The following is a procedure for replacing the stock FL-96 455kHz IF filter (2.8kHz @ –6dB) with an
FL-44A (2.4kHz @ –6dB) in the "original" IC-756. The
filter upgrade is worthwhile, as it improves the receiver's adjacent-channel selectivity and
"tightens up" the Twin PBT, whilst maintaining reasonable receive audio quality. The
FL-80/FL-44A combination is the standard SSB filter pair in the IC-751A, the
IC-761, the IC-781 "NATO variant" and the IC-M700. It is a very
effective and good all-round SSB filter set.
The ICOM FL-222 (455 kHz, 1.8kHz @ –6dB), when used in combination with the FL-223 (9 MHz, 1.9 kHz @ -6 dB) will greatly improve the selectivity. However, the receive audio with this filter pair is quite harsh. In 6-metre DX hunting, the signal is always weak (often S2 - S3), and using the FL-222/FL-223 pair can cause you to lose your RX signal entirely.
With the LCD front panel facing you and the bottom cover facing upwards, remove the bottom cover.
Remove a total of 6 screws holding the Main Unit: 4 at the corners, 1 near the middle and the remaining 1 near the voice synthesizer socket.
Remove the screw on rear panel in between ALC & SEND RCA sockets.
Remove heatsink clip holding transistor to chassis (left hand side of the main unit PCB).
Remove all the flat ribbon cables (white in colour) by holding the cables (not the socket) and carefully pull them up. Do not bend or fold them!! Avoid using excessive force; the cables are quite delicate.
Watch out the for small flat cable at the lower left corner towards the front panel. gently pull it out towards the right. Be careful; this small flat cable is very delicate, and is held in place by a piece of adhesive tape. Remove the adhesive tape first before pulling it out.
Remove the RF Unit metal shield and loosen 2 (or 3 as appropriate) shielded cables to allow the Main Unit PCB to fold out to a workable position.
Fold out the Main Unit PCB; remove the two hex nuts & washers holding the FL-96.
Desolder the filter pins of the FL-96 using a solder sucker and a 20 to 25 watt soldering iron temperature-controlled if possible).
Remove FL-96 by wiggling it gently to free pins. You may need to re-heat pins quickly to release filter.
Replace with FL-44A; tighten down studs with nuts and washers (do not screw too tight).
Re-solder pins of FL-44A; clean off excess flux and make sure that solder joints are sound.
If you have already installed a FL-223 (9 Mhz narrow IF filter), you may wish to take this opportunity to solder the retaining lugs of the metal case to the PCB. This will hold the filter to the PCB firmly – better contact and hence less noise. Clearly, you should only do this if you do not want to remove the FL-223 in the near future.
Re-install the board and all cables unplugged in previous steps. When re-installing the flat ribbon cables, make sure you use the minimum force, and re-insert cables only when the pin positions are correct. Put back the adhesive tapes and heat sink clips removed earlier.
Test the radio and replace covers. If the FL-223 and FL-222 are already in the optional filter slots, you will now have 4 IF filters: FL-80 (original stock) + FL-223 at 9 MHz, and FL-44A + FL-222 at 455 kHz – a great variety of choices, which you can "mix and match" using the filter menu.
As an alternative to the FL-44A, you may consider using the INRAD # 109 (455 kHz, 2.4 kHz @ -6dB), which will yield a slightly better shape factor.
Disclaimer: Clearly, any modification to the radio is at your own risk, and I will not accept any responsibility for the above.
Acknowledgements: Before I performed this upgrade, I consulted both Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ and Frank W3UHF, who very kindly explained the modification to me. Thanks, Adam and Frank.
A. Farson VA7OJ/AB4OJ edited Johnny's original text, and created this page.
Last updated: 08/16/2002