IC-R15 - First Impressions

[SigIntel8600]

If you are a serious rail and/or air band (civ or mil) radio monitor in need of a portable device. Do not hesitate on this model. You will not be disappointed. Worth every penny.

 

[bearcatrp]

Not sure if it's an issue with this radio, but I'd be careful buying a VHF/UHF radio from an Ebay seller. Lots of Japanese-spec VHF/UHF amateur radios are available on Ebay. They look like good deals until you find out that they are locked to the Japanese band plan and can't be modified. This may not be a problem with a receiver, but I'd be cautious.

I never buy electronics from eBay. Don’t trust it.

 

[bearcatrp]

Just for info...I have a Euro spec IC-R15 & a Japanese spec IC-705, both are excellent on VHF air, #1 is the IC-R15 and in second is the IC-705. There are gaps in the freq coverage but not for 118 -137Mhz, all depends on your interests. Also, the Japanese spec IC-705...if I do a total reset on the unit, the language goes back to Japanese and I know how to bring it back to English, plenty of You Tube videos. Nothing to fear about the foreign units, some caution about warranty, not worried about that either.

How much money did you save buying from Japan 705?

 

[xms3200]

Paid $969 for a brand new IC-705, wouldn't hesitate to do it again

 

[bearcatrp]

Wow, that’s a good price. Pm me a link to where your purchase it. What was shipping?

 

[bsmotril]

Does anyone know of any programming software for the IC-R15? I am hoping eventually that it is supported with Chirp that lets you pull frequency lists from Radio Reference and import them into the radio's memory. But so far I cannot find any programming sofware for it.

 

[randybcd396t]

Does anyone know of any programming software for the IC-R15? I am hoping eventually that it is supported with Chirp that lets you pull frequency lists from Radio Reference and import them into the radio's memory. But so far I cannot find any programming sofware for it.

I use RT Systems.

WCS-R15 Programming Software for the Icom IC-R15

www.rtsystemsinc.com

 

[bcradio]

I use Butel’s. Works well!

 

[bearcatrp]

Does anyone know of any programming software for the IC-R15? I am hoping eventually that it is supported with Chirp that lets you pull frequency lists from Radio Reference and import them into the radio's memory. But so far I cannot find any programming sofware for it.

Copy and paste is all you can do for now. I have the CS software for my R30 that I use to program frequencies. Sucks but that’s all we can do for now. Just pick a software package and start.

 

[prima19rider]

I tried using the RTSystems software on the R-15 I had. The information From Radio Reference was not correct. Contacted RTSystems support, was treated very disrespectfully, after several go-arounds they saw saw the info was wrong. RTSystems blamed Radio Reference. What a mess. I sold the R -15 and have not purchased RTSystems since. I have 12 different RTSYSTEMS software packages, will not buy another and cannot recommend it.

 

[randybcd396t]

Sorry for your troubles. I too have multiple radios programmed with RT Systems. I've had no problems and found their support to be fine.

 

[SigIntel8600]

Does anyone know of any programming software for the IC-R15? I am hoping eventually that it is supported with Chirp that lets you pull frequency lists from Radio Reference and import them into the radio's memory. But so far I cannot find any programming sofware for it.

I use the Butel software. inexpensive and easy if you take the time to have a look at the user guide.

 

[pb_lonny]

I tried using the RTSystems software on the R-15 I had. The information From Radio Reference was not correct. Contacted RTSystems support, was treated very disrespectfully, after several go-arounds they saw saw the info was wrong. RTSystems blamed Radio Reference. What a mess. I sold the R -15 and have not purchased RTSystems since. I have 12 different RTSYSTEMS software packages, will not buy another and cannot recommend it.

So the data on RadioReference was wrong? That is not an issue with the radio or the software then. Or was the issue with the software importing this?

 

[prima19rider]

So the data on RadioReference was wrong? That is not an issue with the radio or the software then. Or was the issue with the software importing this?

RTSystems blamed the bad data on radio reference. I purchased arc Butel software, the data import from radio reference was fine. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[AK9R]

RTSystems blamed the bad data on radio reference.

It would be nice to know what "bad data" they are referring to.

 

[vagrant]

So, many people are having trouble with RTSystems software and the Icom R15, or just one person?

 

[DudleyG]

I use RT Systems for my R15 and have absolutely no problems with it.

 

[Icanhearit]

No problem for me.

 

[prima19rider]

It would be nice to know what "bad data" they are referring to.

repeaters having a tone, were downloaded as TSQL. Radio would not receive transmissions. Manually would need to be edited, to receive. Went to the repeater book app for each repeater to confirm the data.

 

[AK9R]

repeaters having a tone, were downloaded as TSQL.

Is it possible that RT Systems misinterpreted what it downloaded? You have any specific examples?