Hello, Icom tends to indicate the region with the first two numbers of the serial number, 02 = USA (Blocked), 03 = Europe, 05 = France. Search by Model name. Model Name Note; IC-718. Other serial numbers (Not listed below) IC-R8500: IC-R8600: COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER: IC-R8600. Icom Serial Numbers. Convert Icom trail version to full software.

I'm tempted to pull the trigger on a brand new IC-7700 that's sitting in my local dealer's shelf (as he's offering a good price for it). There is no Icom dealer here in Hong Kong and so if this unit does join the Blown Finals Club I'd have to go through the dealer to have the unit shipped back to Japan and endure all the associated hassle that would entail. I've read about newer units with the Rev. 12 PA board that seems to have solved the issue. Uw Summer Youth Programs there. Does anyone know how to tell what number the PA board would have on any particular unit?

Further, does Rev.12 only apply to USA models or to 7700s worldwide? Is there any particular serial number I should look for that may help in the identification of whether the unit is pre- or post- revision? Thanks in advance for any help. 73s Alex VR2WXX Logged. Hi Alex, If the first digit of the country/region prefix in the serial number is 1, the IC-7700 is unequivocally a Rev. 12 is the US/Canada version with S/N of the form 12XXXXX. Other prefixes are 11 for Japan (domestic) and 13 for EU.

The PA board is difficult to inspect as it is mounted on the finned heatsink with the fins towards the top. The PA board is on the underside of the heatsink, so the assembly must be released from the chassis to view the board.

Still, if the IC-7700 is new and has a serial number as described above, it will have the Rev. 12 PA and LPF modules. 12 PA uses a single ST Micro STAC2942B (a twin MOSFET device rated for Po = 350W) in its output stage.

I have not heard of any Rev. 12 PA failures. I spent the first week of last month in Hong Kong visiting my old friend Johnny VR2XMC, whom you may know. Johnny and I then travelled to Japan to attend APDXC 2014 and take in some sightseeing (including wonderful Kobe beef!) We were treated to a hands-on preview of the IC-7850. Please visit my IC-7700 page: 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ Logged. Had one of the original units (sold it) and never had an ounce of problem with it.

I was very careful about the impedances that I fed it into though, and I don't remember using the internal antenna tuner much at all. When I got the 9100, I was surprised at how much more quickly that internal antenna tuner functioned compared to the 7700's. The 7700 seemed to hunt quite a bit until it locked on. Icom, while they make some nice solid stuff, really blundered on that deal. In typical fashion (ID-51A muffled microphone, ID-5100 no included mounting bracket or hardware and dim display in sunlight, IC-9100 D-STAR as an expensive accessory, etc, etc), took their typical 'screw-you' attitude to existing owners, and quietly redesigned the 7700's PA board without admitting fault in the original.

The radio is really nice, and the new firmware is fantastic. But the rig is getting a bit long in its product lifecycle, and some current products from other manufacturers costing much, much less, are boasting some much better receiver performance numbers. Having owned many of their radios over the years, I've learned one very costly lesson.NEVER buy a brand new Icom design!