ICOM ID-50E D-Star Handheld Radio Review - First Impressions. 

Thanks for the review Peter. It was very useful. Your highlighting of key functionality aspects has better placed this model in the handheld series and made decision making more easy for most of us amateurs. I'm still leaning towards the ID52E and consequently will keep saving to make the jump and yet after your review I now see the ID50E somewhat more favourably. I think the uptake on either of these models would have been quicker had the ID50E come out first and then followed by the ID52E, but I guess certain sales statistics or competitor competition may have driven them in this direction. Of course they could be employing the advice of too many sales consultants hi hi! Your quite a dab hand at informing and presenting! Many thanks again - 73 de GI8WFA.

Great review as always.There's only a £100 diffrence between the id50 and ID52 if i had to choose which one to buy i would definatley save that extra £100 and buy the ID52 which i alllready have its a fantastic piece ok kit.ID52 ALL THE WAY.They should drop the price a bit more in my opinon

I wonder if the receiver includes the shortwave bands Pete ? That feature is always a killer feature for me and something I always look out for in a handheld. The Kenwood TH-D74 and TH-D75 excels at this, including USB/LSB on the shortwave bands

Thanks for your review Peter! whats your secret for keeping young looking with an active mind?

Wow, what a disappointing price.

Nice review as always Peter. I notice you are an Apple man; can you program the ID-50E using an iMac or is it Windows only? Grant VK4JAZ

Would this be a good beginner radio?

After using dmr a lot lately and listening to dstar im happy to say ill stick to analogue

Hi Peter I enjoy your Videos , Andreas

Only D-Star or DMR too?

Really enjoy your reviews Peter. 73 from WU1Z east coast U.S. Manchester, Connecticut

So it includes a downgraded screen (non-colour) it has no bluetooth and aside from D-Star it is essentially a vanilla VHF/UHF. Perhaps I am missing something here but why would anyone who's not interested in D-Star (definitely dead in my part of the UK) go for this over a £30 Baofeng ? Where's the new features ? Where's the innovation ? They just keep churning out the same radio in a different case. Not sure of the new Kenwood HT's specs yet but that looks way more promising so far.