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| Reviews Summary for I.C.E Coaxial Suppressor |
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Reviews: 14
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Average rating: 3.9/5
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MSRP: $44
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Description: Patented Coaxial devices for lightning surge protection of facilities. Used by Commercial, Military, and amateur facilities world wide. Several models to chose from.
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More info: http://www.iceradioproducts.com
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RFEXPERT
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Rating: 1/5
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Nov 1, 2009 22:34
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TERRIBLE company
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I bought a whole bunch of the ICE 300's for my station.
They took months to deliver with no answers on the emails or phone. Its hard to believe a company can treat its customers with such contempt. It make matters worst when they charge your credit card long before the goods are delivered.
When I opened the product I was shocked. A puny toroidal core, cheap capacitors and a NE2 neon. No sign of a proper gas discharge tube or teflon wire. Even though the item may work as described, and may have some advantage over the competition, I doubt very much if the poor quality materials used could sustain multiple surges. The enamel wire and uninsulated toroid core is bound to arc. The webpage description is clearly deceptive, you dont get whats described on the web page.
If you thinking of buying these products, try contacting the company, good luck! If you can actually buy them when you can see what you buying that might be the way to go otherwise I would stay away and look at the Polyphaser products.
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KB3GJL
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 5, 2008 09:08
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Solid Piece of Equipment
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've used two of these mounted directly to an 8 foot ground rod now for several years, and have found them to be just about bullet proof. They play a vital role in my lightning protection scheme, and have had no adverse effect on my SWR readings. I recommend them to all of my friends who are building antennas.
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W7JBB
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 6, 2008 15:14
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Excellent, but
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have used a number of the ICE products for years and have always had great results. What I really like is the reduction of any static charge via the grounded inductor on the antenna side of the device, and the large capacitor that is in the line. This design handles static charge/ noise better than any of the others on the market, in my opinion.
That said, like N9ESH I have no idea why their finished product is not made exactly as they show on their website diagram. My present ICE products are the same as N9ESH describes in that they contain a glass gas tube rather than the ceramic cartridge as described. Also they had no resistor on the transmitter (input) side of the capacitor as it shown on their website diagram.
The gas tube makes very little difference in the actual operation of the product and the need for the input side resistor could be argued; however, like N9ESH I fail to see why the sold product is not manufactured EXACTLY as shown on their website diagram.
The product works, and works well as sold, but I really would like for the product to be sold as represented. If you need the resistor you can simply add it yourself, but that should not be necessary when you purchase a finished product!
Bruce
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KF7NN
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Rating: 1/5
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Feb 10, 2008 10:44
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didnt work
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had snow static causing elevated s meter readings
and then there was no output from my Icom 756 Pro III. needs a static bleedoff
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DXSHORTWAVE
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Rating: 2/5
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Oct 22, 2007 19:08
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poor quality, bad design
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Check N9ESH's review on the I.C.E devices. for the reasons he stated (NE2 neon bulb instead of ceramic gas tube, etc.) we also got rid of ours at our commercial HF receiving site. We had previously thrown out the PolyPhaser units because their internal capacitors all failed within 1-2 years. See our previous review on those. They must have gone to a cheaper line.
We did lab tests on all the devices and as a result, replaced both the I.C.E. and PolyPhaser units with the Alpha Delta TT3G50 coax surge protectors. Not a single problem. Insertion loss and surge discharge performance as good or better than the others. We can't afford down time here! By the way, they're also less expensive.
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K7ICU
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 22, 2007 18:43
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Literature needs some updating.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I normally deal with PolyPhasers at work (public safety), but decided to give an ICE 306 a try for myself. I also found information on the web and in the manual in conflict with the actual hardware (see review by N9ESH for details). Some of the troubleshooting advice in the manual simply no longer applies, given the hardware changes. Minus one point for that one, but I'll still still take the electrical features of the ICE unit over the PolyPhaser in my personal projects. Insertion loss checks out at about 0.3dB @ 444 MHz. Fit and finish isn't quite as refined and stout as a PolyPhaser, and mounting options are a bit more limited, but this may be a better unit for ham purposes.
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N9ESH
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Rating: 3/5
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Dec 31, 2006 21:44
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Look inside for a surprise!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Being a retired Quality Engineer, I just had to open one up (Model 300) and take a look inside. As I suspected, the workmanship is superb and the internal components appear top rate.
But I did notice two things. The ceramic surge device as shown on their web site photos was not there. In its place was an NE-2 type glass bulb. Now it probably doesn’t matter as either a neon bulb or a ceramic surge device is placed across a large toroidal inductor and both are relatively low power devices. Either should help protect just fine.
Another thing, the toroidal inductor. Isn’t that supposed to be wound with silver plated wire and have a Teflon coating? The package sheet says so. It appears to be just Polythermaleze coating over copper.
Will I use the Model 300 with my OCF dipole on HF? Sure, why not? It still appears to be able to take quite a bit of energy to ground, if needed. However, I will continue the practice of disconnecting all antennas when not in use. And for my VHF/UHF stuff, I will stick with my ¼ wave shorted stubs.
ICE needs to update their ads and packaging specs a little. But other than that, it is a good product.
Jim/N9ESH
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KG5I
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 17, 2005 07:26
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Excellent Product
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've just installed 4 I.C.E. devices at the base of my tower. I mounted them inside a NEMA box on a copper bulkhead. As others have said, I noticed a decrease in static-type noises. I have my HF, VHF, &UHF feedlines all going through these devices. In addition, I have my 8-wire rotor cable inline too. These units are well-built and should provide many years of service. The nice folks at I.C.E. also sell the correct chemicals you need to properly fasten these to your grounding unit too. But for me the main reason for using these are "Ligntening Protection". So far I've not had any near hits, but I am confident these units will protect me.
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W3ETC
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 12, 2005 08:50
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Actually works
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Based on the reviews of this site I went ahead and purchased five of these devices along with the mounting plate and grounding bar. These are rugged beefy devices that actually do make a difference in the backgound nosie level as they provide a constant drain to ground. Support was great as I called them a couple of times to understand the proper way to install a complete grounding solution for the shack. Very helpful and took their time. Lightening is interesting stuff and there is alot of information that is all over the place as to what not and what to do. I appreciate the time they spent. The products are solid devices encased in a tight chassis that can be mounted in or outside. I mounted mine inside and made them and the plate the center of my grounding solution. I A/B ed the noise difference with them in and out of the line and you can hear and see a difference. I recommend these devices and the extra piece of mind they provide.
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WV4R
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 25, 2004 22:01
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More Bang for the Bux...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been using the ICE#303u for years. I favor the 8KW-PEP/4KW-CSS model w/SO-239 connectors costing about $44. The Quality is Obvious. The Design is Fantastic. The Price is Right! Looks Professional. Works Professionally. A little known additional feature/benefit is the wealth of literature I.C.E. makes available for the asking. They have a toll-free number. The sales staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. This unit Has to get the wv4r FIVE-Star Rating cuz it workz gud & lasts Long time! 73 es God bless, murf.
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