A Quinquagenarian, this ICOM Radio started the revolution of products under the ICOM Banner leading today to the IC-7300 Mark II.
While you might be tempted to "buy it now" on eBay, look before you leap. The rig was a marvel for its time but today could be a nightmare of the 10th degree.
ICOM used a whole series of relays to band change, and it may be impossible to find replacements. A replacement Encoder is another unobtanium item.
In 1975 I actually twiddled an IC-701 knob but having a family, a mortgage and an XYL (God Rest her Soul) who hated ham radio... it never happened. But I was indeed awestruck!
Some items arrived yesterday, but of course not all the ones I needed. My #3 son, several years ago purchased and gave me a ton of Metric nuts, bolts and washers in various sizes.
I have previously not used the goodies because the bolts heads need a hex Allen wrench for installation. I have an array of Allen and Bristol wrenches, but they are all small in size (FFS issue). Finally, I was forced to use the Metric stuff in keeping with the Wireless theme. I caved and bought these Wrenches which were in the stuff.
More small pieces of work yesterday and it is these small details which take lots of time. I worked a bit on the power supply thinking the 100Ufd @ 600VDC would show up from Digi-Key. Despite a call to them last Friday where I was assured my parts would be there on Monday. NOT!
Meter Changed from 500VDC to 1000VDC
Two items that were worked on the power supply was to change out the 500VDC Meter to 1000VDC. At 450VDC the original meter would be literally pinned, and the change of meter places the reading mid-scale. I bought the 1000VDC meter about 7 years ago and didn't think I would ever use it. But here it is being used. The other piece of power supply work involved installing the bridge diodes and the bleeder resistor.
I wanted to ensure that were no harmonics from the IRF510 stage and since we are not using a tuned grid circuit, it would be necessary to have a W3NQN filter following the IRF510 and ahead of the 12GE5. I found a suitable unit in my junk box.
In an extra-ordinary alignment of the stars there is but a short distance between the output of the Filter and the Grid input to the 12GE5. Lucky me.
More small detail stuff on dock for today, time consuming but necessary.
Them that know can make things go.
73's
Pete N6QW