IC-R15 - First Impressions

[DudleyG]

Probably should have added the following -

After designing a layout of your frequencies, you really should go to page 3-10 in the R15 Advanced Manual that tells you how to create/add/edit/delete CATEGORIES and setup your initial CATEGORIES/GROUPS/BANKS and name them. That is also where you setup linking groups for scanning. Setting these up before trying to enter the actual frequencies and name is highly desirable.

If you are using software like RT Systems and BUTEL, the software will give you a place to setup the CATEGORIES.

 

[bearcatrp]

I recheck a New Time this week end to find the solution....with Icom all is complex for basic tasks...

Receivers are not like scanners. A bit harder to program. The R15 menu and programming is a bit odd compared to my R30. Took me over 2 hours to program 8 frequencies. Can’t believe there is no Icom software available for the R15. The CS software is pretty good for my R30. Wouldn’t recognize my R15. Will be getting the butel software next month.

 

[JeffFRANCE]

Thanks a lot for your advice you are right I have organized my memories like my others scanners dv10, sds100,.... But yes I understand philosophy of the ic r15 is totally différent I redo all following your explanations
I have the butel software to do it
Happy Christmas

 

[trap5858]

There are several good YouTube videos about the R-15 made by a British Ham radio operator. He goes into decent detail about the features and how to use them, worth watching....a couple of times.

 

[bearcatrp]

Just found out there is Icom CS software for the R15. Not in the USA from my searches. Overseas though. I just emailed Icom USA to see where I can get it.

CS-R15 | Products | Icom Inc.

Various types of software are available including control software and programming software. Select the product that is compatible with your radio.

www.icomjapan.com

 

[bearcatrp]

Icom sure has some winners working there. Got a response from Icom for the software. Sent me to a download page for the USB driver. Went back and forth a few times until it finally registered in his head that I want the CS programming software for the R15, and I don't want to order it from overseas. Did find a few places online over seas selling it. Moonraker was one of them. Think that europe.

 

[KeeperOTAN]

As for Bluetooth audio, I'm starting to get really pissed off, excuse my language. I've tried about seven pairs of headphones from different brands, from the cheapest ones to headphones costing $100 and more, and the only headphones that work without distorting the sound are the super expensive AirPods. Of the cheaper ones, the only ones that managed to produce at least somewhat listenable audio are the JBL Tune 125BT, but their Bluetooth module produces so much RFI that it overwhelms my receiver. The more expensive version, the JBL Tune Beam 2, produces completely unlistenable distorted audio, which distorts even more after a few seconds of listening. All tested headphones had at least BT 5.2 and all had HFP 1.8.

 

[bearcatrp]

Email Icom to log your complaint. If they don't know, it will never get fixed. Haven't tried bluetooth yet.

 

[KeeperOTAN]

Email Icom to log your complaint. If they don't know, it will never get fixed. Haven't tried bluetooth yet.

I already wrote, but I think there won't be enough of us, so Icom will simply ignore it.
But it's annoying when Sony MDR-EX15LP wired headphones that cost $4 and are connected via a mono/stereo adapter have better audio than super expensive BT headphones. And what's worse, due to hygiene regulations and laws in our country, it's not possible to test the headphones without buying them, and the complaint process at our local retailers is usually an unbelievable experience. The complaints department will test them on some Android or Apple device, and the problem won't show up. Complaint rejected, headphones work according to specifications, goodbye. Soon I'll be able to open a store selling unboxed headphones

 

[bearcatrp]

You’re probably right. When I tried to ask where the CS15 software was in the USA, first sent me to the USB download page. Then sent me to where to buy it in the USA, which there isn’t. Found one in the UK for $64. WTF is wrong with Icom. Great radio. Support sucks the big green weenie.

 

[bcradio]

I've been using a cheap set of AliExpress Bluetooth earbuds... I'm no audiophile, but I don't seem to have distortion with them when hooked up with the IC-R15. I would say my volume is set to about 1/3 up, so it's not overdriven or anything.
Do you get the distortion on all volume levels?

 

[KeeperOTAN]

I've been using a cheap set of AliExpress Bluetooth earbuds... I'm no audiophile, but I don't seem to have distortion with them when hooked up with the IC-R15. I would say my volume is set to about 1/3 up, so it's not overdriven or anything.
Do you get the distortion on all volume levels?

Today, I tried all of these headphones at a lower volume, but without success. The distortion is still present. Can you send me a link for those cheap Ali earbuds?

 

[bcradio]

Today, I tried all of these headphones at a lower volume, but without success. The distortion is still present. Can you send me a link for those cheap Ali earbuds?

These are the ones I have: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...|x_object_id:1005008634173775|_p_origin_prod:

 

[bearcatrp]

I have 4 different types of bluetooth ear buds. Will give them a try and see. From cheap $10 to around $100.

 

[bcradio]

It’s possible you might have a bad unit. If the other ones didn’t work, this might not either.

 

[KeeperOTAN]

It’s possible you might have a bad unit. If the other ones didn’t work, this might not either.

Like a faulty Icom? I don't think so. Friend Airpods Pro 2 works perfectly, and JBL-125BT headphones works too, but they cause huge interference from their transmitter. When I bring these JBLs close to the Icom, the S-meter skyrockets, so I have to set the ATT to 2 and the squelch to 2 to make them somewhat usable.

Headphones with unlistenable distortion - Buxton BTW 3800, Sony WF-C510, JBL Tune Beam 2 and JBL Tune Buds 2, EarFun Air Pro 4 and one large Sony headset, but I don't know the exact model right now.

What is very interesting, for example with Sony, EarFun, and JBL, that sometimes the audio plays normally for the first few seconds and then the output becomes totally distorted to the degree that it is impossible to understand,and sometimes it is distorted right from the start of reception. I tried turning all audio enhancement features off and on, but there was no change.

 

[bcradio]

Darn... I haven't experienced that, but to be honest my listen time would be about 30mins max usually.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

I've had the R15 for a few months now. Among the other selling points, I really wanted the bluetooth feature. I was so bummed to also hear the cruddy audio, not garbled, just really crappy audio and even at its highest volume it was often not loud enough. Bluetooth technology has been around a long time, not sure how they could screw it up so badly given the plug and play chips these days?? The speaker audio is also lacking sufficient volume for some outdoor environments. I have a number of other hand held radios (e.g. Yaesu VX6R) that produce twice the level of audio and much clearer. Of course inside or even in an auto with an external speaker, it's fine.

Another annoyance is the soft glass used for the display. Even with the most careful handling, the screen will show minor abrasions. I would have expected quality glass, like gorilla glass, for the price point of the R15.
As to the software, I have been using RT Systems for ham radio equipment since they first rolled open their garage door. So I immediately bought the RT Systems software for the R15, thinking I would have my radio programmed in 10 or 15 minutes. Nope. As others have said, their software does not allow import from all of the RR database (at least in a manner that it is usable). It's as though they started software development and then quit? The benefit of RT Systems is the ease of downloading from the RR database and very easily exporting it to the R15 without having to fiddle with the micro SD card at all.
So then I bought the Butel software. A few more steps are involved, but at least Butel can import and export from the RR database onto the micro SD card without issue. I strongly vote for the Butel software unless you enjoy always manipulating Excel spreadsheet files, figuring out comma delimited this and that and doing the hokey-pokey.

When I am indoors I connect an external antenna using small RG316 cable to SMA connector. The radio has amazing sensitivity and selectivity.
At the end of the day, I'm glad to have purchased the R15 as compared to similar hind on the market.

 

[2006walt]

Just took the plunge and ordered the R15. Would anyone have suggestions for the best screen protector? Also are there disadvantages using a screen protector like optical distortion or loss of brightness? Once on don't want to remove it. Thanks for your comments re. software, guess I'll have to get up to speed on BuTel definitely need EZ import from RR.

 

[trap5858]

I don't have any specific suggestions for a screen protector. I expect most would work. The radio offers a lot of adjustments for how the display is shown- brightness, contrast, etc. I haven't used mine in bright sun yet. You won't be sorry with the buTel software. He offers a 30 day trial so you could download it now and begin learning how to use it before your radio arrives. Have fun!