| CHRISGM |
Rating:     |
2008-09-27 | |
| Works as advertised |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Purchased from AES in Las Vegas. Got the base unit, plus the UX-910 1200 MHz band unit, a pair of UT-106 DSP units and the UT-102 voice synthesizer, and the CT-17 level converter. Put it all together, and it worked without a hitch. Would have appreciated if AES had assembled and tested, but there were no issues. Also got the AG-25, AG-35, and AG-1200 pre-amps. The AG 1200 was purchased overseas, and may have been the last one for sale anywhere. Due to shipping issues it was three month getting here. CR-293 High Stability Crystal Unit, and two filters ( FL-132 and FL-133 were purchased on Ebay, and shipped from a vendor in Japan. Installation was challenging, as the original crystal unit had to be removed, and the new one soldered to the PLL board, the filters required the complete removal of another board, and without the assistance of a Hakko desoldering unit would have been nearly impossible. Instructions on the addition of all the options were less than clear,and more than once I wondered if I was in over my head. After all of this when the unit was reassembled, the LCD screen started blanking out. The manual forgot to tell you after all the changes that a CPU restart was necessary. All in all, it has been worth it, I would now like to find a AG-2400 down converter. Antennas are all M2's, as well as a tri-bander from Diamond. Have not been disappointed, but this is a specialized unit, not your everyday FM-vhf/uhf unit. Not for those on a limited budget, as the options make it happen! |
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| IZ2OBY |
Rating:      |
2008-09-10 | |
| Fantastico ! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Possiedo l' IC-910H da circa un'anno utilizzandolo in QSO locali, SSB dx ma specialmente con i satelliti orbitanti Oscar e ISS. L'apparato si e' sempre comportato divinamente offrendo le prestazioni di tutto rispetto dichiarate dal costruttore.
Abbinato al microfono da tavolo SM-20 ( unidirezionale )o al SM-8 ( omnidirezionale )ho ottenuto una modulazione invidiabile, nonche' incredibilmente pulita e fedele.
Utilissima ed efficace la funzione AFC nelle operazioni satellitari: una vera "volpe" nell'inseguire la frequenza che shifta per l'effetto doopler !!
Un apparato di questo calibro e' sprecato per QSO su ponti ripetitori: andreste in Ferrari a fare la spesa ?
Grazie Icom per questo gioiello !!
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| W9VNE |
Rating:      |
2008-09-07 | |
| great rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I have owned it now for 3 weeks. I have made 300 QSOs on the OSCAR satellites. I have used SSB, FM and CW. 90+ Grid Squares and 6 countries as well as 35 states. I have made a local QSO on 432 mhz SSB. Everything works as advertised. I have the DSP and CW filter options along with the High Stability crystal. It plays as advertised. It does take a fair amount of attention to detail to manage its operation. Being fairly intelligent and possessing the ability to read helps. Read the operating manual. I still refer to the manual but that is part of the learning curve. It gives the operator a lot of features and that requires learning the manual. Not impossible. Too many lazy people want everything done for them. Ask questions of other owners and you will find this rig to be be a 5. I have 56 years of on the air experience with just about every kind of rig. This is a good value and delivers what it promises in my opinion. |
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| W4MAA |
Rating:      |
2008-08-24 | |
| Alot in one package! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| This is a very expensive rig for 2 meters and 70cm but there is a difference. The receiver is perfect for weak DX signals on both bands. I use this rig for all VHF contests. The power output is very high for both bands and saved me a lot of space in the shack without have external amps/pa's for both bands and 2 more power supplies which would have added another $400-$500 if not for the IC-910H. I like the SSB operation for both bands and like the large display. Seems the sensitivity is much better being only a 2 band rig. The speech compressor also goes along way for high average PEP levels. I work the Oscar 51 when I get the chance and always have a great copy on the bird when its in the area. The ability to track with the satellite control puts both offset frequencies together to track the birds as they come and go. Another lice feature to factor in the doppler effect. A+ rig by all means. Never needed a DTMF mic so not needed. |
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| KW6T |
Rating:   |
2008-08-07 | |
| Unstable |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I hate to "dis" this rig after reading such great reviews, but the frequency is not stable during transmit and does drift noticeably on receive. I get numerous complaints during 2 meter SSB QSO's that my TX frequency suddenly changes though no change is noted in the indicated freq. Maybe this is how Icom justifies the $379.00 price tag for the high-stability oscillator?
My 706MkIIG is a better performer--sadly. |
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| N1LF |
Rating:      |
2008-07-02 | |
| Best V/U Weak Signal rig on the Market |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
On the very good advice of several "big gun" VHF Ops, like Jimmy Long, W4ZRZ, I purchased an Icom IC-910H with the 1.2ghz module installed.
First of all, I'll echo others comments about the purpose of this rig. It's made for weak signal VHF/UHF operations and satellite work. While it has FM mode, it's not meant for that kind of operation and will be lacking a lot of features that you could find on dedicated FM rigs.
Not to be harsh, but 2M FM attracts some who see it as glorified CB..and are interested in working DX in that mode. No problem with that, I work a lo of simplex myself...but if your goal is to see if you can "light up" a repeater three states away during a band opening, save yourself some money. Buy any FM rig and the biggest Mirage brick amp you can afford. Stack some beams and go to town. This isn't designed for that kind of operation.
If however, you're serious about weak signal and satellite work, you'll quickly love this rig. It's easy to operate, allows you to "move" stations up the bands rapidly, and hears great even without pre-amps.
I purchased the Icom pre-amps, which are fine, but their noise figure is a bit high. I upgraded to Advanced Receiver Research pre-amps which work much better. AAR will install optional RF chokes if you want to use the IC-910H to power them. Hard keying is better and saves the relay contacts, but the RF keying works fine too.
If you're running heavy duty cycle modes like WSJT you might want to add an additional muffin fan to the heat sink. I did and it keeps my 910H nice and cool.
Yes, it lacks serious IF DSP---and that is a shame. It also lacks a 222 module, which would be worth it's weight in gold. It could also have some features to make it work better as a transverter rig, but all in all, it's the best V/U weak signal rig on the market.
Expensive, and worth it.
Note to Icom. Add a 222 module, and I bet you could sell them for $1,000 bucks a piece here in the US. Please?
Or maybe some after market company?
73,
Les, N1LF |
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| N5YU |
Rating:      |
2008-03-31 | |
| ANOTHER GREAT ICOM |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Bought my 910H from AES Cleveland, loaded with both DSP units and the 1.2Ghz module installed. However, I just thought it had a good receiver, until I installed the AG-25 & AG-35 mast mount preamps. It's receiver is good without them and if you haven't experienced the receiving using them, THEN DON'T !! Without them you have about 50% to 60% in my estimate. If you spend the bucks for the 910H go the extra mile and get the 100%.
The only radios that I have ever found that are better for VHF/UHF weak signal, is the Icom IC-275H & the IC-475H. AND..when they were new, each one of them cost what a single 910H cost.
It just cost to go in style and the IC-910H is pretty stylish !! |
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| MM0PMW |
Rating:     |
2008-03-14 | |
| Good Recieve Audio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| This is my second Icom 910, I use Yamaha amplified speakers with my radio eqipment.The recieve audio is very good with the 910, the antenna used is the Diamond 510, the microphone used with the 910 is the Heil PR20. For me this is a good combination of radio, antenna, and microphone.The 910 always seems to make it to the weak stations having the benefit of 100 watts on 2 meters.It works for me.Why 4/5? no CTCSS. |
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| IK0YKM |
Rating:      |
2008-02-07 | |
| Very good |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I bought the Icom IC-910H after researching the radio for a year. I re-read the QST product review, some articulate, informative comments found here on e-ham, other technical reviews and the comments in the yahoo group.
Those that know me know that I am a Yaesu diehard owner.
After using rigs in DX conditions such as Yaesu FT-726, FT-736, FT-225RD, Icom IC-275H and a few others, I can say this rig is the best of the world.
I work now only VHF and UHF satellite (I’m AMSAT member ). Never in FM.
I am very happy with the results. This radio is close to perfect for CW and SSB/satellite operation.
Very good rtx with a very good RX.
However, It is better to insert the card UT-109 for a pleasant signal listening
I'm very satisfied.
73's de Henry IK0YKM
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| WM2P |
Rating:     |
2007-12-19 | |
| Pretty Good for me |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I got mine in a trade for a cheaper rig so my performance to value ratio is way up there. Having owned many rigs, both UHF/VHF and UHF/VHF/HF, mobile and base, I think I can voice a reasonable opinion.
I already have a great HF rig and mobile HF/UHF/VHF rig. All I was looking for was a base VHF/UHF rig at the time. I have problems seeing their small screens and hate the need to go into menus for many things. I like lots of knobs and buttons right on the face of my rigs in my base.
If I just was going to buy a rig in this price range I would probably buy the Kenwood TS-2000. Great for UHF/VHF, adequate for satellite. Built in DSP, TNC and preamp. As a bonus, it is a pretty good HF rig also.
For me, the ability to use my good Heil mics and equalizer with its 8 ping mic jack was a welcome feature. Something not found on the mobiles. I played around with the satellites and the dual receive is nice but you need two separate antennas for this, which I happen to have. Although, for my needs, I can work some satellites with an HT and the Arrow Antenna satellite hand held antenna.
While a good performing VHF/UHF all mode radio, it lacks alpha tags, memory bands and the inability to monitor a single frequency on a band and also scan the rest of that band. For instance. I like to monitor my local simplex frequency on VHF. When I do that I can only then scan the UHF band which is not so great. In other words, if you are looking for a rig for the normal VHF/UHF activities like working repeaters and local simplex, you would be better off with something else rather than spending this kind of money.
The hams I talked to that have these rigs are into working weak stations, EME, DX and serious satellites. For me, I only need a VHF/UFH rig to talk with the locals a few hours a week. As I said, I got it in a trade so I did not have to pay its real price and therefor is a great deal for me. With 100 watts on VHF and 70 on USB plus SSB abd CW, I have all that I need. If I had to buy a rig for my needs rather than trade, I would be just as happy with something less costly or a Kenwood TS-2000.
In summary, the rig is powerful and capable of allowing you to work DX with the proper pre-amps and big antennas. Simultaneous receive and full control with the Ham Radio Deluxe software down to controlling the doppler shift for you makes this the most suited for satellite work. If you just want to rag chew and work repeaters then save your money and get something else. |
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