Icom 208h

[KI6ADA]

I am looking to purchase the ICOM 208H. ICOM has it on sale for 289(USD) at the local candy store. I will be using it as an landbase mobile. I have a Diamond X-30A at about 25 feet.

I have looked at the owners manual and cannot understand the menu until you use the flow charts on the rear pages of the book.

I am also thinking about using an 20A power supply so that I can share another rig.

Any suggestions or reviews would be appreciated. 73, Steve

[ai4ep]

That particvular owners manual is not written very well ( you already know that ) .

If you can find another local amateur who has one, you can get together ( on radio, in person, internet , telephone ) and he tells you what he knows and you do the same and in the long run you should be able to figure it out. It IS a good rig, and very small...it just takes a few wild minutes to figure it out.

GOOD LUCK

AI4EP

[KI6ADA]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Mar. 19 2006,17:57)]That particvular owners manual is not written very well ( you already know that ) .

If you can find another local amateur who has one, you can get together ( on radio, in person, internet , telephone ) and he tells you what he knows and you do the same and in the long run you should be able to figure it out. #It IS a good rig, and very small...it just takes a few wild minutes to figure it out.

GOOD LUCK

AI4EP
Thank you, I have not purchased the rig, but I will soon. The idea of getting help from another ham is great. 73,Ki6ada

[WA5KRP]

I've had a 207H for several years with ZERO problems. It is mounted in the dash of my truck where it gets less than wonderful air circulation but that has never been a problem. I use an MFJ dual band antenna mounted on my driver side quarter panel and the set up has served beautifully.

That said, because of my good fortune with the 207H, my friend Everett, W4RRX, bought the 208H for a base station and has had equally good experience with his.

Tell him I referred you and shoot him an email with your questions. His email is listed here on QRZ.com.

Best of luck!


WA5KRP
Texas

[KI6ADA]

Thank you, I am collecting the funds. I might miss the March 31 deadline for the ICOM sale. I am going to install the 208 as a land mobile. I will keep you posted on my endeavors. Thanks again. 73, Ki6ada http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[VK5MRD]

I have owned my Icom 208H since February 2006 and so far I have nothing but praise for this small but fantasic radio. #I have had no trouble with mine, I agree the manual is a little confusing. #I have my manual close by incase of difficulties but by all means contact a near by fellow ham who owns a 208H and I am sure you will be able to work it out.

Best 73 de Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[VK5MRD]

Another good feature is the ability to program a time out timer. #The radio will transmit a series of beeps depending upon the users pre selected time out time during transmissions exceeding a minimum of three minutes when selected. #Very good feature when working IRLP or Echolink. Good luck.

Best 73 de Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[VK3HOT]

Hi, Have had a 208H now for about 6 months, used it with originally a Diamond F-23A now with Diamond X-400 dual band ant.at about 10 feet. Honestly, not as selective as my previous 2m rig ( a Kenwood ) and the Icom appears more prone to pager hash, but to it's defence, it does have the attenuator which works really well.Plenty of power, very wide coverage on RX, lots of memory, compact size, dual band etc.etc. I use it only as a base rig, and although the fan is a little noisy, so far I would give it 8.5/10.

I've had a 208h almost 3 years now and as stated by others, it has been fault free and I find it easy to use. #I find the RX audio has too much bass reponse, impossible to hear in a mobile install. #I've been told more than once that the TX is soft, (and yes, mic sensitivity is on high and deveation is set to wide, still #soft unless you talk very loud). #The cooling fan is small and spins very fast and makes lots of noise, it runs every time you key the mic and runs for an additional 2 minutes. #There must be better radios than this one, Kenwood's dual bander maybe. #I would keep looking if I were in the market for a new dual bander. #It's on the desk in the shack, and has become an expensive scanner....it's good as a scanner, and I like sorting freqs in the different banks. #cheers scott.

[w6jer]

I have owned a Icom 208H for some time I have used it my truck as well as in the shack. As far the fan noise it has a remote head so why would you mount the radio where the fan would be noticed?, I would think you would mount it either under the seat or in the trunk or behind the seat if you have a truck. In the house I have mounted the RF deck under my desk and mounted the remote head on the desk. Anyway I feel that for the price you can not beat this rig.

73, Jerry W6JER