F1VJT |
Rating:      |
2025-01-12 | |
Very good transceiver |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have two models: the 290E (like 290A) and the 290D (like the 290H).
Schematic is very near except fews points.
Very sensitive receiver, with my R&S CMS-50 I can receive a signal at -134dBm, selectivity is good on the two models. A little bit noisy (really very little difference) on the 10W version.
I use it only for DX SSB and, sporadically, for FM simplex/local QSOs.
Mods who I made:
-CTCSS board (on 10W version)
-12.5 kHz FM filters instead of 20/25 kHz
-mic schematic (overall gain and bandwidth, to put any microphone)
-original LED display replaced with a news ones, a little bit biggers and brights (sometimes, in /P or /M operation, the originals displays are difficult to read it).
-antenna connector: N instead of SO239 model.
-the original noval accessory replaced by a simple RCA socket (to key a linear amplifier).
It can receive from 140 to 150 MHz with a "key mods" but with less sensivity out of band.
My 290D (25W) have a little problem with the 2.4 kHz filter, service manual procedure alignment is impossible between USB and LSB (noise pitch are too differents, a compromise is to tune LSB @ 10.7513, USB 10.7483 insead of 10.7515 and 10.7485). MY 10W not suffer of this problem, U/LSB pitch are the same.
...I think is acceptable after 40 years old!
No faulty components, all is like ICOM was released at the production.
M/VFO scan is very simple to use it after read the manual, the logic board today is archaic but sufficent to manage the 5 memories + VFOs or only VFO.
PROS:
-very sensitive receiver
-simple to use
-pleasant audio (good on external, acceptable with internal speaker)
-rugged
-goods TX reports
-easy to repair or modify
CONS:
-SO239 antenna connector
-the memory backup system
Personals CONS:
-the duplex switch
-the accessory socket (a noval plug is difficult to found today!)
-the LED s'meter (I would have an analog one!)
-hybrid power amplifier instead of a TR one (for
greater efficiency and less current drain)
Frequency drift is normal for a transceiver from this era, once the working temperature reached, drift is very little or almost not at all.
If you have important frequency drift, consider replacing trimmers (R2 and R17) on the PLL board with quality multi turn.
Globally a very good transceiver (and relatively cheap now), ideal for /P, /M or officially in your shack!
Nothing to envy of more modern equipment, it does properly the job even intense activities like a contest!
|
|
N1LEU |
Rating:      |
2013-08-03 | |
Great ssb/cw rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought my IC-290H because I wanted a rig for 2m SSB, It was used but in good shape and at a fair price. I hooked this radio up to a halo antenna and attached a straight key. the radio receives and transmits good but the squelch does chatter requiring the squelch to be turned up. but as for CW & SSB it is a great performer, I have made many contacts with this rig on both 25 watts and QRP (1 Watt). On FM this radio also works well and I have a Communication Specialists TE-64 p.l. encoder. Overall good rig I won't want to replace. |
|
W9GB |
Rating:      |
2012-08-08 | |
IC-BU1Battery Backup |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
IF you own one of these 3 Icom mobile VHF or UHF FM radios: IC-290A/E, IC-490A/E, or IC-25A/E
then you realize that these first generation radios required the Icom IC-BU1 Battery Backup Option,
to retain programmed memories when the 13.8 VDC source is removed.
Icom IC-BU1 Product Install Datasheet with Schematic (Icom Global Support - Japan)
[i]This option used a Ni-Cd 9 Volt battery (7.5 V, 75 mA) with 4 diodes and 2 resistors[/i].
http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/download/manual/
Enter: [b]IC-BU1[/b] in search criteria.
|
|
G1HBE |
Rating:     |
2011-07-02 | |
Old but still good |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I recently bought one of these 'working but PA blown up' for just £20. I figured that even if it was completely U/S I could strip it for bits. I had been looking around for a cheap 2m rig to drive my homebrew 23cm transverter anyway, so this looked like it might be ideal. It was! Receive is truly excellent, and the SSB audio quality on both TX and RX puts many modern rigs to shame. Operation can be a little awkward with all that mode and step switching, but that's what rigs were like 25 years ago. It's built like a concrete out-house and the front-end filtering (one double helical plus a triple helical) is something to behold. A cracking rig from the era when they knew how to build them! |
|
VK5LA |
Rating:     |
2010-05-04 | |
2M Best Kept Secret... |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
These are getting on a bit now but I waited for one to come up at the right price, ($100 AUD) and I wasn't dissapointed. Very good RX on this rig, seems as sensitive as my 910H, but it's a bit more noisy. Yes it has it's operating quirks but that's half the fun! I wanted one to use as an IF for microwave transverters later down the track.
At the moment, I'm using mine as a base unit for monitoring the beacons around my state, and the 10 watts is great for some local FM simplex and repeater work.
Mine had a bad PTT switch, a common problem, in the mic, easily replaced.
It's also a fun portable rig to take out with a lightweight yagi in the field and do a little SSB operating.
All in all, it's a very versatile little radio. Don't you wish IKensu would make an all mode mobile rig again? ('specially a dualbander!)
they would sell like hotcakes!!!
Andy - VK5LA |
|
K2SAV |
Rating:      |
2009-04-09 | |
GREAT ALL MODE RIG!!! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned this rig for over a year and have been nothing but happy with it....it has a GREAT RECEIVE TONE....very rich sound compared to many other mobiles I have used, owned or heard...i have read other reviews saying don't confuse it with the H model, well I never owned a H, but other than the higher pwr out (the A is 10w)what else does it do better, I have great reports 2m SSB, and the 10w is great to add a 80w mirage (like I did)or a 160w if your budget and antenna allow...they aren't expensive amps and get the FM Simplex signal or SSB signal out there...many vhf amps are designed for the 10W input. If you have a chance to pick one up on the cheap side (like me 80 Bucks!!) ,and jazz it up with a amp....you cant go wrong ...other than the no pl (which you could modify if you want to) but I ,like I am sure you , have other rigs for the few 2m nets w/repeaters , (I use repeaters as little as I can) you just cant go wrong....I really believe this rig will be with me to the end!!! with all the hf/vhf combined rigs of this era popping up ,these sometimes sell low, i have never been sorry I bought it, and I bet you won't either....73 |
|
K0CBA |
Rating:     |
2006-07-22 | |
Great bang for your used radio buck! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
First off, do not confuse the A and the H models. They may look alike but they are totally different critters, the A's leaving a great deal to be desired.
Thumbs up section....great receiver (holds it's own with my IC-275H and that's saying something)
......Transmit audio reports always good.
Thumbs down section....I dislike the "click" tuning, a little course for SSB/CW but back then it was the 'bees' knees!.....volital memory (I cludged a battery connecter on the plug (ground and middle pin). A 6 to 9 volt wall wart in the house and a 9 volt battery (just to move it to the car and back) keeps the memories in place.
Thumbs sideways section....For the repeater guys, not having CTCSS encode is getting to be more of a problem as more repeaters are going to sub audible decoding. I am fortunate to still have the wierd 8 or 9 pin ACC plug so if I ever find it worth the expense I can always 'outboard' a ComSpec.
If you are interested in 2 SSB/CW and maybe a back-up FM rig, you won't go wrong with this little oldie but goodie. |
|
VE9AA |
Rating:     |
2005-09-17 | |
Good all around rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Good, but rx is a little noisey & not sensitive enough. Coupled with a 6m Ten-Tec transverter I have worked some good Es & F2 DX with it and on my 170w or 500w amp have worked 2m scatter with it. TX audio reports not the greatest, but not what I would call "poor".....could be better though. Wish it had mem backup.
Have owned it perhaps 10 years.....may never get rid of it!
|
|
VO1XH |
Rating:     |
2003-09-06 | |
I have owned this rig for 9 years and it is always reliable . |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This was my first 2m rig when I was licensed in 1994.I wanted a rugged,reliable mobile radio as I spend a good amount of time driving.When a local ham advertised that he was selling this radio,I wasted no time in purchasing it from him.From the moment I powered it up,I was impressed with its easy to use features and great audio.There is not a lot almost non-existant ssb/cw weak signal activity in Newfoundland,but there are a few locals who own VHF ssb equipt. and every now and then we use ssb for qso's.I found that the reciever in ssb mode was very good and hardly any drift once a signal was tuned in.Other operators complemented the good tx audio quality whether working FM simplex or through a repeater or on ssb.It does lack CTCSS tone capability,however,that is not a major problem due to the fact that most repeaters here are not set up for CTCSS and I have two other rigs that have the capabilities for tone use.Memory backup is another minor detail but as it is connected to a 13.8 vdc supply at all times I have the local repeaters and simplex programmed in the VFO'S.There are 5 memory channels which you can set your favorite frequencies in and dual vfo for another frequency.All in all,this is a rig that I will never sell but pass on to my son who is interested in getting his licence so it is I guess a "family heirloom" in that respect.It is my favorite rig and is always dependable. |
|
K4TB |
Rating:     |
2003-02-25 | |
Hanging in there |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've had my IC-290A for over 15 years and it still performs well. I did have to make 2 repairs and 1 modification over the years. The repairs were replacing a 4001 IC chip on one circuit board, then having to replace another 4001 on a different board a short while later. Probably a bad batch of IC's. Diagnosing the problems was educational and it was rewarding have a rig you can actually work on and repair! (unlike most new rigs today)
The mod was to clip a diode to allow tuning upwards while in transmit; necessary for satellite QSOs. I am holding on to this rig because it will make a perfect front end for a microwave transverter with a 2M IF. Downeast Microwave sells them for many different MW bands and they typically can handle up to 10 watts RF drive - precisely the upper limit of the IC-290A. No need for special interfacing! It also runs fine from a mere 3A power supply.
For its day, the IC-290A was a good rig. I never had the microphonic VCO problem others reported. Due to it's continued usefulness (to me at least), I still give it a 4. |
|