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Reviews For: Icom IC-208H

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

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Review Summary For : Icom IC-208H
Reviews: 137MSRP: 319.95
Description:
2M / 70cm mobile with 55 watt VHF and 50 watt UHF xmtr. CTCSS/DCS encode and decode, tone scan, detachable and remotable control head, 500 ALPHA-NUMERIC memories, etc
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
151374.4
N4KJA Rating: 2012-12-13
Jumped off frequency Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The IC-208H worked well for 13 months. Other than not liking the dual function buttons, that I can't seem to depress the right amount of time, it easy to use.

During an on air conversation the audio stopped being intelligible thru a repeater. I noticed that the mic cable was pulling apart at the connector so I ordered a new one. It made no difference. The mic cords are poor quality.

I shipped it off to the ICOM service center for repair. All they found wrong was that it was -1800 Hz on transmit. For $70 and $14 shipping it was re-calibrated and returned. No hardware problem was identified. I'm concerned that this might happen again.
THEDESERTTORTOISE Rating: 2012-06-13
It's a love, hate thing... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I really think it's a solid 4. A big 5 on signal and modulation as I always get great reports and comments even when not elicited. A big 3 on menu structure and ease of operation. I hate this menu.. but it works! Size is great and it carries my 30 minute QSO's fine without over heating... It's rugged and should last a long time too... just can't figure out why Icom, Yaesu, and a bunch of others are going to this darn phone industry plug for a mic connection. I will say that it's price is right at the moment as retailers are unloading these at a discount as a close out item. I do like the rig .... well, I kinda hate it too..
WB8UUJ Rating: 2012-04-08
Display screen darkening.... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Operationally, and except for the wobbly-knob problem that I knew about when I bought it, this tranceiver is flawless....however, my display screen is beginning to darken from the right side....a top to bottom dark band approximately 3/4" wide....and this is not a good thing :-(

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB8UUJ on 2010-06-06

I bought this IC-208H new for use only as a base station VHF/UHF rig....I researched it thoroughly beforehand and determined that the negatives did not apply to my intended application....I live in an apartment in a non-metropolitan area and use the 208H with a Diamond X50A antenna mounted on my second floor wood balcony....I have the rig itself mounted in its mobile bracket on a 6" X 7-1/4" painted wood base, and it sits with my other radio equipment on one of my operating table shelves....in this setting the "head" remains mounted on the brick....yes, the knob-shafts could be more stable, but I have the rig programmed as I wish and I don't play with them much....most of my other (portable, mobile and base) rigs are ICOM....I and had no problem programming this one because the ICOM engineers apparently lunch together and seem to share their ideas....it's my belief that the "head" was made as light-weight as it was, and with the mic- jack on the "brick", because of severe mounting and use problems associated heavy mic-jacked "heads", such as with the IC-706 series....
KA2ANT Rating: 2012-03-10
Transmit Lock-up problem easily fixed!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Please reference my previous review where I rated the product a "3" because I was experiencing a transmit lock-up problem. I called Icom Technical product support, and they were familiar with the problem. When the tech said to me that stray RF was most likely getting into the non-rf lines, I immediately new the problem, and proceeded to reroute my antenna cabling away from the remote head and mic cabling. That was two days ago, and after usage, all indications are tha the anomaly has been corrected.

A very simple fix to say the least, and one that if I should have considered during the installation process. I will be rereading the maual to see Icom warns of that problem, and if not, making a recommendation that they consider adding that in the future. Kudos to Icom for this radio product, and the Tech support folks.

I also remarked in the previous review that I was purchasing the programming software and cable for this radio. I purchased it from RT Systems two days ago, received it via USPS today, and programmed a nearly 200 frequencies in couple of hours today. Wow, to say the least. Kudos to RT Systems also.

This rating reflects a "5"
73,
KA2ANT
Dane
K6DEA Rating: 2012-02-28
5 of 5 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After owning this radio for a couple of months i can say this radio is great! only drawback is the limited alpha characters of 6 numbers and letters.

scans very fast. i recommend the programming software and cable as it makes storing frequency's a breeze.

i haven't figured out how to program the F-1 & F-2 keys yet, but just about anything can be done through the microphone which is awesome(don't have to fumble with buttons on the radio or vol sql). the audio on it on transmit does have a unique sound to it compared to others. If you widen the hole on the microphone it helps it out a little.
K9CTB Rating: 2011-10-20
Great rig for the price point. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my '208H for about 2 years now and I am quite pleased with it. It may be that I'm not as picky as some hams. Or maybe I expect less for such a reasonable price point.

I bought the 208H because of the price and features. I do not need a crossband repeater, and there's not one rig out there, I'd put into crossband service with out a lot of heavy-duty cooling anyway. These small boxes just can't stand up to the heat that'd be generated by some of us alligator operators out there ...

I have used my IC-208H as a fixed station for voice and packet work, then I've taken it mobile where I worked the local repeaters. On either 2 meters or 440 MHz, the transmit audio was consistent, and there never was a complaint. Receive audio was just as good. I run an external speaker because it's just easier to mount it forward-facing. I have yet to discover a VHF or UHF mobile-type rig from the big 3 manufacturers that has a great-sounding internal speaker. I don't know too many hams who rely on the internal speakers on these rigs in a mobile setting. I know I can't.

In a nutshell,

Pros:
1) Price
2) Functional - program your repeaters, leave the rig in MR mode and slap it in the car.
3) The extension cable for the removable face is actually included in the price.
4) Good punch. 55w on VHF, 55w on UHF - not bad!

Cons:
1) A bear to program manually - if you're a hair-puller, buy the programming cable and software (ouch)$$$!
2) cooling fan is kinda loud - and I question its effectiveness.
3) If you have an "intermod alley" like we do here in Indy, the '208H is just as susceptible to intermod as any of the other dual-band/wideband rigs. I don't know of a good solution, other than discreet rigs for VHF and UHF (assuming you have the space in the vehicle).

Overall a really good rig. Price point really makes it a contender if you just want to communicate and have VHF and UHF in one neat box.
WP4OEK Rating: 2011-10-09
Could be better Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Is not what you get for the price.When using the radio in full power, it gets really hot even with the fan on. Not for mobile use.
KG4COQ Rating: 2011-10-03
Great Radios !! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Don't remember if I already commented on this radio and too lazy to look ...
I have 2 of these radios.Both I have owned for several years. Have 1 in my truck and the other in the house as base. Never had a issue with these radios. They do get hot in hi power mode over a 5 or 10 minite QSO which is expected but fan cools them down well. I have cleaned and oiled the fan and vacummed inside both radios every 6 months or so. This should be done to all radios with fans in them anyway.
I would suggest these radios to anyone needing a duel bander. Thanks ICOM for the quality I have expected from you.
73
KG4COQ
Tampa Bay

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KG4COQ on 2006-05-21

I have had this radio for 2 months now and it performs as advertised. Have it in mobile using a duplexer with single band 5/8 wave 2 meter and 1/2 wave center load UHF antennas. Rig works very well receiving all bands great. Fan issues noted in the posts are not present in my rig. Nor is the xmit audio or receive problems. The radio I have is flawless. It could be only better is it did crossband and dual watch but still very happy with this rig.
One thing I would offer to the guys having trouble ...Unfortunatly ,with as many rigs built by the major radio companies,sometimes quality control misses things and is not perfect. And are you guys sure you have not set something wrong in the rig ? With all the crap these new radios do now a days it is easy to screw it up ...
If I had a need for another of these fine radios I would do another quickly...
73,
KG4COQ,Tampa Bay
KC2VOB Rating: 2011-04-16
Not rugged Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I used the IC-208H radio for a while and encountered 2 problems; Intermod on 440 and audio drop-out. One day I was on QSO with buddies that audio dropped out, LCD displayed nothing but the signal bar. I switched it off and back on. It brought it back to normal. Sometime later I tuned it to the news channel, stepped outside the room, when came back it had ceased audio and only displayed the signal bar. Everything else had cleared.

Additionally, the radio is too small and light weight, especially for two bands. It must be affixed to the desk or when you pull the mic, the cord will drag the radio behind it. Bigger and heavier means bigger heat sink, and so heavy-duty as is the case with commercial radios.
K3YN Rating: 2011-03-09
Could Be Better Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased a new IC-208H to replace a very old (1982) KDK-2030 rig. I was very disappointed with the Icom's performance:

The sensitivity is poorer than the old KDK rig. Stations, which can be received on the 24-year-old KDK, are just "detectable" on the Icom.

The adjacent channel rejection is worse.

The intermod is much worse.

It is inconvenient to scan 800 Mhz frequencies and VHF or UHF frequencies at the same time. The radio will not stop on the first two programmed 800 Mhz frequencies in the scan. You must program two dummy 800 Mhz frequencies to make the unit work. Icom verified this problem exists in the IC-208H.

The manual is difficult to follow when programming the radio.

I expected more from Icom.