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Reviews For: ICOM IC-2720H

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

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Review Summary For : ICOM IC-2720H
Reviews: 147MSRP: ???
Description:
2M/440MHz Dual Band Mobile
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001473.3
KI4BDS Rating: 2006-09-28
2nd to V8000 Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
People tell me my audio is'nt as good as w/my V8000. I dont' like to be listening to one band and have it cut out when someone comes on the primary. Not a bad fault. Whats the mod on finals Icom does for free? Karl KI4BDS
KC2OQG Rating: 2006-07-04
remote head problems Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got the radio and it worked fine until I received the optional MB-85 bracket, so the remote head could be mounted to the main unit. While waiting for the MB-85 bracket (4 days) the radio was fine. When I hooked up the MB-85 bracket and went to high power on VHF, the radio would not stop transmitting. Only way to stop TX was to power off. Called ICOM and they said it was a known issue and suggested a half dozen things to try. I did not want to get involved with doing their troubleshooting, so I returned the radio to the vendor. I believe any manufacturer that sells the hardware to mount the control head on the main unit as an option, is not really designing radios to be used that way. Still looking for a dual band mobile rig, primarily for the shack.
N8FZ Rating: 2006-06-07
Almost great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had the rig now for about 14 months. Still learning all the features. The WX alert function works great with dual receive. Easy to see the display and easy to use the buttons while mobile( unlike Yeasu FT 8800). However if you are in an area prone to intermod, this may not be the radio for you. Not an issue where I live.
W2NH Rating: 2006-02-06
Nice rigs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Can't say excellent yet. Haven't had them long enough. They both work well, exceed specs and have been put in service as on demand cross band repeaters. The one here at the house has the control head some 60 feet from the radio. I put the radio very close to the antenna and use CAT5 cable to extend the control head to my living room recliner. The fourth pair in the CAT5 is used to extend the audio output to a speaker by the control head. I do find fault with the display and the angles that viewing is good. It appears that it was intended to be viewed from above the normal to the face plate. This may work in a car but is annoying when it is resting on my laptop that is mounted to the recliner with a Jotto desk.
PY1BR Rating: 2006-01-03
Professional conception Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am using the IC-2720 since last month in a mobile configuration. The receiver appears to be very sensitive. The Tx came from factory with less audio then the average (some Hams complained about it). The Tx audio is not loud enough even if the “Microphone Sensitivity” is set to “High”. Of course, I am talking about the IC-2720H I have. Using the CS-2720 software I could increase the modulation level easily. Now, the Tx has the same audio level as others. Well, I would complain about no alphanumeric to memorize channel names, but, that’s the only project lack in my opinion. Another small issue is related to the Microphone. Why Icom always built microphones with a very small hole to reach the electret element? I use to drill Icom microphones electret element holes. Other than that, it looks fine. I think is a very good and modern radio. No trim-pots or trimmers so, built as a commercial radio. I hope it will last forever! If any failure occurs, it’s not because the radio is bad, but because one component or any other part failed. It may happen with any brand or model. So, the radio itself (the project) looks very well done. 73.
WA6PXX Rating: 2005-12-31
good radio for packet Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Love having voice as main channel and packet station running on sub-band.

Mine works great after Icom updated it, and I bought a PAR filter (pager induced IM went from awful to perfect!). 1200 baud packet performance excellent after I learned to program subband; 9600b packet gets good performance grades but I haven't used it yet.

Question..... How to remotely (e.g. by PC) control the 2720H, e.g. select memory channel. Purpose: move from one frequency to another under software control. Does the programming port allow this? How about building an interface on the mic port?
KD5QEF Rating: 2005-12-16
ok but problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an acceptable dual-band radio that does crossband repeat. HM-133 microphone failed to TX when depressing the PTT after a year and a half, due to failure of Alps tactile switch. I repaired the HM-133 by disassembling the mic, de-soldering (used de-soldering braid) the right-angle tactile switch, and replaced it with MFG P/N: SKHHLPA010. The Mouser part #688-SKHHLP, 6.0 x 6.0 x 3.85mm Alps tactile switch, if any of you have the same problem go to Mouser.com and order yourself a new switch. The switch cost 30 cents, which is cheaper than $90 for a new HM-133. Mic works fb now. I have heard these units have problems with the PA finals, and I expect at some point I'll send it to Icom for the repair on the finals. I'd suggest looking at the Yaesu FT-8800 as an alternative to this radio. I do prefer the LCD on the 2720H, it's easier to read, larger characters, and the menu programming is easier and more intuitive than on an FT-8800. Radios that don't allow you to lock the PTT annoy me, this is another shortcoming of the 2720H, the FT-8800 has a PTT "lock" function. I'd give this radio a 3.5 if I could rate with decimals.
WE8Q Rating: 2005-12-13
No problems here. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had two of these radios since they first came out. Both are used as mobile units and both have been back to Icom for the PA mod (free) but not because they failed, just precautionary. I have had no problem with either of them and would recommend this radio.

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Earlier 2-star review posted by WE8Q on 2003-02-10

Love the radio and the features, but the display is impossible to see looking from the left side of the display. Looking from the right side of the display or looking down on the display is OK. Looking up at the display from below is also very bad. Come on Icom, what's with this problem? If you can't see the display it isn't worth much to me! I am sorely disappointed. Anyone esle notice this problem?
KC9HKN Rating: 2005-11-23
Great radio, no problems. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had mine for a year now and move it from the house to my truck. Unit has worked flawless since day one. I live in the Chicago area and have not had any intermod problems which I kept waiting for it to open up. Don’t have to buy the remote kit like Yaesu, backlit keys, big display, easy to program, control almost all functions from the mike, great audio reports. I run the radio at least 8 hours a day. I also like having the ability to scan on one side and have my primary repeater on the other listening for traffic. I am going to buy another one so I don’t have to move it anymore from the truck. The first ones had manufacturing problems, that happens in the communications industry, supplier or production problems do occur sometimes. That’s what a warranty is for. I have serial #0506636.
'73 Todd
VE7AGW Rating: 2005-10-24
Great Radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I went against better judgement when I was looking for a new dual band radio to use on base. I read all the reviews on here but I still went ahead and purchased the IC-2720H. And I think i made a very good choise, as this radio does all that I want in a dual bander and more. I listen a lot on the 200-400 am military band and this is the only dual bander that will allow you to swithc to narrow fm and am. Even though a lot of people have had a lot of problems with the finals in this radio. So far I haven't had any problems at all. Even with intermode, not a peep out of it.
As far as I'm concerned this radio is living up to Icoms reputation of a very durable and versitial radio. I'm going to order another two of them for my wifes car and my pickup.