IC-R15 - First Impressions

bearcatrp

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You will love the sensitivity of the R15. I pick up airband stuff that my uniden radios couldn’t on airband. Am still learning the radio.
 

xms3200

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I have been using Beats Flex Wireless earphones from day one and have gotten so used to it and totally love it. In fact I got another pair for my Icom IC-705 which I use to monitor VHF air. No problems at all, highly recommend. Just pair it once and you are set.
 

KeeperOTAN

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I have been using Beats Flex Wireless earphones from day one and have gotten so used to it and totally love it. In fact I got another pair for my Icom IC-705 which I use to monitor VHF air. No problems at all, highly recommend. Just pair it once and you are set.
Do you notice any interference from the BT module with those Beats? The JBLs I have look the same and they definitely interfere with the receiver.
 

xms3200

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No interference at all, the only interference noted was when I am near my desktop computer which is not applicable to the bluetooth reception.
 

KeeperOTAN

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No interference at all, the only interference noted was when I am near my desktop computer which is not applicable to the bluetooth reception.
Holy Moly!
I found them in one of our e-shops. Can I ask you to do a quick test because I saw that you have an FA-B02AR antenna like me. Can you pair those Beats with your Icom and bring them close to the Icom to see if the S-meter stays at 0? If it stays at zero, I'll order them right away. The distortion-free audio is probably due to some Apple W1 chip in them.

This is what the S-meter looks like when I have the JBL close to Icom, and even though I have the Icom on my belt and headphones on my head, it's still too close.
 

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2006walt

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Just for fun, if you can, switch from AM mode to FM mode and check the noise levels. May have to change frequency to 144Mhz to switch to FM. Noise may be much lower.
 

xms3200

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Here are the pics, same freq and config, no ANL, first pic, the bests flex was 2ft away, second pic, I wrapped the Beats Flex around the IC-R15, absolutely no interference. Also, notice, the ANL is off. Bluetooth paired
 

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bearcatrp

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Looks good xms3200. Goes to show some earbuds emit way to much interference. Going to try my skokz again. One of the best on the market.

Well that didn't work. Not sure why my cheap earbuds connect fine but my expensive set won't.
 

xms3200

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Yes, I really love the IC-R15 for my listening hobby since I got it in Apr 2024, the best antennas for it are the Smiley 6" ducky or the Icom FA-B02AR antenna, I lean towards the Smiley antenna since you can specify BNC or SMA without the need for an adapter (and it looks so OEM) unlike the Icom FA-B02AR antenna which requires it. There is no difference in VHF air reception, both are excellent. Here is a pic of my IC-R15, and a link to the Smiley antenna.


 

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bearcatrp

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Have been using a comet W100RX on all my scanners. Haven't taken my R15 outdoors yet. Been using it on my outdoor discone with great results.
 
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