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Reviews For: ICOM IC-2100H

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

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Review Summary For : ICOM IC-2100H
Reviews: 196MSRP: 140
Description:
Two meter mobile
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/2mmobile/ic2100hmain.asp
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001964.5
N3FIF Rating: 2002-02-15
Not what it used to be... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had my first Icom 2100 for years, but the radio lost it's preamp and no longer received well. After a brief experience with a Yaesu FT-1500 that was nothing but intermod, I bought my second Icom 2100. The second Icom 2100 is loaded with alternator whine. Both 2100's have been fantastic as far as intermod, but I believe the quality is falling fast with their radio. No other radio has ever had any whine. I guess I'm going for the Kenwood now!
K8RBT Rating: 2002-02-14
Great radio, great value! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'm still very pleased with the radio after owning it for a few years. Excellent performance, good feature set, no problems. At the current selling prices, it is a great value.

I really prefer several things with this radio over my Kenwood TMD700 including a more readable display, smaller mike with better PTT switch, and much more resistant to intermod (to be expected with the wider range receive).

When my son (KC8AUS) starts driving soon and if he gets his own vehicle, I'm sure a IC2100H will be installed in it quickly.

W8KQ Rating: 2002-01-29
Great radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hi De w8kq - Have had the ic-2100h for about 2 yrs. and I like it a lot .Of late I have had a problem with an intermitant.. I hope some one would have a print for this rig. Works most of thew time ,but every once in a while ,it decides to take a vacation .W8KQ --- W8KQ@arrl.net
KD5RBO Rating: 2002-01-28
Good price, Great features, Easy install and setup! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First, for perspective, let me tell you that I'm a new ticket. ...but here goes anyway! :)

Right out of the box I was surprised to find that the only thing I really needed to do the install was 2 connectors for my battery terminals. The power cable reached all the way to my battery with a foot or two of wire to spare.

There is an 'Auto Repeater' setting (at least on the US model) and when I saved in my repeaters I typically didn't have to set the - or + offset, it did it for me. There is a function where it will find the PL tone for you (or CTCSS tone or whatever you want to call it:).

The best feature that I like (maybe all radios do this, I don't know) was that I could key in a name for each memory channel instead of having the frequency reading on the display. This is great for me since I have a memory like a noodle strainer! I can close by calling my sign and just look down at the screen and know that I'm on the xyzabc repeater.

So far no problems at all and the only thing I've noticed so far is that that the VFO dial is a tad tighter on part of the turn. No skip though.

I would only change two things about the radio so far (give me a month or so and I'll come up with more).

1. The mounting bracket should come with 'quick' bolts instead of having to use a screw-driver. I will be wanting to take it in the house to play with so I wound up getting some quick screws and using those instead.

2. The radio should come with a 2nd connector for the power cable. The way it is set up now the leads come out of the radio, go to the fuses and go to the plug. Plug connects to the female side of the plug and runs to the battery. It's an odd plug so either order another one from them or run down to RadioShack and buy 2 sets of plugs so I can add a second inline here and one for the power supply in the house.

Otherwise the radio is GREAT! I've hit over 24 repeaters from my driveway, in front of several metal mobile homes no less!

...now I just need to get through the other half of the manual and see what other hoops I can get it to jump through!
KB1DOR Rating: 2001-12-28
Good Radio, Bad Mic. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this rig a little more than 2 yrs. ago. About 6 mo. ago the mic quit on me. Nothing works on it, no PTT, no number keys, nothing. I don't want to pay $80+ for replacement, so the rig is now my base with an MFJ desk mic. Other than that the radio itself works fine, but much easier to use with the HM-98 mic. I bought an FT-1500 for a replacement mobile. Very Nice.
NC4OK Rating: 2001-11-29
Great Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have 2 of the IC2100 radios & have had only a ptt switch sticking in one of the mikes & with a spray of contact cleaner that corrected the problem. I use them both in a daily ride in a tractor trailer & they are both tough as nails. I would strongly recomend these radios to anyone & at a price now of $159.95 at most dealers you can't beat that. 73 & Lord Bless You ALL Woody NC4OK
W4MRT Rating: 2001-11-21
Easy to operate Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Good value, easy to operate, and so far very reliable. For base station operation works great with the Astron #SS-18-IC custom power supply.
KG4EIS Rating: 2001-11-17
a great radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this radio when I first got my ticket in 1999 and it has been a great radio ever since. I've had no problem since I had it. I have used it in the moble also since I've had it too
KD6ISA Rating: 2001-10-27
Nice Rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got my 2100H and it sounds and works great! The radio is built like a tank its like one big metal heat sink. Unfortunately the mike is a sad cheap peace of crap. I have seen better built CB radio mikes then this one, definitely will change the mike in a few months other wise the radio is absolutely perfect.
K3WVU Rating: 2001-10-11
Great 2M Mobile! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Not a lot of bells and whistles, but this is a solid, dependable rig with 55 watts out. I would highly recommend this radio for the newbie or experienced ham. Nice display, and pretty easy to program. Transmits from 140-150 Mhz out of the box, so usually no need to mod this one for MARS or CAP work. Currently running about $170, but I've seen it on special at as low as $129.95. If you need a no-frills 2M mobile, get this one.