|
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.
|
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.
|
|
AC4FS
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 1, 2006 06:11
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Hand Held!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
First let me say I've owned and used an IC-T7H for about two years now, and while I like it very much, I wanted a "true" dual-band hand held. I ordered the IC-W32A from AES on April 25th. It arrived at my door on the morning of April 26th. I excitedly tore open the packaging, made sure everything was there and attached the fully charged battery from my IC-T7H to it (one nice thing about the T7H and W32A: The can share all attachments, including batteries) while I charged the new battery on the T7H (note to self: must purchase drop-in charger!).
After a cursory look through the manual, I powered up the W32A and proceeded to program in all of our local repeater frequencies and the local and national simplex frequencies. Programming the W32A is very easy, probably a bit easier than the T7H. Even if you get confounded when trying to program a VCR, you will have no problems with the W32A. I then gave it a strenuous workout, testing it on each one of the local repeaters and simplex frequencies to see how well it worked. To be truthful, I was impressed. The W32A seems to "hear" a bit better than the T7H, and even though it only puts out 5 watts max, it seemed to reach out further too.
I gave it the ultimate test this past Saturday: I am a member of our local ARES group (another reason I wanted the W32A and T7H), and we were asked to provide assistance at the grand opening of our county's new EOC. The W32A again performed flawlessly, both inside and outside of the building, allowing me to communicate with other volunteers via simplex, or with other local hams via one of the repeaters.
If I have one complaint about the W32A (and T7H, for that matter), it would be battery life. When ever I help cover an event, even a parade or race, I have to carry a BP-170 "AA" battery pack in case the normal BP-173 dies. I'm not going to let that one complaint change my rating from a 5 to a 4 though. I knew what I was getting when I bought the W32A.
Bottom line: The IC-W32A is one of the few full-sized, true dual-band hand helds still in production. If that is what you're looking for, you can't do better than the W32A!
|
|
K6LCS
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Apr 14, 2006 09:11
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Onlt True Duplex HT Left
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
>>...I see that the W32A has now been discontinued...
100% incorrect. You didn't hear that from any legitimate Icom dealer in North America, nor from Icom. No one else's opinion matters: Why spread unsubstantiated rumors?
>>...The NiCD battery...pretty dated...
Although you have to admit the fact that NiCd continue to be the workhorse chemistry of communications batteries. Modern NiCD packs can be discharged/charged up to 1,000 times: More than any other available chemistry.
>>...BNC connector are pretty dated...
Another weird statement. BNC connectors are rated for more connects/disconnects than SMA. What does "dating" have to do with this?
>>...a favorite for satellite operators...
Although dual-receive is NOT mandatory for working easy sats (like AO-51).
>>...the battery life is pretty bad...
Yes, this unit is from an older generation of HTs, and is known for being a battery hog.
>>...receiver audio is too low...
Hasn't ever been a problem for me...
Subjectively, this unit has a very nice "feel" to it. If you're thinking of getting one, check out some longer-life battery alternatives (batteriesamerica.com and nicdlady.com immediately come to mind).
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
|
|
NE0P
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Apr 14, 2006 08:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
an OK HT
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I see that the W32A has now been discontinued, and it is probably time, given the long life this HT has had. The NiCD battery and BNC connector are pretty dated by today's standards. I know that everyone else on eham hates SMA connectors, but I like them.
Yes this HT does do dual receive, which is nice, and you can listen to one band while transmitting on another, which makes it a favorite for satellite operators. Still, the battery life is pretty bad, and the receiver audio is too low. It is fairly easy to use and set up if you are familar with Icom HTs. I probably wouldn't buy another, though.
|
|
N4OYO
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Jan 5, 2006 09:17
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Display problems
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I've had this radio for about six years and for five of those it was a great radio. About a year ago I started having problems with the LCD display. The lower one half of the display would go out, leaving chineese charactors on the screen. Pressure on the case would bring them back - for a while. I had the rig repaired at the Orlando Hamcation in 05 (the service person cleaned and reconnected the display connections).
Well its almost a year later and the display is going out again.
I love the radio except for this recurring problem. I will have to pick up a new HT this year and would love another W32, but.............
|
|
N1UMJ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 9, 2005 10:16
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great radio!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I got this radio a couple months ago as at a recent ares/races event I noticed a lot of people had this radio and I looked at one and liked it. I must say, I'm not disappointed. I've had many HT's, and none feel as good in my hand as this one. I think it has the best receive audio of any I've had, and gets very good range from the stock rubber duck. I have no complaints at all. I still carry the F6A around in my pocket when ever I leave the house, but on vacations and when I'm doing stuff around the house or yard, or at races/ares stuff some times, I use the w32a, it's been used almost daily since I got it. Battery life isn't great but, I have a spare and it hasn't let me down yet and I don't think it will based off Icom's usual quality..
|
|
KG4GUF
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 7, 2005 16:01
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent Unit
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I have had the unit for about six months now and I just have to say that it is an excellent little handheld. With the included batttery and the included rubber duck antenna, I can reach the Atlanta repeater (the big one) from IN MY HOUSE in Conyers. However, I do recommend you buy a larger antenna but for its size it is a really great radio. I must admit I haven't tried the 70cm band on it yet but if the 2m band is any indication, I am sure operation on 70cm will be excellent!
73!
Matt
|
|
W7ZZT
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 2, 2005 23:01
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Good radio but what makes it awesome is cross band repeat...
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
This is the only HT I've used to make a LEO QSO with only the rubber duck, so it will always be a memorable rig for me. I use the BP-170 battery case with 2300 mAh batts and have more than enough talk time for the occasional QSO. This is also the HT I keep in the truck because I really trust this guy. But, what really sets this HT apart is it's ability to cross band repeat and in older models, the recevier can be opened up to access 800 Mhz service freqs. I find the size just right, it's reliable, and it's my choice as a flexible, handheld for on the go situations.
|
|
K6LCS
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Mar 21, 2005 11:53
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Full-duplex HT
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
The 'W32A has been around quite a while, and the "battery hog" issues are well documented. It's from a generation of radios that responsible salespeople recommmend the purchase of a second battery (or alternative power source) for long ops.
But if you want a true full-duplex HT (which the Kenwood TH-F6a really isn't), it's a very good unit.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
|
|
AEUSAF
|
Rating: 2/5
|
Mar 21, 2005 07:08
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
great battery charger
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I bought this radio because of the reviews I have read here and the Icom name. I had this radio a total of one week and returned it for a Kenwood F6A and will never turn back. The supplied battery allows you three hours of use and 15HRS+ for a full recharge. The week I had this radio I got less than ten hours use and 50 HRS charging time. The outlet to charge the battery is in the radio not in the battery. WHY????? Technoligy of this radio is about ten YRS old and needs to be updated with a new model. If you want an expensive battery charger..BUY ONE. My KENWOOD has been running three days and requires five or less HRS. to charge. Far advanced tech over W32A in every way and only $32.00 more than W32A.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
