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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
KE6N Rating: 2008-05-31
Nice solid radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had mine for about 9 years. I really like the beefy case that doubles as a heat sink. I really like that there is NO FAN on this model due ot the massive heat sink so if you're operating this radio in a very low noise environment, you don't need to listen to the fan noise. It has all the bells and whistles needed for a very easy to use and versatile radio.

My one complaint for this radio (and the IC-207H I just reviewed) is the cheap microphone. Icom, give the microphone a little "heft" instead of it being a cheapy plastic box. The PTT is pretty cheap, too. Follow Kenwood's lead and put out a quality microphone with your mobile radios.
VK5FDAV Rating: 2008-03-11
all dressed up and no place to go Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Well, I owned this rig for about 6 months and at first it was awesome, that is until it started to crackle on TX, apparently this was a common problem with the radio, supposedly fixed by loosening the pcb screws and re-tightening them again. But that didnt work for me althought it may have worked for others. The other bad flaw of the rig was its intermod problem, even on a small antenna not very high up (20foot). Intermod was awefull and was eventually why I sold the rig.
But apart from that the rig looks looks good, nice display, and easy to use. It might be good in a mobile instalation?

dave.
KD5SPJ Rating: 2008-02-15
Only one problem Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have had this IC-2100H for a while now and am very happy with ALMOST everything about it. I wrote a review on it but that was before I found that little annoying, possibly unfixable problem. That problem is the alternator noise problem. Everyone I know with one of these has the problem. Some are slightly worse than others, but mine is about standard as far as this problem goes. In my Internet search I found that this is a very common problem and in fact have yet to hear anyone who doesn't have it to some degree. Is there anyone at all out there who has opened the chassis to find a possible fix?

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KD5SPJ on 2008-01-15

I bought this little gem for a mobile for a very rugged off road vehicle, a diesel Trooper. The Trooper is my hunting vehicle. It is As tough as the truck I installed it in! I have an IC-2800, and love it as well. But I think the little IC-2100H is probably going to outlast the 2800, even though the 2800 is now 5 years old with no problems. I find the 2100 to be very easy to program from the panel or mic, and love the way it sounds. I get compliments on the audio on the "other end" as well. It truely is built like a tank like others have said.
W2FDH Rating: 2007-11-16
Solid Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If you are looking for a good solid single band radio, you will not get any better than this. Very easy to program and built very solid (the entire chassis is a heat-sink). The only thing ICOM could have done better would have been to move the antenna connector (SO-239) to the end of the radio instead of between the heat-sinks.

73 de Frank/KB2VYZ
YO3HJV Rating: 2007-07-04
Rock! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Solid like rock, great audio reports on air.
Love the remote mic, very useful in mobile environment.
User manual is a little stupid, especially on how to skip scanning memory (if labeled, the instructions doesn't work). Better do this with the programming software!
Not very good o intermod, but better than other radios.
Simple and reliable.
I give a 5 because of price, otherwise, I was tempted to give a 4.
PU2PJT Rating: 2007-06-28
In portuguese ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Muito bom rádio, ótima sensibilidade na faixa e fora dela, display grande ( big display ) , gosto da cor verde ( I love green display ) e as funções aparecem no display ( good idea ! ).
Observei que quando estou transmitindo ( TX ) no alto falante ocorre alguns estalos , como já ocorreu nos outros 2 que tive parece que é normal , já vi algumas modificações para sanar esse problema, quem sabe um dia eu faço.
Concluindo : Excelente Rádio , ótima sensibilidade dentro e fora da faixa , várias funções no PTT , etc ....
Pena que não escuta a faixa da Aviação ( Air Band ).
David - PU2PJT
São Vicente - SP - Brasil
GG66TA
KB2SEO Rating: 2007-03-16
Kicks Butt and repeaters Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Icom had made a great rig here, run one in the Jeep (now that my Crappy FT-100 is craoked...AGAIN) Had one little glitch : the Microphone switch acted up about 3 weeks into ownership. called Icom Customer serive: New Switch, New PTT handle and NO CHARGE!

No one problem since. On a 1/4 wave on the spare tire mount, I can hit anything in North Georgia.

I am a Proud former owner of a 737, now got a 725, and 2 2100's Not a stich of trouble out of any of these radios. the 737 ran all day, all night for YEARS! the 725? got it used from a Ham in canada, it's getting a lot of CW use right now.

If Icom ever wants to show why I like them so much- look at my experience with a 1800 purchace called the FT-100.
ZZ2NSX Rating: 2006-07-09
Good radio, bad menu system Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got mine a week ago, it came with the old microphone (model HM-118T)

It´s a good radio, good audio, good RF power. Great chassis allows a perfect cooling system.

But the menu system is too bad, Yaesu and even the TM-261 (Kenwood) are much easier. To change the tone, you should press "Set" keys several times...

I´m considering purchase the microphone HM-133S, which can control most of the features of the radio.
K5THR Rating: 2006-07-09
One Of The Best 2 Meters Out There! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just made my purchase of a pre owned in new condition IC-2100H, I literally didnt even need a manual to figure out how to work it, It's that easy! Great sounding audio, and Great power output! Nice features!

73 DE' K5THR
VE6XL Rating: 2006-07-08
OK Radio with some design flaws... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Similar to others, my IC-2100H developed the microphonic/crackle sound on transmit.

I noticed the existing screws were tight, however there were two screws missing on one side of the PCB. I later found out these are not added during the manufacturing process.

This is a poor design considering this is a mobile rig and would likely be exposed to moderate vibration.

With the assistance of my friends on 146.520 MHz I made some repairs to resolve the issue.

The knobs on the front panel do not sit very tight/snug in the front panel. The logic on the radio is good, memories are easily accessed and controls on the microphone are useful.

The Kenwood TM-271A may be a slightly better choice in the same price range. I have pictures of the PCB on my website:

www.ve6xl.ca