Icom IC 2080 RX fault HELP PLEASE

[G8CVF]

Hi my 2080 appears to have gone sick quite suddenly. It has been working perfectly but now the receive is very poor and I get NO indication on the S meter of ANY RF being received yet now and again it SEEMS to be fully quieting.

This is a pain as I was quite happy with the TX but not any longer.

Thanks... Peter G8CVF

 

[fineshot1]

Pete - more info needed.

What is an icom IC-2080???

Can not find any info online about it.

Whats is your antenna setup???

 

[G8CVF]

Heap big sorry, senior moment I am afraid it is an IC2820, the antenna is immaterial as it is deaf on ANY antenna I have tried and I have 4.

Thanks for the quick response.

Peter
G8CVF UK

 

[fineshot1]

Problem is on VHF or UHF???

Happens in DStar mode or FM???

Possible attenuator function activated??

Most vhf/uhf receiver problems like you described are either
due to front end overload or a bad receiver or perhaps a program
parameter (like an attenuator) set incorrectly.

Did you program this rig by hand or via the software/pc?

 

[G8CVF]

Problem is on VHF or UHF???

It's on both.

Happens in DStar mode or FM???

Would you believe I haven't even tried D Star since I got it second hand 6 months ago. To be honest I wouldn't even know where to start with DStar as I am in my 70's and the brain ain't what it used to be.

Possible attenuator function activated??

I cannot see this as I have not 'twiddled anything'. I bought this for the car simply because it had the separate head which I could remove for security and it's high power 50w on both bands.

I did have a problem with the umbilical cord which was intermittent eventually to go OC. Changed the cord yesterday and the rig burst back into life but with this problem, however I can't see it being the cord at fault !! maybe wrongly !

Most vhf/uhf receiver problems like you described are either
due to front end overload or a bad receiver or perhaps a program
parameter (like an attenuator) set incorrectly.

Yes I agree but no chance of FEO but the programming is a different thing of course. I may have inadvertently hit the wrong key but can't see such a key to cause this.

Did you program this rig by hand or via the software/pc?

This was programmed by software this I know for sure as he WAS going to give me a copy for me to 'do it myself' but as it was preprogrammed and everything was 'honky dory' I didn't bother to push him and I have lost touch with him completely now as I believe he is not in the UK now.

This is very kind of you to try to help and I really do appreciate it.

Peter G8CVF

 

[fineshot1]

OK Pete - hang in there and maybe we can get it going for ya.

I am not sure what you mean by "umbilical cord". I'm guessing that is
the remote head cable that connects to the radio chasis? Is that right?

Did this radio ever work ok for you since you received it or did this problem
start recently?

Do you have any local ham friends with any test gear that may be able to help?

Since its happening on both bands I'm gonna say its probably either an attenuator
that's been activated or the rig needs to be checked out thoroughly with test gear.

Also - perhaps you do have it accidently set to receive in digital voice mode when
you are trying to use it for analog fm.

I have the Icom IC-D800H and only use the software/pc to program it as its a real
PITA trying to program it via the control head or mic controls.

Keep me posted and good luck.

PS - I do have relatives over in England across the great pond and would
love to visit some day.

 

[G8CVF]

Serious Senior moment

OK Pete - hang in there and maybe we can get it going for ya.

I am not sure what you mean by "umbilical cord". I'm guessing that is
the remote head cable that connects to the radio chasis? Is that right?

Did this radio ever work ok for you since you received it or did this problem
start recently?

Do you have any local ham friends with any test gear that may be able to help?

Since its happening on both bands I'm gonna say its probably either an attenuator
that's been activated or the rig needs to be checked out thoroughly with test gear.

Also - perhaps you do have it accidently set to receive in digital voice mode when
you are trying to use it for analog fm.

I have the Icom IC-D800H and only use the software/pc to program it as its a real
PITA trying to program it via the control head or mic controls.

Keep me posted and good luck.

PS - I do have relatives over in England across the great pond and would
love to visit some day.

My God you'll never believe what it was, your suggestion that it could be attenuated gave the clue so guess what ?? I had a look at the handbook the LAST thing one looks at, and came across just one line in about a hundred pages, the SQUELCH acts like a 10Db attenuator and as I only use it for VERY local repeaters that was the last thing I would have thought of as the squelch always opened fine.

The squelch on the 2820 is a very tiny ring on the volume pot so small I didn't notice it, I turned it as it was fully clockwise and the rig 'came to life'.

Thanks for your kindness in coming 'to the rescue' good of you, and I hope you will someday visit the UK there is a lot to see in such a small Island.

Kindest regards and thanks again.

Peter

 

[fineshot1]

OK Peter - great that ya got it going - i am glad for ya and your most welcome.

These things usually do turn out to be something right under our noses and that's
what I was hoping it was cause they are an easy fix.

Happy hamming it up with the new radio........