The N1MU

Icom IC-2A, IC-2AT, IC-3AT, IC-03AT and IC-4AT Museum

Lately I’ve acquired several Icom IC-2As, IC-2ATs, IC-3ATs, IC-03ATs, and IC-4ATs in a fit of nostalgia. I can’t explain why I did it. Maybe it’s that unique sound they make when you turn them on.

IC-2A, IC-2AT

Here they are, Units 1 to 4 from left to right.

Unit 1 – SN ?

This unit is an IC-2AT, but with a later style touch pad. I acquired it on eBay. It came with a dead BP-3 for which I have ordered a replacement NiCd insert from W&W. I’m swapping this original Icom battery pack with the OEM battery pack from Unit 3 because Unit 3 will be the “museum piece” of the group. Unit 1 also has a Communication Specialists SS-32SMP PL tone encoder board inside. It came set to 94.8 Hz, but I changed it to 110.9 Hz. This unit is in good working order and will be my everyday work horse.

Unit 4 – SN 51823

This unit is an IC-2AT, a gift of Rich Place, WB2JLR. It came with another dead BP-3 battery pack. The touch pad on this unit is original, unlike Unit 1. This one will be a loaner for any new Hams I know that need a rig before they get their own.

Unit 2 – SN 03347

This unit is an IC-2A. I also acquired it on eBay. It came with two BP-3 NiCad packs and a DC-1 Battery Pack Eliminator to allow plugging the unit into 12 VDC directly. Both battery packs were dead and physically damaged. One looks like someone exceeded the voltage limit or reversed the polarity when they connected it because the electrolytic cap inside the pack has exploded and melted the plastic of the case. I combined the good pieces from these two BP-3 packs to form a new one in good shape. I need to order another BP-3 insert. This unit is in good working order. It will be a loaner for any new Hams I know who need to borrow a radio before they get one of their own.

Unit 3 – SN 14965

This unit is an IC-2A, SN 14965, and it’s in almost mint condition. It will be the “museum piece” of the group, in other words, it will be like the classic sports car that only comes out in the best weather for show. It still has the plastic faceplate protector sheets over both switch plates and the serial number plate. I acquired this unit on eBay as well. It came with an external PTT switch, a BC-30 charger base, the manual, a Yuntong OEM battery pack, and the original wall adapter. This unit is in terrific cosmetic shape and is in good working order. In the manual I found the original purchase receipt from Electronic Equipment Bank in Vienna, VA from 9-4-82. That’s the year I started high school. The original owner of this unit appears to have been Elizabeth Zandonini, W3CDQ, although the person I bought it from said that Margaret Mollat, WA3IWK, was the previous owner. I am swapping the OEM battery pack with the re-celled original Icom pack from Unit 1 since it’s in such good shape.

Unit 8 – SN 12482

This unit is an IC-2AT, a gift of Jeff Ach, W2FU. It came with another dead battery pack. Sorry, no photos yet.

IC-3AT, IC-03AT
Unit 7 – SN 05705 I purchased this unit on eBay. It is in nice condition except for some pronounced scratches on the front and sides. The case has a newer appearance otherwise.


Unit 9 – SN 10272 This is an IC-03AT I purchased on eBay for WAY too much. It looks and works great.

IC-4ATs

Unit 5 – SN 07008

This Unit is in good shape and works well. It’s modeled here by Griffin (no call yet). I obtained this IC-4AT at the Rochester Hamfest from a guy who had four or five of them for sale. This was the best one. It still has the plastic on the metal label plates.

Unit 6 – SN 04300

This one is fancy, but has a DEAD TRANSMITTER. I got it at the Rochester Hamfest from a ham who said he was from Ottawa, Canada. I’m pretty sure he knew it was busted, but he didn’t say so. What a crook. Maybe I can repair it. It has a very nicely installed DIP switch for setting the PL tone.

Here is a table of the switch settings for the PL tones that can be set.

67.0	11111	118.8	11110
71.9	01111	123.0	01110
74.4	10111	127.3	10110
77.0	00111	131.8	00110
79.7	11011	136.5	11010
82.5	01011	141.3	01010
85.4	10011	146.2	10010
88.5	00011	151.4	00010
91.5	11101	156.7	11100
94.8	01101	162.2	01100
97.4	10101	167.9	10100
100.0	00101	173.8	00100
103.5	11001	179.9	11000
107.2	01001	186.2	01000
110.9	10001	192.8	10000
114.8	00001	203.5	00000

Restoration

To restore these units, I wiped them with Clorox wipes and used a toothbrush to remove grit. As mentioned above, inserts for dead battery packs can be obtained from W&W. Here is a photo of a refitted BP-3. To remain true to the original design, this pack got a NiCd insert, not an NiMH insert. It should last several years with proper care. For other dead packs, I will most likely use NiMH inserts.