|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the ICOM IC-W32A.
|
KB9NPH
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 21, 2009 20:18
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
good unit
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I've owned 3 of these units. Sold the first two and I plan on keeping the third. They are hard to find in the market, just a good solid rig.
|
|
KC8APT
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 20, 2009 13:37
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Radio
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
This is a great radio to bad they quit making it. I have used it for ham events as a SAG driver in a 100K bike event with a 5/8's wave mag-mount antenna. At 5 wats I was getting back to the repeater over 20 miles away. Other HT's hooked to the same antenna could not make it!
Once you swap out the batteries for newer ones the radio lasts for ever!
I added a Diamond RH77CA Antenna to it and it has alot stonger revice...
I have never owned something were you don't need to get a few options / addons for it.....
So if you can find it used its a great radio!!!!
73
Mike
|
|
W5SRG
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 28, 2008 19:09
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
love it
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Got mine in 2004 I think. I love it. It does everything I need and never has a problem. As to batt. life, don't use high power if you don't need it. I have never had mine feel hot like some do, not sure why. I will never let go of this one.
|
|
KC5PQC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 5, 2008 13:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
HAVE OWNED SEVERAL GREAT RADIO!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Bought my first 32 used at a hamfest. never had a problem.used for two years, and sold at a hamfest.i then bought a Kenwood, big mistake, hated the second i turned it on.missed my w32a.so i bought a new one and paid retail.{ouch!} as far as the heat problem goes,i removed the paint under the belt clip, and added a dab of thermal paste.it helps to get rid of some of the heat. had this one for 6 years. i have talked about scratching my call sign on the display, to prevent me from selling it. i change radios like most people change socks.it does everything well for me.sorry to hear production has stopped.
|
|
SWL377
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Apr 22, 2008 22:00
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Good HT, 2 in 1
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Bought a barely used one with an extra batt still in the shrink wrap for $130 and am very happy with the purchase. It is a bit large and heavy, but it is really 2 radios in 1 proven by the fact that it can work 144-440 duplex. It gets warm on full power xmit, but I haven't read about any thermal PA failures. The complaints about battery life are true and you need to manage power carefully if you want to use it for a full day of normal operations on a single batt. I don't think it is a power hog. I think Icom was faced with a heavy radio and put a small batt on it to keep the weight down. I am still learning all its features. The W32A is a capable radio and gets really good audio reports. You will not regret buying one.
|
|
KI4SVY
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 25, 2007 10:01
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Geat Dual Band Portable
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
This is a great dual band portable.
I purchased one used and the performance has been outstanding for over a year.
Look, a portable radio is limited. 5-watts is that. So, its nice to have both Vhf and Uhf in a single radio for portable use.
If you find one of these used grab it. They are a excellent radio package.
|
|
KE4ICS
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Nov 24, 2006 08:58
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great features, Poor battery life
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I bought this radio from a friend, it was in mint condition.
Pros:
This radio has excellent TX - I hit machines with this HT that my others wouldn't hit. I was told it actually puts out around 7 watts, I believe it!
It has excellent features, including dual band receive, crossband repeat, etc.
It is very reliable. I've never ever had a problem with the functions of the radio - they all still work perfectly.
Cons:
It seems a little delicate, I would hate to drop it (thank goodness I haven't).
Charging the battery takes 15 hours (with standard charger).
When connected to DC power cord or AC charger cord, it has a hum in the TX audio.
Probably my biggest complaint is the battery. 600 mA Nicd? It doesn't last very long, not even on low power TX. If you buy this radio, be sure and do as someone mentioned earlier - plan on getting an alternative NiMH battery and quick charger.
|
|
KD7CAO
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Sep 29, 2006 08:37
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Purchased in 1999 - Just Started Having Problems in 2006
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Well to start things off this was my first ever 70CM capable radio. I have used the IC-W32A extensively since I purchased it in 1999 and have loved every bit of it. As a matter of fact when I purchased it several others in my club liked it so much they went out and bought one. Everyone knows it has horrendous battery longevity, unfortunatelly even a new battery later in the life of the radio won't improve things much. The other problem is receive is starting to fail. I have had to replace the BNC connector four times, but it is still a worthwhile radio. As an active ARES / RACES operator and Firefighter / EMT I have used this radio (modified) for Search and Rescue, Forest Fires, and regular Fire and EMS calls. The IC-W32A has better communication capability than any Bendix King on the market! While at the Rex Creek Complex Fire several years ago the DC-130 Retardant Planes couldn't reach ground control due to a failing repeater, I set the radio up to receive on the tactical fire control channel and crossband over to the air control frequency and allowed the plane to make its drop. This is a really good radio, mine needs some repairs due to its age, and I hope they don't discontinue it because I plan on buying another one if they can't fix the receive problems with mine.
|
|
K2PH
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 20, 2006 06:47
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Sorry to see them go - really nice radio
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have had mine for about 4 years now, still going strong. Keep it in the mobile with an external mic, and a dual-band Mirage amplifier in the trunk.
Yes, the original battery stinks. Everybody agrees on that. Battery technology has much improved since the radio was originally introduced.
Batteries America has a wonderful 6-cell AA holder. Fill it with 2500 MaHr NiMh batteries and you can talk for days on end without a recharge. Buy a second set of AA cells and a rapid charger, and you are all set, and at a much lower cost than Icom's battries.
Sorry to see the ads listing it as a closeout and Icom replacing it with a new radio. Well, it had a good run - this is the SECOND time they discontinued it....
|
|
KF6UZX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 10, 2006 18:10
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
It is what I wanted.
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I have 2 W32A HTs. The first I have had for 7 years and the seconed was bought for my son 6 years ago. I bought them for public service work and the recieve on 2 frequencies at the same time is great. It is big enough so I can use the keys easily but not too big. Fits in most pockets. The short battery life is a small price to pay for the dual recieve and is easily solved with NiMH batteries in my 4 and 6 AA cell packs. I can program it so it can not be to bad.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
