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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
N2DMC Rating: 2008-03-02
Nice radio but not at the rated power Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a nice little radio. Prior to installing it in my vehicle I tested on the bench with a calibrated service monitor. 45 watts max output power on VHF, 38 on UHF. These readings were less then the published spec. I used a 30 amp 12 volt power supply so low power supply power was not the reason for the low output power. The receive sensitivity was very good, even in the commercial parts of the VHF and UHF bands. This radio is very easy to use if you have used Icom radios in the past. The remote head kit is nice. I am going to swap it out at HRO and see if the next one gets closer to the 55 watt VHF output.
KC9MSA Rating: 2008-02-16
Great solid dependable rig!!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Nice little rig, easy to read display, nice to include the seperation cable!!! I recommend the programming cable and software, as is with all these compact radios, no fun to try and learn all the menu driven commands and options. Nice, low priced rig!!!!
VK4APN Rating: 2008-02-13
Great value, excellent RF performance, tough Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought mine based on reviews and price. I am not dissapointed. I use software (non Icom) to program as I find this painful to do manually - although I admit I did not persevere with it. RF performance is excellent based on actual use and my ageing (but in Cal) Marconi test set. Useful to have airband AM RX and for VK's it can also be used on UHF CB with a simple minor mod to allow TX. Fan noise is only minor and if remoted, becomes irrelavent. Comes complete with remoting cable as standard inclusion. It offers excellent facilities at a low price.
W2NSF Rating: 2008-02-13
Almost a year; still a great value Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I could pass commenting on one reviewer's fan noise and programming difficulties - those are legitimate comments about the radio, but the other gentleman's trashing of this radio without even using it because it has an SO-239 connector - come on, Sir, let's be reasonable! You just didn't do your research. Every description I read prior to buying mine told me what type of connector to expect.

OK, now for my (almost) one year review. Still an excellent performer for me. It's in my car with a small mag-mount dual-band antenna. The high power on 440 is much appreciated in our rural setting especially because our main club repeater is on 440. The receiver is sensitive and solid. Noise is non-existent. AM air band reception is a cool diversion. Programming is a task - haven't found a radio where this is actually easy - but you do it so infrequently, it doesn't detract for the overall package. I guess I just don't notice the fan noise 'cause my car is fairly noisy itself. Still a solid 5. Highly recommend.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W2NSF on 2007-03-05

I bought this radio a month ago and have had it running in the shack as a shake-down cruise. It was easier to program on my desk than in the car, too. FM performance is great; plenty of power and the receiver is very good. I have had some comments on the transmit audio, but everyone says I'm very readable. (I also like the air band receive, as I live right under a very busy airspace corridor into and out of New York's airports.) The NOAA weather radio reports are also handy. Today, I installed it permanently in the car; onward mobile! I'll promise a follow up review after using it in the auto for a while. 73
KC2SRZ Rating: 2008-02-13
Great Radio!!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I am giving this radio a 5 out of 5 based on price, features and quality.

This is a solid performer, no problems out of the box. And the chassis is built like a tank.

All functions can be controlled from the mic, which I like.

The radio is user friendly and chock full of features for such a small rig.

And it's POWERFUL too. It puts out 50 watts on 70cm. I don't even see base stations that put out that much on 70cm.

This radio can't be beat for the price. With my $20 Icom mail in rebate, total cost to me was $259 (less shipping).

If your looking for an inexpensive 2m/70cm mobile, this is the way to go...

VK3MDD Rating: 2008-02-13
wouldnt buy another Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Fan way too noisy for my liking. Programming memories ....best keep the manual handy. Not intuitive, however it did perform on rx and tx well. No problems.
VK6APK Rating: 2008-01-17
Big Mistake Icom Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just opened the box of my new IC-208H to find that the rf connector on the back is a SO239 type. I can't believe it. I'm not even going to unpack it. It's out of here.
KJ4AQT Rating: 2007-12-24
Awesome Rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought this a few weeks ago, i love the simplicity, and recieve awesome audio reports from it, for the price you cant do better
KC9HKN Rating: 2007-12-16
Great radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I like the unit very much, very easy to use, display is large and easy to read. You can control most functions from the microphone. Just a nice unit all around if your looking for a dual band radio.
VE3WMI Rating: 2007-12-16
She's a real Honey of a Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this radio for about almost two years now and she has never given me an once of problems.