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Reviews For: ICOM IC-207H

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

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Review Summary For : ICOM IC-207H
Reviews: 46MSRP: 299.99
Description:
mobile dual band radio
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00464
KO4BB Rating: 2005-01-30
Great for the price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this radio for a few days. I bought "new old stock" as the radio was discontinued in favor of the IC-208H. I paid 2/3 of the IC-208's street price, which makes it a great deal.
The main disapointment was the audio quality compared to the Yaesu FT-2200 which I want to replace. The FT-2200 stock speaker does fine, but the IC-207H will need an external speaker to match it. The sound is tiny and muffled, and distortion comes too early at high volume levels. I am surprised not to have seen this mentioned in other reviews.
Otherwise I enjoy the extended receive, clear display and easy controls. I was able to perform the basic functions, including setting offset, CTCSS and memories without even looking at the manual. Much easier than the FT-2200.
The fan noise does not bother me because the radio will go in the car. The FT-2200 (fanless) will go in the shack :-)
Sensitivity compared to other rigs I have seems at least as good. We do not have too much IMD here, so I can't comment on that.
AA1ZO Rating: 2004-11-04
A Great Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the best vhf/uhf I have ever owned. I have used it in the house for about a year. In the past year I have used this in a Nissan Maxima and just recently I have installed it in my new 2004 Subaru Forester. I mounted the radio under the front passenger seat. The detachable front panel is mounted with velcro on the dash. It really works great! I have owned it about 3 years and not one lick of trouble. This is a really great radio!
GM4DHJ Rating: 2004-11-01
more icom junk Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Overload city!!!! worst 2m/70cms mobile rig I ever owned.
UT7UX Rating: 2004-08-25
Good radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
TX and RX are very good in a high intermod area (inside HAM bands only). Wide band RX (118-174, 320-479, 820-950MHz) but RX sometimes poor if far from HAM frequencies. Functionality is good but I miss some functions that are usual for other rigs - it has no true "reverse" but if "monitor" is activated on a relay channel the receiver switches to relay's RX frequency and opens the squelch so you can easy check the uplink. Scan and memory operations seem are not convenient. Not ideal but a good buy.
KI4CXZ Rating: 2004-04-27
excellent value Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Picked this radio up at a discount when the 208 was releasted. Couldn't ask much more from the radio. Radio was supplied with a HM-133 microphone. After 3 months PTT button started acting up. Button needs cleaned about every 3 months. But excellent radio
K4WDE Rating: 2004-03-06
OK Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Ok 2 bander. Like most modern vhf/uhf rigs the unit has almost no front end selectivity. I wish the big 3 would offer rigs that "didn't" cover every frequency under the sun, and covered well with selectivity the ham bands. I'd pay 50 bucks more for such a radio. Ptt switch failed after 10 months and just sent into ICOM under warranty for repair. The PTT switch would occasionally not work from day one. Eventually it started sticking keeping the radio transmitting. It failed open shortly there after. A friend lent me his HM133 mike to use while mine was in repair and it exhibits the very same behavior. Shoddy quality.
K5III Rating: 2003-11-03
Initial review Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just recently purchased two of these on closeout specials. A far better deal than the original price. After using them for two weeks, the radios appear to perform well. No crossband capability, but a well built little radio. I live in a major metro area and have had no intermod problems as others have reported. I gave it a 5 however there are things which could be improved on and maybe have been with subsequent models:

1. The knobs fit sloppy and feel "cheap"
2. The fan should be temperature controlled
rather than coming on each time the mic is
keyed.
These are rather minor and unimportant in performance. The best features are:
1. It is easy to set up and progam. The need
referring to the manual is minimal.
2. 4 power levels easily set and independent
of frequency or channelization. You can
change it at any time.
3. Good signal reports on simplex, and good
audio from the built in speaker.

Overall, a good radio for a basic two band radio. I may follow up with additional review info later as my experience with this model is limited.
K0OOK Rating: 2003-08-27
Good rig, bad mount Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I really like this radio. I've had it now for a little over a year and use it quite a bit during commutes.

But, the downside is the remote separation "kit", which amouts to a bracked and some velcro sticky tape. This seems awfully cheap compared to my 706's snap on bracket. Plus, the glue on the velcro just can't seem to stand up to a Texas summer. Invariably I go out to the Jeep to find the head hanging by the control cable.
AC2K Rating: 2003-08-16
Great Radio! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I am surprised to see the variation in ratings for this radio. I have had mine for 14 months, and it has operated flawlessly during the entire time. The radio is straight forward in its use and provides all of the functionality that one could need need at what was an exceptional close out price.
N2HAM Rating: 2003-08-14
Great Little radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Easy to work, flawless functions, and the price is great compared to a single band. Thanks ICOM