ICOM 504 reception issues

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Greetings:
While on our adventures in the Florida Keys I noticed I could not recieve any weather broadcasts. I actually thought maybe this was a ploy of the sequestor to make me feel that pain. I was cleaning my boat and noticed the antenna was turning in the ferril. It is a Shakespear 8900 which came with a 5 year warranty for such things. So I got a replacement from West Marine on Key Largo. Installed it and still no reception.

I then did an automated sea tow reply on 27 and it was maybe 4 miles away and I was inland surrounded by mangroves and buildings. I triggered it and I heard the reply on my handheld and the neighboring boat in the slip next to me heard the reply as well, but I could not on my 504. I dont have an antenna SWR meter and to the best of my knowledge and ability I installed the coax connector correctly. I pressed the local/DX button and still nothing.

So my question is have any of you experienced this issue with your radios in general and perhaps the 504 in particular? I called ICOM and the guy while nice was of little help in diagnosing the problem. Any insight on this is appreciated.

 

[Parthery]

Sounds like the radio went to The big electronics scrap heap in the sky.

You might spend $10 for another connector and replace it again, but my guess is its time to go radio shopping. Maybe a S/H with built in AIS?

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I think you are right. My handheld is a SH. My dad is/was a ham radio operator and has several ICOM rigs, some Yeasu (Standard Vertex) and Kenwood...all have been reliable ham equipment. Icom and Standard make good stuff. I am intrigued with the AIS stuff for sure.

 

[enfish]

So did you do the automated radio check using the 504? If so, I'd guess the antenna is at least in decent shape since you were able to transmit. If you can transmit, you should be able to receive. If you turn the squelch down do you get static? I'm wondering if the speaker may have just crapped out?

 

[bayrat]

ICOM had a problem with bad batch of filters in some of their radios. I have a 2010 and , like you, couldnt hear transmissions that were nearby. I called ICOM and they told me to send it in and they would check it out. They said if it turned out to be the filter, they would replace it for free even if it was out of warranty....if not i would have to pay . It was bad and they did replace it. I would call them back and specifically mention the filter issue. I know it was not just limited to 2010 and not just to one model of radio but rather was a bad batch of filters that were installed in different radios . That being said , this is my second ICOM and the second one that I had a problem with. I just dont think that they are the company they once were and am pretty sure that my next radio will be SH, in spite of the fact that they fixed this one.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

When I first discovered the reception problem I looked toward the antenna and that is when I discovered it turning in the ferril. So I replaced it with a brand new one under warranty. Still no reception, but I could transmit. I will call ICOM today and ask about the filter issue. I bought the radio new in 2009. Thanks for the tip.