Icom 601 strange display problem

Eric Bolder · 20 May 2005, 08:10

Icom 601 LCD display problem

I own a 601 since they were sold in the Netherlands. Right from the start I had a problem that sometimes after switching the unit on the display stayed blank for several minutes. I found that lightly tapping on the side of the unit solved the problem or made the display show lines or other gibberish.

After having this problem a lot of times I did send the unit back to Icom. (Amcom here in the Netherlands). They couldn’t find anything.

But the problem stayed (although less often).

This year I bought a new rib, flush mounted the unit this time in the console and bought a new antenna (V-tronix) . On the other rib I used a whip antenna, mounted on the A-frame, now I have the antenna fixed on the side of the console.

Still the problem stayed that sometimes the unit start with a blank display or a display showing just a horizontal line moving up and down.

A week ago I noticed suddenly, while being moored, engine shut of and walking around on my rib that when I stand next to the console, the display again started to show gibberish. By just moving my hands, not touching anything, I could change the gibberish on the display.

Until now I couldn’t reproduce this.

Does anyone have an idea what causes this problem and how I can solve this??

Jon Brooks · 20 May 2005, 08:47

On there very early M601 there was an issuse with direct sunlight upsetting the driver chip for the screen.
It was rectified very quickly.

I suspect this is the problem here.
Contact the Icom people out there and they should sort it for you.
Mention me when you do.

Best regards

Eric Bolder · 23 May 2005, 08:06

Thanks Jon!

I will contact Amcom this week.

I keep you informed (by this thread).

Eric

Eric Bolder · 08 September 2005, 12:49

After three months (1 month repair without discovering the problem) and various contacts with Amcom, because the problem still occurs (very often)
(I did mention you, Jon), I was notified bij Amcom today that the problem is caused by direct sunlight. And that is something they can not fix.

It is indeed mentioned in the manual:

"DO NOT use or place the transceiver in areas with temperatures
below –20°C or above +60°C or in areas subject to direct
sunlight, such as the dashboard. "

So I am stuck with a radio that doesn't work (at least not reliable) when the sun is out.

But am I the only one on the forum who is using the Icom 601 on the console?
Where else to put such a radio on a rib??

Jon, do you have (any) suggestions what to do?

Eric

Jon Brooks · 08 September 2005, 13:59

Eric

All I can is that is deff sounds like the issue from the very early models.
It has been rectified in production.

There is a fix for older models though.
You can place tape on the chip to prevent this happening.
It works very well.
I would suggest you ask AMCOM to do this.

If they need any further advice on how and where get them to mail me direct.

jonb@icomuk.co.uk

Regards

Jono · 08 September 2005, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Bolder

Jon, do you have (any) suggestions what to do?

Eric

Move to Pwllheli?

The Garfish · 08 September 2005, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Bolder

By just moving my hands, not touching anything, I could change the gibberish on the display.

ttry saiyin abracadababara att de saim tyme

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Move to Pwllheli

downt bee a twatt yew twatt. ow wud moovin to dat plaice elp de duch nobbur.

ohh i noe. dem theevin welch bastuds wud nikk de fkin raydio. ennd ov de problum

dats verry clevver yew borld heddid bastud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

You can place tape on the chip to prevent this happening.

fuk mee dats a hi-tekk solushun. i cann sea wy bruksy az gott sow menny fkin leters arfter iz naim

gArf

MarkWildey · 08 September 2005, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Bolder

or in areas subject to direct sunlight, such as the dashboard. "

But am I the only one on the forum who is using the Icom 601 on the console?
Eric

Not a problem we have in the UK which is why no one has complained about it over here

Mark

Eric Bolder · 08 September 2005, 21:22

Quote:

Not a problem we have in the UK which is why no one has complained about it over here

You lucky people....

Meanwhile I contacted Amcom and told them the information Jon gave me. They told me that they will contact you, Jon. Thanks...!!

Eric

Jon Brooks · 09 September 2005, 08:51

Eric

Paul at AMCOM e-mailed me yesterday.
I sent him all the details of the mod.
Am sure he will be in contact very soon.

I hope that this will sort your problem.

Best regards

Jon Brooks · 09 September 2005, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Garfish

fuk mee dats a hi-tekk solushun. i cann sea wy bruksy az gott sow menny fkin leters arfter iz naim
gArf

Garf

Letters are down to hard work, grit, determination and a lot of butt kissing

The KISS idea is often the best solution...

Keep
It
Simple
Stupid

If it works it works.

Regards