I bought an Icom IC-705 just to monitor VHF air. The RC-15 has an edge over the IC-705 in every aspect...I do know the IC-705 is a Ham transceiver, but does have impressive performance on VHF air.
Did you compare the two using the same antenna?
Yes, using the same external Taco D-5076 antenna, the IC-705 was very impressive. The IC-R15 has a faster scan speed…. indoors, the IC-705 was picking up some noise with the Smiley ducky. I am still playing with the filters and other settings, I will update as I find new tweaks.
I can see the IC-R15 being the new “Gold Standard” for VHF air, it does not miss much on VHF.
I can see the IC-R15 being the new “Gold Standard” for VHF air, it does not miss much on VHF.
Hi all,
I have been seriously considering the IC-R15 as my primary VHF / Airband receiver, I was wondering what is the general opinion regarding UHF Airband reception and the recording feature of the radio.
thanks in advance !
I have been seriously considering the IC-R15 as my primary VHF / Airband receiver, I was wondering what is the general opinion regarding UHF Airband reception and the recording feature of the radio.
thanks in advance !
UHF rocks! I am listening to a lot of UHF Milair and this radio is the best of all that I own. I have a BCD436 and 536, plus Icom IC-R2 and it is great. Recording works great, too.
What antenna are you using for UHF air?
I am blown away by the performance of the IC-R15 on VHF air.
I am blown away by the performance of the IC-R15 on VHF air.
I'm just using the stock antenna when I'm on the road. Works great for me.
I will take your suggestion and try scanning for UHF air with the Icom supplied antenna - FA-S270C
Hi, I tested Diamond RH 771, Watson WS881 , Watson WS901 ( suppose to be air band tuned antenna) and YAESU air receiver stock antenna on Uniden 125. Yaesu antenna beat them all For signal strength and clarity of reception. I would expect iCom FA-S270c air receiver antenna will perform the same on UHF air. Now Yaesu antenna
is permanently attached to Uniden 125 for air scanning , Whistler Trx-1 and iCom IC-R30 used for general scanning
is permanently attached to Uniden 125 for air scanning , Whistler Trx-1 and iCom IC-R30 used for general scanning
So I did pick up the IC-R15 last week and had been using it for listening to VHF and Airbands primiarly. Very impressed by it's sensitivity and able to pick up Airband transmissions indoor using the stock antenna. The scan speed is also amazing.
I haven't yet to figure out the bank structure. I have about 30 groups programmed but somehow a portion of them (ie. Group 1 - LGA TRACON and Group 3 - EWR TRACON) are in VFO-A and some are in VFO-B (ie. Group 2 - JFK TRACON).
I haven't yet to figure out the bank structure. I have about 30 groups programmed but somehow a portion of them (ie. Group 1 - LGA TRACON and Group 3 - EWR TRACON) are in VFO-A and some are in VFO-B (ie. Group 2 - JFK TRACON).
It sounds like you have the same group checked in different Group Links, maybe...
In the menu structure, go Set>Scan>Group Link. There look at your each group link 1-3. See if any groups two groups have the same check box.
And to confirm, when you are scanning, VFO A is scanning one Group Link and VFO B is scanning a different one?
Yep ,the Group Link is the one that is throwing my logic off. I was able to uncheck the box so now it is scanning the specific banks that I need independently.
Loving this radio more and more every day. If any ICOM folks are listening, I would buy a base/mobile version 
My dream…for Icom to build a base version…this thing totally rocks. For now, I am using an IC-705 for a base version.
Xray
Member
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- May 24, 2005
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Ima gonna hold out and see if there are any black friday sales [not holding my breath], if not I'll wait until spring before the airshow season, currently don't have much of a need for air in winter. Almost pulled the trigger on an ebay IC-R30 but I think that is too much scanner for me, haven't been into shortwave in years and my sd-100 & 200 have digital covered. Heard the screen is much better on the 15, faster and I like the concept of streaming the audio via bluetooth if it works out like I am thinking.
Its called the R8600. Not much more Icom can do to top the R8600.
I noticed the difference in sensitivity between the IC-8600 & IC-R15, is lower the value the more sensitive the receiver?
They could knock $2000 off the price.
I’m talking a base unit with the specs and features of the IC-R15 but around the $500 price point.
