Dilshan R Jayakody’s Web Log

The Sony ICF-SW7600GR , a well-known portable shortwave receiver, has built a solid reputation for its performance and reliability. I purchased this receiver 20 years ago, and it is likely the last portable shortwave receiver manufactured by Sony . I primarily use it for shortwave listening, and it has functioned continuously for two decades. However, like all electronic devices, it is subject to component degradation over time. This post outlines the diagnostic and restorative procedures I undertook to address a complete failure of the keypad on this radio. Restored ICF-SW7600GR radio. Initially, the radio exhibited a gradual decline in keypad functionality, which eventually led to a complete lack of response. I observed intermittent key input before all keypad operations ceased entirely. This symptom suggested a possible discontinuity or short circuit within the keypad interface circuitry. To investigate further, I disassembled the unit to inspect the internal components. My p...

Recently I got an ICOM IC-R71A receiver from my friend. ICOM IC-R71A is a multi-mode quadruple superheterodyne receiver with the frequency range from 100kHz to 30MHz. When it comes to my workshop it's completely dead but outer casing and front panels are in really good condition. Before troubleshooting the receiver, I download both user manual and service manual from the internet. As like all ICOM products this receiver also comes with very detailed user manual and service manual. Restored ICOM IC-R71A receiver As I observed this receiver consist of many PCBs which including: Mainboard Front boards (altogether 7 boards, which including 1 mainboard known and matrix board and 6 small PCBs) PLL board RF board Logic board and RAM board Power supply board In addition to above boards, there are some previsions in this chassis to install other optional boards such as FM board. After observing the power supply board, I notice a couple of dry joints in the rectifi...

Recently I got vintage Eddystone EC10 MK1 communication receiver from friend of mine and it is completely dead when it comes to me. EC10 MK1 is one of Eddystone's very early solid state communications receivers and it use 10 PNP Germanium transistors. This receiver cover 550 kHz to 30 MHz and come up with BFO for CW and SSB receptions. Restored EC10 MK1 HF communication receiver The main problems which I noticed in my EC10 is corroded wires, components and PCB. I did restoration step-by-step and most of the steps are listed in my qsl.net page . Other than repairing, this article covers details of power supply which I integrated into EC10 communication receiver. The schematics and photographs are available at the same article . After repairing and above changes EC10 starts to work again and with some external antenna is performs quiet well. Most of the times I use this receiver to listen to 40m 4S7RS net on 7060kHz.