IC-R15 - First Impressions

[cherubim]

Are Icom living in the last century ? The price of this receiver is outrageous for the limited functionality it has. It's a crippled wideband receiver with no HF coverage, no VHF low-band coverage, no SSB demodulation, no digital modes and low audio. The inclusion of bluetooth, a color display and some extra memory channels is not enough to justify the extortionist pricing. A used IC-R30, an Icom IC-R6 or even a BC-125AT/126AT/160DN is a better buy imo.

 

[bcradio]

You tried one?

 

[nickwilson159]

Are Icom living in the last century ? The price of this receiver is outrageous for the limited functionality it has. It's a crippled wideband receiver with no HF coverage, no VHF low-band coverage, no SSB demodulation, no digital modes and low audio. The inclusion of bluetooth, a color display and some extra memory channels is not enough to justify the extortionist pricing. A used IC-R30, an Icom IC-R6 or even a BC-125AT/126AT/160DN is a better buy imo.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. For railroad listeners like myself, it's been well worth the money.

 

[kb8q]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. For railroad listeners like myself, it's been well worth the money.

I loaded all my area analog frquenches into my R-15 and it works like a champ. Audio and sensitivity is great and the Bluetooth range is a big plus. I’ve been using a Noxgear 396 with the R-15 and I can hear the R-15 on the Noxgear speaker all over my house Without carrying the radio around.

 

[bearcatrp]

From what I have been reading, the R15 is king for analog listening. But, unless the price drops down, I won't be buying one.

 

[xms3200]

Once you buy one, you will be wondering why you didn't get one sooner!!!!

 

[vagrant]

Are Icom living in the last century ?

No, they are not.

While I would prefer the Icom R15 support digital modes, considering the frequency range it covers, it is intended for Aeronautical, Marine, and Rail...of course there is additional analog to monitor beyond that. Yes, it costs more than a Uniden BC125AT or Icom R6, but look at the size, battery life, recording, dual RX, screen, MicroSD and Bluetooth features. There's definitely value in those additions over the R6 or 125AT which makes it relevant. ( People are buying and enjoying it )

I enjoy my Icom R30, but at used prices it is double the R15. If I didn't already have a boatload of scanners and receivers, I would have purchased the R15 at the $409 price when MTC Radio had it on sale. While I plan to purchase the R30 successor, I would purchase a used R15 for $300 while I wait. I would not mind using the R15 along side my R30 especially when traveling and or camping. Two receivers doing the job of four would suit me fine. Well, my TRX1 would come along as well to handle DMR and P25.

Icom is not tricking anyone into purchasing the R15. Not everyone has a boatload of receivers & scanners, so the R15 does make sense for particular buyers.

 

[aprilexe]

Can FM/NFM be selected from 240-270 MHz for SATCOM scanning? Likewise can AM be selected for 137-144 and 148-151 MHz for milair ? Managed to pick up a new in box from eBay , for 400, us version coming from Alaska 👍

 

[xms3200]

Yes you can, in any of those modes

 

[randybcd396t]

Anyone know where to buy the Icom CS-R15 software in the US?

 

[N4DJC]

A couple of questions, if answered previously, I apologize.

Is the volume control in dual watch separate for A and B VFO, as in the 50A and 52A?

When scanning, does the backlight come on when it stops on a signal?

 

[steener]

A couple of questions, if answered previously, I apologize.

Is the volume control in dual watch separate for A and B VFO, as in the 50A and 52A?

When scanning, does the backlight come on when it stops on a signal?

You can set the volume control as follows:
• All: The audio output level of the FM Radio, A band (VFO A), and B band (VFO B) are adjusted at the same time
• FM Radio Separate: The audio output level of the FM Radio is independently adjusted. The audio output level for A band (VFO A) and B band (VFO B) are adjusted at the same time
• Separate: The audio output level for the FM Radio, A band (VFO A), and B band (VFO B) are independently adjusted

As for the backlight; you can set it to auto-dim, or to illuminate during RX, except when receiving FM broadcast.

Hope that helps.

 

[N4DJC]

You can set the volume control as follows:
• All: The audio output level of the FM Radio, A band (VFO A), and B band (VFO B) are adjusted at the same time
• FM Radio Separate: The audio output level of the FM Radio is independently adjusted. The audio output level for A band (VFO A) and B band (VFO B) are adjusted at the same time
• Separate: The audio output level for the FM Radio, A band (VFO A), and B band (VFO B) are independently adjusted

As for the backlight; you can set it to auto-dim, or to illuminate during RX, except when receiving FM broadcast.

Hope that helps.

Thank you very much, I must have missed it in the manuals (I don’t have the R15 yet).

 

[bcradio]

Yeah, the separate volume is very handy!

 

[N4DJC]

Yeah, the separate volume is very handy!

The ID-50A will scan two groups (separate vol, etc) but it’s a not a true dual band RX. Also misses UHF AM for MilAir. It’s not bad as an analog scanner and serves my uses as a general purpose amateur handheld, battery life is unreal and the build quality is great. The screen isn’t so hot but usable. The R15 should be here tomorrow.

 

[N4DJC]

All I can say is wow. It’s much nicer than I expected, I wished I had bought one sooner. Airband is pretty hot…and fast. I love the build and button configuration. The screen is perfect.

 

[xms3200]

Seems like the IC-R15 has become the “Gold Standard” for airband monitoring.

 

[bearcatrp]

All I can say is wow. It’s much nicer than I expected, I wished I had bought one sooner. Airband is pretty hot…and fast. I love the build and button configuration. The screen is perfect.

All I can say is wow. It’s much nicer than I expected, I wished I had bought one sooner. Airband is pretty hot…and fast. I love the build and button configuration. The screen is perfect.

Would have been nice to include the waterfall display like the 52a. Would seriously consider one if Icom included it.

 

[xms3200]

If the waterfall display was added, the price would have been even higher...making it even more expensive!!!

 

[N4DJC]

If the waterfall display was added, the price would have been even higher...making it even more expensive!!!

The lack of a waterfall isn’t a deal breaker. I seldom used it on my 52. But it’s pretty handy on an HF rig operating CW.