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Reviews For: Icom IC-T90A

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Hand-held

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Review Summary For : Icom IC-T90A
Reviews: 108MSRP: 319.95
Description:
Tri-ban FM transceiver, Wide-bad 495Khz - 999.990 Mhz, Dynamic Memory Scan, Lithium-Ion technology, Rugged palm sized, weather-resistant construction, DTCS & CTCSS ton squelch. Simple to Operate !
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001083.9
VK5JKS Rating: 2017-08-13
Updated review now that I have the 6m tip Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have now obtained the 6m tip for the stock duck and can still hit a 6m repeater 20 km away from my front yard so I am very happy. Of course performance on 2m and 70cm is also improved with the longer tip. The Icom IC-t90a is truly a fantastic HT. If you can grab one 2nd hand, I'd encourage you to do so. This and the Kenwood TH-f6A are the best HTs out there with wide band receive.
KB1HXO Rating: 2017-04-08
Best tri band HT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This radio has treated me well for many years. I have to give Icom two thumbs up on this rig. Even though it's not in production any longer its still the best HT Ive ever had.
W4KVW Rating: 2016-04-09
Works Great & it's Compact Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the 3rd T90A I have owned & they all worked Great as does this one.This one has had the MARS Mod so it also operates on 220 mhz at about 1 watt output.Very compact & aftermarket batteries & drop in chargers are very very reasonable.If it had D-STAR & dual receive it may be the perfect HT but it is perfect for what it was designed to do.I sold the others because I rarely used them but we are in the process of putting up a 6 meter repeater locally so this one will get used a whole lot more.I own quiet a few HT's & I think the ICOM T90A is my favorite because of it's compact size & reliability. {:>)

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W4KVW on 2009-12-29

Just picked up my T90A used at Christmas & then bought the BC-139 drop in charger NEW from HRO. The HT works GREAT but the supplied antenna from my ICOM T8A works BETTER than the supplied antenna for the T90A.ICOM should have stayed with the T8A antenna in my opinion since it does NOT require you to keep up with the EXTRA piece that is NOT being used until you need it.Just like other brands when you put the 6 meter tip on the HT it drops the signal on BOTH 2 meters & 440mhz.I may repace the stock rubber duck with an aftermarket antenna at ORLANDO HAMCATION 2010.For what I need it for it works GREAT & is SIMPLE to PROGRAM & OPERATE. }:>)
N3EKO Rating: 2016-01-04
Worst reciever ever Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If the radio would have a better receiver it is a nice radio. It picks signals out of band and lets you listen to them in band!
Like weather in the ham band?? All the people I have spoke to about it have the same issue. All the bands have the same issue. Icom confirmed the issue with me when I called them about it.

Not for use in the city!
WB6CSH Rating: 2015-02-20
Poor transceiver! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I previously rated this transceiver (handie-scratchie), and it received a "4/5". However, as time went on, I have found that reception on some frequencies is really non-existent. For the 222 MHz band, for example, I have never received any signals either in the San Diego or Sacramento area, despite STRONG signals being received on another ham transceiver (IC-27A) in those same areas!

It also fails in the AM aircraft reception mode, too! The volume control has to be advanced all the way just to hear SOME of the aircraft transmissions. Most of the ground transmissions (ATC) cannot be heard nor detected.

Six meters can only be heard when I'm quite close (can see the site!) to the repeater site. Two meters and 70 centimeters seems okay. No more Icom handhelds for me - this is my second "loser HT".
WK3P Rating: 2014-09-08
Best HT Ever Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Love the radio I think it’s the best HT out there. Too bad they don’t make it anymore.

Easy to program

Only con would be cost of batteries
M1CXF Rating: 2013-02-05
Good Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
One of the best handheld I have ever owned. I have the modified UK version which is capable of working 70MHz. Such a small radio working four bands, and working them well.
As with most menu driven radios programming can be a little bit of a faf but the computer programme makes this much easier. What a shame Icom have stopped making them.
N2NJU Rating: 2012-10-07
great performer and compact too. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this radio several years back as a
'take to work radio' now I take it everywhere
up to and including the beach. I only had one
problem to speak of and that was only after
the radio was "ruff handeled" and dropped
many times....it stopped transmitting, turned
out several of the screws next to the antenna
(outside the case) became loose and needed to
be tightened down....good as new.
K8ERV Rating: 2012-01-22
Amazing Radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've had 3 of these for some time. Others have covered most of the features. I REALLY like the 5 call channels, just right for me on two bands. I sure wish it would scan the call channels since they are obviously the favorites, but that is not to be.

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo
W2XOY Rating: 2010-09-12
Not as good as the VX-5 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this HT last month on closeout. I compared it to my Yaesu VX-5 and VX-6. The Yaesu HTs are slightly more sensitive. The Icom lacks a mid level power range, on 5 watts, it gets hot. Battery life is not as long. Intermod the same as on the Yaesus. Overall, a good tri-band HT, but a used VX-5 is a better choice. I give it a 3.5 (rounded up to 4).