Icom: Icom IC-2820H Display Polarizing Film Replacement

[KD5ITM]

In May of 2007 I bought a brand new Icom IC-2820H dual band mobile. Back in August of 2023, over the short time span of just 2 - 3 weeks, the display polarizing film went from perfect to bad. First of all, why after 16 years would the polarizing film all of the sudden go bad? Yes 2023 was a hot summer here in Houston, Tx, but then again, every summer in Houston is a hot summer. So I don’t know if I’m 100% convened that the summer heat caused the polarizing film to go bad all of the sudden. I keep the display brightness setting set at one setting below the max brightness setting. And I have the display dimming setting set so that the display dims to one notch dimmer then the display brightness setting after a few seconds of transmitting or pushing a button. This way the display back light is not at 100% brightness 100% of the time with the idea that it will extend the life longevity of the display. After 17 years with my 2007 IC-2820H being in the mobile, Im happy to say that the radio still looks just as new as it did the day I first pulled it out of its Icom box.

I have seen a few youtube videos of how to replace the display polarizing film on the IC-706MKIIG radios, but have not seen a single video or found any instructions on how to properly disassemble, replace the display polarizing film and reassemble the display on the IC-2820H. Does anyone have any helpful detailed info / video on how to properly replace the display polarizing film on the IC-2820H?

Is there a specific type of polarizing film required and if so where is the best place to get it from? Or will any generic polarizing film that you can buy off of Amazon work and if so is there a recommended quality brand that I should go with rather then some low quality Chinese junk brand?

Thanks - Tim - KD5ITM

 

[edyasia]

Hi, I just repaired my 2820h with the exact same fault.

You must carefully remove the LCD from controller case. It's very easy. With a new hard blade, carefully lift the film on the front of the LCD, the damaged one. You must also remove another film underneath. Then, there's a sticky residue left behind. You can remove this with alcohol or clean and dry thumbs.
Be careful not to squeeze the LCD or bend it UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. You must be very very very!! patient.

You can remove the polarizer from a laptop screen, the front one.
You can pry it off at a corner and then try to pull it straight up by the thinnest side of the screen (horizontally). You should remove approximately four times the size of the 2820's LCD. Assemble the radio controller and turn it on (just to test; you must disassemble it again). By eye, you won't see anything; you'll only see it through the polarizer. Rotate it until you see the image with the correct contrast. Cut the polarizer approximately 5mm larger than the LCD.

You need to remove the glue behind the polarizer. You can try soaking it in soap for a few hours or using non-pure alcohol. Cut the polarizer to the correct size and place it in front of the LCD when you're assembling the controller. The LCD will press against the polarizer and hold it in place. That's all. 100% working now

 

[KD5ITM]

Hi, I just repaired my 2820h with the exact same fault.

You must carefully remove the LCD from controller case. It's very easy. With a new hard blade, carefully lift the film on the front of the LCD, the damaged one. You must also remove another film underneath. Then, there's a sticky residue left behind. You can remove this with alcohol or clean and dry thumbs.
Be careful not to squeeze the LCD or bend it UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. You must be very very very!! patient.

You can remove the polarizer from a laptop screen, the front one.
You can pry it off at a corner and then try to pull it straight up by the thinnest side of the screen (horizontally). You should remove approximately four times the size of the 2820's LCD. Assemble the radio controller and turn it on (just to test; you must disassemble it again). By eye, you won't see anything; you'll only see it through the polarizer. Rotate it until you see the image with the correct contrast. Cut the polarizer approximately 5mm larger than the LCD.

You need to remove the glue behind the polarizer. You can try soaking it in soap for a few hours or using non-pure alcohol. Cut the polarizer to the correct size and place it in front of the LCD when you're assembling the controller. The LCD will press against the polarizer and hold it in place. That's all. 100% working now

Thanks you for the detailed info. I will need to buy a sheet of new polarize film. Do you by chance have a recommendation on the best place to buy it from as well as the best quality brand? The last thing I want to do is buy Chinese junk film and have this issue happen again a year from now.

Thanks
Tim - KD5ITM