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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
KI4ECK Rating: 2004-09-17
WOW! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just upgraded to this rig from an HTX-212. What a difference, even on a short, through the glass antenna, I'm hitting repeaters I've never reached before. I like the weather too! Nice features ands well built.
9W2NAZ Rating: 2004-09-13
The best rig in its class Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just bought this rig yesterday. The audio is great and I like the front speakers. Programming is quite straight forward but I would appreciate if Icom can come up with a better operating manual.

I'm using it as a base unit and I'm thinking of getting another one for my XYL's car. Glad that I bought the V8000 instead of the FT2800.

73,

9W2NAZ
KI4ECW Rating: 2004-09-03
5 Star Performance Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've used the ICOM V8000 both as a temporary base unit and as a mobile. It performed admirably in both arenas.

Audio is loud and clarity is excellent. TX is great, too. I'm not sure why ICOM chose to go 5 watts, 10 watts, 25 watts and 75 watts for power settings. It would have made more sense to have it set for 5 watts, 25 watts, 50 watts, and 75 watts.

The fan does come on occasionally but the noise is barely noticeable.

It's not a Yaesu 857 or 897 but it's about one third the price of the more expensive multi-band rigs.

If you're looking for a 75 watt 2 meter FM workhorse that gets the job done and is easy on the pocketbook, this radio is for you.

KC0NXH Rating: 2004-07-25
One of the best Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Im a 15 year old and I have and awesome
IC-2100(base),VX-150(ht),I bought the
IC-V8000 for my car. Im a teenager so Im on a very low budget so the V8000 was priced right and has every thing you need for a great 2-meter.
73's
K6PDU Rating: 2004-07-25
Highly recommended Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
It is an excellent radio for any one. Very easy to use and the front speaker works very well.

Everything works smoothly the screen is readable and it is nice having a fully functional mic.
NC2F Rating: 2004-05-31
Bought another - Excellent 2M mobile/base Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Last year when I bought the V8000, I returned it for a FT-8900 due to my perception of what I felt was some lacking intermod barrier and low audio performance. When outfitting our second vehicle, I decided to try the V-8000 again within a few weeks thereafter. Well in this case, the second was indeed the charm. Clean audio, excellent (clean) receive with no indications of intermod problems. I again used it in my shack first going through a roof mounted X-200A up about 35 feet. Audio reports are fine, with no indication of low audio. So one year now of satisfactory operation on the V8000.

Programming the radio is a snap as are using the features, with many controlable via the hand mic which is quite, well, "handy" while mobiling.

The dipaly is easy on the eys and the fromt mounted speaker is planty loud and clear. It's so good in fact, that I usually have the vol know indicator set at no greater than at the 10 o'clock position.

Considering the price paid ($189 shipped) and having the 75W available to reach distant repeaters while mobile can be useful.

I'm happy that I bought another V-8000, and would recommend one to anybody looking for a great 2M mobile or base radio.
KI4CXZ Rating: 2004-04-27
75 WATTS Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
You can not beat this radio for this price. I havea hard time trying to decide to use it in the car or as a base station. speaker located in the front makes this radio easy to hear. the best 2M radio I have work so far. Money well spent. I'd due it again
"73"
VE4KMF Rating: 2004-04-05
EXCELLENT !! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Perhaps the greatest 2 meter mobile rig since the 2100H. I love everything about it, and it performs very well. The size is perfect for mounting in my vehicle, and the front firing speaker is plenty loud enough

One issue i have with the rig:
Power output is 5/10/25/75 and i find it senseless to have the 2 lower power levels so close in output. The output i think should have been is 5/25/50/75 Thats the only thing i found with the rig that didn't make a whole lotta sense.

All in all, i would by another in a heartbeat, maybe even 2 more!

And the cooling fan doesn't sound like a freakin' hoover vacuum cleaner on mine lol.
K9VKC Rating: 2004-03-28
Great Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned my rig for 1 1/2 years, i can not fault it.The only small piece of false advertising is it's high power output of 75 Watts, mine does 69 Watts..even so receive and transmit audio are excellent, (if only the 2720 was alpha-numeric,) OVERALL I LOVE ICOM, GREAT RADIO GOOD PRICE.
I only wished that Icom would provide the programming software for free (like Kenwood)
KD7MMJ Rating: 2004-03-27
Migh have a lemon Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've noticed that most reviews of this radio are favorable. Mine however has a few problems. I bought this radio about 6 months ago, and it was an Icom "Repack A", meaning it was a refurbished/repaired unit, supposedly meeting factory spec.

It may just be that this radio is special case lemon, but it's receive performance is poor, and very prone to intermod. It transmits off frequency (about 1500 Hz high) which could be related to the receiver performance issue. And the S-Meter often indicates presence of a reasonably strong signal, even though nothing breaks even a very low squelch setting.

As far as everything else goes, I like it! Programming is not the easiest, but can be learned. Output power is great, audio is very loud and clear, and heat buildup is not an issue! The Mic feels sturdy, and is comfortable to hold. The modulation is clear, with good frequency response and loudness. And the whole radio is built like a tank!

But I am disappointed with the receiver. Because I do more monitoring than anything, I am bummed.

I suspect that buying a "repack" may not have been a good idea. I was told by the salesman that I could expect extra quality control since it had been checked out by Icom twice, but I don't think that this is the case.