"16" Suffix to Model No. IC-R30 - When Did This Happen?

[KM4OBL]

Just noticed that the IC-R30 is called the IC-R30 16 at many of the websites on which it is sold. When did Icom add the "16" at the end? I did not notice this earlier.

Was there a 15? I wonder what the suffix indicates - features added since an earlier version of the product that never made it to the public? Is Icom trying to differentiate this product from a future version with additional features that might be called "17" or "20?" Just a marketing strategy?

 

[UnderwaterWindow]

They've always done this kind of thing for the blocked vs. unblocked versions. No idea why those numbers were selected though.

 

[wb4yal]

Just noticed that the IC-R30 is called the IC-R30 16 at many of the websites on which it is sold. When did Icom add the "16" at the end? I did not notice this earlier.

Was there a 15? I wonder what the suffix indicates - features added since an earlier version of the product that never made it to the public? Is Icom trying to differentiate this product from a future version with additional features that might be called "17" or "20?" Just a marketing strategy?

Hi,

The 16 suffix means that it is cellular blocked. A 20 suffix means it is unblocked (Government/Export) model.

73, de WB4YAL

 

[KM4OBL]

Hi,

The 16 suffix means that it is cellular blocked. A 20 suffix means it is unblocked (Government/Export) model.

73, de WB4YAL

Interesting. Thanks to all for your responses to my original post. I found it interesting to see, because I don't think the "16" was appearing on the seller websites when the product was first offered for sale.