I like the radio. A local group bought some and I did the programming. Liked it so much I bought one for my self. Nice bells and whistles and easy to operate. W9DLP
Are the squelch dials that are on the front panel rotary encoder or actual pots ( stop limits)? I see the SQL up/down on microphone keypad and am wondering... Nice review...i might purchase one for the hamshack.
This is a great radio. I have one in my truck and it helps keep me connected with people while I make deliveries in Portland. I wish that there was an equivalent handheld that was available. I'm talking about a modern, dual band, dual receive, analog HT. I think I'd have to get something from the 90s. All the flagship HTs from the top three manufacturers have some form of digital as well as built-in GPS, but I don't need all of that.
I've compared this radio to a couple of other brands and your review helped me decide to buy this rig ... now to wait and get it here ... thank you for this video. Could you provide a link to your full review? You mention it in the video but I didn't see a link to it. Thank you, 73 Mike AD7VV
How will it perform if multiple of these are at the same site? Planning to build a mobile communications van and looking for a radio which might be good against desensitization.
I have one, bought it when they first came out. The stock speaker is absolute junk, you'll want an external speaker. The fan sounds like the loudest hair dryer you've ever heard. That being said I like it for an analog only, cross band radio....the display is nice, and if you speak Icom, you'll quickly be able to program it on the fly. I'd like to try the Bluetooth headset that is available from Icom.
I agree about the fan noise, it is loud. It does make it difficult to hear incoming signal, causing one to turn the volume up too high to where "everyone" in the house hears from a long distance. I find that transmitting on high automatically sets the fan off, causing me to Tx mainly on Low. For that reason, I will move this unit to my vehicle and find an alternative option for a Base station. Great radio though.
Im on day three, were talking full 10 hour days, give or take, just to figure out how to program and use my ICOM 2730A radio-I have spoken to at least 5 technicians, at ICOM and DX ENGINEERING and one Elmer here in Selden, and we or I cannot figure it out. I can honestly tell this entire journey goes against the concept of communication, and rather, sheds light on a Cult of sorts, where initiation is a Bizarre world of hidden knowledge in order to use the device, and honestly, Im starting to wonder if its all worth it and or if maybe CB radio is the way to go. im not sure...
I'm having the exact same experience. I've watched every 2730 vid out there, read the manual and cannot program any tone into a repeater freq, or even an offset. Total purgatory..
I went and bought one. Still cannot work out how to attach the face to the base. All my past Icom's have just clipped on by sliding them..NOT this one :(
YOU HAVE to order adapter ring to connect the two together. It's not included. I bought the radio for the detachable head so they don't charge for something that sit in the box or be thrown away
@@davep6977 You mean the 'Controller Bracket' MBA-4. You can get the exact Icom model from Japan for about $26 on Ebay (shipped). Or twice that in the US (plus shipping).
I was hoping she'd fire it up, but maybe that wasn't done..... on purpose. Apparently as per Eham, the speaker is terrible, very tinny sounding and as well the fan is also very noisy. And $50 !! for the plastic bracket to mount the rig to the main unit?? C'mon ICOM, you can do better.
If you want DSTAR look at the ID5100 it is almost the same but with DSTAR and more bells and whistles. The only problem with it is the 5100 price . The id4100 is also a great option for less money. Good luck AA4CP Chuck Port Salerno FL
I hate the radio. Tiny knobs, screwed up programming, does not come with a mobile bracket and no way to attach the control head to the rest of the radio. The fan sounds like a jet plane. If you ever use a Kenwood TM v71a you will throw rocks at this one.
The KENWOOD V71A is probably the best analog mobile ever made. I just wish they would put it on sale to get it down to the 200's and possibly update it to a rig with a usb interface and sound card built in for digital modes . That would be amazing. :)