Ordered a Icom R5, any tips?

2ManyToys · #1 (**permalink**) 01-30-2009, 09:31 AM

I just placed an order for a ICOM R5 plus the ICOM software & cable.

Any feedback, tips or comments from R5 owners? In searching the RR forums it seems that Bob Parness' tk5 software might be preferred to the ICOM OEM solution?

Looking forward to your comments!

tumegpc · #2 (**permalink**) 01-30-2009, 06:43 PM

I thought you might have purchased the IC-R20 that was for sale here a few days ago.I've had my share of radios but never the R-2 or R-5. I do like the size of the R-5 and it's looks.

2ManyToys · #3 (**permalink**) 01-30-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tumegpc

I thought you might have purchased the IC-R20 that was for sale here a few days ago.I've had my share of radios but never the R-2 or R-5. I do like the size of the R-5 and it's looks.

Was thinking a R20, and actually PM'ed that member twice w/ no response, figured it was a sign

After giving it more thought I figured the R20, although it sounds like a super radio, would be close in size & abilities to my Uniden BCD396T. Figured what I really wanted was a smaller receiver that I would use more for monitoring certain freqs plus have mw available. And at the price of the R5 its easier to experiment, as opposed to a $500.00 R20.

All that said, I'll probably keep an eye out for used R20's.

rwl48 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ManyToys

I just placed an order for a ICOM R5 plus the ICOM software & cable.

Any feedback, tips or comments from R5 owners? In searching the RR forums it seems that Bob Parness' tk5 software might be preferred to the ICOM OEM solution?

Looking forward to your comments!

Keep the manual near by.

2ManyToys · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwl48

Keep the manual near by.

OK, now I'm worried? Must mean I won't like the R5?

rwl48 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ManyToys

OK, now I'm worried? Must mean I won't like the R5?

No not at all. It's a great little receiver. Once you get use it you'll love it.

2ManyToys · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 03:41 PM

Canceled my ICOM R5 order.

After more research I've decided that I should do one of two things...

Order a compact transceiver along the lines of the Icom T90A that I could use as a receiver AND think about getting my Tech Lic.
Get a Uniden BR330T that offers similar coverage to the ICOM R5, plus trunking & a keypad.

The programming posts & reviews just freaked me out with the R5. And I hadn't realized that the BR330T had full coverage also.

2ManyToys · #8 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009, 10:08 PM

Cancelled my Universal Radio order on a new R5, but then got a great deal on a used R5 from a eHam.net member, so I will soon be a Icom R5 owner

oregontreehugger · #9 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 12:37 AM

It's a great little receiver. I did exactly what you were considering a while back... sold my R5 here on the forums and got a BR330T.

If you look for the "tk5" free software by Bob Parnass you can program your R5 assuming you have the necessary cable.

Enjoy your new radio!

2ManyToys · #10 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregontreehugger

It's a great little receiver. I did exactly what you were considering a while back... sold my R5 here on the forums and got a BR330T.

If you look for the "tk5" free software by Bob Parnass you can program your R5 assuming you have the necessary cable.

Enjoy your new radio!

Yep, getting a serial programming cable as part of the package. Trying to decide on the software to use, the tk5 program seems to be the frontrunner.

Curious why you sold the R5 and got the BR330T? Was it the lack of a keypad & the funky programming on the R5?

(and I also have a BR330T on the way, I need to stop this madness)

oregontreehugger · #11 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 01:48 PM

Actually the funky programming and lack of a keypad isn't that bad, especially if you use the software to program it.

Really for me it came down to the fact they are two different beasts. The R5 is a receiver with some scanning functions, the BR330T is a scanner with some receiver functions.

Didn't have a reason to keep both and we are starting to get some trunking to sprout up in my area. They are both nice radios, you'll enjoy each of them I think!

2ManyToys · #12 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregontreehugger

Actually the funky programming and lack of a keypad isn't that bad, especially if you use the software to program it.

Really for me it came down to the fact they are two different beasts. The R5 is a receiver with some scanning functions, the BR330T is a scanner with some receiver functions.

Didn't have a reason to keep both and we are starting to get some trunking to sprout up in my area. They are both nice radios, you'll enjoy each of them I think!

Thx threehugger. I figure with both units, I'll use each as you described, which BTW, is a great way to explain each radio's strong points.

What type of software were you using when you had the R5? I'm leaning towards the 'IC-R5 Programmer' from IC-R5. Like that it allows import of Icom/Percon files.