Maybe they are realizing they need to either up the game or get out of the game totally (at least in P25 offerings). We'll see if the support/technical services improve.
Same. I had huge interest in their product and we were in the market for portables at the time. Ghosted us as well. Everyone else seemed to cough up the time and energy for us.
I won’t touch them until they’ve addressed these issues.Wonder if they fixed these issues.
Anyone using ICOM 7/800 public safety radios?
That’s too bad; from what I’ve been told it’s the same radio as the 3400DT NXDN radio, which is excellent. I have one and love it. Yes, it's the same radio. Same with the mobiles. We run some on a conventional simulcast P25 system (VHF) and I'll tell you for the money they are hard to beat...forums.radioreference.com
It's coming, along with new P25 repeaters. FYI, there has been several firmware updates.
We’ll all I can say about the BKR-9000 is that it passed ATP first time and meets current TIA-102 and DHS CAP protocols, works properly on a Motorola Phase 2 system, etc. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not without it’s issues, but at least BK, Tait, JVCKenwood, L3Harris are receptive to feedback and have, and are actively developing and fixing issues noted and are all approved for use on our very large statewide system. If Icom does return or introduces a multiband radio, it will be checked very closely under a microscope during ATP and won’t get approved unless they are 100% compliant. Like I and others have said, Icom is so far behind it’s nearly impossible for them to gain any traction in the industry, though I wish them luck trying.
I agree, Icom is lacking in the P25 world. But to compare them to BK in my opinion puts both in the same boat regardless if it worked or not. The company couldn't even get the FCC certifications right to market the product and took literally forever and many didn't even think it would happen. Like step 101. Not bashing BK here, but each have their problems. Now, just because it's not approved on your system doesn't mean that is true for everyone because they have many in use, and approved.
Without getting into great detail, I do have intimate knowledge of the Icom hardware and both Icom and BK had issues with FCC on 700 MHz for much the same reason, both eventually resolved their issue, but when it come to the RF testing under CAP, Icom barely passed on 700 MHz and on UHF, they performed even worse, where’s BK did not. All I am saying is that while others companies are actively developing and evolving, Icom engineering managers poor decisions are what has stifled their P25 products and Japan cannot get out of its own way in order to move forward. Now here in 2024, with many bringing not only multi-band but also multi protocol subscriber radios, Icom is way behind the industry, Tait‘s TP9900 is essentially going to wipe Icom off the map at its feature to value ratio.
Oh trust me, I have more knowledge then I care to admit or share on here with Icom for various reasons. All I can say is Icom is going to get a wake up call if they want to continue in the P25 market.
While I agree with you here, not ALL Public Safety here in America are running TRS's, rural USA is alive and well on conventional analog/digital systems with a need for multi-band subscribers at small town prices. Not that this means they don't need to get their act together, but if the price is very reasonable for a scalable radio they may have a slight market at these area's that are stuck between a Baofeng and a APX-8000. Although, Tait and Kenwood/EFJ have come to market radios as well and you can't forget about Harris. I think Icom is overdue with a multi-band subscriber and they are certainly able to make a good product that customers want if they get their head out of the sand.
