Icom IC-F40GT how good are they?

[cdesigns]

I just bought (2) used IC-F40GT radios with new battery, charger, belt clip, stubby antenna. I also found the software and I just ordered the programming cable for it.

I plan to use them in GMRS and some business freq. I know Icom is a good brand, but can anyone tell me if this radios in particular are good?

Also mine says IC-F40GT-2 that 2 what does it means?

[fireandems13669]

These will work great for you on GMRS

[stevelton]

I cant remember for sure, but I think the -2 means its the 2nd UHF band split (i.e. 450-512, not 400-470)

That should mean that it will work fine for GMRS. Heres the thing. All my Icoms will go a little out of the range posted. I have a HT that is the 450-512 split, and it programs and works fine in the 440-450 ham band.

Steven

[n1das]

Originally Posted by fireandems13669

These will work great for you on GMRS

X2 on GMRS. They will work great on GMRS. I used to have a pair of these and I used them on GMRS and they worked great. The receiver in the F40G series portable blows away ICOM's cheaper UHF portables, especially when using it in an RF-dense environment. The only weird thing about these radios was I had to get used to talking into the bottom of the radio where the mic is located.

The IC-F40G series portables also specifically have Part 95 type acceptance in addition to Part 90. They are squeaky-clean and legal on GMRS.

IC-F40GT = F40G series portable w/DTMF keypad
IC-F40GS = F40G series portable, no DTMF pad

Good luck.

[kd7ckq]

If you got them under a $100 that is really good. Anything over that, you start to get close to there current sale price of $150 from a few online vendors.
Great radio. I have two IC-F40GT radios also.
edit:
If I recall it went something like. (Someone Please Correct Me if i am wrong, or just WAY off base on this.)
-1 400Mhz to 430Mhz
-2 440Mhz to 470Mhz
-3 450Mhz to 480Mhz
-4 470Mhz to 512Mhz

[cdesigns]

Originally Posted by kd7ckq

If you got them under a $100 that is really good. Anything over that, you start to get close to there current sale price of $150 from a few online vendors.
Great radio. I have two IC-F40GT radios also.
edit:
If I recall it went something like. (Someone Please Correct Me if i am wrong, or just WAY off base on this.)
-1 400Mhz to 430Mhz
-2 440Mhz to 470Mhz
-3 450Mhz to 480Mhz
-4 470Mhz to 512Mhz

I searched and found $150 radio without rechargable battery or charger, they come with alkaline batery compartment, but I bought mines with brand new Nihm 2000mAh bateries, brand new charger, brand new aftermarket uhf antenna and new clips, for under $200 both. I also got a copy and code for the software, I had to buy the programing cable from ebay. I think I got a good deal.

I love how clear they transmit, but my RINO 520 transmit more loud and clear because of the MIC gain you can adjust. They are heavy I like that

[cdesigns]

Here are the Icoms with other radios that I have:

[kd7ckq]

Yes, I should have been a little clearer. $100 or less for each radio is really good.
Aftermarket batteries and quick chargers are very cheap on e-bay right now. I just bought another quick charger for under $25 shipped.

[cdesigns]

Originally Posted by kd7ckq

Yes, I should have been a little clearer. $100 or less for each radio is really good.
Aftermarket batteries and quick chargers are very cheap on e-bay right now. I just bought another quick charger for under $25 shipped.

Yeap I just saw that. mine came with 2 quick drop in chargers, I will be buying 2 extra batteries next week, and I want to find the speaker mics for them also.

Can you point me to a place to buy accesories for it? are the new icoms accesories compatible with this series?

[kd7ckq]

Try the Otto series mics. They list for over $100, on e-bay I have seen them as low as $40. They are IPX7 waterproof. I had a set for my F70DS and F80DS I had and loved them.
Otto Water Proof Mic
Here is one for $29.95

[cdesigns]

Originally Posted by kd7ckq

Try the Otto series mics. They list for over $100, on e-bay I have seen them as low as $40. They are IPX7 waterproof. I had a set for my F70DS and F80DS I had and loved them.
Otto Water Proof Mic
Here is one for $29.95

Wow I just bought (2) of them, they offer one for $29.95 +$10.95 shipping and a second one free if you pay $10.95 for shipping. (2) speaker/mics for $52, not bad at all.

I paid $40 for the kenwood speaker mic you see on the picture

[rescuecomm]

If you use the alkaline cases, you will find that the RF power automatically drops to the L2 setting or 1 watt. That is the main drawback, because using the 6 AA case, you basically have bubble pack power.

Bob

[n1das]

Originally Posted by rescuecomm

If you use the alkaline cases, you will find that the RF power automatically drops to the L2 setting or 1 watt. That is the main drawback, because using the 6 AA case, you basically have bubble pack power.

Bob

Bubble pack power levels but a commercial-grade radio!

[rescuecomm]

I would like to know if the little pogo pin activates the L2 setting or is it a hardware switch that can't be overridden. I have my L1/L2 power settings on the F40GT's switched in the tuning software, but since I don't have an adapter to put the Bird WM on it, I can't confirm if the AA case power level is 2.5 watts or 1.0 watt.

Bob

[EdKrom]

Nice radio but, be careful with the antenna.
Some dummies like to pick up the radio by the "rubber duckie" antenna and that makes the connector break-away from the internal printed circuit board.
Other-wise it is a great radio, I love my UHF & VHF units, they have a very good receiver front-end! They sound great too.