Icom shows new IC-R15 at Tokyo Ham Fair

[eorange]

I never considered Icom (and Yaesu too, for that matter) to be true competitors in the scanner market. They make communications receivers. The typical blunt reaction is "what's the difference?!", but for those who have spent significant time with both...there is a difference in features and purpose.

That's why I don't think Icom concerns itself with the ramifications of encryption.

 

[satellite909]

I never considered Icom (and Yaesu too, for that matter) to be true competitors in the scanner market. They make communications receivers. The typical blunt reaction is "what's the difference?!", but for those who have spent significant time with both...there is a difference in features and purpose.

That's why I don't think Icom concerns itself with the ramifications of encryption.

Very true. There are some individuals that regard Communications Receivers as scanners. Those that are interested in digital encryption modes for public safety, EMS, etc., then a Uniden scanner will do.

 

[bearcatrp]

Icom does make or has made receivers with P25 capability. The R30 and R8600. Both do well with phase 1 P25. If indeed encryption will cover the country, why put it in a receiver or scanner? Am sure it costs a bit to install it but makes the scanner/receiver less expensive without it.

 

[satellite909]

Icom does make or has made receivers with P25 capability. The R30 and R8600. Both do well with phase 1 P25. If indeed encryption will cover the country, why put it in a receiver or scanner? Am sure it costs a bit to install it but makes the scanner/receiver less expensive without it.

I say why not too! My play on a perfect all band, all mode, digital and analog receiver: design and engineer every available option, phase, encryption, decoder chip there is with a full-color large easy to read display with waterfall in a handheld communications receiver. Nice to dream though, but I know it could be done.

 

[AK9R]

Icom may make receivers that can decode P25, but do they make trunk tracking receivers? Without trunk tracking, a P25 receiver is just a receiver, not a scanner IMHO.

 

[satellite909]

Icom may make receivers that can decode P25, but do they make trunk tracking receivers? Without trunk tracking, a P25 receiver is just a receiver, not a scanner IMHO.

That is true and Icom does not or will most likely never produce a trunk tracking type of receiver.

 

[bearcatrp]

My R30 has all the P25 frequencies in my state. Can select my county only and receive both sides of the transmissions most of the time. Almost as good as my 436 did. Not a trunk tracker but it gets close provided you program it right.

 

[eorange]

My R30 has all the P25 frequencies in my state. Can select my county only and receive both sides of the transmissions most of the time. Almost as good as my 436 did. Not a trunk tracker but it gets close provided you program it right.

100% on this. It works better than you'd think!

 

[satellite909]

My R30 has all the P25 frequencies in my state. Can select my county only and receive both sides of the transmissions most of the time. Almost as good as my 436 did. Not a trunk tracker but it gets close provided you program it right.

That’s good to know. I’m actually about to purchase the Icom ICR-8600 new. Looking forward to trying the P25 on that one. I should have grabbed the ICR30 back in the day when it was available.

 

[palmerjrusa]

That’s good to know. I’m actually about to purchase the Icom ICR-8600 new. Looking forward to trying the P25 on that one. I should have grabbed the ICR30 back in the day when it was available.

You will love the IC-R8600...

 

[satellite909]

You will love the IC-R8600...

Yeah I’m sure I will. Had my eye on it for at least two years. It’s pricey but we only go around once in life, lol. The frequency range is outstanding.

 

[xms3200]

For all the R30 owners...I hear you do not need a filter for VHF Airband since it is built into the Icom R30...any thoughts on the upcoming R15, since the "Trend is your friend", I am thinking it has built in filters like the R30

 

[palmerjrusa]

For all the R30 owners...I hear you do not need a filter for VHF Airband since it is built into the Icom R30...any thoughts on the upcoming R15, since the "Trend is your friend", I am thinking it has built in filters like the R30

All I can say is when scanning the UHF military aviation band:

With my AR DV-10 I need the filter blocking the FM commercial region otherwise there's constant intermod interference.

With my IC-R30 (both of them) I don't need the filter, very occasionally I get intermod break-ins, but they're very transient/brief.

I will be buying an IC-R15 and I expect that radio to meet or exceed the performance of the IC-R30.
My experience with Icom gear is that it does what Icom says and does it very well...

 

[xms3200]

I am with you on Icom’s quality of radios..I am sold on the RC-15…it can’t come soon enough!!!

 

[satellite909]

All I can say is when scanning the UHF military aviation band:

With my AR DV-10 I need the filter blocking the FM commercial region otherwise there's constant inermod interference.

With my IC-R30 (both of them) I don't need the filter, very occasionally I get inermod break-ins, but they're very transient/brief.

I will be buying an IC-R15 and I expect that radio to meet or exceed the performance of the IC-R30.
My experience with Icom gear is that it does what Icom says and does it very well...

On my ICR6, the UHF Military Aviation band I’m thinking is dedicated with build in filters.
From what I’ve been seeing on YouTube and reading about the new ICR15, looks like it will an excellent performer on all air bands. ✈️

 

[xms3200]

I have been comparing the Uniden BCT-15X to the Icom A25C, the Icom A25C definitely is more sensitive over here in Cleveland, Ohio when listening to Cleveland Hopkins airport.

 

[eorange]

Woo hoo! I just noticed the IC-R15 uses the same Li-Ion battery pack, AA battery pack, and drop-in charger as the R30. This is great news for us R30 owners, especially the continued availability of the Li-Ion battery pack.

 

[palmerjrusa]

On my ICR6, the UHF Military Aviation band I’m thinking is dedicated with build in filters.
From what I’ve been seeing on YouTube and reading about the new ICR15, looks like it will an excellent performer on all air bands. ✈️

Same with my IC-R6s.

I've ended up with three of them, one black, one red and one blue...

 

[palmerjrusa]

Woo hoo! I just noticed the IC-R15 uses the same Li-Ion battery pack, AA battery pack, and drop-in charger as the R30. This is great news for us R30 owners, especially the continued availability of the Li-Ion battery pack.

The alkaline battery case for the IC-R30 works great too.
Its actually a little wider than the Li-ion battery and makes the IC-R30 more stable and less prone to knocking over since the radio has a narrow form factor.

 

[eorange]

I have one!