Modifications for the Icom IC-32
Picture(s) of Icom - IC-32
19-07-1998 / Out of band mod for the IC-32AT English language19-07-1998 / IC-32E auf 9k6 German language
19-07-1998 / IC-32AT Elimination of possible faint pulse noise English language
19-07-1998 / Undocumented features of the ICOM IC-32AT English language
19-07-1998 / Cross-band repeater (Icom) English language
19-07-1998 / Receive coverage for VHF & UHF and enable keyboard entry English language
/ 19-07-1998 / add a comment
Out of band mod for the IC-32AT
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This mod allows the unit to RX-TX outside both ham bands, plus function as a crossband repeater! BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DON'T INADVERTENTLY TRANSMIT!
DISASSEMBLY
1. Remove the battery.
2. Loosen but do not remove the two screws holding the PTT switch plate.
3. Remove the 4 screws on the back of the radio.
4. Now remove the front of the HT by carefully lifting the bottom edge and then pulling it down so it clears the top of the HT. Be carefull as there is a ribbon cable attached.
5. Unplug the Speaker/Mic plug from the main chassis to allow the front conver to be fully opened.
MODIFICATION (Refer to figure 1.)
1. Remove D907
2. Remove D913.
3. Move D912 down to next pad. (D???, bottom location)
4. Add diodes Da and Db (1N914 or Equiv.).
VCO ADJUSTMENT
1. Unplug and remove the PTT/FUNCTION circuit board and lay it aside.
2. Remove the top circuit board by removing the screws located in each corner of the board. These are the ones that are recessed and not the ones on top of the board.
3. Carefully pry up the circuit board until it can be folded out. Plug in the PTT/Function button circuit board cable.
4. Hook up the battery and reset the CPU by holding down the "Function" and "A" buttons and cycling power off and on.
5. On the bottom circuit board are located the two VCO's (refer to figure 2). The left hand VCO is for VHF and the right hand VCO is for UHF. Located just to the left of the UHF VCO is a resistor standing on end. Hook the V. O. M. positive lead to the top of this resistor. The negative lead goes to ground.
6. Under aluminum tape on each VCO is the adjustment point. Normally, the VHF VCO will not require adjustment. The VHF adjustment is L554, the UHF adjustment is C510. Adjust the desired VCO for a +.5vdc reading for the lowest frequency you wish to tune on that band. Don't forget to retape the holes on the VCO's.
7. Disconnect the battery and carefully reassemble the radio. DON'T PINCH ANY WIRES!
CROSSBAND REPEATER COMMANDS
1. Enter one VHF and one UHF frequency into each VFO. (Offsets won't work.)
2. To enable crossband repeater, hold down "FUNCTION" buttom and key in, [C] [6] [D]. Then release "FUNCTION" button.
3. To disable crossband repeater, wait until handheld is in receive only and then hold down "FUNCTION" button and key in, [D] [C]. Then release "FUNCTION" button.
*** Once handheld retransmits a signal from opposite band you cannot disable crossband function untill squelch closes and handheld quits transmitting! ***
Figure 1
.------
l . .------DIODE-Da------. l
l D915 +-+ ['] D909 : l
l . .------DIODE-Db------+ l
l D916 [ ] ['] D910 : l
l . . : l
l D917 +-+ +-+ D911 : l
l .------. : l
l l .------. l : l
l l .' '; l : l
l l .' '; l : l
l l : BACK OF : l : l
l l : SPEAKER : l +--+ +-:+ l
l l '. .' l : : : ': l D907
l l '. .' l +--+ +--+ l
l l ------l l
l l l +--+ +--+ l
l l Removing this diode results in -----> l : --REMOVE-- : l D913
l l expanded UHF coverage from l +--+ +--+ l
'------' 400 - 479 MHZ. l l
l +--+ +--+ l
l : : : : l D908
l +--+ +--+ l
l l
l l
l +--+ +--+ l
Removing this diode results in -----> l : --REMOVE-- : l D912
enabling the unit as a cross- l +--+ +--+ l
band repeater. l l
l +--+ +--+ l
l : --DIODE--- : l D???
l +--+ +--+ l
l l
------'
FIGURE 2
.------.
l .------. l
l : : l
l : : l
l : PA CHIP : l
l : : l
l : : l
l '------' l
l .----. Attach V.O.M. .----. l
l : : meter lead --> O : : l
l : () : : () : l
l : : : : l
l : : : : l
l '----' '----' l
l VHF VCO UHF VCO l
'------'
Bottom
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/ 19-07-1998 / add a comment
IC-32E auf 9k6
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Hallo, habe mein IC 32E erfolgreich umgebaut auf 9600BD.
NF Ausgang vom IC 32E zum TNC an MAIN UNIT an IC707 TK1042M Pin 11.
NF Eingang vom TNC zum IC 32E andie Leitung R779 nach R781 Signale UMOD VMOD.
PTT an Stecker J710 Signal PTT.
Fragen ueber Box DB0IZ oder Digi DB0END in 1200BD oder 0202/521349.
Sowie ueber DB0IZ-9 in 9600BD
73 55 Joerg aus Wuppertal DD8JM.
PS: UMOD VMOD sind auch auf MAIN UNIT.
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IC-32AT Elimination of possible faint pulse noise
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Model: IC-32AT
Division: Amateur
Note: This service bulletin is meant for technical per-
sonnel with experience working on solid state com-
munications equipment. Damage caused by im-
properly installing this modification may cause
ICOM to charge for subsequent repairs to the
product. ICOM does not warrant this modification.
Bulletin #: 13889-004
Date: May 1, 1989
Subject: Elimination of possible faint pulse noise from
speaker when radio is in power save mode
Information: The power save mode employs a circuit which
creates a high level square wave signal used in
the power save function. This modification alters
the square wave characteristic to eliminate the
noise.
Procedure
1. Remove the covers from the radio and locate the main board.
2. Locate C-749 and replace it with a 2.2 uf 16 V tantalum chip capacitor.
3. Reassemble the radio, power up and allow the unit to enter the power save mode.
4. Check to see that the pulse type noise has been eliminated.
5. Replace the covers and return the radio to service.
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Undocumented features of the ICOM IC-32AT
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After having opened the transmit and receive on the Icom IC-32AT, I discovered that I have some other advantages. I am not sure if these will work on an unmodified IC-32AT, but it's worth a try (It doesn't involve opening the radio). Everything is done from the keypad.
Self test of system and display
With the radio turned off, press the FUNCTION key and the digit 2 on the keypad at the same time. While holding these on, turn the radio on. The beep should sound (if enabled) and a full display of all characters should appear on the LCD display. When the self test is complete, the beep will sound and normal operation may be started.
After having opened the transmit and receive on the Icom IC-32AT, I discovered that I have some other advantages. I am not sure if these will work on an unmodified IC-32AT, but it's worth a try (It doesn't involve opening the radio). Everything is done from the keypad.
European 430 operation (if expanded frequency coverage has been done)
As above, with the radio turned off, press and hold the FUNCTION key and the digit 6 and turn the radio on. The UHF portion of the radio will now operate as described in the owners manual for the European version of the IC-32 (except for the tones...). Beware, doing this wipes out the UHF memories and requires that they be reprogrammed. The only way to get the unit back to the USA mode is to do a reset (see owners manual).
After having opened the transmit and receive on the Icom IC-32AT, I discovered that I have some other advantages. I am not sure if these will work on an unmodified IC-32AT, but it's worth a try (It doesn't involve opening the radio). Everything is done from the keypad.
European 144 operation
As above, with the radio turned off, press and hold the FUNCTION key and the digit # and turn on the radio. The VHF portion of the radio will now operate as described in the owners manual for the European version of the IC-32 (except for the tones...) See the caution in the above UHF step as it applies to the VHF in this case.
Date: 13-02-2000 / User comment / From: Geoffrey Dann
Subject: More undocumented features
To change the UHF section to North American (5,10,15,20,25 khz steps):
Power off. Hold Function and 3, turn power on.
To change the VHF section to North American (5,10,15,20,25 khz steps):
Power off. Hold Function and 9, turn power on.
To change the UHF section to European (12.5 or 25 khz steps):
Power off. Hold Function and 6 turn power on.
To change the VHF section to European (12.5 or 25 khz steps):
Power off. Hold Function and #, turn power on.
Date: 09-04-2002 / User comment / From: Jim KE8WC
Subject: 12.5kHz tuning step for IC-32AT
I just wanted to let everyone with an Icom IC-32AT know that the undocumented feature of adding a 12.5 KHz tuning step to the radio really adds to the enjoyment of the rig. I've owned this rig for a long time and just now am able to monitor FRS frequencies without being 2.5 kc off-frequency. It is done right from the keyboard by holding FUNCTION and 6 while powering up. Highly recommended! Jim
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Cross-band repeater (Icom)
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Icom Service Bulletin #13889-005
The IC-32AT has the capability of being used as a cross-band repeater.
This function is not enabled as the unit is shipped from the factory.
To enable this function perform the following steps:
1. Cut D912 on LOGIC UNIT. (see above figure)
2. Push and hold the (FUNCTION) switch.
3. Push the (C) key.
4. Push the (6) key.
5. Push the (D) key.
6. Release the (FUNCTION) switch.
To cancel "MINI REPEATER" perform the following steps:
1. Push and hold the (FUNCTION) switch.
2. Push the (D) key.
3. Push the (C) key.
4. Release the (FUNCTION) switch.
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Receive coverage for VHF & UHF and enable keyboard entry
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1. Remove battery and antenna.
2. Loosen two screws on top of unit as much as possible without removing them.
3. Loosen 4 flat head screws on bottom of unit 1 turn.
4. Loosen 2 screws near PTT switch 1 turn.
5. Remove 4 black screws on back of unit.
6. Lift bottom of front cover .25 inch, slide it down .25 inch, then lift front cover up 1 inch.
7. Disconnect plug on 4 wires coming from the speaker.
8. Lay front panel on table up-side down being careful of the flex circuit.
9. All mods are done to the back of the front panel. Notice places for 5 axial diodes, which I will call 1 through 5, 1 being nearest the display. Add/remove diodes so there are diodes in positions 3 and 5. This will open up receive coverage for VHF & UHF and enable keyboard entry of the 10 MHz digit.
10. Notice 4 surface mount resistors slightly left of center directly above the speaker, lined up in a row. Solder the anode (the side without the bar) of two diodes to the right side of the lower of the four caps. Now find the CPU. It's the PGA under the shield near the top of the board. Find the row of pins on the CPU nearest the speaker. Notice the the 8th pin from the right has a thicker trace coming from it. Now notice that there are small solder pads about .25 inch toward the speaker on both the fat trace and the two traces to the right of it. Solder one each of the cathodes of the 2 diodes to the solder pads on the two smaller traces.
This will open up the transmit for VHF & UHF.
11. Put unit back together in reverse order.
This procedure worked for my unit (and many others), but I can't guarantee it will work for yours.
Bill Pherigo
WR0Y
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