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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
F6IQA Rating: 2007-02-15
Good VHF mobile radio. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this radio from HRO as it is not available in Europe. It gives to me all I was waiting for. I give a 4 and not a 5 because it is dificult to use, this is the only radio needing to have the manual close to hand. But with 10 buttons (including on/off switch) I didn't expect it would be simple to use. After a while, realy a very good basic mobile radio, with a lot of advanced features. Front firing speaker gives convenient loud audio, squelch and volume knobs move smoothly, the attenuator function coupled with the squelch is VERY convenient to test coverage of repeater or beacon in the area where field is srong.
W6TH Rating: 2006-12-10
WOW Real Nice Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
.
Have this ICV8000 for just two days and what a radio.The book for instructions, I had to play with for over 10 hours, but new to me so took that long. What an education for programming and I enjoyed every minute doing so, especially the memory program.

My 5/5 speaks for the radio itself as I find no faults. No fan noise, great audio, very selective, I can go on forever, but will cut it short and say I bought a great radio and suggest; if you are on the market for buying, do the same.
73, W6TH
.:
K5NT Rating: 2006-12-08
Too complex for mobile use Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I like the appearance and the front-firing speaker. Power output is fine also. However I find it difficult to program, especially since the info needed to program a repeater channel is scattered throughout the manual. My unit loses its subaudible tone settings for no apparent reason. It it too easy to hit the wrong button in mobile use, and unless you are parked and have access to the manual it is impossible to reset things safely and easily. I think that it would be fine for fixed station use, but for mobile use it has me wishing I had my old, foolproof IC-22A back, crystals and all.
VE7REN Rating: 2006-10-29
excellent but uuuugggly Time Owned: more than 12 months.
im a icom guy,and have had lots of other brands. this radio performs awesome,but is the absolute ugliest little brute.speaker works good,but the fan is noisy. all in all,a bulletproof unit.icom ,change the casing on this unit,but leave the circutry alone.
KD5LDW Rating: 2006-10-29
Excellent 2 meter Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased my first Ic-8000 2 years ago , It has Been a Bullet Proof workhorse , I run it 24/7 always 75 watts NO PROBLEMS AT all ,I just purchased another one to put In storage for the day my 1 st one ever lays down if it ever does. You can not go wrong with rhis mono bander. ICOM you got it right now leave it alone!

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KD5LDW on 2003-05-09

This is the 2 meter radio that puts the rest to SHAME ! 75 Clean watts eazy to use controls, full romote control MIC 4 power settings, Ect. Ect.
the audio on the one I purchased is fine, No intermod problem here the only regret I have is I didn't purchase 2 of these radios.
N4MWY Rating: 2006-10-28
great two meter monoband radio! Time Owned: N.A.


Mine is mounted in my car and operates perfectly useing a 1/4 wave trunk lip mounted whip. The available 75 watts gives the extra power you need to make an otherwise marginal contact.

I have had none of the problems with this radio that other reviewers mention and would be of the opinion that if someone wants a two meter monbander this is an excellent choice.


n4mwy

Herman

Mobile, AL


WA4KWK Rating: 2006-09-30
Super Rig! But? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Super rig.... front panel speaker and all... just one problem... the audio out from front speaker and ext. speaker is intermittent. Just cuts out.... vary annoying!!
KI4NWK Rating: 2006-09-27
Great radio nocomplants Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have had radio 3 months I know this is a short period of time.I have a FT-1802M Yeasu which Ive had 6 months and sent back to Yaesu for overheating problem.It took 3 tries the ft-1802M
works better but still gets hot.
The ICV8000 I run on full power and still can hold my hand on radio no heat.
So the end results is Icom better for few dollors more.
KI4NWK Preston
W6OFR Rating: 2006-09-22
Cure for bad PTT switch Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my V-8000 for over a year now and I absolutely love it except for the bad PTT TRANSMIT SWITCH on the microphone! One of my friends has had the same "rubber cap" problem. I bought the V-8000 for the fantastic audio (both in and out) and the $159.99 price (During ICOM Days) for 80 watts. Icom "dun good" on their audio quality.

PROBLEM: You can't transmit when pushing the "PTT" (Push to Talk) switch on the microphone.

CURE: The problem is probably the rubber "cap" that is over the actual "PTT" switch on the microphone.

REPAIR PROCEDURE: Turn off the power on the radio. Remove the 2 screws at the bottom of the mic housing and carefully remove ONLY the back of the housing while leaving the "PTT pivot lever" that contacts the rubber cap and switch in place. You can then push the "PTT pivot lever" while viewing what is happening.

CHANCES ARE THE RUBBER "CAP" IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE ACTUAL "PTT" TRANSMIT SWITCH !!!!!

You should be able to hear a "definate click" if the switch is working. You can probably get your "rig" working again by rotating or re-positioning the rubber cap that is over the switch. If that doesn't work, remove the "PTT Pivot lever" and try pushing the switch manually without the rubber cap to see if you can hear the "click". Once you hear the "definate click", carefully turn on the radio and see if it works. Then, contact www.icomamerica.com and order a couple of new "rubber caps".

Using a friends V-8000 Microphone can instantly tell you whether your mic switch is the problem or your radio is the problem. A Icom 706 microphone won't work !

Good Luck,
Keith, W6OFR
AB9IO Rating: 2006-07-30
Rock Solid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used this rig both in my car and in the shack. It has been used for over a year as the NewsLine transmitter at both 25W and 5W power levels. If properly taken care of, it simply cannot be destroyed! Best money I've ever spent on a radio. Wish more rigs were built this tough.