Programming Icom 21FS Radios

[sphipps]

Hi all,

I found two Icom F21S radios and a desk charger at the local swap meet today for 15 bucks. Also got the Icom CS-F11 CD... but no programming cable.

I've read on the net that sometimes the Radio Shack 20-546 programming cable will work with Icom radios.

I've got the software installed and running... and it seems like the Icom software will see and access the Radio Shack cable... but the radio will not respond.

Am I on the right track trying to use the Radio Shack cable... or should I go ahead and buy an actual OPC-478 cable?

I'm also trying to do all this via Windows 7. Not sure if that's a problem or not.

Thanks much!

 

[methusaleh]

It will program just fine with 7. The cable I do not know about...

 

[cabletech]

the software you have is the correct one for that radio. The Radio Shack cable IS NOT the correct cable.

You can get the correct cable on ebay or I even have cables for sale that will be correct for that and several other Icom radios.

 

[sphipps]

Cool. Thank you. I'll get the right cable coming.

Also... I've read a few posts saying the F21S is different than the other HT's in that product line and is not FCC type accepted for GMRS. If that's the case... then what freqs or purpose was it marketed for?

Sorry for the dumb questions. I know little about commercial radios.

Thanks much!

 

[mmckenna]

The F21S does have part 95 certifications, so it's fine to use on GMRS. In fact, Icom used to market a specific version, the F21GM that came pre-programmed with GMRS frequencies.
The F21 (and it's VHF twin, the F11) were marketed as a low end commercial/business radio. There are a few units here at work still using them on UHF itinerant frequencies for day to day stuff. Pretty decent radios for the price.

 

[sphipps]

Got the correct cable and everything works great now. Thanks to everyone for the help!