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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
KC0LKE Rating: 2003-12-29
Nice Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is a very good radio.The diplay on it is nice.Its also has a fan on it than turns on whenever you transmitt.The fan can be loud but it does help with the radio tempature.I would recomend this radio.

KC0LKE
FRANKM12 Rating: 2003-12-22
Best 2 Meter Rig! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
To all,

I just got my IC V8000 going tonite. I finished my homebrew 1/2 wave vertical and hooked it up late afternoon. I enjoyed at least 20 QSO's during a 4 hour ragchewing event crossing many frequencies here in Central Florida. This radio is as solid as a rock. It is easy to program if you use the pictures in the documentation. It is best to set your PL tone on the face of the radio rather than with the mike buttons. The mike button method takes many more keystrokes.

It get out there. It has GREAT sound; receives great. It transmits great. For a first radio, THIS RIG is it!

73 to all and finally on the air with my homebrew antenna and my IC V8000!

frank
KG4VLQ
N9LBW Rating: 2003-12-21
Excellent Radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this radio used and I have found that it meets Icoms specifications. I would recommend this radio for either base or mobile use.
N2VLS Rating: 2003-12-21
Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased one for the features. 75watt, front firing speaker, ease of operation. It is extremely easy to program, and works great. I have another now and I keep one at home on "base" and carry one around in a bag, for use in my "18-wheeler" when working.

Stormy "N2VLS"
KC1FX Rating: 2003-11-20
Great Audio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
One of the reasons I picked this radio is the front firing speaker, due to the LIMITED mounting possibilities in my vehicle(Mazda MPV 2002). I did not want to run an external speaker. Well that little speaker has some quality audio and if you can't hear a QSO, what good is it. Very clear and robust, not 'tinny'. The other thing I needed was power. I live amongst hills and I needed some punch to get to the 'city' repeaters. This does the job! Also, the receiver sensitivity is one of the best I've seen. Would I recommend ?? To the best of my friends. Thanks ICOM :o)
FORMER_K2OOL Rating: 2003-11-19
Company lacks support! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Great radio but.... I love this radio but, without support from Icom; what good is it. I have a small PTT problem on one of the V8000s. It's just enough to need replacement of the micro switch in the mic.

I've tried to get help from Icom. I've left several messages with Icom's voice mail over the past 2 weeks. I have Emailed them with a promise of a 48 hour responce time reply. It has been about 10 days and still no reply.

I have 2 each IC-V8000 and a IC-2720H. I'm so sick of the company I don't think I even want to keep the radios any longer.

I just don't understand their way of thinking. I'm sure glade I don't work for a company like that. I wouldn't!
OEV Rating: 2003-10-31
Defective Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This assessment is not unfair! Received my new IC-V8000 on 10/29/03 installed it in my truck and began programming. The main feature that attracted me to this radio was the alphanumeric name function. It does not work! Brand new out of the box! Now it will cost me shipping plus lost time in labor to send it back for repairs. ICOM sucks!!!!!
K6IOU Rating: 2003-10-18
Nice Rig! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just purchased this rig from HRO for $165. Found it easy to program [although I did need the manual]. Speaking of the manual, it is a notch above many others from Icom and Yaesu that I've suffered through.

I have received solid audio reports. No problem with local Simplex or repeaters using 'Med' power [approx 25 watts], and it's nice knowing I have the high power for reserve if needed.

It comes with a mounting bracket . . . but since I want to use it for a base station [sitting on the desk] I wish it would have come with some rubber feet or a 'fold-down bail' like the 706MKIIg.

Anyway, it is a solid addition to the shack!

DON
K6IOU
KC8VIF Rating: 2003-10-13
Solid 2meter rig Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Above average receive,excellent talkpower,front mount speaker cuts through road noise.Love the dynamic memory groups,great for traveling.
Pet peaves; Icoms menu layouts,no simple reverse button,needs 50w power level setting.Take care of
of the above and it would be a world class rig.
Only problem so far was PTT became intermittant.
resoldered sw. and problem solved.
W3ETC Rating: 2003-10-08
Great little machine Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After reading all of the reviews about mobile rigs I finally broke down and bought the 8000. I even bought a new one ! With the price drop and rebate coupon the price was reasonable. I debated on whether to go dual band but figured in the car there was enough going on. I am glad that I got what I did. It is built like a tank and I have not had a bit of intermod. I routinely drive around the Washington DC beltway and it behaves like a champ. No squeals at all. The 75 watts is great. I can hit all the repeaters that I want and it is great that it has that kind of coverage. If you are in the market for a solid mobile I would highly recommend taking a look.