| N1KZC |
Rating:     |
2006-08-13 | |
| Nice rig but the tx audio.........whoa! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
The 208H works flawlessly! It comes WITH a separation cable as standard equipment. Check with the store before you buy any radio if this is a "must have" item to you.
For the most part, a real nice rig! Nice front end too for an extended RX radio!
Don't buy the display holder...use velcro and save a few bucks, OM.
My only one complaint abt the rig is that it's TX audio is very very thin. It is lacking any hint of bottom end audio.(no, I'm not expecting hi-fi....but most Icom rigs have better tx audio than this one) So if you operate simplex as I do, be prepared to get "thin audio" reports but FB signal.
Icom most certainly could have done a much better job. What were they thinking?
That is my fault though, whereas I usually will be insistant that I try the radio out first on display and monitor it's audio out on another rig. I ordered this one. Ooops. Hi hi.
de: N1KZC |
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| KB8FGC |
Rating:     |
2006-06-06 | |
| Very nice little radio. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| While shopping for a new mobile rig, I narrowed my choices to three radios...the Yaesu FT-8900, FT-7800 and the Icom IC-208H. I eliminated the 8900 due to price...just couldn't justify the added expense for two bands that would only get intermittent use. I liked the 7800 but something about it's ergonomics just didn't sync with me. The Icom just felt and looked right. I also liked that the separation cable was included. I haven't regretted my choice. The Icom is very compact...I drive a Chevrolet Tracker and as such was very limited in mounting opportunities. I ended up mounting the control panel above the stereo just below the climate controls. The radio itself is mounted on a board which is secured to the floor of the car under the driver's seat (mounting this way allowed the radio to have clear air circulation all around and keeps the radio's fan clear of the grit that accumulates on the floor). Out of the box, I've had no issues with audio quality or levels. The cooling fan is barely heard when the car is stopped and not running...other times I don't hear it at all. I get a touch of intermod when driving by the local highway patrol tower, but that is the only time I've ever experienced any. This radio is very easy to program and one quick read through the manual is all it took to learn the radio's functions. I also like that the microphone can control all the radio's functions....much easier to just tap the microphone buttons than to try to use the smaller buttons on the radio's face while driving...they are dual function buttons (a longer press brings up the second function) and the cars movement can cause you to inadvertantly select the wrong function (this was another strong point over the Yaesu). One issue I don't like is how the weather alert operates, as the radio checks the weather frequency, it causes an interruption in the band you are listening too...this can cause you to miss a word or syllable of your qso and you have to have the party repeat what they've said. A bit annoying, but you get used to it. If you don't like it this feature can be turned off (it actually is off by default, but I turned the feature on and so far am glad I have...twice now it has alerted me to the approach of dangerous storms. The first time, I heard this siren like sound that made me jump...the radio was only two days old and I thought something was wrong, but then it promptly switched itself to the weather and I knew what was happening... :-) Overall, a very nice little radio that has given me much pleasure! |
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| VE3VWX |
Rating:      |
2006-05-15 | |
| Rugged - Sensitive |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
As with any radio, there is no such thing as perfection but there is performance.
The radio's low sensitivity when paired with a good antenna will pull in weak signals remarkably well. The high power on UHF is excellent for working distant repeaters that most 30 or 35 watt mobiles cannot get into which means versatility.
The only issues that exist with the radio are the low volume levels/mic sensitivity, excessive heat and of course the inability to have a dual monitor function where one can monitor two frequencies simultaneously or transmit/listen on one while scanning others.
As a quick note, the best way to correct the mic audio issue is to simply take it apart and remove a little plastic spit shield covering the microphone element, this will increase audio dramatically. One can also use a drill to increase the sound hole in the casing but this is not really necessary unless you want to send someone deaf, which in any case is always a good thing as it is better to be heard than not.
Tom
VE3VWX |
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| CLEBOT |
Rating:      |
2006-04-03 | |
| Good first radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Early thoughts on the Icom IC-208H.
Easy to set up right out of the box. If you have any experience just messing around with radios (scanners, etc.) you should have no trouble making contacts right away.
The automatic repeater function is pretty handy and seems to track along with the local repeaters in my area. I read the reviews and owners manual before powering up and set the mic gain to high and disabled the narrow bandwidth as was suggested by other posters. This radio easily hit repeaters over 40 miles away on low power (5W) with very good signal reports.
The manual is a tad overwhelming, so I just started pushing buttons and turning knobs until I got where I needed to go, using the manual as a guide whenever I got stuck.
I am currently using a discone antenna at 30’, fed with 75 ohm coax (from previous scanner setup) and am still getting out strong and receiving well. I will be replacing the 75 ohm with 50 ohm cable shortly and try to xmit on low power until I get a more closely matched coax. The fan is a little noisy, but I will eventually be mounting this radio in my truck, where the small amount of noise will go unnoticed.
I am very pleased with this radio. It is my first transceiver after receiving my technician license, so I have nothing to compare it to, but so far, I think I got exactly what I expected and paid a fair price for what I got. I would recommend this radio to anyone just starting out. Next step: programming all my favorite frequencies and adding alpha tags (with repeater ID’s and settings).
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| FORMER_W7LV |
Rating:      |
2006-03-17 | |
| Works For Me! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Having owned a 207H for some time, I knew that I needed to read the manual before powering it up.
Did so, and, although not every function or control of this radio is Intuitive, its use doesn't demand a mastery of Conversational Klingon, either. Power output was to spec. Sensitivity very good. Surious signal rejection excellent (I live 2.6 miles from the Black Mountain antenna site).
Liked the coverage of parts of the military air band, as well as the usual out-of-ham band receiver. Eliminates the need for a separate scanner in the vehicle.
I turn it on and it runs. Price was OK. Does what it says it'll do in the Manual.
Works for me. |
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| SE6QRP |
Rating:     |
2006-03-08 | |
| Good rig, but the fan... |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had my 208H nearly two years as a main rig at our home. Both me and my wife are ham's, and uses it every day and it has worked perfect every time.
I think it is a high quality rig, except one thing - the elecrical fan that cooling the rig is terrible to listen at.
It starts when you start transmit and stops about two minutes after your last transmission.
I think the fan is "poor junk" and should be replaced with some better thing.
Icom should not use such cheap things in their good quality rigs.
The die-cast chassie is built like a tank, robust and high quality feeling.
Listen Icom - I would have a new fan !
The rig is still a keeper... 73 de SE6QRP Mats
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| VK2TLG |
Rating:     |
2006-01-13 | |
| rubust and sound |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Icom IC-208H
I have had this radio for a week now and first impressions are good. The construction of the unit is robust and very well made. The control head seems to have been rushed a little by the boys at Icom as in the control head seems to feel a little flimsy compared to the rest of the radio.
Initial first thoughts where mixed till I got the radio on air. The area I live in is swamped by bloody pagers and any two meter radio that can survive the onslaught of the pagers is considered to be good. The Icom (IC-208H) seems to manage the pagers well and rejects about 80% of the nasty unwanted signals. So far the Icom has done well compared to my other radios I have here – FT-2800, FT-857, FT-897 – these radios failed to reject the pagers –
The layout of the controls is user friendly and feel solid to the touch. The Menus and programming is easy to pick up. The manual that comes with the radio is one of the better ones I have come across – still confusing but better then most.
The IC-208H has a nice receiver on it – better them Yeasu’s I have here. Nice tone on the speaker and the volume has heaps of grunt. As with most modern rigs the internal speaker is ok, but if I was to use it in a mobile situation I would more than likely use an external one for better audio quality.
The extra RX range is great and even the air band portion of the radio works well in the AM mode (RX only). Scan speed is good, sensitivity is also good. The ease of use of the radio is average but only due to lack of effort on my part, by not bothering to read the manual supplied. The supplied microphone is a dtmf multi-function type. The problem with this is that it becomes a vital part of the radio itself. It has multiple functions on it that control the radio. All functions that you need to do can be done on the radio itself, however the microphone makes it a little easier.
This radio has also a very large memory base about 500+ with scan ranges etc. it also allows alpha tagging that seems to be easier than most I have used.
The TX quality of the IC-208H is excellent. By reports so far the audio is a crisp clean audio and the 55W VHF, 50W UHF helps also.
Over all the IC-208H is as promised, a high tech, high power radio. As for value for money I would have to give it 9/10. I use this radio on a base and haven’t used it in a mobile situation as yet.
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| KC2NNW |
Rating:     |
2006-01-11 | |
| Below Rated Outout in "High Power" Mode |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
First of all, let me say that I have never had a complaint about the transmit audio on this radio. Those who have had reports of low audio need to check that the mic sensitivity is set to "H" and make sure they are not operating in the half-deviation mode.
I was attracted to the 208-H by its maximum outout power of 55 watts on VHF and 50 watts on UHF. Howeever, my radio falls well short of those marks. Using a professional Telewave power meter and 50 ohn dummy load, the radio tested "low" in the high power modes on both bands. VHF output was 40 watts, not 55. UHF out was 35 watts, not 50. These radios throw off tremendous heat in the high power mode and I can only hope Icom has rolled the power down at the factory to protect the instrument. Otherwise, I'm a bit disappointed since I didn't get what I paid for...a UHF/VHF rig capable of 50 watts.
Otherwise, it's a fine rig with good transmit and receive audio, excellent sensitivity and I have almost no trouble with intermod in areas that normally blow my Yaesu HT out of the water. |
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| N3CW |
Rating:    |
2006-01-05 | |
| Not bad; nice size for mobile use |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The transceiver itself is nice...some occasional intermod problems, but nothing to really complain about. But what I can complain about is the cost of the accessories needed to install the rig: extra long remote cable, speaker cable, and mic cable.
I also received reports of low audio, despite having set the mic gain and the NTX settings properly. I found that a replacement electret element made a HUGE difference in the audio quality; order part # 252-EM6027P-42BC33 from Mouser if you want to try a new element. It's a direct solder-in replacement for the Icom stock element inside the HM-133 mic.
Also see my webpage: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/goldenoak/jeep.html
for notes and info on installing the IC-208H in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. |
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| KC0ORM |
Rating:     |
2005-11-16 | |
| I'd get another |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought a 208H at Hamvention 2004 and installed it in my work van. Generally I like the radio. The included separation cable was a big bonus. Like others have done, I mounted the face to the dash with heavy-duty velcro, no problems there.
I have experienced some intermod issues, mainly while driving past a gas station (eletronic pumps?). It doesn't take much to open the squelch on the radio. This can be good and bad. I can hear distant stations pretty clearly as well as every Part 15 violator on my block. This is where the built in attenuator comes in handy. If you don't like the attenuator function it can be turned off and the squelch knob will be all squelch.
I didn't think that the programming cable and software were worth the money. Instead I made a spreadsheet with all the frequencies I wanted and organized them into the banks I wanted. From there it was pretty easy to program everything in manually. Approx 200 memories took about 1.5 hours to program.
The way I installed the radio makes the internal speaker almost impossible to hear without cranking up the volume. What I have done and what I recommend is installing an external speaker. Mine sits on the dash pointing at my head. This isn't the radios fault but mine for damaging my hearing. (NOTE: wear earplugs when DJ'ing karaoke shows)
As mentioned in previous reviews the external fan can be kind of noisy, especially when the radio is cold and first starting up (like in the morning after sitting in the cold all night). After several minutes the noise level drops and I can't usually hear it over the normal road noise.
When I first got the radio intial reports were that my audio was low. Adjusting the microphone gain from the default LOW to HI solved this problem.
The IC-208H is the only dual-band mobile rig I own and I would definitely buy another. |
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