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| Reviews Summary for ICOM IC-2820H |
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Reviews: 21
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Average rating: 4.0/5
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MSRP: $768
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Description: The ICOM IC-2820H 2M/440 dual bander has all the features you would expect and some you would not! You get: separate front panel, wideband receive, 3 power settings, built-in CTCSS decode/encode, selectable amber/green display, PC compatibility and 522 memory channels. V/V and U/U receive is available. The rear panel has two SO-239 antenna jacks to support diversity reception (two antennas required). The diversity function compares the receiving signal strength from two different antennas, ANT1 and ANT2, and automatically selects the strongest signal. This feature is useful when you are listening in a moving vehicle or the transmitting station itself is moving. Diversity receiving is available in 127 MHz, 136 MHz, 146 MHz, 375 MHz, 440 MHz and 500 MHz bands only.
The IC-2820H is D-STAR upgradeable with the optional UT-123 Power output is 50/15/5 watts on 2 meters and 50/15/5 watts on 440 MHz. It is 9600 BPS packet ready too (6 pin DIN). This radio comes with full function backlit HM-133 remote DTMF hand mic, mounting bracket, power cord and spare fuses. Main unit size: 5.9 x 1.65 x 7.4 inches 3.3 Lbs (150x40x188 mm 1.5 kg). Controller size: 5.9 x 2.6 x 1.25 inches 7.4 ounces (150x58x32 mm 210g). This model requires 13.8 VDC at 12 amps. This radio is supplied with the OPC-1663 and OPC-1712 separation cables.
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More info: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/fm_txvrs/2820.html
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You can
write your own review of the ICOM IC-2820H.
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K1IW
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Rating: 2/5
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Oct 9, 2008 06:55
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OK, but not worth the expense
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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ICOM charges a premium price for this radio (even without the optional $300 D-Star module), so your expectations should be high. While audio quality (tx and rx) is good, the user interface is poorly executed:
(a) The glossy display makes it difficult to read. You will need to position it so that it is not facing any window in your vehicle. Even on an overcast day, the light from outside will reflect on the front panel surface making it difficult if not impossible to see.
(b) Important user functions are either buried or not possible. For example, to change the PL tone, you have to press two buttons, scroll down to the correct choice in the menu, press another button, then dial the frequency. Then, to get back out you have to press more buttons. There are entries for both "Repeater Tone" and "CTCSS Tone" - one is used when the radio is in "Tone" mode (encode only) and the latter is used when the radio is in "TSQL" mode (encode + decode). There is no way to do split tone however.
(c) The main tuning knobs [also used for other features] are waaayy to easy to rotate. I don't know how many times I've just brushed against one of them while hanging up the mike - then Bam! I'm on another frequency. Also, these buttons can be pushed in to select different features - it's difficult to push them in with rotating them at the same time.
(d) The radio lacks a one-button way of reversing the repeater frequency (to check the input). In fact, I haven't found any way to do this. At the same time, there are one-touch buttons for things you rarely need to do. Just going from "Tone" mode to CSQ requires pushing the "tone" button a bunch of times.
In summary, there's much room for improvement with this radio. I couldn't recommend purchasing it unless you really want D-Star, since in this regard it's the best radio on the market.
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W6GDK
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 29, 2008 14:17
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Okay radio, but poor RX audio on FM
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I haven't used this radio too much on D-Star yet, but have noticed that the RX audio on the left side seems to be bandwidth limited when the left side is the main. If I select the right side (monitoring local DSTAR repeater) as main, the audio from the left side now takes on a more pleasant sound, with more bass. When using the VHF side as the main, it sounds like the low frequencies are being attenuated. I checked between FM and FM-N, turned off tone squelch etc, but no change. When listening to other stations with a bit of distortion, the restricted audio makes the signal even harder to copy. Sounds like the audio I heard on an old IC-730 when the other station was using compression.
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I discovered the source of my restricted frequency response RX audio problem. When I connect my KPC-9612 Packet TNC to the front panel packet data jack, the RX audio is filtered to optimize for Packet audio. Packet can be set for the left or right side recevier, or can vary between the two by selecting MAIN as the packet channel.
Without the packet connection to the radio, the audio is much better. I only have the one TNC, so I can't assess whether it is a radio issue or TNC issue. However, I had a Kenwood V7A connected to the same TNC for APRS use and never saw an RX audio problem so I suspect it is a 2820 issue.
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GM1FLQ
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Rating: 1/5
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Sep 25, 2008 06:22
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D star - are you gullable enough ?
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have used the IC2820 and my view is that D star is not the future for amateur radio. It can't be compared with SSB in the 1960's, it is not even in the same league. The IC2820 is of typical latter day poor build quality using cheap looking and cheap feeling plastics. The controls feel like they are from a cheap kids toy and the audio has the usual downsides of digital technology versus analogue. I foresee this whole D star thing only being of interest to a sub-section within the hobby - particularly the newer entrants of juvenile age who love their mobile phone & gaming machines - perhaps we will see D star texting next - the mic on the IC2820 looks just fine for that. Maybe a good thing because according to other more experienced users (see other eham reviews) of this mic, the PTT switch inside doesn't last very long.
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MM0PMW
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 22, 2008 13:17
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Is D-Star The Future?
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Having just used the 2820 with the optional UT-123 fitted for three weeks, my view is that D-Star is the future for Amateur Radio.SSB was a leap forward in the 1970s,I want to make a comparison,and say that this mode is also a step in the right direction.
The display on my 2820 is mounted on a MB-165 at eye level in my shack.I like the green to amber variable display background.The audio sounds ok to me,the one touch reply function is a great way to respond to a station calling,you can respond in an instant.Programming is time consuming,but if you use the software, then that takes the time aspect out of the equation.
DX communication is at your finger tips with the D-Star system,the Icom 2820 has opened new doors in Amateur Radio,and injected new life into the hobby for me.Come on in the water is fine.
Matt / MM0PMW.
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DJ0ABR
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 20, 2008 13:05
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good radio for a lot of money
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I used a lot of different radios in my car before purchasing the 2820. For sure the 2820 is not a simple radio, it is a lot of work to get used with all these functions. Programming channels is really time consuming, so I use the CS2820 software to enter all data. I find this software very easy to use, no problem at all.
The performance of the receiver and transmitter is very good compared to my previous Yaesu and Kenwood radios. Modulation quality is good, got only nice reports. The new D-Star option is the right way where amateur radio should go. I like it a lot, this radio is the right toy for amateurs enjoying playing with new operating modes and a huge number of menus.
What I don't like is the bad contrast of the display. It must be installed in a position where I can view it directly.
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W3PAP
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 17, 2008 08:54
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After a short time, I like it.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've only had the IC-2820 for a short time but I like what I have seen so far. Prior to this radio, I had an IC-2100, an IC-2710, an IC-2720 and an IC-2800. I do a bit of traveling and want to store a lot of repeaters into the radio so that I can use them on my trips. One of the problems I encountered was being able to listen/talk to only a group of repeaters wherever I was. The 2710 has a limited number of channels and I was always deleting and adding channels for where I was going and then trying to lock them out as I moved into different areas. I got the 2720 because it allowed you to set the channels up in "Bands" that you could easily turn on and off. However, the 2720 does not have any alpha display so all you could see was frequency and in strange areas you never knew what town you had without the use of a cheat sheet. And I found the display hard to see from a side angle. I got the 2800 with its beautiful color display which has alpha tagging but again it has a limited number of channels available and you're forced to lockout or enable channels individually .. but the display is awesome. Finally, I decided to take the plunge into the 2820. It's a bit pricy but will give me the ability to go digital when I choose later. I got rid of the 2100, 2720 and 2800. I kept the 2710 because the remote head fits perfectly into a slot in the dash of my Jeep Compass. The display is clear and large enough to read easily. Channels can be broken into 26 bands with mixed VHF and UHF and it has alpha tagging so you can see what city the repeater is in. All in all, I like it so far.
One problem is the CS-2820 software that Icom sells. While it allows you to input all your channel information and set up banding, everything has to be typed in... still better than putting them in through the radio panel. There is no import cabability and you cannot cut and paste from any other application (like a spreadsheet). It is a pain to put in a lot of channels. I have found out the RT Systems (www.rtsystemsinc.com) is about ready to release their software to program the 2820 and it will have import capability and an ability to direct link into lists created in the ARRL TravelRepeater software. That will be a welcome addition.
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DZRTRAM
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 15, 2008 20:51
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An absolute pain to program
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is a great radio, as long as you don't program it. This is the most difficult radio to program that I have ever used. I have two Kenwoods and two Yaesus in addition to this 208H. My 8900 automatically puts in things like offset, etc. when I'm using the software. With the 208H program you have to type in or choose from a list by double clicking on the cell you want it in. Some of them you can't even type in, you have to choose from the list, which really slows things down.
You cannot even select a group from what you've put in and move it. With the Yaesu 8900 I can select and move any way I want. This is archaic for a big company to put out something like that.
Saving it to your hd or flash is a pain, too. You have to open up the program and then open the program and then open the data you saved.
I don't know of one radio software program on the market that isn't much, much, much better than the one for the 208H. Even the manager of the local HRO hates it and won't even try to program it manually. This is the only Icom I own. If this is an example of their incompetent attempt at programming I'll stay as far away from Icom as I can.
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KD0BOC
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 12, 2008 19:49
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Very Nice Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought this radio because my Local ARES group just installed one in a command truck we jointly use with area police, and fire dept's. I thought it would be nice to learn how to use it, and I could use one at home, and on the road. I rated the radio a 4 out of 5 due to programming is tricky despite the easy to use menus. when in single band mode I love the large display, and when equipped the optional UT-123 I can use D-STAR, and GPS. The coolest feature when using the GPS it showes the correct UTC time. Despite other reviews this is truly a radio no hamm shack should be without. It was worth every penny. Even though ICOM should charge the radio with the UTC-123 Around $600 instead of around $900
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PY1BR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 4, 2008 07:49
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Very Nice Product
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I don't understand so many complains about this radio. Very nice looking and quality (cosmetics). Full of useful functionalities. I still don't have the digital unit. Regarding the output audio I got great reports, very good and clear audio with the exact volume level. And of course the always very good Icom receiving quality. Mine is already full of memorized frequencies. It will be my main base station for VHF/UHF.
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M3VXJ
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Rating: 1/5
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May 31, 2008 04:27
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Expensive and poorly designed
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've got an IC-E2820 - the European version.
My review is based on what I bought the unit for and how it performs for me. Anybody reading this should read the other reviews as well because although I am extremely disappointed with this radio I accept that for other users it may well be perfect.
The good points:
- Solidly built main unit
- Nice clear display
The bad points
- D-Star requires EXPENSIVE optional parts
- You cannot use GPS with the front panel mounted on the unit which is a huge blow because this is how I wanted to use it.
- Included remote separation kit does not include cable for microphone.
- Switching between bands seems difficult compared to my Yaesu FT-857D
- Control is generally not as easy as I feel it should be
- Power settings available are 5w, 15w or 50w. For a radio costing this much I'd expect power settings to be more flexible. If you are a UK foundation licence user you are stuck on 5w and may as well use a handheld with an external antenna.
- Control panel feels cheap and flimsy. Looks like it will scratch easily.
Overall I feel that this is hugely overpriced for what is basically a dual bander. I bought it for D-STar and GPS functionality and had to pay a lot extra on top of the basic unit for the GPS/D-Star module.
I've had this for just a couple of weeks now and simply seem to get more and more disappointed as time goes on. Learning to use my other equipment has been a real pleasure. This just sucks. If I could get a refund for it I would, but unfortunately I've opened the box and installed the D-Star unit so unless it breaks I'm stuck with it.
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