ICOM IC-R2

[osprey]

(Sanner Radio layman here….)

My old ICOM IC R2 appears to have lost a lot of its ability to receive frequencies that it could easily pick up in the past.

Perhaps something has malfunctioned within the radio that is not fixable.

I am, however, hoping the issue has been caused by a setting that I enabled accidentally or an antenna issue.
I can Scan a few known frequencies and sometimes they come in, so the radio is functional to an extent. But most of the time I cannot get frequencies to come in.

Just before this issue, I purchased a Diamond SRH77CA Antenna to see if I could pick up more frequencies. Perhaps that antenna overpowered a circuit within the radio and caused the problem ( is this even possible ?). If so, there is nothing that can be easily fixed or adjusted.

I performed CPU Rest (Hold [FUNC] & [BAND] & [V/M] buttons and turn the radio on). This reset has not provided any improvement.

Does anyone know how I can test the radio to pinpoint where to look for a solution?

For example, if set up and connected the radio’s SMA connecter to a Random Wire antenna, would that give any insight into what is happening?
If this issue can be rectified by antenna modification that would be great.

 

[palmerjrusa]

(Sanner Radio layman here….)

My old ICOM IC R2 appears to have lost a lot of its ability to receive frequencies that it could easily pick up in the past.

Perhaps something has malfunctioned within the radio that is not fixable.

I am, however, hoping the issue has been caused by a setting that I enabled accidentally or an antenna issue.
I can Scan a few known frequencies and sometimes they come in, so the radio is functional to an extent. But most of the time I cannot get frequencies to come in.

Just before this issue, I purchased a Diamond SRH77CA Antenna to see if I could pick up more frequencies. Perhaps that antenna overpowered a circuit within the radio and caused the problem ( is this even possible ?). If so, there is nothing that can be easily fixed or adjusted.

I performed CPU Rest (Hold [FUNC] & [BAND] & [V/M] buttons and turn the radio on). This reset has not provided any improvement.

Does anyone know how I can test the radio to pinpoint where to look for a solution?

For example, if set up and connected the radio’s SMA connecter to a Random Wire antenna, would that give any insight into what is happening?
If this issue can be rectified by antenna modification that would be great.

"Just before this issue, I purchased a Diamond SRH77CA Antenna to see if I could pick up more frequencies. Perhaps that antenna overpowered a circuit within the radio and caused the problem ( is this even possible ?). If so, there is nothing that can be easily fixed or adjusted."

I own an IC-R2 and an SRH77CA antenna.

it's unlikely the above happened, unless your IC-R2 was near a very strong signal source.

Is there a NOAA station that you could check for reception that you know you were able to receive in the past.

 

[p1879]

I had my R2 repaired twice for this issue, back when I used to travel to far lands, where technical work is inexpensive. The antenna base would get loose and I guess it has a break, or loose contact with the circuit board. I never saw what they did, but it worked fine afterwards. Now the sma post is loose again and I have no reception, although the radio works. The second time I got it fixed was at an Icom shop. I could see some epoxy where they re-cemented the sma post.

My guess is the connector got over-stressed by the leverage of the big antenna. I don't know anything for sure, except it was a cheap fix in another country.

 

[osprey]

palmerjrusa, I cannot pick up "Weather" in my local area. It is a frequency I can no longer receive. I was able to before on 162.550

Weatheradio Canada: Nova Scotia network - Canada.ca

List of stations

www.canada.ca

The Comet antenna saw very little use and I do not think I was near any strong signal sources as the radio was not used outside of the house at all.

The SMA connector on the radio seems secure... no looseness when I slightly try to rock it back and forth.
Not to say that there may not be an electrical disconnect or partial disconnect inside.

Knowing now that you (p1879) had a similar issue addressed twice makes me think this radio has the same ailment.
Maybe the techs that worked on your radio addressed a cold solder joint or some other type of reparable connection issue without the need for replacement parts.


Not clear how the radio case comes off to check for any obvious connection issues.

No ICOM Dealers close by to me. I may have to telephone ICOM in a major city to see if they recall (the late 1990s was the release date I think) any known issue with the R2 that fits the description. Then talk with them on repair and shipping costs to see if it is sensible to go further with an inspection and possible repair.

I very much like the radio and hope that it may work well again.

 

[DudleyG]

Here is the diagram from the R2 Service Manual on how to get the radio apart

 

[osprey]

Thank you for this diagram DudleyG and thanks as well to all the others who provided feedback.

The removal of the fastening screws looked ok... but the unsoldering/resoldering of the terminals is not what I would be comfortable trying to accomplish without errors. However, I will provide this diagram to an ICOM technician (or other radio repair tech) if can find one.... this will be very helpful.

 

[palmerjrusa]

palmerjrusa, I cannot pick up "Weather" in my local area. It is a frequency I can no longer receive. I was able to before on 162.550

Weatheradio Canada: Nova Scotia network - Canada.ca

List of stations

www.canada.ca

The Comet antenna saw very little use and I do not think I was near any strong signal sources as the radio was not used outside of the house at all.

The SMA connector on the radio seems secure... no looseness when I slightly try to rock it back and forth.
Not to say that there may not be an electrical disconnect or partial disconnect inside.

Knowing now that you (p1879) had a similar issue addressed twice makes me think this radio has the same ailment.
Maybe the techs that worked on your radio addressed a cold solder joint or some other type of reparable connection issue without the need for replacement parts.


Not clear how the radio case comes off to check for any obvious connection issues.

No ICOM Dealers close by to me. I may have to telephone ICOM in a major city to see if they recall (the late 1990s was the release date I think) any known issue with the R2 that fits the description. Then talk with them on repair and shipping costs to see if it is sensible to go further with an inspection and possible repair.

I very much like the radio and hope that it may work well again.

"I very much like the radio and hope that it may work well again."

I've a bunch of radios from little handhelds like the IC-R2 to the big sophisticated guys (AR5700D, AR5000+3, IC-R8600).

I swear I've had more fun with my little IC-R2 than about anything.😀

It's just a terrific, very sensitive little wideband receiver that punches well above its weight.

If Icom can fix it, even if it costs a few $$$, it would be worth it.

 

[YoShep69]

There is an ICOM service center in Michigan. He did excellent work on my R30. Not cheap, but he did good work. You might think about replacing it with an R6. I love mine.

 

[palmerjrusa]

There is an ICOM service center in Michigan. He did excellent work on my R30. Not cheap, but he did good work. You might think about replacing it with an R6. I love mine.

What did they have to fix regarding your IC-R30?

Had to get a faulty speaker replaced under warranty with one of my IC-R30s.

 

[YoShep69]

What did they have to fix regarding your IC-R30?

Had to get a faulty speaker replaced under warranty with one of my IC-R30s.

Loose antenna stud. I’m constantly experimenting with different antennas and I think I over tightened my antenna and broke the stud loose inside.

 

[p1879]

The r2 is a great radio. I know someone going to South America in April--just possibly I can talk him into taking it for repair--but I know he has a lot of gear for trekking and a tight timeline, so it may not go. I also picked up an R6 as a replacement.

They are an excellent international travel buddy. Once, in S. America I heard an US-based commercial passenger jet hail an USAF KC135 on 123.450. He got an answer and a short exchange until the commercial pilot asked him something about the tankers "capabilities". Maybe there was an answer but those words were the last I heard...

 

[osprey]

I was able to contact a firm that agreed to look at the radio and determine if it could be repaired.
I will be traveling past their location on 20FEB and again on my return trip on 23FEB.
I hope to leave it with them and pick up a healthy radio. I have not talked to the tech as he is on vacation until 20FEB.

Thank you YoShep69 and p1879 for the leads on finding a repair site.
If the plan above does not work out I may make contact on these options.

And, YoShep69, if the R2 cannot be fixed, maybe I will look into acquiring an R6.

Note: The last time I inquired, I was not able to find R2 programming software compatible with Windows 10.
I recall contacting RT Systems in Georgia and at the time their R2 product (IC-R2 Radio Programming Software | Icom Radio Software | Cloning Software)
was not compatible. And still no mention of WIN10 compatibility on their R2 Page.
Are there any R2/WIN10 programming options on the market now?
Becoming optimistic that I may soon be programming and listening to the radio I purchased new in 1999.
(25 years ago... that was fast!)

 

[Napalm]

The solder joint at the SMA connector at the main board has cracked. I had this same problem and fixed it myself. It wasn't difficult.

I lent my R2 to someone and she left batteries in it which leaked and destroyed the copper traces on the PSU/Speaker board. Its DOA and unless I find a broken one it's done for LOL. That poor radio has been through hell with me and I've had it since new in about 2005(?).

 

[DudleyG]

I use RT System Software all the time to program both my R2 and R6 on a Windows 10 computer and have for several years. The good new is - they both use the exact same programming cable from RT Systems - so buy 1 cable plus the R2 software and R6 software.

I too have owned the R2 since it first came out and have been thru the manual programming many times - BUT never again thanks to the RT System software. Fortunately when I purchased the software for the R2 (I already had the cable and R6 software), the software correctly and completely read the existing content of the R2 so I lost nothing from my days of manually programming it.

 

[osprey]

Napalm and DudleyG :

I will specifically mention to the repairTech on Monday that the solder joint at the SMA connector/Mainboard may be cracked.

Very good to hear that the RT System Software will work. This is a nice little radio.... but manual programming via the
front panel buttons is a brutal endeavor. I will be contacting RT Systems today to see about getting a cable and the software.

 

[osprey]

Napalm:

"The solder joint at the SMA connector at the main board has cracked. I had this same problem and fixed it myself. It wasn't difficult."

Based on the diagram that DudleyG provided (above), how much disassembly did you have to do before you were able to get to the cracked joint to perform the re-soldering?

Thinking that if I am not able to get a radio tech to work on the R2 (a very small, non-commercial, job that may not interest them) I may attempt this myself.


For example, did you have to unsolder the 2 points shown below to gain access to the SMA/Mainboard area in need of re-soldering?

 

[DudleyG]

If you go to the site - www.rigpix.com and click on the link on the upper left column for ICOM,
it will bring up a list of all ICOM Receivers and Transceivers that it knows about which is just about everyone made.

Then scroll down to the link for IC-R2 (on first page) and click on the link, it will take you to the page for the R2. On that page, there is a link to download both the User's Manual as well as the Service Manual (35 pages). That is where I got the picture from. It shows where all of the diagnostic points are plus even more details including part numbers.

 

[osprey]

Thank you all for getting me to this point!

Your diagnostic abilities are very impressive!

The photos confirm, as was stated, that the issue is a broken solder joint at the SMA Antenna & MainBoard connection.

- Does the break look like it could be repaired simply by heating the joint until the solder melts and allowing it to solidify?

- Or would adding additional solder be required to make the repair?

Access to the joint is only about 0.25" x 0.5" I have an old 1970s vintage Weller Soldering Gun that may be too big. However, my wife has a high-quality narrow-tip stain glass soldering iron which would allow better access.

Perhaps the radio should be disassembled further to provide more access to get the soldering repair done more exactly... but that could lead to re-assembly issues.

A local shop said they would do this work but the fee is $75... their minimin charge. Another said they only do commercial work.

Thinking, not sure yet, that I might look for an ICOM service center and ship to them. USA sites are not an option due to Customs headaches... Vancouver may be the location.... trying to make contact.

 

[paulears]

Do NOT use the gun, way too hot and uncontrolled - a small 10/15W iron. A quick dab might reflow the old solder, but usually it's a quick prod and a small amount of new solder. Beware though, small little jobs like this are not the best thing to learn on - find an old junk item where you can get to the solder tracks on the PCB and practice reflowing a few joints till you get the hang of it - without leaving big blobs of solder.

 

[osprey]

Thank you for your feedback paulears.

After reading your post, I was hit with a blinding flash of the obvious... this soldering repair is close work with other contacts very nearby and therefore far above my capability.

I took another photo below and things are closer than I initially thought.
I might get lucky with the soldering iron but I think there is a greater chance that I will not be lucky at all.

I am now trying to get a price from ICOM for the repair and shipping. I would prefer to have ICOM do this work as I think the probability of their staff being successful is higher than that of the local shop.