Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: ICOM 746 Series LED Upgrade

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : ICOM 746 Series LED Upgrade
Reviews: 3MSRP: 85 USD
Description:
LED back light upgrade for the ICOM 746 Series. Replaces HV inverter circuit which are a major problem with this radio. Upgrade is available with LED driver board unassembled for $65 USD.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.qrz.com/db/ve3tmt
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0035
K6RCA Rating: 2020-12-09
Icom 746 pro backlight repair/upgrade Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Display backlight went out on my 746 pro.
Found and purchased the LED upgrade kit that Max (ve3tmt) was selling on QRZ
Took about 3 hours to install,taking my time...,with coffee breaks...
Max is available for any help needed and responds to emails very quickly.
my radio display is now working...looks better than original...
highly recommend this upgrade
Bob..K6RCA

AG4WX Rating: 2019-09-19
Worked great. Looks like new. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My IC746Pro backlight was fading, which is pretty common for this rig which is getting close to 20 years old (wow.) Contacted Max and ordered his DIY kit.

All said the installation took me about an hour and change, and I’m no soldering expert. Save for a few minor differences in my rig from the instructors (I’m guessing some rig revisions may vary internally, but it was nothing crazy and was obvious) everything went smoothly. Definitely follow his advice about the order to do things in and don’t rush. The boards were a tight fit in my case but part of that was my fault for using too much solder and leaving too much wire poking through the board. After some trimming all was well.

Really overall it was no great shakes and I would not consider the install difficult. You can definitely send your rig to Max, but I think it’s good to know what’s going in your rig and how to maintain it if you ever need to.

Display now looks new, and I’m extremely happy with the outcome. Honestly think the old 746Pro will last another 18 years easily now. Highly recommended!
VE3EXT Rating: 2019-04-14
great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Display was not working., shipped to Max VE3TMT in Kingston.
very fast and efficient repair with his repair kit.
Never realized how my display was failing., now looks like a brand new radio-very bright display(still adjustable btw)

This repair/upgrade is very worthwhile and solves a common problem with these radios

Highly recommend you talk to Max
This repair is outlined on his QRZ page