IC-R15 - First Impressions

[Stecomp]

Looking for a U.S. source for the LC-203 case. The only in stock dealers I can find are in the U.K. Appreciate any info.

I've been watching for this also but discovered my Uniden BC325 hard leather case by Case Guys from Scanner Master fits it almost perfectly with display and buttons protected by plastic and speaker cut outs matching the R15s. Not too tight or loose and there's a small loop to go around antenna for extra security. I have not done it but you could punch holes on both sides to match ports.

Will probably get the LC 203 when available as I had one for my former R30 but it can't compare to this leather case for fall protection.

 

[bcradio]

I've been watching for this also but discovered my Uniden BC325 hard leather case by Case Guys from Scanner Master fits it almost perfectly with display and buttons protected by plastic and speaker cut outs matching the R15s. Not too tight or loose and there's a small loop to go around antenna for extra security. I have not done it but you could punch holes on both sides to match ports.

Will probably get the LC 203 when available as I had one for my former R30 but it can't compare to this leather case for fall protection.

That is good to know!

 

[aprilexe]

For those searching and waiting for a better price there is a Japanese website and app called Janbox that covers Japanese Mercari and yahoo auctions . R15’s on average are 350-400 usd but *are* the Japanese versions which will require the component removal to rx full 225-400 range and have the Japanese manual. It’s a fun site to browse, lots of yupiteru’s !

 

[a727469]

While I realize there are slight difference (tuning steps etc) some might find the 52 either a better or worse choice, but the price is right on this repack at mtc

RKA-ID52A Repack Icom ID-52A VHF/UHF Digital Transceiver AS New

Free shipping over $100, great deals on cool stuff, ham radio, icom, kenwood , yaesu, wouxun, MTC, scanner, two way, commercial

www.mtcradio.com

This comes out at $439 in the cart

 

[bearcatrp]

Tempting. Good price. I had one. Did very well on receiving. Just sucked Icom limited the modes on certain frequencies. If all the modes were available, I would have kept mine.

 

[xms3200]

Icom IC-R15 is on sale for $459...$100 off the regular price, cannot beat this deal...HRO and DX engineering

 

[Xray]

Icom IC-R15 is on sale for $459...$100 off the regular price, cannot beat this deal...HRO and DX engineering

Yes ! Am ordering now, too much to resist, glad I waited.

 

[kg4ehv]

While I realize there are slight difference (tuning steps etc) some might find the 52 either a better or worse choice, but the price is right on this repack at mtc

RKA-ID52A Repack Icom ID-52A VHF/UHF Digital Transceiver AS New

Free shipping over $100, great deals on cool stuff, ham radio, icom, kenwood , yaesu, wouxun, MTC, scanner, two way, commercial

www.mtcradio.com

This comes out at $439 in the cart

Picked one this A.M. Great buy, awesome folks to deal with.

 

[SIMcard]

Has anyone used the AA battery case (BP-293) on the R15 with rechargeable batteries instead of alkaline and were there any problems?

 

[G7RUX]

I have used it on the R30 with no issues other than the combination no longer fitting in the soft case.

 

[bearcatrp]

Picked one this A.M. Great buy, awesome folks to deal with.

When you get it, let us know the condition. Never heard of repack before. Sounds like another name for refurbished.

 

[kg4ehv]

When you get it, let us know the condition. Never heard of repack before. Sounds like another name for refurbished.

Will do, I got a V3500 repack from them last month, radio looked and worked brand new and all acc. sealed but no Icom box.

 

[AK9R]

"Repack" is a term used for equipment that has been repackaged. Typically, these are new returned items that are repackaged by the manufacturer or importer to make sure that the returned item is clean and functional and has all OE accessories in the original box.

"Refurbished" is a term used for equipment that has been returned, cleaned, electronically tested, and repaired, if necessary, by the manufacturer or importer. In some cases, refurbished items may not have all OE accessories and may not be in original packaging.

MTC Radio does quite a bit of business in repacks. You'll also occasionally see them listed on the Gigaparts website.

 

[footage]

Has anyone used the AA battery case (BP-293) on the R15 with rechargeable batteries instead of alkaline and were there any problems?

This isn't quite an answer to your question, but I inserted lithium AA batteries in the case and the radio returned an "over voltage" error

 

[SIMcard]

This isn't quite an answer to your question, but I inserted lithium AA batteries in the case and the radio returned an "over voltage" error

Understandable, and thank you for your response.
My concern is with possible low voltage as the advanced manual specified to use alkaline batteries in the case, which would supply 4.5 volts, but if NiMH rechargeable are used it would only provide around 3.6 - 3.75v which basically matches the supplied Li-ion BP-287 battery voltage of 3.6.
I don't want to drop $50~ on the AA case if using NiMH AA's will cause an issue.

 

[bearcatrp]

This isn't quite an answer to your question, but I inserted lithium AA batteries in the case and the radio returned an "over voltage" error

Be careful on the over voltage. Had this happen to my R30 when plugged into a USB port on my computer. Would not charge with battery in the case. Had to remove the battery to charge it. Sent it in for repairs. Something fried in the charging system that needed replacing. Only charge in the charging stand now.

 

[Xray]

I} know this has likely been gone over in this thread but real quick, what is the preferred software to program this and is any special cable needed ?

 

[DudleyG]

I use RT Systems Software, and it works great. The required cable is in the box with the receiver.

 

[bcradio]

I've been using Butel's software and I think it's very good. The connection to the radio is a standard USB-C, and I've used a couple USB 3.0/USB-C with no problems.

 

[prima19rider]

Main trading has this radio on Black Friday for $409.