The Amateur Radio Link

Icom Amateur Radio Warranty Confusion!

Have you just assumed that your warranty is one year because it says that on the little card that came with your new radio? That may not be true any more? Things are changing with the Icom warranty but there doesn't seem to be much of an effort to keep us informed of the facts. Searching the net I found that for Canada and the USA there isn't real clear statement of our Icom warranty for Amateur Radio.

The Icom Australia website does the best jobs of clearly pointing out their 5 year Warranty on Amateur Radio transceivers. They have a nice big graphic banner as well as spelling it out in other places on their site: (http://www.Icom-australia.com/products/amateur/amateur.html).

I was not able to find anything on the Icom America website that gives the length of warranty. (http://www.Icomamerica.com).

Looking at the Icom Canada website I found two references to warranty length.   (http://www.Icomcanada.com)

On the Warranty page (http://www.Icomcanada.com/warranty.html)
Nothing specific to Amateur Radio, it says:

* Receivers: one (1) year from the date of purchase (excluding accessories) from a Canadian authorized Icom Dealer.
* Aviation and Marine Radios: three (3) years from the date of purchase (excluding accessories) from a Canadian authorized Icom Dealer.
* All Other Radios: two (2) years from the date of purchase (excluding accessories) from a Canadian authorized Icom Dealer.

From can we consider that Amateur Radio is considerd as "All Other Radios" and have a two year warranty.

But wait ... I found another page on the Canadian site - (http://www.Icomcanada.com/products/products.html)
Note: This page has been changed and no longer mentions warranty.

This is what it use to say:

"All new Radio purchased from an Icom Canada authorized dealer are covered by a 2 Year
Warranty, except for Amateur transceiver which are covered by a 3 Year Warranty."

Note this "except for Amateur transceiver which are covered by a 3 Year Warranty."

See an archived PDF page here: ICOM 3yr Warranty

Now that is better because this page clearly says a 3 Year Warranty! Now this is making me happy.. (See the archives copy of this page.)

Another interesting change on warranty is shown on the Icom America website. It's nice but does not specifically say applies to Amateur Radio. This among other things, gives the ability for the new owner of used equipment to be eligible for the balance of warranty. (as simple transfer of warranty)

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Icom Announces New Product Warranty Policy (http://www.Icomamerica.com/en/media_events/news/NewsArticle.aspx?id=200908)

Policy Change: Icom America and it's Icom Service Centers will now support and validate warranty repairs based on the serial number.

What this means for you: The change offers a number of great benefits to our customers:

    * No proof of purchase required when product is sent in
    * If you buy a used Icom product that is still within the original warranty period the product is covered
    * Purchases made over the Internet are easier to support
    * Icom's warranty validation process is speeded up, reducing service wait times
    * Standard warranty rules, terms and stipulations still apply

See an archived PDF page here: Icom US - News Release

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This is something we will all like, if it applies to Amateur Radio..  

Now, does this also apply to Canada or only to the USA?

OK, while I'm at it, here is a bit more to add to the confusion, if your in Canada. I have several new Icom transceivers in the past months and years. They were purchased from different authorized Canadian dealers. While checking in to this warranty stuff, I decided to take a closer look at the warranty cards. (I didn't pay a lot of attention to in the first place - I wanted to get that new rig on the air). Surprise, surprise, the card says my warranty is with Icom America. This is very interesting, I thought my warranty was with Icom Canada who state on their website: This warranty shall not apply: To any Icom product not originally supplied by Icom Canada to an authorized Dealer of Icom Canada.  More warranty confusion, I'm so glad I haven't had any problems!

We need and deserve a clear written warranty statement. Who do these longer warranties periods stated on the internet apply to?  The warranty information supplied with current radios has not been updated .. Icom, your  doing a wonderful job of keeping us confused! Please give us a clear concise statement of our warranty terms, put it on your website and documentation so everyone can see! Follow the Icom Australia lead!

73 - Ken - VE5KC
- http://amateur-radio.ca