It's unfortunate that so much misinformation is available on forums, resulting in more problems, rather than more solutions. I apologize for repeating the following information that I posted not long ago, so feel free to delete this post if you feel that good grounding is pointless....
Communication system grounding practices are well understood by most commercial installers, resulting in good protection of radio equipment from various electrical discharge conditions (direct lightning strikes, nearby strikes to power & communication lines, etc.). These same practices, scaled down a little for most ham sites, will prevent many failures attributed to "radio design problems".
The statement that the 7K fails because it is connected to an earth ground and should either not be grounded or only grounded to the electrical "mains" ground violates fundamental system grounding principles.
1. All antenna feed lines must have a good quality lightning suppressor connected to a "good" grounding system near the "entry point" to the building.
2. Antennas located on towers or similar structures should have the coaxial feed line shields bonded to the tower at the top and bottom of the structures. Feed lines should always exit the tower at or below ground level. Additional surge suppressors at the base of the tower may be justified if the the tower is over 100', on a hill, in an area with high lightning activity, etc.
3. The tower structure must be grounded to multiple ground rods interconnected by #4-6 buried solid bare copper wire radials.
4. The tower grounding system, entry point grounding system and electrical panel grounding system must all be interconnected, usually with a minimum of #6 copper wire, although larger conductors are preferred. This helps maintain all grounds at approximately the same potential if a high current surge occurs at any of the three main grounding areas.
5. The radio room should have a low-impedance ground bus tied to the entry point grounding system. All equipment chassis connected to incoming lines (feed lines, telephone, data, satellite, cable TV, etc.) should be directly connected to the radio room ground bus, where possible. This is not for RF grounding, but rather an additional layer of protection for voltage surges that can propagate inside the structure (due to a non-zero impedance external grounding system).
6. Additional surge protectors should be installed on all electrical and communication lines entering the structure. These surge protectors are bonded to the other grounding systems to maintain an equipotential ground reference.
If you install any radio system that doesn't comply with the above general guidelines, the probablity of eventual failure due to electrical overstress (a "zap") is increased significantly. Proper grounding systems typically cost less than 10-20% of your investment in the radios, computers, antennas, towers, rotators, etc., if you install it yourself.
So, please ignore suggestions that 7K's should not be grounded, or only grounded to the electrial panel ground or only grounded to a ground rod outside the shack.
I have been at many hams' homes, helping then understand why they have various problems. Very few follow good installation practices for electrical power, antenna installation, feed line termination, testing and maintenance of their system, lightning protection, etc.
And many of their equipment problems and failures are a direct result of not having a basic understanding of how to install and use their equipment.
The ham community does a poor job of elmering new hams anymore. Many radio clubs don't provide the exposure to technical and installation information available from their more knowledgeable members. And many new hams don't seek out advice before setting up a station. Memorizing the license study guide and passing the exam is often the extent of some ham's technical knowledge.
While not all equipment failure is the result of poor installation practices and operator error, my experience has been that probably 50% could be attributed to that.
There is no need to only run your TX power at 30% for fear of smoking your 7K. Mine have been in fairly heavy use (and sometimes abuse) for over 6 years for one and 3 years for the other. I had a UHF PA fail after about 6 months, that may have been due to my error in connecting the wrong mobile antenna feed line to the ANT2 connector (more than once) when swapping the radio in and out of the mobile.
Operators that report multiple driver failures in a year or two, need to look beyond the 7K itself, perhaps. I know a lot of 7K owners and just don't see that kind of failure rate.
Steve, W3AHL
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--- In ic7000@..., "Oshb5" <andy@...> wrote:
Hi All
Iv not had my 7K long and its only set at %30 power output so hopefully it will not smoke. But Iv even heard of others smoking just set on receive I am the third owner of the unit So it may have been done before hand Im not sure If they used it much or hardly at all I dont use it hardly but now am wondering if the smoke is a worry?? so consciously not using it in case?
Also I was advised on a forum to disconnect the earth like you described Iv also been thinking about taking it to the earth on the mains wiring to get the best earth as Im running a long wire so could need the earth to help the antenna could I not?
Can I ask Icom are researching this What happens if they come up with a fix will they have all the radios back in and fix them even if out of warranty. Because just looking for a fix to me makes it sound like its their fault?
regs Os.
--- In ic7000@..., "Marc Hillman" <vk3ohm@> wrote:
I have smoked three brand new IC-7000 (driver boards) within a few weeks of purchase. If the unit has been in Rx for a while, and smokes for no reason, it is probably the earth. It is an uncommon, but accepted by Icom problem, that if you have an IC-7000 connected to a really bad earth, i.e. it's more of an aerial than and earth, then this happens. Icom are researching the problem, but don't have a fix yet.
Either
a. Disconnect the earth entirely, or
b. Connect to mains earth, or
c. Fix your earth
I elected option b and have been trouble free for 6 months.
|
All,
I want to thank EVERYONE for your help!
As mentioned a few times, my problem was the Speaker/Phones switch on the back of the Head unit. It was set to `Phones', correcting that gives me enough Audio to blow me out of the car.
I was so excited about the radio and busy with my install that I forgot to check the head before attaching it to the Gooseneck. I guess that's what I deserve for doing things too fast and not stopping to think.
Thx 73 DE Bill WM3N
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--- In ic7000@..., "bmachia57" <bmachia@...> wrote:
The IC-7000 is still new to me, having just installed it in my car last night. So, I have not had a chance to memorize all its capabilities and buttons (yet).
Last night, when I installed my 7000, I put the Rig in the trunk and the Head on a gooseneck alongside the console. Because the rig is actually in the trunk, I also purchased a MFJ-281 and plugged that speaker into the head of the radio.
My problem is the audio is extremely low. Running the volume wide open, road noise sometimes is louder than the rig on 2m or 70cm.
The MFJ-281 is an 8 Ohm speaker. According to the IC-7000 manual the audio out jack on the units head is 4-8 ohms. So, I thought that would match and work well. Turning the NB off does increase the audio, but not that much.
What have others done in my configuration?
Do I need to amp the audio?
Hoping to hear from someone
Bill
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Hi !
Be careful: I guess a power line ground and an RF ground are quite a different thing , but maybe am I wrong ?
Some opinion on this matter from you, Gurus ?
Thanks , Augusto i2jjr
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Il 13/12/2012 7.19, Marc Hillman ha scritto: Mine was driven 6 feet, but it was into dry clay. The conductivity of the earth is very important. It needs to be moist earth to be effective.
--- In ic7000@..., teddy.edwards52@... wrote:
The earth rod is driven down about 5 feet with a 4 inch PVC pipe over it filled with Bentonite.
73. VP2ETE
Sent from my BlackBerry茂驴陆 device from Digicel
-----Original Message-----
From: "Marc Hillman" <vk3ohm@...>
Sender: ic7000@...
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:48:17
To: <ic7000@...>
Reply-To: ic7000@...
Subject: [IC-7000] Re: Smoke
I have smoked three brand new IC-7000 (driver boards) within a few weeks of purchase. If the unit has been in Rx for a while, and smokes for no reason, it is probably the earth. It is an uncommon, but accepted by Icom problem, that if you have an IC-7000 connected to a really bad earth, i.e. it's more of an aerial than and earth, then this happens. Icom are researching the problem, but don't have a fix yet.
Either
a. Disconnect the earth entirely, or
b. Connect to mains earth, or
c. Fix your earth
I elected option b and have been trouble free for 6 months.
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Mine was driven 6 feet, but it was into dry clay. The conductivity of the earth is very important. It needs to be moist earth to be effective.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In ic7000@..., teddy.edwards52@... wrote:
The earth rod is driven down about 5 feet with a 4 inch PVC pipe over it filled with Bentonite.
73. VP2ETE
Sent from my BlackBerry庐 device from Digicel
-----Original Message-----
From: "Marc Hillman" <vk3ohm@...>
Sender: ic7000@...
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:48:17
To: <ic7000@...>
Reply-To: ic7000@...
Subject: [IC-7000] Re: Smoke
I have smoked three brand new IC-7000 (driver boards) within a few weeks of purchase. If the unit has been in Rx for a while, and smokes for no reason, it is probably the earth. It is an uncommon, but accepted by Icom problem, that if you have an IC-7000 connected to a really bad earth, i.e. it's more of an aerial than and earth, then this happens. Icom are researching the problem, but don't have a fix yet.
Either
a. Disconnect the earth entirely, or
b. Connect to mains earth, or
c. Fix your earth
I elected option b and have been trouble free for 6 months.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
|
Hi All
Iv not had my 7K long and its only set at %30 power output so hopefully it will not smoke. But Iv even heard of others smoking just set on receive I am the third owner of the unit So it may have been done before hand Im not sure If they used it much or hardly at all I dont use it hardly but now am wondering if the smoke is a worry?? so consciously not using it in case?
Also I was advised on a forum to disconnect the earth like you described Iv also been thinking about taking it to the earth on the mains wiring to get the best earth as Im running a long wire so could need the earth to help the antenna could I not?
Can I ask Icom are researching this What happens if they come up with a fix will they have all the radios back in and fix them even if out of warranty. Because just looking for a fix to me makes it sound like its their fault?
regs Os.
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Show quoted text
--- In ic7000@..., "Marc Hillman" <vk3ohm@...> wrote:
I have smoked three brand new IC-7000 (driver boards) within a few weeks of purchase. If the unit has been in Rx for a while, and smokes for no reason, it is probably the earth. It is an uncommon, but accepted by Icom problem, that if you have an IC-7000 connected to a really bad earth, i.e. it's more of an aerial than and earth, then this happens. Icom are researching the problem, but don't have a fix yet.
Either
a. Disconnect the earth entirely, or
b. Connect to mains earth, or
c. Fix your earth
I elected option b and have been trouble free for 6 months.
|
I鈥檝e had my 7K for a few months now and really like it. I was wondering though if the 鈥榮moke鈥� only appears on VHF or can it happen on any band?
Cheers 鈥� Don.
From: Marc Hillman
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:48 PM
To: ic7000@...
Subject: [IC-7000] Re: Smoke
I have smoked three brand new IC-7000 (driver boards) within a few weeks of purchase. If the unit has been in Rx for a while, and smokes for no reason, it is probably the earth. It is an uncommon, but accepted by Icom problem, that if you have an IC-7000 connected to a really bad earth, i.e. it's more of an aerial than and earth, then this happens. Icom are researching the problem, but don't have a fix yet.
Either
a. Disconnect the earth entirely, or
b. Connect to mains earth, or
c. Fix your earth
I elected option b and have been trouble free for 6 months.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
|
Remember there is no overheating problems with the ic 7000
De ray wb2mly
Sent via DroidX2 on Verizon Wireless鈩�
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-----Original message-----
From: teddy.edwards52@...
To: ic7000@...
Sent: Thu, Dec 13, 2012 02:54:11 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [IC-7000] Re: Smoke
The earth rod is driven down about 5 feet with a 4 inch PVC pipe over it filled with Bentonite.
73. VP2ETE
Sent from my BlackBerry锟� device from Digicel
-----Original Message-----
From: "Marc Hillman" <vk3ohm@...>
Sender: ic7000@...
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:48:17
To: <ic7000@...>
Reply-To: ic7000@...
Subject: [IC-7000] Re: Smoke
I have smoked three brand new IC-7000 (driver boards) within a few weeks of purchase. If the unit has been in Rx for a while, and smokes for no reason, it is probably the earth. It is an uncommon, but accepted by Icom problem, that if you have an IC-7000 connected to a really bad earth, i.e. it's more of an aerial than and earth, then this happens. Icom are researching the problem, but don't have a fix yet.
Either
a. Disconnect the earth entirely, or
b. Connect to mains earth, or
c. Fix your earth
I elected option b and have been trouble free for 6 months.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
|
On 12/12/2012 7:48 PM, Marc Hillman wrote: Fix your earth Sounds like a great slogan for a t-shirt or bumper sticker! Mark
|
The earth rod is driven down about 5 feet with a 4 inch PVC pipe over it filled with Bentonite.
73. VP2ETE
Sent from my BlackBerry� device from Digicel
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Show quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: "Marc Hillman" <vk3ohm@...>
Sender: ic7000@...
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:48:17
To: <ic7000@...>
Reply-To: ic7000@...
Subject: [IC-7000] Re: Smoke
I have smoked three brand new IC-7000 (driver boards) within a few weeks of purchase. If the unit has been in Rx for a while, and smokes for no reason, it is probably the earth. It is an uncommon, but accepted by Icom problem, that if you have an IC-7000 connected to a really bad earth, i.e. it's more of an aerial than and earth, then this happens. Icom are researching the problem, but don't have a fix yet.
Either
a. Disconnect the earth entirely, or
b. Connect to mains earth, or
c. Fix your earth
I elected option b and have been trouble free for 6 months.
|
I have smoked three brand new IC-7000 (driver boards) within a few weeks of purchase. If the unit has been in Rx for a while, and smokes for no reason, it is probably the earth. It is an uncommon, but accepted by Icom problem, that if you have an IC-7000 connected to a really bad earth, i.e. it's more of an aerial than and earth, then this happens. Icom are researching the problem, but don't have a fix yet.
Either
a. Disconnect the earth entirely, or
b. Connect to mains earth, or
c. Fix your earth
I elected option b and have been trouble free for 6 months.
|
Re: [IC-7000] Re: LDG IT-100 Tuner for the IC-7000
I use a 80/40 trap dipole. WB5KCA From: ic7000@... [mailto:ic7000@...] On Behalf Of Chuck Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:52 AM To: ic7000@... Subject: Re: [IC-7000] Re: LDG IT-100 Tuner for the IC-7000 What type/kind of antenna is everyone using? ---------------------------------- 121013 Should have gone Mac ages ago! On Dec 11, 2012, at 14:00, "Robert Agnew" <robert.agnew@...<mailto:robert.agnew%40gmail.com>> wrote: I'd also second Andy's recommendation on the LDG 200 Pro II. Both of the
pro versions have the SWR & PWR Meters and support the connection of two
antennas. I picked up the 200 instead of the 100 because I liked the idea
of it being able to handle more power than my transceiver.
Take care!
--KD0TVP Bob
From: ic7000@...<mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:ic7000@...<mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of
Oshb5
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 11:50
To: ic7000@...<mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [IC-7000] Re: LDG IT-100 Tuner for the IC-7000
Hello
I can just add Iv got the next one up the LDG 200 Pro II I had read a lot
about ATUs before I took the plunge from all I read it was no way going to
be a ICOM on reason of price and actual showing you it was tuned other than
1 small LED. The others did not come anywhere near the LDG so it was one of
those but the next quandary was to sort out which one? It came down to the
100 200 and 1000 I would have liked the 1000 but price dictated. So it was
left between the 100 and 200 model I went to a radio place and tried out
both and other than power handling I could find no difference and if Id not
have got a really great deal on the 200watt version I would have gone with
the 100watt version.
Anyway the price was right the unit was right and the LDG shows perfect when
your in tune and has loads and loads of memory's for saved freqs and ATU
settings.. Plus it works from HRD I also thought that should I be using the
7K on full power it is the limit of thw 100 LDG so hence another reason for
going to the 200. That said im only using the radio at 30% to keep the black
smoke away but from all comments it dont matter whether your transmitting or
even receiving the evil smoke can still sneak out of the radio..
Andy
--- In ic7000@...<mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com> <mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com> , "Daniel
Goodier" <dgoodier@...> wrote:
Lawrence,
I have been using a LDG IT-100 Tuner with my IC-7000 without any issues
for
the past year.
It couldn't be easier to setup and use.
Daniel
VE3NI (ex-VE6EDS)
-----Original Message-----
From: ic7000@...<mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com> <mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:ic7000@...<mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com> <mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf
Of
lscoker_it
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 10:49 PM
To: ic7000@...<mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com> <mailto:ic7000%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [IC-7000] LDG IT-100 Tuner for the IC-7000
I just moved and sold off my old gear beforehand. I really interested in
getting an IC7000 and figured the LDG IT-100 tuner would be a good match for
it (pun intended).
I'll likely use it more as a base radio as i have limited space for a big
station.
Any comments on using these item together is appreicated!
Lawrence
VE6LS (ex-VA3LS)
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Got it. Disregard my previous post.
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On 12 Dec 2012 at 22:58, ludoradio@... wrote:
No, my IC7000 is online 16 hours a day (mini) from april 2012.
That's all.
Best regards,
Ludovic - F5PBG
Le 12/12/2012 19:00, W3TLN a 茅crit :
Does the IC7000 save the hours of operation??
On 12 Dec 2012 at 17:52, ludoradio@... wrote:
Now 3800 operating hours
|
I would like to ask ludoradio@... how he know his 7000 has 3800
hours on it. Is that his estimate or is there a hidden menu item that show
this??
-Tom, W3TLN
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On 12 Dec 2012 at 14:52, Teddy Edwards wrote: I have not checked that.
73 VP2ETE
On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 11:00 AM, W3TLN <tomnagy@...> wrote:
**
Does the IC7000 save the hours of operation??
On 12 Dec 2012 at 17:52, ludoradio@... wrote:
Now 3800 operating hours
|
So in that case, no problem.
:)
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Le 12/12/2012 19:01, W3TLN a 茅crit : Still under warranty. Let Icom repair it.
-Tom, W3TLN
On 12 Dec 2012 at 17:52, ludoradio@... wrote:
Obviously you must do yourself.
|
No, my IC7000 is online 16 hours a day (mini) from april 2012.
That's all.
Best regards,
Ludovic - F5PBG
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Le 12/12/2012 19:00, W3TLN a 茅crit : Does the IC7000 save the hours of operation??
On 12 Dec 2012 at 17:52, ludoradio@... wrote:
Now 3800 operating hours
|
I have not checked that. 73 VP2ETE On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 11:00 AM, W3TLN <tomnagy@...> wrote: **
Does the IC7000 save the hours of operation??
On 12 Dec 2012 at 17:52, ludoradio@... wrote:
Now 3800 operating hours
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Re: LDG IT-100 Tuner for the IC-7000
IT-100 works great, but keep in mind as others have mentioned that it is not going to handle 100W into an arbitrary match. If you're feeding a nonresonant antenna the IT-100 is very good at finding a match, but if you then put 100W into it it's going to destroy inductors and/or capacitors. The inductors are small toroids and heat up quickly; with an inefficient match, much of the energy not getting radiated by the antenna goes to heating up those cores, and they will crack if they get too hot.
eric
ag6eb
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--- In ic7000@..., "lscoker_it" <lscoker@...> wrote:
I just moved and sold off my old gear beforehand. I really interested in getting an IC7000 and figured the LDG IT-100 tuner would be a good match for it (pun intended).
I'll likely use it more as a base radio as i have limited space for a big station.
Any comments on using these item together is appreicated!
Lawrence
VE6LS (ex-VA3LS)
|
|
|
Question person who has exploded driver : Have you measured idle current of the driver before ? => All owners of IC7000 must do this. This could avoid this problem. My IC 7000 was purchased in April 2012. Now 3800 operating hours Any problem This is the best radio of this size. Same reception like IC7600 or FT2000. Change the transistor costs only 25 euros ! Obviously you must do yourself. Some informations on (use google translate) Best regards, Ludovic Vuillermet - F5PBG Le 12/12/2012 16:33, W3TLN a 茅crit : Last night, December 11th. I also heard a pop and smelled an electrical odor.
No TX. I called an Icom service center this morning. They told me the driver
transistor probably went out. I purchased this 7000 new from AES on April 5,
2012. It goes back for repair today.
I've been considering purchasing a second new IC-7000 for my motorhome
but now I may go to Yeasu.
-Tom, W3TLN [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Steve W3AHL
Augusto