Icom IC-746pro Backlight Repair Highlights

[@brianjohnson4724]

Hi, I know this video is 9 years old, but I have just carried out this repair on my 25 year old IC 746 successfully and thanks to your excellent video the disassembly was a breeze. I did put in a higher rated transistor and fixed it to the inside of the shielding can as a heatsink, separated by a mica film and heatsink paste, with short flying leads connectred to the circuit board pads. I measured the capacitors and they were fine, so I didn't bother to chage them although I do have them should the need arise in the future. So just a thank you for taking the trouble to video your experience. 73s

[@SevenFortyOne]

I'm glad you liked this video! Thanks for taking the time to let me know it was useful to you.

[@g0fvt]

I was recently given an IC7400 (same rig different badge), I was told that the backlight did not work, weirdly while I was playing with the radio on a small power supply I was curious to see if TX coverage was expanded. Of course the subsequent brown out due to 5a current limit caused the radio to reboot and backlight came back on. Was OK for days after that but has now gone out again. Tempted to drill some vents in the screening can when I repair it and maybe a stick on heatsink on the transistor. Even on receive the radio runs pretty warm, I bet the temperature in that screening can is very high hence the capacitors failing. Thanks for the video.

[@g0fvt]

Slight update, the 7700 gets the same problem and does not have the screening can. Those capacitors do work hard though...

[@stevec5000]

My display still works but I don't like the dark yellow color. I wonder if it's possible to make it any whiter?

[@SevenFortyOne]

hmmm---I've never seen one of these look yellow at all. Dim white, but never yellow-ish. I wonder if someone modified your radio with a different backlight type

[@stevec5000]

@@SevenFortyOne It's probably just getting old and the brightness only goes half way up. Can the backlight be replaced if it goes bad?

[@smbrob]

You could have made a metal strip to the metal box next to the transistor and use the case like a heat sink. With some spring tension and contact compound it would have worked fine and is easy to make :-)

[@freeinhabitant2422]

Yep, exactly what I was thinking.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

27 meg the shield may be a couple holes to let out the heat thats why the caps dryed out

[@Kens1966]

Do you know what icon.746 pros was.effected by this ? My serial number is I think is 202xxx

[@SevenFortyOne]

Sorry, I'm not sure if icom fixed this or not. It could be a problem on all of them, I'm not really sure.

[@n1kkri]

Would you have any info or a video on using LEDs to replace the backlight for a IC-746

[@SevenFortyOne]

Sorry - I don't have any info on that.

[@n1kkri]

OK, thanks. Seems like the way to go especially if the difficultly is similar

[@SevenFortyOne]

It might be easier to fix the existing backlight unless the bulbs are vured out...might be hard to get the LEDs to light evenly.

[@n1kkri]

Once I get info from N1EQ who performs this I can decide if its harder or easier. He also repairs this problems. Someone in Canada is selling a kit. I emailed them for the installation instructions. Ken

[@maxtonkyrie4648]

Sorry to be so off topic but does any of you know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account? I somehow lost my password. I would love any help you can give me!

[@ScottAReid]

i have the icom 7410 and really wish they had an on and off for the display. i am a cheap like that, lol. my scanners, if i am not scanning, i turn the displays off. fig the bulb will last longer. same thing for these ICOMS.

[@gregchartrand8848]

Kapton tape, good idea!

[@OnlyW82Skill]

Thx you for this video Soon I will back to this Hobby

[@OnlyW82Skill]

73*

[@watchfan6180]

Have you ever had dead TX issues?

[@SevenFortyOne]

Yes-when I first bought it. I had it fixed and it's been fine since then

[@10RM555]

LOL 27.370 get a few beers after fixing it hihi

[@carl-erichoff6511]

Hey tnx for the vids.I made it to,now it works fine.So tnx again sm7gqf Calle.

[@cwqrpportable]

Ahhh, you're a cb'er?

[@SevenFortyOne]

Not so much these days as there isn't very much activity in my area anymore. I have a couple of vintage sets I bring out a few times a year for nostalgia's sake.

[@ScottAReid]

stupid question maybe, but r u you sure u just dont need a new bulb? lol

[@SevenFortyOne]

The bulb is fine ... as you can see in the video, replacing the transistor and caps solved the problem. Also this is a well known and documented problem with these radios. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@ScottAReid]

SevenFortyOne my "bulb" question was just being facetious. just being funny. but, all joking aside, it is a bulb and bulbs do burn out. make an aftermarket switch to turn that thing off!