ICOM IC-V8000

[trjohn]

I just got in a Icom IC-V8000 and so far its been
fun to play around with, Lots of Bells and whistles
I worked a guy on simplex 60 miles away lastnight
with my J-pole and the Icom on 75watt Highpower
Not a Bad unit for the money.

Anyone have anything to say about this Rig ?
73s KC0CUL

[trjohn]

ALso I forgot to add I read somewhere on the net
reports that the Radio had poor audio output and it
showed how to mod the hole in the mic and the other mod showed how to mod the pc board also but no bad
reports on the one I have so far.Hi Hi

73's thanks for the input on your views
KC0CUL Terry

[KG4ZLB]

Terry, I've had mine permanently fixed in my Jeep for a number of months now and have to say that it has behaved impeccably, the front firing speaker is a godsend although as my Jeep is a soft top, I have wired the audio through my soundbar (over my head) - I probably don't need 75w all the time but it certainly hits the repeaters round here with no problem. The only thing I would like to see is the same radio with 70cm dual band capability as well so I might sacrifice the high power in favour of swapping it out for the Icom dualbander. In short though (?), a great radio. HTH

[w5zzq]

I've had mine for about a year now with no problems at all. I like the extra power it has. Use simplex more than repeaters. So far the tx. audio is fine. Larry

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[kk7jk]

I've had mine for about 12 days.
Large display and fan are for me, however, programming the item is not so easy for me.
All I desire to do is added freqs. and put them in a memory order. Got to do a trial and error for awhile, I suppose.
If all goes well I'll get another.

[AC0BE]

Mine gets top notch audio reports-had mine in my P-up for about a year- no problems at all. I thought I had a problem when it got cold (Colorado gets cold) and lost its settings but I traced that back to a bad ground.

Like the extra power option. I don't use it very often but it is nice to have in the canyons and the out in the middle of nowhere places we have a lot of out here.

The front firing speaker should be the industry standard, I think. It made installation much easier. I mounted the radio under the glove box and if I unplug the mike and leave the glovebox door open, you can't see the radio at all from the outside.

73 Steve

[K9CHP]

Had it for a week. Connected to a J-pole at home and does very well. Ditto in the truck with a mag mounted antenna. Have not needed to use all the power but it is nice to have. The front firering speaker is great! The mike input is easy to master, at least for me. The weakest point is the software as you can't import data from the ARRL CD, not even cut and paste, so you need to enter it all.

I have only had mine for a couple of weeks and am new to ham radio. My home is located in a river valley surrounded by hills so the 75 watts seems to get me to the repeaters better. When I use it as a mobile it performs great. Once you get through owners manual 101 and have programmed in your needed presets it is easy to use.

[AE7RS]

Have had mine for a couple months. Flawless operation - great audio - superb receive. The 75w comes in handy out here in the boonies where 60+ mile shots to a repeater are not uncommon. Used with a 5/8 wave NMO mount on an old '87 suburban.

73,
Rick AE7RS

[N3IJW]

I have been running mine 24/7 for about a year now as an APRS digi and igate. No complaints.

Had the V8000 for several weeks and love it, so much so I ordered another one today for the base. Usually get into the local repeaters on low power and Simplex is really boosted by 75watts! Programming like all radios is a lesson to learn but once done its easy to go back to it. Another reason to buy two of these radios, direct radio to radio setup mode!
This Icom is a keeper!

[KE5BBC]

I just installed a brand new V8000 in my freightliner with a modified marine antenna. The first contact on it was through a repeater about 25 miles away. Now, you say, thats not special. Well, I was still in my metal shop with the doors closed. The contact said I sounded like I was in his vehicle with a megaphone. He said the audio was loud, crisp and clean. Just imagine what it is capable of with some fine tuning and being out in the open.

Billy

[KE5BBC]

Well, I have tried it now out in the open and, wow! I was down in Georgia the other day and moving at about 75 mph on Hwy 82 in Jakin, Ga. The V8000 held the repeater in Albany, Ga for a short conversation. That's about 60 to 65 miles. I think that is pretty good. Now I know that's not possible every time but on my way to florida and back I got constant "good audio", "great audio" reports. I don't know what the people are talking about when they say poor audio. I have'nt experienced it with mine.

Billy: KE5BBC

[K5EQK]

I have owned a Yaesu V8000 2 years /mobile and it is a great rig. Both the Receive audio and the transmit audio is great.

[KD5TAT]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
I picked this radio up in a trade with another HAM.
Used it in the mobile for about one week, with a 1/2 wave vertical. Made simplex contacts about 40 miles away on high power.
Mine puts out 80 watts on a Bird meter.
I really enjoy the audio, the best 2 meter mobile I have heard.
It is now my primary 2 meter Base Station.
Buy one and get a good monoband antena.

[W1LJW]

I've had mine for 6 months, using it as my main 2 meter here in the shack. I have it connected to a Diamond X50 on a ground level wooden deck. I live in a 3 story townhouse condo, and can reach repeaters, that are on the opposite side of the building, like they are next door. Great radio, but typical ICOM fashion, Manual could be written a LOT better. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif