Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: iCom LC-156 Multi Bag

Category: QRP Accessories

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : iCom LC-156 Multi Bag
Reviews: 7MSRP: 99.95
Description:
Designed by Hams for hams! Take your hobby with you into the great outdoors. Portable, table top use, and/or Pedistrian Mobile Backpack designed for use with the IC-703.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/default.asp
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0075
W1WOW Rating: 2011-10-28
Tailored for the ICOM 703/706 Series Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This backpack is just another wonderful accessory for the ICOM IC-703. ICOM has really done a nice job with the ICOM IC-703. I love the way this pack works and the quality is top notch. If you have an ICOM IC-703 you will love this backpack. I gave this backpack a 5/5 as it is so well thought out and really adds to the enjoyment of the radios it was designed for. Love the olive green too!

If you find one - grab it. Like the IC-703, they are becoming hard to find.
AH6RH Rating: 2010-02-07
Great mobile rig bag Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had mines for a couple of weeks now. I use it to carry a dual band Kenwood TM-D710 to and from work. It's just big enough for the radio to snugly fit inside. What I like is the main body unzips completely along the left, top and right side of the unit -- the top butterflies back, and the radio is accessible to wire in the DC power, radio antenna. I pull out the mike, speaker and set it next to me. In moments, I'm operating.

Considering that one would pay almost $100 for a rugged, well built back pack that doesn't butterfly open but rather jumbles up everything into a mess, I'm satisfied with this unit. The only drawback is this bag is about 2/3 the size of a regular backpack, so there's not a lot of room to stuff a jacket, water bottle or things of that nature. But in terms of being a radio bag, it's wonderful!
OE3SGU Rating: 2006-10-02
Great addition fo portable rigs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Received mine today. Its so clever made, everything fits in perfect, great for portable or travelling. Well done ICOM.
K7MXG Rating: 2006-04-15
The Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The LC-156 is the ultimate solution for the 703. I use the 703+ in it with a 7aH battery, the remote head setup that clips to the chest strap, with a Heil traveler headset and the Icom AH-703 antenna that attaches right to the back of the 703 (designed specifically for this application). The combination is functional, comfortable and extremely potent. I've ragchewed all over the country with this setup on my back. I've packed/trasported my stuff in all manner of bags/cases but this is by far the most efficient system for going portable successfully.
WA6OWH Rating: 2005-01-29
High quality IC-703 Back Pack Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Have had pack for about 4 months. The IC 703 fits snugly in the strap just above the battery. There is a little slot to hang you drag wire out for HF pack pedestrian portable. I carry a small dipole in one side pouch and coax on the outside bunji cords. Well thought out pack.
I too found one at Universal Radio.
Universal Radio has a great price of $69.95 + S&H.
K8DXX Rating: 2004-07-27
Looks Great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just received mine today after reading a review in this eHam area. The LC156 appears to be very well thought out and nicely made. Only drawback I've noticed thus far has been that the loading coil for my MP-1 antenna does not fit in the cylindrical side pouches (made for that purpose, I think).

Universal Radio has a great price of $69.95 + S&H.

73,

Bill / K8DXX
NC2F Rating: 2004-06-03
A very well thought out design ! Think Field day! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received the LC-156 backpack yesterday from HRO that I ordered a few days back and I must say the pack is well thought out for portable and/or PM operation. After studying the mnay well thought
out features for carrying accesories and the rdio itself, I feel I would be hard pressed to design a better layout. Here are some of the features I like:

First, the material used is very heavy and feels very durable. There is a heaviily padded area stiched in under where the radio rests providing some nice protection for the unforeseen drops or bumps.

The pack has many areas to custom adjust the fit (using both velcro and locking elastic) to both you and adjust based on the amount of gear that is being inserted in the bag.

There are two outer pucher which each are designed to carry accessoris such as the microphone and controller pouch (the BP-
228 battery fits in nicelt too). Theere is a designated place for the BP228 to be stored inside the pack while it is connected to the 703.
fit for the battery is nice and snug (not a loose of floppy fit) and has an adjustable padded barrier between the radio and the battery.

There is a custom faceplate pouch that if used with the remote-head kit, Can be attached to the outside of the bag strap in front of you while PM for easy access to tuning/controls and the side storage pouch can be used to store the faceplate/head puch whn not in use. There also 2 outside pouches that for carrying "small" accessories such as cables, a small key or paddle, logs, etc...

Inside the pack on the opposite flap from where the radio is placed is a netted holder for holding a portable antenna (the MP-1 or the new
CMBP (mini buddipole) comes to mind).

The zippers are a large(r)/sturdier type that are stiched very well to the pack and open and close nicely. The pack also includes a rain pouch with it's own cover and holder tucked away small and neat in the pack and out of the way.

What I like about the pack the most is that you can sit down at a table open it up and operate right from the pack by simpy unzipping the large zipper(s) which open the pack 180 degrees flat for the table top (as designed).

I previously owned a Communications Outfitters Expedition Pack for the FT-817, and in comparison, the iCom pack is clearly head and
shoulders above that pack in my opinion. In contrast, the iCom is more form fitting (not a rigid rectangle) and uses it's space much more efficiently for storage (interior storage approx. 13"h x 8"w x 4"d). Most importantly, the Expedition Pack never held the 817 properly as it used a non-adjustable holder to secure the radio where the 703 is very secure. The exterior of the bag has velcor straps to secure an assembed or dissabled portable antenna like a hamstick or
screwdriver antenna.

While there are many ways to carry your 703 and small accessories, I think the LC-156 offers some very good one-stop shopping. Especially if you want something that is specifically designed for the 703 and offers above-average protection of your rig. Price paid: $99.95 delivered.