R7000 Icom R7000

[MonkeyFarmer]

I have two Icom R7000 Receivers. worked well for a long time, however over time one, then the other, suffered what appears to be power supply problems. I found there are several fixes out there, however I am unable to do the necessary fixes. I would like to find someone who could repair them. Perhaps swap one for the repair on the other.

If there is an interest, please let me know. mjwestkamper@weiinc.com

 

[N9JIG]

Not sure if they work on them but try WillCo Electronics in the Chicago area; WILLCO ELECTRONICS NO-FAIL MEMORY FOR ICOM RADIOS

One thing to try is running the radio off the 12VDC line instead of the AC supply in case the AC supply is bad. If you have a 12VDC supply this might get you past having to repair it. Of course if it is the 12C part that is bad that wouldn't help!

 

[iMONITOR]

If you find someone who does repairs this might help them:

ICOM IC-R7000 SERVICE MANUAL

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiDh6aJ0abtAhWtp1kKHQiZDZgQFjAIegQICxAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radiomanual.info%2Fschemi%2FICOM_RX%2FIC-R7000_serv.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1dJEVr14Aokbsi101oNI1e

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

A freind of mine had the transformer fail. We were able to source a replacement for $50.

By the way, the Icom power supplys ICR-71A, 70000, 9000 are all the same basic electrical circuit. None of them regulate without a load. So if you are seeing 18-19VDC without a load, that is normal. Be sure to turn off to bleed the voltage before connecting the rear DC jumper or you will blow meter bulb, etc.

 

[iMONITOR]

You could heat your shack with the power supply in the IC-R7000!

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

You could heat your shack with the power supply in the IC-R7000!

Indeed, but if properly working it is electrically very quiet.

My IC-R9000 was quite hot so I have a small muffin fan friction fit using standoffs into the rear heatsink. Power comes from the switched DC accessory connector below it. Removing that heat from the rectifier and regulator alone made all the difference for my radio. The entire radio is much cooler.

The IC-R7000 could benefit from a small heatsink or fan.

 

[iMONITOR]

Indeed, but if properly working it is electrically very quiet.

My IC-R9000 was quite hot so I have a small muffin fan friction fit using standoffs into the rear heatsink. Power comes from the switched DC accessory connector below it. Removing that heat from the rectifier and regulator alone made all the difference for my radio. The entire radio is much cooler.

The IC-R7000 could benefit from a small heatsink or fan.

That's a good solution. I'm shocked that ICOM didn't resolve that. I used to run mine on a big battery with a charge maintainer while not in use.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

If it turns out your power transformer is shorted, which may be why these units get warm, I have put the files for a replacement part and instructions on how to wire in a new one entirely compatible with the old. The color codes on the wires are tricky. One of them is Orange and for some reason my drawing program would not give me orange so i went with green Hook up the orange wire last, it will all make sense.

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[kruser]

I've fan cooled my R7000 and R9000's darn near since the day I'd bought them.
For the R7000, I ended up running it from an external 12 VDC power source or bank of batteries good for several days of power if commercial power is out.
The R9000 I still run from its internal supply but it's setup to run from my battery bank setup if needed.

The cooling fans help greatly for both models and I definitely recommend adding a fan if you want to prolong the life if these old but great comms receivers!
I also added a fan for my other Icom receivers from that era like the R71 and the R8500 amongst others.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I had an IC-R7000 and IC-R71 back in my early days (1980's) of listening. I bought an IC-R9000 to replace those and they ended up going to a freind of mine who is still enjoying them. When his transformer shorted out in the IC-R7000, I researched how to retrofit a new one and he actually did the install himself. He did a great job. I think he reused the mounting frame for the old transfomer and simply drilled a hole in its center for the toroidial. I am glad he is still enjoying them because they are very good receivers despite the heat. They still have good resale value if maintained properly.

I am not sure what I would buy today to replace my IC-R9000. I would like an SDR receiver, but the new Icom's are too tiny for my fat fingers and old eyes. Maybe an IC-R9500 if I find a good used one. But then, it might have to be the #2 receiver on my bench.

To be honest having the original TWO receivers was quite fun as I could monitor HF and VHF/UHF simultaneously.

 

[kruser]

Nothing better than an old receiver with nice large knobs and analog meters!
I love the IC-R8600 I bought but I still find myself reaching for the R9000 power button more than anything.
Plus, the old 70's and 80's era radios can be a lot of fun to work on if you are into that type thing. I think I enjoyed working on or modding these old radios as much or more as I did operating them.
My eyes are no longer good for much of the tiny detail work that I loved but I'll still do it. Generally only on my own equipment these days though.

 

[majoco]

The problem is the noise from the fan running flat out. Here is a little circuit I designed that fits in a cough lolly tin and the components can be mounted 'dead bug' style except the TIP122 needs to be bolted to the tin and the LM355 need to be glued to a small bit of metal and attached to a convenient spot inside the radio. I adjusted the trimmer potentiometer so that the fan starts to run about 40degs C/100F. The fan rarely runs full speed on top of my Marantz home theatre amp.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Or you can pick a very quiet running fan. The one I am using , about 2 inch square, makes barely a sound and runs without an temp control.

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[danesgs]

Your best bet is running off of the 12 volt supply. I tried the recap thing and it helped for all of a day or so then it was back to running the 12 volt molly plug internally out the back to a 12 volt power supply and it worked a lot cooler as well. The shipping weight alone on that radio is enough going both ways for a down payment on an R8600.

 

[cmdrwill]

External 12 volts would be fairly easy. Not sure what the actual DC voltage is from the builtin power supply???

Frozen CPU has some temp controlled fans. Akaska IIRC.

 

[richardrosa]

I have two Icom R7000 Receivers. worked well for a long time, however over time one, then the other, suffered what appears to be power supply problems. I found there are several fixes out there, however I am unable to do the necessary fixes. I would like to find someone who could repair them. Perhaps swap one for the repair on the other.

If there is an interest, please let me know. mjwestkamper@weiinc.com

Your best bet is to bypass the internal Power Supply and replace it with an external 12v supply. This is what I did, years ago and it worked great.
You will need a supply that can provide something a little less than 2 amps at 12-14v.

If I recall rightly (it's been a while since I made this change), there is a Molex connector on the power supply board that you can connect your power supply to. Just run a couple of wires out the back of the case to your supply from this connection.


Hope this info is useful.


Richard Rosa

 

[N9JIG]

Your best bet is to bypass the internal Power Supply and replace it with an external 12v supply. This is what I did, years ago and it worked great.
You will need a supply that can provide something a little less than 2 amps at 12-14v.
If I recall rightly (it's been a while since I made this change), there is a Molex connector on the power supply board that you can connect your power supply to. Just run a couple of wires out the back of the case to your supply from this connection.

Yes, that is correct. The R7000 comes with a Molex connector internal to the radio. When you buy the "12VDC Conversion Kit" you basically get a metal clip to mount that to the rear of the radio. You can remove the small plate and poke the Molex connector thru that slot without the clip if needed.

 

[TNORRIS]

I had done plenty of research regarding adding a cooling fan to mine as the rig was hot tot he touch.
Then, I saw the schematics and noticed the trim pot near the rear of where I was going to cut and put the fan. I grabbed my old o-scope and voltmeter and dug in. I noticed the voltages were off which caused the overheating. Once I tweaked the voltages to their proper levels, the rig ran cooler. Decided not to cut my chassis to add the fan.
I thought I had made a .pdf years go, but can't seem to locate it to repost.

(the rig does need the capacitor replacement kit though but still picks up quite a bit).

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I had done plenty of research regarding adding a cooling fan to mine as the rig was hot tot he touch.
Then, I saw the schematics and noticed the trim pot near the rear of where I was going to cut and put the fan. I grabbed my old o-scope and voltmeter and dug in. I noticed the voltages were off which caused the overheating. Once I tweaked the voltages to their proper levels, the rig ran cooler. Decided not to cut my chassis to add the fan.
I thought I had made a .pdf years go, but can't seem to locate it to repost.

(the rig does need the capacitor replacement kit though but still picks up quite a bit).

View attachment 98441

How far off were the voltages?

 

[TNORRIS]

if I remember (this was years ago) the main voltage was over 14V (I'd have to see if I could find my darn notes) .. I should pull the cover off and do readings today to see if it is still relevant.