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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
VE7EA Rating: 2011-11-19
Excellent after ground problem mod. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I would otherwise give this radio a 5 rating but I did have to do the small mods to the circuit board holding screws ( http://www.kb2ljj.com/data/icom/ic-2100H.htm ). I think this only applies to early versions of this product. A better result than stated on that mod website is to get some washers that fit the circuit board ground holes better and simply install the washers under the screws. The basic problem was that the main circuit board was not properly grounded to the case and slight crackles on transmit and susceptibility to external interference results.

At any rate, otherwise a very reliable radio and I would NEVER choose a VHF rig that uses a fan rather than an oversized heat sink as the IC-2100H has. They are simply much too noisy for my liking.
PE2KMV Rating: 2011-06-25
First TRX, great TRX! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
As I've got my license somewhere around 1998-1999, this was the first rig I've bought. Since then it was used stationary for voice and packet. Afterwards it bumped around in my car for several years. Then it was stowed away in a crate on the attic. One year... two years... three years... four years... Until that very day when I went to a HAM event with an old friend. The old Icom was pulled out of it's crate and dusted off (really necessary!!). A temporary power connection via the sigaret lighter was made and an antenna with magnetic mount was put on the roof. When firing up, the set gave it's characteristic *beep-beep*, and we had a lift-off. Even a lot of frequencies of the local emergency services, which aren't used since years, were still in the memory. The set didn't show any evidence of the long term unemployment. So thumbs up for this little great set!
KG4YMC Rating: 2011-03-04
good overall, but mic is cheaply made , Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had one when got Tec.Liscense Programing is a pain, I am glad I am general now and working on hf. Offsets and tones is like communication designed by gov a friend has the programing computer commitie software, only way to go . Mic is flimsey , don't make the mistake of mounting in car near cupholder , if it gets wet mic is a gonner. I had to take mic apart onetime to dry out, worked ok afterwards, but elmer recoments takeing it apart while inside a piloow case , beware parts can go flying . overall was tough little radio , used with mag mount and from bristol , could still hit repeaters in tall , on high power, good radio , but with mic and programing , could onely give it a 3. programing for repeaters is a pain, thats why I prefer hf and simpler older rigs . kg4ymc sorry for typos , keyboard bad .
KD0NFF Rating: 2011-03-04
Not great, not horrible Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
My IC-2100 isn't a bad rig, it makes power and it works, but the receive audio is quiet, too quiet for a mobile in my opinion. Also the whole mic is cheap feeling, with a flimsy little clicky switch under the PTT button. I do like the size of the display, but overall I can only give it a 3.
KENLETSON Rating: 2010-07-25
Nice Radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I would give it a 4.5 if I could. It is a great LITTLE radio that packs a punch. 60 watts out and compact. Audio is on the high side. Easy to program. Good reports from QSO's. Recomend if you can get it for a reasonable price. Sister to 2200h.
N5HNY Rating: 2010-06-23
Good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I would give this great little radio a 5 but i had problems right off the bat. I had the crackle in the speaker. Fixed that with extra screws that were missing. My 2100 developed a glitch where it is slow to show the numerical display and you can't do a reset. You can't overwrite the memories either. It's like my radio is stuck somehow. It will start to operate if you press the lock and call buttons on the mic only. Oh and I can't turn off the fancy little display show. I have searched the internet but can't find a fix for these problems.
K0KS Rating: 2010-04-06
The land of compromise ? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought new 20 yrs ago and it's still working fine. It replaced an IC-25A but is much worse in the "intermod alley" of an urban environment. It does cover all the fire, police and WX for receive which has served me well. Probramming is not user friendly and nearly impossible when mobile..... even sitting still. The backlighting is great for night mobile and you have color choices. It's survived life in 3 vehicle and 2 were off-road. Nice and rugged.

KG4MIQ Rating: 2009-11-15
Excellent performer! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Since adding my review several years ago, I have bought three more of these fine rigs with good success on all. The website is still up for those who need info on the "snap, crackle, pop" fix, as well as the "no power output" fix.

http://www.qsl.net/kg4miq/2100h.html


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Earlier 4-star review posted by KG4MIQ on 2003-10-31

I have had this one since March 2000. It's been a great performer, except for one thing...

About a year after I purchased it, I had a problem with no TX output power. Did some searching and found that the heat buildup had caused the solder under the APC transistor to melt and flow onto another trace, causing a blown APC. Icom evidently is aware of the heat buildup design flaw, and has provided a technical service bulletin, as well as a fix kit for it. Please see my website: http://www.qsl.net/kg4miq/2100h.html for details. I have posted all the pertinent docs for this fix. Costs about $4, if you can find the part.

I have since mounted a small pancake fan on top of the rig as well, with a switch to turn on and off as the need arises. After performing the mod, and installing the fan, this radio no longer gets hot at all, even on the worst days.

Overall, a great performer. I'd buy another.
WD5NOT Rating: 2009-03-15
My first Icom Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked up my 2100H at a Hamfest a few weeks ago apparently it had never been used as it was sill in the original packing from ICOM.The only fault that I can find with it is the programming. My Yaesu FT-1802M is much easier to program, but I have that problem solved in the form of the programming software.This is the first Icom that I have ever owned and so far I am pleased with it.Will I keep it YES-- Do I recommend it --YES.
VK2FRO Rating: 2008-06-29
A Winner Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I was given this radio by my uncle who had it for a while - it exhibited the TX noise (crackle) which was a 2 minute fix.

Its a solid little radio, and works well off my diamond X200 and 30 A jaytech linear power supply. I can hear most of the repeaters around my area (up to 100km away), and hit most of them on 5 or 20 watts. Only for 2 repeaters do I need to go the full 55W. Naturally this test was carried out with a full call in the house, as 55W is over my 30w limit.

The radio does not suffer from pagers and other interference like a certain other jap radio did. This one is a keeper, its display is easy to read, and without a manual, a few presses on the buttons and I had figured out how to put in repeater callsigns and frequencies on the memories.

If you get one that crackles on TX (it can also be heard on your over), open it up, and loosen then tighten all the screws holding the PC board in place. That 99% of times will fix the problem.