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| Reviews Summary for Icom IC-T90A |
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Reviews: 112
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Average rating: 4.0/5
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MSRP: $319.95
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Description: Tri-ban FM transceiver, Wide-bad 495Khz - 999.990 Mhz, Dynamic Memory Scan, Lithium-Ion technology, Rugged palm sized, weather-resistant construction, DTCS & CTCSS ton squelch. Simple to Operate !
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://
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K8ERV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 22, 2012 11:41
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Amazing Radio
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've had 3 of these for some time. Others have covered most of the features. I REALLY like the 5 call channels, just right for me on two bands. I sure wish it would scan the call channels since they are obviously the favorites, but that is not to be.
TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo
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W2XOY
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 12, 2010 21:11
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Not as good as the VX-5
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased this HT last month on closeout. I compared it to my Yaesu VX-5 and VX-6. The Yaesu HTs are slightly more sensitive. The Icom lacks a mid level power range, on 5 watts, it gets hot. Battery life is not as long. Intermod the same as on the Yaesus. Overall, a good tri-band HT, but a used VX-5 is a better choice. I give it a 3.5 (rounded up to 4).
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WB6CSH
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 9, 2010 19:30
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good handie-scratchie
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I like this HT because it receives the aircraft band (~118-136MHz) which is in AM mode. The one problem is that the aircraft band audio has to be turned up "full on" to hear aircraft transmissions across the room, but the other bands and received frequencies are fine if they are FM.
The military aircraft band (approx. 260 MHz plus) is a little down in the audio department, too. I suspect that it is poor AVC and audio design; it only occurs in AM mode.
Best regards,
Michael, wb6csh
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YD1LPS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 24, 2010 21:53
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nice ht
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This my first multiband HT from Icom,frist icom owned is ic-02AT and still work until now...
I use T90A just for RX and almost not use for transmit ( I dont want damage the final cause is dificult repair hehehe),good rx and no intermod or intermitent in wfm and fm cause i'm not use the original T90A antenna, so i use ic-V8 antenna and for listenig sw and BC band i use 45 cm HT antenna. battery still good until now i'm use for more 1 years,wall charger use.
simple program and use,all band is working good.
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N1FDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 21, 2010 09:27
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Good All Around
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I rated this unit a 5 because it's simple. It's a multiband tranciever and does one thing at a time and does it reasonably well. It can be operated with one hand, no function key or hold this and turn that. Once you've gone through the radio you really don't need it any longer. The software really helps in seting it up the way you like. 18 banks help the organization. You can re-program the TV memories for FM broadcast, nice.
As for performance I owned one of these when they first came out and sold it a few years ago to buy a IC-91A, still no D--Satr I could hit from my house. However after make the change I began to notice things I could hear with the old T90 I could not with the 91A, stock antenna to stock antenna. For some reason otherwise I did not like the 91A. Vol & tune knob together seem to be an issue with big finger. Anyway sold the 91A and got another T90 and it's like an old friend came home. This radio is not perfect but which one is, it's just a nice simple package for all around use and a real good price. General coverage is great.
http://home.comcast.net/~n1fdx
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K9XXX
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Rating: 3/5
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Mar 19, 2010 07:21
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nice toy,but...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My first handi was a TA90, and I should have studied other models and perhaps made a better decision.
"The stock antenna is crummy"!!!
Users should decide whether they want to transmit on transmit bands or receive 4 to 6 bands. That applies equally to the TA90A, my VX7R, and my IC_92AD. If you want to transmit, buy yourself a $16.00 Smiley or 1 for 2M and 1 for 440 and stop complaining about the transmit performance of a scanner antenna.
My biggest beef is the 5W/.5W power range. My VX7R is perfect with 5,2.5,1,and.5W .
I almost never need more than.5W on a repeater less than 5 miles away on level terrain(with a righteous antenna). When signal reports indicate more is needed, I go the next level as required.
I always use speaker/mics with the my handi on my belt, but I never use 5W unless I genuinely need it.
As with any other, check the spec and decide if you can live with the things you don't like before you buy it. I know a lot more about what I don't like now than when I bought it.
I've gotten over "Aww, what a cute little radio" and love my VX7R and my 92AD. 3.5
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W4KVW
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 29, 2009 15:32
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GREAT SO FAR!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just picked up my T90A used at Christmas & then bought the BC-139 drop in charger NEW from HRO. The HT works GREAT but the supplied antenna from my ICOM T8A works BETTER than the supplied antenna for the T90A.ICOM should have stayed with the T8A antenna in my opinion since it does NOT require you to keep up with the EXTRA piece that is NOT being used until you need it.Just like other brands when you put the 6 meter tip on the HT it drops the signal on BOTH 2 meters & 440mhz.I may repace the stock rubber duck with an aftermarket antenna at ORLANDO HAMCATION 2010.For what I need it for it works GREAT & is SIMPLE to PROGRAM & OPERATE. }:>)
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N1RIK
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 1, 2009 06:27
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Good for the price, but not perfect
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is an ok HT. I bought it because I am setting up a 6 meter repeater and the only 6 meter HTs that I can find on the used market our over priced. So finding this HT, hardly ever used for $150 was a pretty good deal to me. I popped out the diodes for the extended transmit the first night I got it, which gives me the 220 MHz band on low power, however I haven't used it there yet. The major flaws with this radio is that it's not quite as sensitive as my chinese FD-450A transciever or my Kenwood HT-77A. Also the electronic squelch clamps down kinda high even it's lowest setting. If it wasn't due to the squelch or the sensitivity, I would of ranked it a 5. The bottom line, if you need 6m besides 2m/440 and you can get one of these radios for under $200, do it. 73 ~ Bill
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K3DAV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 25, 2009 19:28
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Mine works great.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have had this T90A HT for a little while now, and it has performed flawlessly for me. With the rubber duck antenna, I can hit VHF/UHF repeaters 40 miles away with good audio. There are a few 6 meter repeaters in my area. My buddy owns one of them, and is 25 miles away. Again, with the rubber duck antenna and the 6M stub added, I can talk into his repeater with no problems. Keep in mind that I live in central PA where there is no flat land anywhere. This state is mountains and valleys only.
Recently I took it to a local hamfest, and used a 2M machine 9 miles away to keep in touch with the others with me, and a few friends that didn't come. I used the HT on 5W all day. That was 2 weeks ago, and the battery still has enough juice to work the unit. And it's the original battery. One of the tricks to good battery life is to never use the quick DC charger. Always use the slow AC trickle charger. It gives a better charge, and last a long time between charges.
I found the menus easy to follow, and programming the memory channels was a breeze. The features are great, and I have used the HF rec to listen to SW stations from around the world on the RD antenna, and it works great. I know 4 other local guys with the T90A, and they are as pleased as I am with it.
I have to say this is a great little HT. I have been told by everyone that the audio is equal to any mobile radio. Clean and strong. It's just a 5 watt HT with a little coiled wire antenna. You can't expect top performance like with a base or mobile and a big antenna. When I connect my T90A to my base VHF antenna, I can key repeaters in Maryland 55 miles away.
For what it is, it's a quality HT, and I love mine. Kudos to Icom for another quality product.
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VE2MNC
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Rating: 1/5
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Mar 9, 2009 17:55
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Looks good, but that's it...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The only good thing I can honestly say about this radio is the body is solid, and the wideband ability of it is awesome...
That said...
The body of it is horrible because the metal body also doubles as a heatsink. You NEED either an external mic or an oven mitt to hold this thing when you're TXing for more than a 2 minute conversation... And the wideband is good, if you can tolerate the absolutely HORRIBLE intermod. This thing sucks in anything and everything. I've given up relying on the frequency display when I'm just scanning around because who knows what I've actually picked up. This thing is as selective as a brick.
The antenna is terrible, but easily replaced with a decent one, but then you find the connector is flimsy and you could very well break it by sneezing. The battery is plain garbage. 12-14 hours to charge, and it doesn't last worth anything.
Programming this thing from the keypad has got to be one of the most mind numbing chores to think of. I take great pleasure sitting in a dentist chair instead of having to program 10 memory locations with proper split and CTCSS/NAME/BANK settings.
After this little kick in the face I'll never buy another Icom again. Go and get one of those 50$ Chinese radios on ebay and it'll have 10x the performance quality than this thing. You think those radios are tricky to program, then you've never tried to use this unit.
As for the accessories, overpriced isn't even the word. Nope, no sir, never again!
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