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write your own review of the Icom IC-02AT.
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WB5PDD
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 3, 2009 16:43
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Bought new -- Reliable!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my O2AT, BC-35 desk charger, and an MFJ speaker mike brand new around 1987 right after our house burned down as my first new radio ever after being licensed since the 60's.
I later modified it to operate out of band for MARS and SAR and I tweaked the VCO to lock between about 140 to about 160 mhz. It turns out that we became full time liveaboards for 8 years aboard a sailing sloop and I used it on marine frequencies as a lap radio for opening drawbridges etc, plus as a backup to the main radio.
In spite of the recommended replacement time of 3 or 4 years for the internal backup button battery, this one is still kicking on the original battery, and might be due to my never letting it discharge and stay that way.
The aftermarket $24.95 IC-8 battery pack from Batteries America will take eight NiMH, NiCD, Alkaline or whatever AA size cells that will fit in the case, and the packs are still available. It will run off pretty much anything from 6 to 16 volts with or without a battery attached, and has a common coaxial pwr jack in both the top of the radio and the back of the battery packs.
The antenna connection is a BNC which is rugged in case you just have to use the antenna for a handle. Once or twice I had to open it up to tighten the inside nut that holds the BNC connector, but other than that ... no problems.
The receive audio is good and has plenty for all but the noisiest environments. I don't recall ever having any bad transmit audio reports.
This is a quality radio and it feels like it when you pick it up as it is a little hefty like a commercial Motorola. It's never needed repair and has always worked.
As I type, it is sitting on my kitchen table in the desk charger with a BP-8 pack full of NiMH batterys, and still kicking after 21+ years.
If you can find one of these at a 'fest or Ebay, I'd say it would easily be worth $75-$100 even though you can buy new monobanders for nearly the same price and it will likely be working after the new one quits.
Rick
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W4HWD
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 9, 2008 19:02
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Solid and reliable
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I got mine second hand back in 1991, to replace the Tempo S1 I accidentally fired and ruined (see my review of the S1). This HT is solid and reliable, tougher than the DJ-582 that replaced it (although not by much), had good audio and did it's job well. I never liked the fact that you had to build a "special" mic interface for Icom radios if you wanted to plug a packet TNC into the thing, but that's a minor thing (plus the procedure is described in the manual). If you find one used and need a simple rig that will get you on the air, here's a good one.
Other reviewers have seemingly criticized these old rig for not being "modern" enough...I am guessing they are newly licensed and weren't around when these old gems were new. Remember, this HT was *new* in 1985! If you see one on eBay keep that in mind! Any rig marketed new over 20 years ago can *not* possibly measure up to modern standards - it's 20 plus years old! That's a bad things to some, but the simplicity of the older, less flashy rigs is an attractive thing to many - me included.
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N1KSN
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 24, 2007 13:48
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Very nice radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently got an IC-02AT from an eBay auction at a good price. When I received the item it was clear that the previous owner had taken good care of it. When I removed the original protective film from the keypad and upper panel, it looked like a new radio!
After programming it following an on-line manual, I started using it to scan and chat on local repeaters. The audio reports were excellent from people who know my voice.
The unit's ruggedness is obvious, from the belt clip, if nothing else. Definately industrial strength.
I plan on enjoying this rig for some time to come.
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AC0AX
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 26, 2007 18:24
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back to beginning
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The 02AT was my first 2m radio..found that one at a garage sale, it did have all the mods done to that one. Not sure where it disappered too after my divorce a lot of my treasures disappered. Now some 10 years later I was looking on ebay and actually got lucky and got another one for a great price. True it only has 10 memories but hey its still working after almost 20 years. This one doesn't have any mods done to it. and no it doesn't have all the bells and whistles the new HT's have but I can actually work on this one if I have too, and I know that its on my belt.
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K4MC
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 12, 2007 03:50
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Takes a licking and keeps on talking
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My first ham rig circa 1985 +/- and still going strong. This one is a real classic.
Since it is a little large (the term "brick" comes to mind)by todays standard it is now religated to 24/7 duty in my garage workshop since I now have a W32 to use for portible use.
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KMB01
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 8, 2006 09:56
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Great old timer HT!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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A Large HT.. Loud Speaker, Great Mic sensitivity, still puts out 5 watts on high power all these years... toughest HT around... the finals on this 02AT is simply the best! i salute Icom for this radio!!! a lot of 02AT still in use... i like the tone (dtmf) on this radio, old but can trigger a repeater with subaudible tone...
10-44 to Kabalikat Malaya Zambales 10-41s
3402
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KC0VXX
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 13, 2006 14:06
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First HT
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I got this radio from an old friend who's liscence had expired. The radio works great other than the fact that I'm in an awful spot and can't get my signal out. The other thing is that the batteries have stopped charging and will only last for about 10 min off of the charger. Other than that a good solid rig I bet I could chuck the thing off a cliff and it would be fine.
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PATRICK526
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 11, 2005 08:27
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Best HT during that time
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I am writing my rating in reference to the time this HT took waves in the amateur bands. This radio is great! Just like one of the reviewers said, it is built like a tank! Jammers (in the Philippines) use this HT for transmitting "non-stop press" on the PTT for 24 hrs. without burning its finals!
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KA3SEI
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 16, 2003 00:52
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Solid brick!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I inherited this HT from my dad. Had to repair some bad solder joints, but this is one solid rig. I own a V8000, a 207H, and a VX2R, and I have also owned a T7H, and a Q7A. This old HT has the BEST audio quality of any rig I've ever used. It's big and heavy, but I don't believe you can find a finer handheld radio. I get great transmission reports using 3 watts on a repeater 20 miles away, and that's with the original ugly duck antenna. If you have the opportunity to get one, do it!
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KC1MK
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 25, 2002 22:08
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Best 2M HT I've used
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I got my first IC-02AT in 1987, and used it regularly until I sold it in 1995 to get a dual-band HT. I regretted that pretty soon, as the IC-02AT was quite "bulletproof," while most other HTs I've used suffered from horrible pager intermod where I used to work. I bought another IC-02AT off eBay a few months ago, and won't part with this one. You can get more features, but I would guess it's difficult to beat the IC-02AT in basic performance, based on the the HTs I've used. BTW, it's built very well and holds up to years of daily use.
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