Icom R8500 Serial Numbers
Posted : admin On 25.09.2019N9EWO Notes: ICOM IC-R75 Communications Receiver ICOM's 'triple conversion' IC-R75 Communications Receiver. Many versions include the 'Sync' circuit that is really worthless. Also to my ears the audio quality in AM mode is fair at best even with a external speaker in use (can be improved, see text below). Later samples (US versions marked as the IC-R75-12 and IC-R75-22 on it's outer box sticker) no longer offered the 'Sync' function. Once the audio issues are fixed (Kiwa mods), is a nice tabletop set. Came onto the market in 1999, production ended in late 2015.
(N9EWO photo) Discontinued Receiver Icom's IC-R75 tabletop HF communications receiver came into the market back in 1999 and was taken out of production in late 2015. Frequency coverage is from 30 hz right to 60 MHz. This allows one to catch the 6 Meter amateur band as well. USA versions include a 'Floor Brick' AC power supply.
Another Icom Gem: The IC-7000 © Bjarne Mjelde October 2006. With serial numbers higher than 0202151. The Icom IC-7000 is an excellent SW and MW DX receiver. Icom Serial Numbers. Convert Icom trail version to full software.
For most samples this will be a unregulated linear transformer, but in mid 2009 this was changed to a switching type supply (see below for more information on this subject). Continued ICOM's trait of poor audio, but it's not as bad as the old IC-R71 'Distortion Beast'. It's a muffled sound with the IC-R75. This 'cloudy audio' ill is detected more so in the AM mode 'super-wide' 15 Khz bandwidth.
One can improve on this with 2 separate internal audio modifications that can be done by Kiwa Electronics in MN USA. However, from my own 'before and after testing' this does NOT totally cure the problem either (when compared to the AOR AR7030's super good audio, the old Kenwood R-1000 does much better in the 12+ Khz bandwidth even after the mods).
Important: One should have BOTH Kiwa audio mods done to help the audio, but at LEAST the 'High Fidelity Audio Filter Upgrade' one. I have tested this in 2 steps, including before and after digital recordings, so I have experience with both of the Kiwa audio mods. The Sync detector is the other real stinker but Kiwa has a mild modification for that as well that sort of helps on this too (or not). More on the 'Sync' topic from others below. But overall it's a great tabletop set for the money even on the used market.
Tuning knob even uses a optical encoder, so no cheap stuff here. The set features 'Twin PBT' (Pass Band Band Tuning) as used in many of Icom's Amateur Transceivers. The optional DSP is the same board that goes in other ICOM Amateur sets, so it's using the old AF type of DSP stuff. Rubber pushbuttons have been used, that seems to be the norm with ICOM these days. Of course this type of button may not hold up in years to come as air reacts to the plastic/rubber, and also the printing on these type of buttons can have a tendency to wear off.
But I have not seen any groans on this over the years either (at time of writing). Even in this price point Icom is using a 1 hz synthesizer.
So you can tune AND DISPLAY razor sharp. No one else has ever come close in this price range with this super fine tuning step. Alas, the linear 'transformer' version of the AD-55 floor brick power supply (USA versions) is unregulated and provides way too much voltage even fully loaded (17.65 volts which is way over specs.).
So the set runs super HOT as the internal voltage regulator has to burn this excessive voltage off. Again, see my text below for more information on this. Dave N9EWO c N9EWO Ver. 10.0 UPDATE's: Sync detection gone with later production, 'Icom IC-R75-02' (US version).
'AD-55S-12 Switching' AC Power Supply For Later USA Production. Back on October 16, 2006 we seen the IC-R75 listed with a revised FCC OET, and wondering what was going on here? It turns out that the stinky 'Sync' was no more with new samples sold starting in early 2007? The stock of the Motorola MC13022 Sync IC (this is a AM stereo chip) finally ran out. This IC has not been made in years, and for Icom to keep the receiver in production changes had to be made to this part of the circuit. The revised model is known as the IC-R75-12 (USA version, marked on the outer box sticker near the serial number).
As we have made note here to this effect already, this is no real loss as the Sync was really worthless. UPDATE: Samples that include the new switching AD-55S-12 AC power supply are marked as the 'IC-R75-22'. O bservation that I discovered on the PUBLIC FCC OET web site. Perhaps there are additional 'internal' changes that were been done with the IC-R75 as well in this update (this is unknown)??
We may never see the real story on this one I'm afraid?? 'Switching' AC Adapter was included with later production of the Icom IC-R75 receiver (for USA samples). I see Icom obtained another update to the FCC OET (type acceptance) on July 28, 2009 for the IC-R75 receiver.
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As I compare the 2009 updated owners manual (as seen on this FCC link) to the older manuals, on the 'supplied accessories' page it shows a different AC Adapter and added switching regulator information on the bottom of that page. With at least the 'High Fidelity Audio Filter Upgrade' done by Kiwa Electronics, it can sound 1/2 way decent too with the right external speaker. It's no AOR AR7030 either even after both of the audio mods, but AM mode audio is much improved (in wider bandwidths). Dave N9EWO c N9EWO Ver.
ICOM Serial Numbers ICOM Serial Numbers (1/1) James Benedict: Anyone know month & year manufacture of this IC-706MKIIG SN# 20108? Gerry Pement: Your Icom IC-706MKIIG must be a recent one my IC-706MKIIG is serial 4900 ballpark and I bought it in April of 2000. Judging by the IC-735 production figures mine was in the 29000 region and I bought it in 1991 the 7th year of its production run I think final production figures were close to 40,000 for that rig. Icom 706g is in it's 4th year of production already and is a great little rig. I think Icom just use the sequential method of serial no#s starting with the first one in production to the last one for the model # I hope that helps 73 Gerry James Benedict: Tnx for info.
Icom R8500 Receiver
I believe ICOM keeps their serial numbers secret. Yaesu date codes their serial numbers. Brian Palmersheim: Here is the info I received via email from Icon when I asked them the same question. Good Morning, There is no cipher means used in the units Serial number.Original Message- From: Brian Palmersheim Posted At: Friday, May 17, 2002 9:50 PM Posted To: Amateur Conversation: Serial Number Subject: Serial Number Is there a way to decipher a serial number on a 706MKIIG to determine manufacture date, run (production/lot) number, and the serial number? Is there a format like Yaesu?
Icom 7600 Serial Numbers
Thanks, Brian Palmersheim - 73's de KB0ETC Brian Palmersheim: Here is the info I received via email from Icon when I asked them the same question. Good Morning, There is no cipher means used in the units Serial number.Original Message- From: Brian Palmersheim Posted At: Friday, May 17, 2002 9:50 PM Posted To: Amateur Conversation: Serial Number Subject: Serial Number Is there a way to decipher a serial number on a 706MKIIG to determine manufacture date, run (production/lot) number, and the serial number? Is there a format like Yaesu? Thanks, Brian Palmersheim - 73's de KB0ETC Navigation 0.