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Reviews For: Icom IC-V8000

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Icom IC-V8000
Reviews: 185MSRP: 249.00
Description:
2 meter mobile radio
75 Watts output power
RX: 136 - 174 MHz
Wide/narrow operation
Front firing speaker
Cooling fan
Dual color display
Auto repeater offset
CTCSS Encode
CTCSS Decode
CTCSS Tone scan
DCS Encode
DCS Decode
DCS Code scan
DTMF Encode
DTMF Decode (optional)
DTMF Code squelch
Dynamic Memory Scan
Weather channels
Weather alert
Weather scan
207 Memory channels (3 scan edges)
Call channel
6 Character alphanumeric display
PC programmable
Radio - radio cloning
Programmable keys
RF Attenuator
Channelized operation
Alpha only operation
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/2mmobile/index.html#v8000
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001854.4
K2VI Rating: 2005-03-19
NIGHTMARE RADIO Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Im real pissed off,never mind the noisy fan.I can live with that but i have spent over 1 hour trying to program pl tones in this radio.I followed all directions to a tee.cant be done.its a joke.I own many radio's.ie:756 PRO,TS-870S AND 570dg also yaesu ft-2800m.no such problems.learned all theese radio's in no time.this radio sucks.do not buy.get the ft-2800m.much more rugged and no problem programing.
WI4NDS Rating: 2005-03-07
QC and RFI Problem Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I sold my 271KW and bought another V8000. It arrived today. I have already been of the phone with the Tech at AES. The upper and lower power levels are hot and the middle two are low. The receive needs touched up, too. Going back to be aligned. A new problem is RFI. My first one had no such problem, but Icom has made some running change to the frontend. When I bring up the Columbus 147.24 repeater, there is a buzzing sound. The only way to stop it is to stay off there or shutdown the computer which is not close to it. I did not have this problem with the 1st V8000 owned nor the 271A KW. The tech is calling Icom about it. Another fellow on the Yahoo Group reported this problem with his last week. What about taking it mobile in these new cars with their computers? I almsot went and ordered a G707A KW dualbander instead, leaving me the option of getting on 440 also. I may just send it back and get the 707. If not, I will post an update later on this rig.
XYZ234 Rating: 2005-02-20
Close enough to perfect ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've owned mine for 3 months now and after the first week the speaker gave out on me. Plugged in an external speaker and that solved the problem until I could sent it back for repairs.
Sent it back to the dealer and they stood up to the warranty and quickly repaired it and sent it back, no charge. Other then that it's been awesome. Scans very fast which is nice and over 200 memory channels. Volume and squelch controls are a little flimsy but no big deal. Four different power settings is nice, especially 75 watts. All in all a great radio.
KC9GUZ Rating: 2005-02-16
Sweeet radio!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
75 watts of power from a little 2 meter rig is pretty much all a person needs to "be heard"! If you cant afford ( a 125 watt 2 meter amp will run you well over 300.00!!!) or have the room in your vehicle for a amp then the V8000 might be what you want.
I got the radio as my very first 2 meter rig and i'm still learning how to use all the functions. After reading the directions front to rear and fully understanind how this radio works I pretty much am set for buying another '8000 if the time comes. I now run my '8000 in the shack and use it every day to talk to my finace coming home from work and to talk to the locals plus its great to run when im doing some DXing on FM. I've hit repeaters in Michigan that are well over 120 miles away on high power using a coaxial GP up only 20' off the ground with no problems. Overall the '8000 is a pretty good rig for the $$$. I'm giving it a 4 instead of a 5 because I have an issue with the wobbly knobs (squelch and volume) on the front of the radio.

73'z

Eric aka KC9GUZ
V8MQM Rating: 2005-02-06
Strange IC V8000 Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had installed IC V8000 in my Toyota Landcruiser for quiet sometime. After 4 months its TX burn out and it is only good for RX. I bought another set to replace but not exceeding six months, the same thing happen no TX only RX. I am fed up with this lack of reliability. Can any one explain what could be the problem. It is not 1 rig but 2 rigs with the same kind of problems

QSL,,
QRX , 73
KI4DWG Rating: 2005-01-28
The BEST! Time Owned: N.A.
This has got to be the best 2 meter radio ever, 75watts, and Icom's easy menu's, and with the HM-133 hand mike, you can do everything without even touching the radio. Totally awesome. Would definatley reccomend it to anyone. If I could, I'd rate it higher than 5.0, but since thats as high as it goes on here, thats what I give it.
VE3TMT Rating: 2004-12-09
Best 2m rig I have ever owned Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Not much to say that hasn't already been said. More features than I will ever need. Front mounted speaker is a godsend for in dash installations. Mine is mounted in the small pocket under the radio in my '99 Intrepid. Fits like a glove. The fan is a bit noisy at times but not that bad. Super fast scanning and the alpha numeric tags are great for monitoring local police and fire frequencies. I would love to have another for the house. If you are thinking about buying one, don't hesitate too long, you can't do much better.
KL1RK Rating: 2004-12-09
Wow, whatta rig! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Here in Alaska, there are times when your 'round a mountain or 'cross a valley from that repeater and the extra power is GREAT! This was my first rig as a ham and have loved it since the moment I got it. I use it mobile and I use it a lot, almost everyday.

I laugh at other peoples complaints about the speed and noise from the fan. With the V8000 mounted under the dash of my Monte Carlo, I don't have to worry about dirt on the floorboard. I just kick the radio on full power, key up for a second and let the fan do the cleaning for me!

It would be nice to find a dual bander built this well and with this much power on 2m. Come on Icom, let's get with it!
N4KMA Rating: 2004-09-18
Excellent Radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have had this radio for over 5 months and it is a great radio. I have had no problems with this unit. The fan is alittle noisy but I can live with it. For the money this radio can not be beat.
M1JDK Rating: 2004-09-18
Great 2m radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one of these for use in the UK and it works a treat. An easy 70W output, lots of features (even if several of them are tailored towards the USA market - WX etc). I modified the mike slightly by enlarging the small hole in the rubber membrane infront of the element and now have people asking me what radio I'm using as the audio sounds superb!

The volume and squelch always seem round the wrong way to me, and they do feel a bit flimsy - like they are connected to the pots via rubber shafts or similar - but they haven't given any trouble and the radio is generally built like a tank!

The (multi-speed) fan is a bit noisy, not a problem in a mobile install, but can dry up your contact lenses if used as a home base :) The front facing speaker is excellent - more mobile rigs should have this.

All in all - a great radio for 2m FM. Should last for ever and I won't be selling mine!

Mark - M1JDK - England