R7000 Icom R7000

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

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.

I was just curious. I do know that the power supply must be loaded to properly read the voltages. If you remove the external 12V jumper, the voltage will climb to over 18V and if you put the jumper back on the surge can easily take out the meter lamp. There are some tiny 12V fans that could be put inside without modification and provide a helpful amount of air circulation. You really don't need much.

The one I helped repair had a shorted transformer. I suspect this might be a potential failure mode if a few turns shorted, the transformer could get quite warm. Thankfully this part can be replaced, as I mentioned earlier on this thread, a part is available.

These radios are valuable enough to do a proper repair.

 

[TNORRIS]

Thanks for the info -- I'll def pull the rig out and turn it on and recheck since you mentioned the LOAD and I don't remember if I tested it that way properly

 

[N8YX]

I have 6 of these radios and probably will end up with a couple more eventually. Three are inline at the moment, and all are run from 12VDC via a large Astron and a RigRunner - which I've done since they've arrived here. For weak-signal monitoring of analog VHF/UHF stuff, they're definitely my go-to. All of mine have had modifications to the IF Board, replacing the overly wide SSB and AM CFW-series filters with CFJ-series counterparts. FWIW, the transmit filter from a TS-940S (2.4KHz B/W) makes a noticeable difference in the radio's SSB performance as does a 6KHz B/W filter of the same series.

Two of the lot have an SGC ADSP-LO module fitted internally; I used the 'Speech' button to change bandwidth or NR aggressiveness and a re-purposed read panel switch changes between NR and BW selection.

One day I might add ganged pots to the Vol/Sq controls and add BFO Adjust/Notch Filter functions to the IF Board. That would make an already great receiver shine brightly on SSB/CW.

 

[N8YX]

For anyone still using one of these receivers under computer control (i.e., ScanCAT, Spectrum Commander, etc.) I started a how-to thread in the R7000 group at Groups.io. I currently have three of them running on one COM port (with an FTDI USB-Serial adapter) via a CT-17. Scan stop functions are performed by a modified "CAT-ICOM" adapter which C-A-T used to sell; the wiring is documented on their FAQ page. Commander supports squelch detection via DCD, RI, CTS and DSR lines being asserted. I managed to get every one save DSR working concurrently (it stays "high") though this may be a gotcha of the USB-Serial adapter I'm using. I have another model which I'll try and see if all four can be used with it.