IC-746PRO Backlighting

[AB1HF]

I'm looking for my first base station transciever, and an leaning toward the IC-746PRO since I want HF and 2m.  Lots of people seem to love these, but there also seems to be a persistent problem with failure of the display backlighting.  Has ICOM remedied this problem in the new units? Or should I just run it at 100% backlighting as some suggest?

[K1RRR]

If you buy a new one or one manufactured in the past several years the problem has been corrected. I love my new one!!!! A great radio value!!!!

[KE3WD]

The early 746 backlight problem can be permanently cured by locating the transistor that controls the thing and heatsinking it.  

Description here:

http://www.ham.dmz.ro/icom/ic-746-backlight.php


If you don't do that, running at 100% backlight means the pass transistor will be running at the coolest possible temperature and should last as-is.  

If you want to dim the screen and have an early model, best to do the mod.  


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