Icom IC-718 Free. First look and inspection. It Ain't Good!

[@jalfmeister]

Call a US Navy Electronic Technician qualified as a 2M technician to fix it. a must do if at sea. Looks like a lightening strike. Been there done that several times.

[@AERVBlog]

I would say it was a lightning strike except that the rest of the radio works fine. No idea but keep watching. I have a new idea on how to fix this thing.

[@G0NMY]

Before you consider it check all the Pa Devices. If they are good then maybe, I mean what fault could exist to cause a fire apart from a direct short to ground. and if so why didnt the supply fuse blow? If the PA devices are good go for it. I guess Icom no longer have any spare pa boards.

[@AERVBlog]

One of the output transistors is bad but the rest of the trannies test ok at least in circuit. I have looked all over the place for a PA board and no luck. If I want this thing to work it looks like I may have to fix the PA board. Fun times.

[@TheBrforsberg]

I would try to power up the radio without the PA board and see if everything else works. If other things don't work then it is probably more work then is worth it.

[@AERVBlog]

I did do that. The receiver works fine and there is some power coming out of it on transmit.

[@IanScottJohnston]

Try find a donor board and if that fails then give it a shot and stitch in some perf board........would be real neat to see it done.

[@AERVBlog]

If I do fix it I will be sure to make a epic video.

[@terryglenweaver]

@@AERVBlog Welcome to my World (considering my ft757gx) but mine is not quite so bad. But then mine was not as inexpensive either.

[@steveashwb7veq479]

As long as you could get a working PA board and nothing else was blown up I would say go for it.

[@AERVBlog]

I called Icom and no luck. They don't have any PA boards left and they don't even have most of the parts. I will have to comb Ebay and wait I guess. Thanks for watching.

[@rodneysteffen6376]

Where did you get that repair / service manual you start using about 11 minutes in to the video? I have an IC718 that is DOA - just won't turn on, and I could sure use that kind of info - thanks.

[@AERVBlog]

I have a lot of manuals. I raided Ebay a few years ago. Contact me at [e-mail] and I can email it to you.

[@christophermaggard9917]

Lightning strike?

[@AERVBlog]

It could be but usually a lightning strike that could start a fire like that would take out the receiver too and that works just fine. I have a new idea on how to fix that radio. Keep watching.

[@paulmadsen51]

I'm thinking antenna touched a power line.

[@w.rustylane5650]

Looks like something got a little toasted from the looks of the case. I'll bet is smells as toasty as it looks. When you first pulled the fuse I saw 6 amps so I was wrong. Still a good fuse! Someone must have left it out in the rain and it got struck by lightning. Cheers & 73 from W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern TN

[@AERVBlog]

It actually caught fire in there. No idea what happened but I found a board on Ebay and the whole radio now works just fine.

[@jay-rus4437]

Any updates on this unit? Just found your channel, but didnt see that you have posted anymore about it.

[@AERVBlog]

Yes. I have a 180 watt PA and a 3 watt driver that will fit inside. I just have to build them.

[@davidv1289]

Wow, that would be a project! What caused the fire, any failed components? Looks like those resistors got hot but why? A big problem would be that the top and bottom layers are stitched together with lots of vias. I think I would try to find a donor unit.

[@AERVBlog]

That was my question. I can't believe the power was hooked up backwards or the fuse would have gone. I am leaning toward the donor board idea.

[@MickDownUnder]

@@AERVBlog Plugged into the mains?

[@AERVBlog]

@@MickDownUnder never thought of that.

[@vsmichael1]

I think the bottom of that board shorted out underside.

[@AERVBlog]

Very possible but you would think the conflagration would have taken out the fuse but noooo.

[@va3vad]

Just borrow someone's Icom-718, take out the board than install it in yours for testing purposes. If it's working OK then order a new board from Icom directly. The cover can be repainted easily. The tuner, display, looks fine. Let us know what is your decision.

[@AERVBlog]

I thought of that but one problem, I called Icom and they do not have any, at all, and never will. Bummer.

[@VintageElectronicsGeek]

Awesome that its free, but wow, makes one wonder how and why? ~Jack, VEG

[@AERVBlog]

Never did figure out how. I finally found a whole new/used final board so it works now.

[@macp8854]

First thing is CLEAN the board, and then clean the board. Makes it easier to see what is actually bad/burnt. Looks like radio was NOT fused and Q4 and/or Q5 shorted - OR - not fused and electrolytic caps shorted. Check Q4 and Q5 and see if they are good, if so, I would say electrolytic caps caused the issue. If it was the caps shorting, board can most likely be repaired. I have worked on worse! Mac KB7QKS

[@AERVBlog]

I tried to clean it. The problem is that the board is so charcoaled that I have high resistance just between board chunks.i have another idea though. Stay tuned.

[@judgejudy7312]

I just noticed, did icom use the same corrosive glue on the board, that uniden used on the 2510??...so what's the dill, pickle, u gonna fix it or not??

[@AERVBlog]

Icom did not use any glue that I can see. Yes I am going to fix it but not using the old board. I have another idea. Stay tuned.

[@KB2CWN]

Outcome????

[@AERVBlog]

Not good I am afraid. There seems to be something wrong with the transmit section. I don't have anything coming out. But on the other hand it makes a dandy receiver.

[@ve2yud]

I don't understand Icom has not some pa boards or replacement parts for the IC-718, they still sell it new!

[@AERVBlog]

I did get hold of them on the phone and no dice. No parts or anything. I have a new Idea that I am working on for this. Keep watching.

[@extremlaybak]

Find you a used board or find another 713 that not working you put one working radio

[@AERVBlog]

I did. I finally found a board on ebay. It all works now.

[@jameshollen9723]

what you got there is a boat anchor-TOSS IT !

[@AERVBlog]

Can't toss a challenge.

[@robertrockwell7581]

you will put more money into this than you can buy used. they sell used for 5 too 600 and you will never get the money back. use it for parts.

[@AERVBlog]

I got a 180 Watt PA for $40, kit, and a 3 watt presmp for $19. It is now a project.

[@hitandrepair]

Square it out, epoxy, relay traces and parts.

[@AERVBlog]

Found a board and it all works now. I did try to cut out the burnt parts but even then there was a measurable resistance internally and since that area is where all the high power RF goes I figured it would never work right.

[@gbowne1]

I wouldn't use it. I would just get a new one. Too unsafe. You could always order one off ebay and or make your own rf deck. Those transistors are still available.

[@gbowne1]

the individual parts are still available from ICOM so you could always make your own.

[@AERVBlog]

I got hold of Icom and they looked for me. Nope, none left, not even a tech board or bare board. Shucks.

[@gbowne1]

@@AERVBlog I got my tranistors a while back.. several years ago so it may be different these days.

[@cqdx1677]

Murphy rule: 600 USD radio blows before and saves 6 cent fuse :(

[@AERVBlog]

Ain't it the truth. I finally got a PA board for it for a lot of money but it wasn't $600 thank goodness.

[@gewglesux]

Dr Carlsons lab STAT!

[@AERVBlog]

Lol. I thought of that. Finally just bought a used board. It works now.

[@gewglesux]

@@AERVBlog oh thats great news!! what do you think about the old IC 7200?

[@gilbert.kstevenson5046]

By the one off of eBay used parts and the one you got there on a video fix the one on eBay

[@warrendyckman5987]

I wouldn't attempt to repair the Module. Buy a new one and install it! The board that burned is carbonized and too far gone! - K2WD

[@AERVBlog]

Yup. I can't cut out all the carboned up stuff. I have another Idea on fixing it. Keep watching.

[@saad-qz9fd]

I own this device. I want to send a power map

[@AERVBlog]

I do not have parts for these. Sorry to say they are not economical to fix the power amp. This one was just a challenge.

[@Egam]

Make it a QRP!

[@AERVBlog]

There's a thought.

[@gardnerkg5frq407]

wow id just order a new bord and not take anny chancis

[@AERVBlog]

I would love to but none are available.

[@jorgeguzman9955]

Fix it what the heck

[@AERVBlog]

I finally found a used board. Al better now.

[@beeorganic]

I don't see anything wrong. It's a lovely paperweight.

[@AERVBlog]

Thanks for making me laugh tonight. But you are right .

[@camamoutback]

this is the longest post mortem i have ever seen !!! you should be the coroner on CSI !! get a new board and be dine with it !!

[@AERVBlog]

Trust me, I have tried. I even went straight to Icom and was informed that there were no boards, parts or any hope of ever being. I have a 180 watt PA kit and a 3 watt driver that will fit in the case I just have to get time to do it.

[@camamoutback]

@@AERVBlog i just bought a 718 and i like it but it aint no yaesu ! i keep going back to my 757 ... the 718 is a great radio for the money with a proven past ... i didnt spend much for it and it works well .. its getting harder and harder to find good bench techs ..parts availibility is going from bad to worse with no hope n site ..ttfn

[@AERVBlog]

@@camamoutback all true.

[@gardnerkg5frq407]

Ah ok shoot de KG5FRQ AKA SOA 507 CAVEMAN

[@AERVBlog]

Keep watching. I have a new idea on how to get that thing back and running.

[@gilbert.kstevenson5046]

Caveman AKA sloppy joe wb8dmx you behave yourself 🤣

[@danielkamm9453]

Recycle bin.

[@AERVBlog]

Lol. Probably should have but I found a PA board on line. All works now.