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Icom F-221

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slingshot202

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I spent some time hooking up my ICOM F-221 in the house today. I have a mobile antenna that is running in the attic and doing better than some of my scanners... anyway, I started seeing an Over Volt flashing on the screen after a few hours.

I had tested for a bit before running it in, no issues.

I have an AC unit that converts to 12 VDC 1.75 amps which seems to be well within specs for this radio.

I will add my primary goal was to use for monitoring, not talking....

Anyone else have an ICOM set up inside and having issues?

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.
 

popnokick

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If your power supply is really only 12VDC (and not 13.8VDC) it is not within spec for the radio, which requires 13.8VDC. And the receive-only max audio current draw is 1.2A.... so at 1.75A you'd be within spec (unless your supply really is only 12V... many are actually 13.8V). But if you key the mic... even momentarily... fuggedaboutit. The F221 draws 13A when transmitting (45W RF). Your 1.75A DC supply may let out a brief shriek before it dies. Even if only receiving you're running close to the edge.
 

slingshot202

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Thanks!

That is probably the reason. This unit says 12 VDC front and back, no mention of 13.8. You would think it would blink low volt, but, perhaps I am over thinking things...at least I saw the warnings.
 

mmckenna

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What kind of power supply is it? If it's a wall-wart type, most of those are not regulated, and the voltage can fluctuate.

Do a test where you have the radio plugged into the power supply and running (preferably receiving something steady, like weather, etc) and check the voltage. Knowing what the voltage is while it's under load would be useful.
 

cmdrwill

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Something to remember, not all 'wall worts' , "AC unit", are NOT regulated and yours may be actually putting out more than 13.8 volts at low standby currents.

Mobile radios are able to use 11.5 up to 14.5 volts from a vehicle.
 
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