IC-R15 - First Impressions

[airwolfbell222]

I love my IC-R15, I think it’s a modern marvel. Is it perfect? No Icom is perfect but for pure Airband listening, it’s almost perfect. As for the price… I just found this ad for a Realistic Pro-2001 in 1980 for $399. So the price Icom is charging plus inflation over the decades is actually a good value.

 

[DavidWave26]

I bought that radio from HRO. The IC- R15 is junk. Do not waste your money. 25 foot air band antenna outside and the SDR blew it out of the water. Not even close.

 

[71sbeetle]

I got a really good deal on my R15 used/like new so I can't complain on the price. I'm also still using my IC-A22 I purchased over 30 years ago, and it's seen some abuse. I'd love to see how a Baofeng would hold up after 30 years. Not saying the Baofeng isn't nice I'm actually considering picking one up, but I highly doubt it would last 30 years

 

[bearcatrp]

Am testing out a Radtel 950 pro. 3 VFO's. Not the fastest on scanning but for under $100 bucks, could be a cheap alternative. When I get my adapter in, will be testing out airband. Has a goofy antenna mount.

Radtel RT-950 PRO Green (27Mhz TX/RX) 10W Walkie Talkie AM/FM/USB/LSB/CW Receive GPS/APRS Wireless Bluetooth Phone Programming NOAA Two Way Radio

New Radtel RT-950 PRO Green Ham Radios Key Features: 27Mhz TX/RX (only FM Modulation) Note: Please note that using non-radtel brand headphones and microphoneswith 950/950Pro may burn out the audio amplifier module, resulting in nosound from the radio. 1) Bluetooth App Programming Easily...

www.radtels.com

 

[SigIntel8600]

I bought that radio from HRO. The IC- R15 is junk. Do not waste your money. 25 foot air band antenna outside and the SDR blew it out of the water. Not even close.

IC-R15 is a hand held portable receiver, why would you compare it to a SDR with a 25 foot antenna?

 

[cvvhrn]

Hi all,

I have picked through this lengthy thread and am pretty sure this receiver meets my needs well. I currently have a 125 and my case is purely civil and mil comms. I use it primarily in the R-2508 Sidewinder Low Level Complex and will pair it with my Icom K220A car antenna, my Dark Knight Inflatable antenna, or a Diamond whip If I stray away from the car.

I was looking to use the BuTel ARC software for programing. I already use it for my 125 so familiar with its interface. But I would be open to a change if people think there is a better option.

The pic below is in the Panamint Valley with the inflatable Dark Knight Antenna. It is a challenge as you can see with the wind and even lashing it to the car does not always work

Cheers
Fred
FreddyB Aviation Photography

 

[trap5858]

BuTel gets my vote. Since you are already familiar with how BuTel operates, it will be easy for you to program from it. I use it for my R15 and I also tried the RT Systems software and found it more difficult to navigate and find the frequencies I wanted to import. BuTel allows a 30 day trial period- check it out and have fun.

 

[bcradio]

I agree, I got Butel because it was the type of software I was familiar with and have no regrets.

 

[airwolfbell222]

Check this out, a camo case for the R-15 【MUSENモール限定】IC-R15専用 キャリングケース＆ストラップ（迷彩Ver.）

 

[KD9KSO]

I bought that radio from HRO. The IC- R15 is junk. Do not waste your money. 25 foot air band antenna outside and the SDR blew it out of the water. Not even close.

How does that work out in your vehicle for ya?

 

[bearcatrp]

I bought that radio from HRO. The IC- R15 is junk. Do not waste your money. 25 foot air band antenna outside and the SDR blew it out of the water. Not even close.

Better than bringing a laptop mobile and attaching your 25 foot antenna. The R15 is a mobile radio.

 

[KeeperOTAN]

I bought that radio from HRO. The IC- R15 is junk. Do not waste your money. 25 foot air band antenna outside and the SDR blew it out of the water. Not even close.

So, when I will go to another airshow to take some nice pictures, I should be running around with 25 foot airband antenna with laptop around airfield? That makes sense!

 

[KeeperOTAN]

Am testing out a Radtel 950 pro. 3 VFO's. Not the fastest on scanning but for under $100 bucks, could be a cheap alternative. When I get my adapter in, will be testing out airband. Has a goofy antenna mount.

Radtel RT-950 PRO Green (27Mhz TX/RX) 10W Walkie Talkie AM/FM/USB/LSB/CW Receive GPS/APRS Wireless Bluetooth Phone Programming NOAA Two Way Radio

New Radtel RT-950 PRO Green Ham Radios Key Features: 27Mhz TX/RX (only FM Modulation) Note: Please note that using non-radtel brand headphones and microphoneswith 950/950Pro may burn out the audio amplifier module, resulting in nosound from the radio. 1) Bluetooth App Programming Easily...

www.radtels.com

I had one and returned it. Big and heavy brick of chinesium crap, full of FW bugs and for airband scanning it sucks.
Overal poor sensitivity in VHF airbandand. If you will sit on channels its ok, but you will miss a lot when scanning. Scan speed is only around 6-7 CH per second! I have 280 civil channels with daily activity and another 60 military in memory. Scanning this number of channels with 950 was painfull experience But not so much painfull as that crazy squelch tail on airband, it nearly ripped off my ears
"3 VFOs" but only one receiver.

I dont know if newer versions have some improvements, but mine had really unreadable display on bright sunlight, audio from speaker was ok, but you can plug only really crappy chinese headset.
If you want something really cheap buy some Quansheng load F4HWN firmware in to it and voila

 

[bearcatrp]

Most ham radios suck for scanning speeds. It’s a unique radio for sure. 3 vfo’s on screen is different. Receives pretty good hooked up to my discone. For under a hundred bucks, not bad for a secondary radio. Am still learning it.

 

[sparklehorse]

In case anyone else has been struggling with Bluetooth earbuds and the IC-R15, here’s a very cheap set I just bought on Amazon that are working perfectly fine, full volume, etc, etc…

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZMYTRRQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

i could not get my very nice Apple AirPods 4 to work properly with this radio. They’d connect, but output volume was extremely low. These cheapies from Amazon are working a treat though, so I’m a happy customer.
.

 

[airwolfbell222]

In case anyone else has been struggling with Bluetooth earbuds and the IC-R15, here’s a very cheap set I just bought on Amazon that are working perfectly fine, full volume, etc, etc…

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZMYTRRQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

i could not get my very nice Apple AirPods 4 to work properly with this radio. They’d connect, but output volume was extremely low. These cheapies from Amazon are working a treat though, so I’m a happy customer.
.

Thanks, just ordered a pair