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write your own review of the Icom IC-80AD D-Star ready 144/440 MHz HT.
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KC8EWQ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 3, 2011 06:54
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Very happy
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I decided to get the ic-80ad over the ic-92ad only due to cost. I really don't need dual receive and waterproof ht either. For the cost of the ic-92ad i was able to purchase the ic-80ad, programming cable, an extra battery ( ebay) and desktop charger ( ebay). All this came out to $540 which is what the 92ad costs. I think the 92ad is a great radio but for what I need the 80ad is perfect.
I really like the bright display and backlit keypad. The incoming text (d-star) is really easy to read on the 80ad and programming with the free software is a breeze.
If I had to choose again I would get the ic-80ad.
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K4OFC
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Rating: 4/5
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May 2, 2011 07:07
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Good/Bad
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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As always, I like the ICOM rock solid quality construction. But what a disappointment in the audio quality. I have an old W32 ICOM that is great. But, being a bit on the hearing challenged side, I can't use a product that you have to turn the audio level down to "whisper" mode. I will be returning it to the vendor to trade it in on another IC-880H which I L-0-V-E. My old W32 will continue to be my HT. Shame on ICOM for fielding what should be a great radio with such poor audio. Overall, I give the radio a 4.5, but on the audio I give it a zero. I really expected better
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KC9AXZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 2, 2010 19:57
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Its a Keeper
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The radio works flawlessly. The programming should be done with a PC. D-Star really is nice and easy to use after messing around awhile. As I put it my last review the aduio needs more punch. It's kind of quiet and tinny. The antenna I added made a huge difference.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HIGH-GAIN-Dual-Band-Handheld-Antennas-SMA-connector-/260639053850?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3caf4c581a
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KC9AXZ
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 2, 2010 19:08
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It's OK
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought a 80AD at Dayton. It's solid and built well. The audio is a little tinny and not real loud. This isn't just a fluke though. I'm on my second 80AD right now. The first one the SMA center socket dropped into the rig. Luckily I bought the radio new from a known dealer. The problem occured less than 2 weeks after buying it. The dealer exchanged the broken rig for a good new one. I was going to buy the 92AD but they were out of stock. Not sure If I made the right choice yet. As far as D-Star operation, it's great. I only run the HT on SL power setting, and haven't killed a battery yet. I typically charge the HT at night, and it runs fine all day.
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WB8NUT
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 17, 2010 04:41
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Nice affordable radio for D-Star
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It was suggested that I purchase the IC-92 since it had better receive audio. It did. I listened to the 80 and the 92 side-by-side. But the 80AD was more affordable. That being said, I am happy with the 80AD. Nice feature set, free programming software (you need the software to make it easy to program and don't forget to buy the cable), plenty of memory, good display, easy intuitive menu system. Here is what I do not like. Receive audio sounds tinny (sp?). Too many highs only and not enough lows. But it's OK. Also, why these manufacturers use SMA connects for the antennas is beyond me. It needs a BNC to make swapping of antennnas, connection to a car antenna easy. SMA are not that durable in comparison to the BNC. Icom provided duck antenna is not that good either. Looking for a replacement. That being said, the 80AD is a good handheld transceiver for D-Star and classic FM.
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KC8EWQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 20, 2009 05:30
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great radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Icom did this one right. I think it is a bit costly compared to the other d-star hts. Without the dual rx and the dot-matrix display I thought it would be alot cheaper. It is nice that Icom is giving away free cloning software so you can clone your ic800 and your 80ad to the same frequencies for easy programming.
I have owned the 91ad, and the 92ad, and with those they have their short falls. The 91ad needed some improvements and the 92ad got them but has the display issues. The 80ad is the best yet.
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KB8WDV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 18, 2009 21:23
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good dstar entry radio
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have a id800 dstar.I see many improvements in this generation.easier to program.more memories,Its nice to have the lithium ion battery.other improvements are small but welcome.I am looking forward to getting a Id 880.
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NX8P
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 25, 2009 06:11
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Nice Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just bought the IC-80AD a couple of weeks ago. I haven't owned an ICOM HT since they manufactured the 2AT quite a few years ago. I've used an Alinco DJ 580 for quite a few years and thought it was time to upgrade. Overall, I like the IC-80AD. The construction is solid, nice big display, lots of memory channels (I'll never use all of them), nice audio, power output is good and the size is just right. I thought that maybe I should have invested the additional dollars in the 92AD since it is a full-time dual bander. Although, I never did utilize full dual band use of my old HT so I think using that option may have limited applications (club use, satellites, etc.). Programming takes a little to get used to. You have to be in certain modes (VFO/memory) to get to some of the banks that I programmed. The scanning is fast and locks right on frequency. The broad band receive also works very well and if you connect it to an outside antenna obviously it pulls in signals much better. As for D-Star, I'm still learning how to set it up. You Tube has some good learning videos from ICOM one can check out. Overall, I like the IC-80AD. They even have a free software download for programming, but you will have to spring for another $50 for a cable. It is a very nice radio. It will be in my arsenal of HTs for a long time to come. I don't think you would go wrong buying the IC-80AD.
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