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Reviews For: Icom IC-229A/H

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

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Review Summary For : Icom IC-229A/H
Reviews: 15MSRP: 120.00
Description:
2 Meter Mobile
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00154.8
VE7EA Rating: 2022-06-24
Workhorse, small 2M mobile Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am testing this radio after doing an audio socket repair job for local emergency program. The radio has been used for about 20 years, perhaps 2 hours per week. Still works great. Solidly built, large heat sink. No fan - and this is a plus as I hate fans on small mobile radios. The heat sink obviously gets warm if you're long-winded and run 50W. No intermod. Great radio for a small vehicle. Well built if you take it apart and have a look.
NX0E Rating: 2016-04-14
Hard to believe Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the IC-229H new sometime between 1990 and 1994. During the intervening years, it has been stored for a couple of years in between uses. The memory battery is shown as a "2032" type on the schematic that came with the manual. It never lost the memories! I have never changed the battery, and the channel memories still work great! When reactivating it in 2013 it still held the memory set from 1994. I reset it and put in local channels now, but wow! 22+ years from a lithium backup battery.
N5NLU Rating: 2014-03-13
Awesome Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When I first got into the hobby back in 1998, a ham that I barely knew gave this radio to me, free and clear. I used it hard for quite a while with no issues, upgraded to the Yaesu FT8000R which didn't last but 3 years. I went back to the 229H to put in the truck and the microphone was gone. I have no idea what I did with it. I got out of the hobby for 8 years and just got back into it and ran across the old 229H, put it on a power supply and it power up and received quite well. I still can not find a replacement microphone for this radio, so it just sits and monitors.

73
N5NLU
N4XTS Rating: 2013-03-12
Another classic Icom winner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently got one of these in a trade. Remember them when they came out in 1990, wanted one- couldn't afford one as a 15 y/o kid. Well, 23 years later they still rock.

Great RX and smooth TX audio, superb sensitivity, and easy to operate, no manual needed. The rig is a nice compact size, yes- it does get warm, but if you have adequate airflow like you should with any radio, it's fine.

Display is easy to read, controls are logical, SET mode is a breeze, always liked the late 80's/early 90's Icom radios (IC-32AT anyone?) in this regard. Build quality is amazing, any wonder why they are still around almost a quarter century later?

Only complaint is the HM-56 mike, the DTMF keys are live when the "unlock" switch on top is off, meaning, if you grab the mike with your hand and press on the buttons, it will key up and transmit tones.

If you see one at a hamfest, grab it. You won't be sorry you did.
KQ4KK Rating: 2010-08-09
A GREAT Packet Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought mine in 1991, a 229H. Used it in a couple of cars. Then put it on packet. It's been on APRS steady since 1998. 12-18 hours a day. Great radio. Have not had a mic. hooked to it since 1998. Not sure where it is.
LU8HRW Rating: 2010-08-07
Good rigs Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Reliable and strong rigs, easy to use and great Icom audio quality.I have the 229H four output (5,10,25,50 W)since 5 years ago.Big Signal/RF output indicator,easy to read.The only trouble is the HM56 microphone; the radio remain in TX mode when the mic is connected.Reemplacing all 5 capacitors inside the mic; repairs the problem.
Receive frequency aeronautics too.
73^
LU8HRW
KF8HW Rating: 2009-02-13
Good rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got this when they were new, and I had it in my truck for many years. Only two issues during the 15+ years of ownership: mic switch needed replacement (no big deal - easy and cheap fix), and a diode blew which happened during an ice storm and the antenna coated up. Icom had it back to me in a flash. The heat sink does get warm on transmit but I never encountered any problems because of it. A good friend is now enjoying it. I do miss it.
RADIOWEENIE Rating: 2007-04-06
Works well but runs HOT! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This ICOM 229A works well but on transmitting it gets HOT as a $2 nickle pistol. It is also a glutton for intermod. If i could find a heat sink from a 229H, i would snap it up and then give it a rating of 5.
KA7WZM Rating: 2006-11-28
The one that works Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This rig has never given me any problem, easy to operate, and strong as rock. Sold the newer rigs in favor of one that works best, - - - The IC-229H - - -
N9IXX Rating: 2006-08-27
workhorse Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought 2 of the 229H (50 watt version) on e-bay for around $70.00 what a bargain! Simple to use tough as nails great icom audio quality during transmissions what more can be said.