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How to Install Icom IC-718 Filters

The Icom IC-718 is a fully featured amateur (ham) radio base station transmitter that lets users transmit and receive ham radio signals across a wide range of frequency bands. It is considered a high-end transceiver and has several advanced features, including the ability to install an intermediate frequency filter that improves reception and access. You can choose from five filters that Icom makes specifically for the IC-718, and you can install the filter yourself by mounting it to the socket reserved for a filter and then soldering the leads to the main circuit board of your transceiver.

Things You'll Need

Small Phillips-head screwdriver
Small flat-jawed pliers or adjustable wrench
Soldering iron
Standard solder for electronics connections (non-acidic flux core).

Instructions

- 1
  Disconnect the power cable from your transceiver.
- 2
  Turn the transceiver over or onto its side and unscrew the five screws that hold the bottom case plate. Remove the bottom plate.
- 3
  Locate the cooling fan of the unit. Remove the screw closest to it as well as the clamp (TR-clamper) adjacent to it.
- 4
  Remove the five screws along the perimeter of the chassis between the fan and the end of the chassis panel.
- 5
  Remove the screw directly opposite the one closest to the fan and then remove the clamp directly opposite the first clamp that you removed in Step 3.
- 6
  Pull out the connector cable under the fan as well as the one on the edge of the chassis closest to the fan.
- 7
  Pull out the connector cables closest to the corner of the chassis diagonally opposite to the fan as well as the cable closest to the clamp that you removed in Step 5.
- 8
  Separate the main panel from the rest of the chassis now that you have removed the screws and cables that are holding it.
- 9
  Place the filter on the raised rectangular platform at the edge of the main panel closest to where it connects to the fan so that its four mounting screws are lined up in the mounting holes.
- 10
  Hold the filter in place while you turn the main panel over.
- 11
  Place a washer over each mounting screw thread, and then fasten a nut to it. Tighten each nut with your pliers or wrench while gently holding the filter.
- 12
  Solder each of the two left leads of the filter to each of the terminals to the left of the leads on the bottom of the circuit board.
- 13
  Solder each of the two right leads of the filter to each of the terminals to the right of the leads on the bottom of the circuit board.
- 14
  Allow the circuit board to cool down for 5 to 10 minutes.
- 15
  Line the main board up with the rest of the chassis. Reinstall and tighten all screws, clamps and connector wires.
- 16
  Replace the bottom panel of the transceiver case and tighten its retaining screws.
- 17
  Reconnect the power cord and plug it in.
- 18
  Push the "Power" key to turn the unit on while holding the "Set" key at the same time.
- 19
  Press the "Y" or "Z" key until you see the "FIL" setting prompt on the display screen.
- 20
  Rotate the main dial to choose the model of filter you installed; the choices are FL-96, FL-222, FL-52A, FL-53A or FL-257.
- 21
  Press the "Z" key once to access the "Expand filter" setting and rotate the main dial to choose yes if you want the filter menu to expand automatically every time you turn on your transceiver (recommended).
- 22
  Press the "Z" key once again and access the "Filter select" menu; rotate the main dial to select the filter and filter selection options that you desire.
- 23
  Push the power button for one second to turn the power off and clear the set mode and then push the power button on to begin using your transceiver.

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