Folks, I'm not sure this is the right place to debate the portability of SDRs-as-scanners.
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Icom shows new IC-R15 at Tokyo Ham Fair
- Thread starter AK9R
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Frequency ranges aren't even close. IC-R6: 100kHz–1309.995MHz, IC-R15: 76–500 MHz.
bearcatrp
Member
When is it supposed to be released in japan? Maybe by then Icom will submit USA version to FCC for certification, if it comes here at all.
From the linked article:
"This is a reference exhibit, and the release date and price are undecided..."
"This is a reference exhibit, and the release date and price are undecided..."
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
I can't remember the last time I searched for anything above 500 MHz on my R6, so that ceiling doesn't bother me. There's virtually nothing analog there anyway.
And it also doesn't bother me there's no digital modes. I'm convinced that circuitry contributes to extra noise and birdies within the radio. I have digital capabilities elsewhere and so I'd rather have a strong AM performer.
And it also doesn't bother me there's no digital modes. I'm convinced that circuitry contributes to extra noise and birdies within the radio. I have digital capabilities elsewhere and so I'd rather have a strong AM performer.
mooychild
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So you think it will outperform the R30 or R6 on airband?
Best guess, the reception will remain the same. However, for a game changer, they could have added an ADS-B receiver.
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eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
I agree, at best it will be the same. I'm just hedging my bet it hopefully won't be worse!
Sold !!!
Air490
Member
The R6 is from a bygone era when DC to Daylight receivers were all the rage. Trunking was new and digital was yet to come. The R15 looks like it is designed to fit into the market in a similar space to that which the R6 currently occupies, verses what it was designed for at release.
You would have to have a very good reason to buy this R15. Considering that frequency coverage can be obtained on cheap HT's like the Yaesu FT60 or even Icoms HT's you have to wonder about their marketing thinking. Then you see something like the Kenwood THD75 that is DC to daylight including HF and SSB you have to wonder about Icoms thinking. I have Yaesu VR500 that is old technology and this R15 cant even compete that model or even the Icom r10. I really dont know what is going through Icoms mind to release such a crippled specifications radio in this day and age of cheap SDR dongles and other receivers like the Malachite and others that offer color screen and good frequency coverage.
A more updated R30 with better receiver specifications that does not overload would have been a better bet for release. I dont understand why everyone is talking about the R30 being obsolete when it still on Icoms web page as a current model?
A Icom r30 with a bnc connector, bandpass filters for HF, a easy to access 10,20,30db attenuator and a linear signal strength indicator would be very welcome. These days with all the QRM/rfi etc etc you spend so much time chasing down RFI. Something that has a Quasi S-meter with 120KHZ emc bandwidth filter for measuring EMC levels would be handy. A variable preamp gain stage would also be nice. But these controls need knobs and should not be buried down 5 menus deep!
A more updated R30 with better receiver specifications that does not overload would have been a better bet for release. I dont understand why everyone is talking about the R30 being obsolete when it still on Icoms web page as a current model?
A Icom r30 with a bnc connector, bandpass filters for HF, a easy to access 10,20,30db attenuator and a linear signal strength indicator would be very welcome. These days with all the QRM/rfi etc etc you spend so much time chasing down RFI. Something that has a Quasi S-meter with 120KHZ emc bandwidth filter for measuring EMC levels would be handy. A variable preamp gain stage would also be nice. But these controls need knobs and should not be buried down 5 menus deep!
bearcatrp
Member
Uniden is coming out with similar spec radios too. No P25 or trunk tracking. Makes you wonder if they know something we don't like possibly E on everything law/fire etc.. I agree the R30 being a outstanding receiver. Was hoping for a R30 replacement that has phase II P25 and a few other things. DMR would be nice but that ship sailed long ago with Icom on there high horse.
The R15 might never make it to market and a refreshed R30 could be in the works, but that’s really a stretch. Ray Novak of Icom confirmed a year ago the R30 was discontinued with no replacement planned (at that time).
I’ve moved on from P25/DMR since public service locally is fully encrypted. A Kenwood TH-D75A will cover what I need, and then some…
palmerjrusa
Member
We'll be seeing the IC-R15, Icom has officially announced it.
I'd bet on a successor to the IC-R30 appearing in due course...
I have various hand held transceivers with wide coverage, One of them is the D74. I also have a Yaesu VR-500 and an Icom R30. I have also performed some side-by-side testing.
There are important factors to consider besides frequency range such as sensitivity and selectivity. There are others, but let’s focus on those two. My VR500 works better with several filters inline, but my D74 has improved selectivity and sensitivity. Then along came the R30 into my hands and the selectivity is superior to the D74, which it should be for a dedicated receiver. I urge others to compare the selectivity and sensitivity of their gear and avoid judgement solely on coverage, or compare the R15 to an SDR dongle which is not a handheld receiver.
I can tell you that there are many people, even radio enthusiasts, that do not carry an antenna in their pocket that handles HF, nor would they enjoy walking around with such an antenna attached. The coverage of the R15 will suit many people just fine. The reported additional features it will have such as BT and recording will be nice too.
There are important factors to consider besides frequency range such as sensitivity and selectivity. There are others, but let’s focus on those two. My VR500 works better with several filters inline, but my D74 has improved selectivity and sensitivity. Then along came the R30 into my hands and the selectivity is superior to the D74, which it should be for a dedicated receiver. I urge others to compare the selectivity and sensitivity of their gear and avoid judgement solely on coverage, or compare the R15 to an SDR dongle which is not a handheld receiver.
I can tell you that there are many people, even radio enthusiasts, that do not carry an antenna in their pocket that handles HF, nor would they enjoy walking around with such an antenna attached. The coverage of the R15 will suit many people just fine. The reported additional features it will have such as BT and recording will be nice too.
We have just had E come online for Police, Fire and Ambulances services here. This has made me reassess my approach to the hobby and I am now focusing on lower end radios. The R15 might be a good fit for me.
bearcatrp
Member
Same here. Just a matter of time when its all the big E. Just have to figure out what to sell.
I didn’t catch it, but thanks.
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I strongly doubt Uniden has a crystal ball. My read on the new Uniden was that there are probably a lot of people unable or unwilling to buy a $650 SDS100, and they wanted something compelling at the lower end of the market.
I'm admittedly more puzzled by the R15, which looks like it would be expensive, but doesn't currently have expensive-sounded specs. As someone else said, though, the number of model airplanes around the radio make me think it's maybe catered to the avgeek market, which isn't really me.
palmerjrusa
Member
Air490
Member
Icom have presented on and displayed IC-R15s, including allowing hands on experiences, at Icom Fair Narayama on 28 November, and will be doing the same at Kiba this coming weekend.
The IC-R15 is definitely coming, the only question is will it go into the US market. Rumour is that Icom are considering only releasing it to the domestic, Asia/Oceania, and European markets only.
The IC-R15 is definitely coming, the only question is will it go into the US market. Rumour is that Icom are considering only releasing it to the domestic, Asia/Oceania, and European markets only.
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