Icom: Icom V-86, A short review

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

I just bought this cute little handheld Icom V-86 as a birthday present for a friend.

Its rather funny, or maybe tragic actually- that I dreaded opening the box and checking out the rig before I gave it away. I knew full well a treat in programming this miniature computer was in store.
And for reasons which will remain known only to me-- I insist on doing this manually....maybe becuz I figure if they have to be adjusted etc. 'in the field"- with no computer interface- I jolly well better have a handle on that. ...........A masochist

But I was surprised- it was not all that hard.... the instructions are quite clear and after only a few flops I caught on to its gestalt.
Now to be able to explain it to my friend.

It instantly brought up a local repeater with excellent signal reports. I have no qualms about recommending it. Its an economical little radio- with a spare battery pack I paid less than $150, taxes, shipping included.

My only complaint is the tiny display characters. But then I have graduated to 3 diopter reading glasses. What's a good saying
"gracefully surrender the things of youth ?"

I like it enuff I am going to buy another for myself.


Lauri

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[MTS2000des]

This is based on a long time Icom design with it's "roots" back to the IC-V8 and IC-V82 amateur portables. Solidly made uni-board radio with late 90s design, REAL superhet receiver not "walkie talkie on chip" Baoturd trash. Puts out a clean signal, made in JAPAN and built to last.
They give you a hi-cap LiON battery and charger, and an LMR quality portable at a reasonable price.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I still have my second generation ICOM W32A dual bander. Still has original battery. Very nice radio. Bought it to replace an ICOM T81A that was stolen from my rental car under rather odd circumstances. The T81A was apparently limited production.

You might want to check to see if RT Systems makes a programming kit for the V86. The W32A version is much like a spreadsheet making programming a cynch.

 

[MTS2000des]

IC-V86 Programming Software

 

[Baker845]

I had IC-V8 and now own the IC-V86. There no real big change to me, other then the scanning faster, but its great radio. I always liked Icom 2M hts, but the ic-v86 gets back to the old roots of the v8 model.

 

[AK9R]

The thing that always struck me as odd about Icoms is that you have to select the destination memory channel first, then set up the frequency and other parameters in the VFO, then write that VFO to the selected memory channel.

On Kenwoods and Yaesus, you generally set up the frequency etc. in a VFO and then select the memory channel at time of writing the channel.

@Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite I took note of the fact that you bought your friend a present, but had to open the box and play with it first.

 

[jaspence]

Screen letters are not up to the quality I expect from Icom. The drop in charger ability to extend the overall life of the battery is useful, and AA battery cases are rare in other HTs but useful in an extended power outage (Florida?).

 

[N4DJC]

This is based on a long time Icom design with it's "roots" back to the IC-V8 and IC-V82 amateur portables. Solidly made uni-board radio with late 90s design, REAL superhet receiver not "walkie talkie on chip" Baoturd trash. Puts out a clean signal, made in JAPAN and built to last.
They give you a hi-cap LiON battery and charger, and an LMR quality portable at a reasonable price.

I may be wrong, but I think the V86 is a direct conversion RX not a superhet.

 

[ladn]

My Yaesu FT-170 and FT-270 are similar radios. Nothing fancy, single band. Straightforward programming and built for rugged use. They are still my "go to" handhelds for backcountry travel.

 

[Sporrt]

This is based on a long time Icom design with it's "roots" back to the IC-V8 and IC-V82 amateur portables. Solidly made uni-board radio with late 90s design, REAL superhet receiver not "walkie talkie on chip" Baoturd trash. Puts out a clean signal, made in JAPAN and built to last.
They give you a hi-cap LiON battery and charger, and an LMR quality portable at a reasonable price.

No roots, it's a new radio.

V-86 has a direct conversion receiver.

Since Icom brought back the IC-v80 sport, better to go that route. Lower transmit power of 5.5 watts, yet double-conversion superheterodyne receiver.

 

[jaspence]

Display worst on any Icom HT I have owned, and that goes back to the IC-2iA and IC-P2AT.

 

[Sporrt]

The thing that always struck me as odd about Icoms is that you have to select the destination memory channel first, then set up the frequency and other parameters in the VFO, then write that VFO to the selected memory channel.

On Kenwoods and Yaesus, you generally set up the frequency etc. in a VFO and then select the memory channel at time of writing the channel.

I have an Icom HT and mobile. After setting up a frequency and parameters in VFO mode. Press S.MW for 1 second, MR and channel number will blink, rotate dial to select desired channel.
Push and hold S.MW for 1 second to program, 3 beeps sound.

Which Icom model are you referring to?

 

[AE4NG]

I insist on doing this manually....maybe becuz I figure if they have to be adjusted etc. 'in the field"- with no computer interface- I jolly well better have a handle on that. ...........A masochist

I must say that it is refreshing to find someone else who prefers to program their radio(s) manually. I too believe that we should know how to do many functions manually on our radios, aside from transmitting & receiving, whether it is programming a memory channel, switching to VFO and entering a frequency (offset & PL included), adjusting power output, etc. A computer is not always around in the field or even on the road. Well done Lauri!

As for the IC-V86, if it is like the many other Icom HTs I have had in the past, your friend should be very happy with it.

 

[K6GBW]

I’ve always been a fan of Icom HT’s going all the way back to the IC-02AT, followed by an IC-T2, and now my current IC-T10 dual bander. Not fancy radios, but functional, durable and with great sound. I tend to use them till you can’t read the keypads any longer.