R15 Defect Out of the Box?

[ShawnInPaso]

My brand new R15 seems to have a serious defect, I wonder if anyone else has experienced this issue?
The volume and channel knobs both turn, even when I am only turning one of them.

For the first few days of getting to know the radio, I had thought I was doing something wrong or even not precisely holding one or the other knobs. I even looked in the manual to see if I missed something, but nada.

So by taking a closer look today, I found that by holding the volume knob (lower knob) and turning the upper knob (channel), the upper knob has some friction, but between clock position 2 and 11 it doesn't move. Consequently, if I try to adjust the volume, the channel changes and vice versa.
Of course I'll be calling DX Engineering tomorrow to find out what they have to say, but it is such a bummer after considering for so long to buy the radio and then having this defect which greatly affects the use of the radio. SMH

 

[xms3200]

It sounds like there is no clearance between the two knobs for each knob to move independently of each other. Did you order an “open box” version for a cheaper price. Seems like the knobs have taken a drop on the floor to have pushed the volume knob down…Call customer service.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

It sounds like there is no clearance between the two knobs for each knob to move independently of each other. Did you order an “open box” version for a cheaper price. Seems like the knobs have taken a drop on the floor to have pushed the volume knob down…Call customer service.

This is a brand new unit, full price. I did have a close inspection of the knobs with a magnifying glass and can't find any hint of a drop or other damage. Thanks for your reply.

 

[bearcatrp]

Still, send it in or have it replaced from who you purchased it from. Cost to much to deal with a damaged unit. The way the carriers play football with packages, could have been damaged in transit.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

DX Engineering is going to replace the R15. Great service and they always do excellent packaging.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

To put a conclusion on my post, Icom confirmed a material defect in the vol/channel knob and DX Engineering provided exceptional service by sending me a new unit ASAP. Great radio!

 

[prima19rider]

I have had 2 of these radios. Both had issues. Returned them. 2 different venders.

 

[2006walt]

Slightly off topic but can the R15 operate from AC using supplied USB cable and wall adapter? Manual seems to suggest that AC operation is ok. I understand scanning in AM mode could pick up noise from AC transformer.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

I have had 2 of these radios. Both had issues. Returned them. 2 different venders.

Bummer.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

Slightly off topic but can the R15 operate from AC using supplied USB cable and wall adapter? Manual seems to suggest that AC operation is ok. I understand scanning in AM mode could pick up noise from AC transformer.

I haven't tried that yet, except to say I have used it while charging from a USB port on my desktop computer. It should be the same from a wall wart?

 

[DudleyG]

Page 1-3 in the R15 Advanced Manual describes how to use a wall wart BUT also read the paragraph on that page that talks about the R15 charging will not work with USB Power Delivery (like what smart phones use) thus you must use a wall wart that matches the output from the ICOM BC-258 AC Adapter. Too strong of an output from a wall wart might hurt the receiver.

 

[2006walt]

Thanks, regarding the charging from the advance manual. The way I read it is, using a cheap smart phone wall wart rated under 2amp and 5 V, would operate the radio SAFELY BUT not charge the battery. I would need the BC258 (or equal) rated at 2amps would operate the R15 safely and charge batteries. I need to power on the radio for several hours; I do not need to charge the battery at the same time. So, I am thinking a regular cheap wall wart would do the job. Hope this approach will not damage the R15.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

Thanks, regarding the charging from the advance manual. The way I read it is, using a cheap smart phone wall wart rated under 2amp and 5 V, would operate the radio SAFELY BUT not charge the battery. I would need the BC258 (or equal) rated at 2amps would operate the R15 safely and charge batteries. I need to power on the radio for several hours; I do not need to charge the battery at the same time. So, I am thinking a regular cheap wall wart would do the job. Hope this approach will not damage the R15.

USB Power Adapter refers to a more recent version of USB power that is capable of throttling back the current when it detects (for example) that the battery is nearly charged. The manual doesn't say it won't work, it just has those two bullet point about reasons it may not work.

 

[palmerjrusa]

I have had 2 of these radios. Both had issues. Returned them. 2 different venders.

What were those issues?

My unit has been fine, fingers crossed...