Ic-208h

[mmtstc]

Howdy all, i am wondering if anyone has a IC-208H and what you think of it. i am going to be placing it into a 2003 Mazda Pretege, and i really only intend on using it on VHF(modded for PS band), but there si a littleUHF Ham stuff i want also. i was wondering specifically what yall thought of the Remote Head Kit, how easy it was to program (should i buy the software), adn how much abuse these take. i haev never owned a Icom product so i have nothign to base this of of.
i really appreciate your input,
dave

 

[K8PBX]

Howdy all, i am wondering if anyone has a IC-208H and what you think of it. i am going to be placing it into a 2003 Mazda Pretege, and i really only intend on using it on VHF(modded for PS band), but there si a littleUHF Ham stuff i want also. i was wondering specifically what yall thought of the Remote Head Kit, how easy it was to program (should i buy the software), adn how much abuse these take. i haev never owned a Icom product so i have nothign to base this of of.
i really appreciate your input,
dave

I have two IC-208H radios, one in a vehicle and one used as a base. I've been very pleased with ease of use and overall performance, though much easier to program using the software than from the front panel. The remote head is great and provides a lot of flexibility for installation. I did the remote head thing along with extending the mic and speaker. Note, you can use a standard Cat5 type LAN cable for the mic extension and save some money. To see some pics of my installation, click the link under my sig and then go to Mobile Radio Install.

 

[mmtstc]

that is one awesome looking install, infact all of your installs are amazing. thnaks for the ideas. anyone else?

 

[wdz]

I just bought one after Christmas. I haven't gotten to install it mobile yet, so I haven't done any real TXing on it... but it makes a darn fine scanner. K8PBX, do you have a screen shot of the software... I'm just kind of curious to see what it looks like.

 

[K8PBX]

Sent you a PM

 

[wdz]

Fantastic. That does look a lot easier then programing it in by hand. I'll check into buying it and a cable!

 

[ResQguy]

K8PBX: How about letting us know what was involved in making the old-school Motorola mic work with the IC208H? That is hot.

 

[K8PBX]

K8PBX: How about letting us know what was involved in making the old-school Motorola mic work with the IC208H?...

All that's required is basic soldering skills and the ability to determine cable/wiring pinouts.

Various models of Motorola hand mics I've used with Icom radios are TMN6054A, TMN6018A, TMN6102A and TMN6032A, which I picked up off eBay - along with new coiled cords that have an RJ45 style 8-pin male modular jack on one end. After removing the old Motorola coiled cord, I replaced it with the new modular type and just soldered 4 wires inside the microphone.

The actual mic element itself inside the Motorola mics has a "+" and "-" indicated on the back. Figure out the color corresponding pinout of your new 8 pin coiled cord and just be sure "+" from the mic element goes to pin 6 (mic input) and "-" to pin 5 (mic gnd) of the Icom radio female jack. Next, find which contacts on the Motorola mic give a closure when the PTT button is pressed. This contact closure needs to go to pins 4 (PTT) and 7 (GND) of the Icom jack for push-to-talk functionality (It's just a switch, so wiring polarity is not an issue for PTT).

The pinout for the IC-208H female modular mic jack on the radio is:

 

[ResQguy]

Thank you!

 

[jas0nr7272]

Steve have any pictures of your shack? How did you take that house 2 picture?

 

[K8PBX]

Steve have any pictures of your shack? How did you take that house 2 picture?

No shack pics I'd be proud of right now - still too much of a "work in progress", so to speak.

The "House 2" pic was taken by a cool neighbor of mine that was up in a tree trimming bucket.

 

[dimab]

I had a 208H. Was my first Icom product, and the menu system just didn't work for me.
The radio performed great and the included remote head is great.
Nice large, crisp display.

Don't think it's a bad radio, just didn't fit my liking. I'm going to try an FT-8800 instead.

 

[K8PBX]

I had a 208H. Was my first Icom product, and the menu system just didn't work for me...

It is a whole lot easier to program using the software - that's for sure.

 

[jas0nr7272]

Thanks steve for the reply. Very nice install of your mobile and home.

 

[mmtstc]

I appreciate everyones input on this. i actually came across a Motorola Spectra VHF A4 that i am putting into my car next friday. I also took the plunge and drilled the hole in my roof thanks

 

[WatnNY]

can anyone tell me how fast this radio scans? would it be accepatable for scanning ham repeaters AND public safety at the same time, or no? Is it as deathly slow as the Kenwoods, or as fast as the Yaesu's?

Mike

 

[K8PBX]

can anyone tell me how fast this radio scans? would it be accepatable for scanning ham repeaters AND public safety at the same time, or no? Is it as deathly slow as the Kenwoods, or as fast as the Yaesu's?

Mike

It scans pretty fast compared to the others mentioned. Lot's of reviews here

 

[WatnNY]

Thanks for the info Steve, and the link to the personal reviews.

Mike

 

[Hamradiostuffing]

You can also download the cdloning softwaqre for free from the following website.

http://icomcloning.narod.ru

 

[WatnNY]

Here's a weird request -- can someone take a short video of their 208H scanning, so I can see how fast the radio scans and make a decision if it's fast enough for my needs/wants?

Mike