULDER OVER HIS 706.
SOME SILLY PEOPLE STILL THINK CURRENT RADIO'S DESERVE ICOMS PREMIUM SERVICE  LIKE ON THE 7800.

HEY ICOM DUDE, I CAN BE SILLY TOO! LOOKS LIKE I WILL SAVE MONEY AND BUY ORIONS,OR MAYBE WE WILL GET MIL SPEC.
PRC-1000'S

btw THE 746 PRO BLOWS(OVER)

[NS6Y_]

Haha what a laugh! Glad I've decided to all all-American, Elecraft or TenTec or Drake if I can get ahold of some Drake stuff, mean-grean Heath, etc.

I'm eagerly awaiting a TenTec kit which should arrive tomorrow, just finished an Elecraft, and have an old Heath to fix up for QRO (50 watts, eh?)

The way the economy is going, $400 fixes when one's rig gets all poopy may not be do-able, get stuff you can fix!

[KJ7YL]

Why does it matter when the post was made? The transistor was made by motorola not be ICOM. Motorola was the one who stopped making the part.

This is not ICOM's fault. I would however talk to Scott Malcom, and ask him for his opinion. He seems to be the only ICOM expert in Western Washington.

I does not make sense for ICOM to buy part from a rival company. Go figure.

[K5PU]

I presume this would apply to the earlier 706's (e.g. pre MKIIG) as well?