is there a replacement for a Icom IC-F21GM

[lbpd16]

this was recommended in a post as a good GMRS only radio. I especially liked the fact that it was preprogrammed at the factory. I looked for one but its been discontinued. Is there a replacement model? Hopefully one that is also preprogrammed.

 

[mmckenna]

No, not currently. They seemed to have dropped out of the GMRS category.

They do sell a nice MURS portable radio now

V10MR Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) Transceiver - Features - Icom America

www.icomamerica.com

The Icom F21GM was a nice basic GMRS radio that really filled the need for people that wanted something better than the bubble pack radios. It's just an F21 with different firmware. You could take one of the current UHF lower tier portables and just program it for GMRS. IC-F4001 would probably work, but I'm not sure if it's type accepted for Part 95.

You may have better luck searching the used market.

 

[russbrill]

this was recommended in a post as a good GMRS only radio. I especially liked the fact that it was preprogrammed at the factory. I looked for one but its been discontinued. Is there a replacement model? Hopefully one that is also preprogrammed.

I floated the idea of Icom re-entering the GMRS market, the Rep I was communicating with via e-mail gave me the Eye-Roll

 

[mmckenna]

I floated the idea of Icom re-entering the GMRS market, the Rep I was communicating with via e-mail gave me the Eye-Roll

Not surprising. The average GMRS user can't see the value difference between a $20 Baofeng and a $150 Icom. I don't blame them for not wanting to compete in that market.

But them selling a MURS radio is nice. If the dealers push them, it would be a good solution for small users.

 

[jeepsandradios]

When I was at the mom&pop shop years ago we took on the ICOM line. Sold a ton of subscribers. We did sell many of the GMRS radios to local guys. Problem was most in public safety and quickly realized they could buy the F21 for less money on state contract and do more with it. Once the word got out it pretty much stopped the F21GM sales. I know a few guys who still use the F21 back home for GMRS.

 

[russbrill]

Not surprising. The average GMRS user can't see the value difference between a $20 Baofeng and a $150 Icom. I don't blame them for not wanting to compete in that market.

But them selling a MURS radio is nice. If the dealers push them, it would be a good solution for small users.

The vendor that sells the new Wouxun KG-1000G GMRS Base/Mobile Two Way Radio (buytwowayradios.com) can't keep them in stock, so there is a demand for quality GMRS equipment...

 

[mmckenna]

Wouxun is not quality. I may be a good hobby radio, but they are a far cry from a good Motorola or Kenwood. You can get UHF Kenwood mobiles with Part 95 certification for well less than the $319 they want for it. But the skill required to program a Kenwood or Motorola isn't there for many GMRS users. Nothing wrong with that, just different radios for different uses.

They do fill a role, though. They are easy radios to get into GMRS with, and fill the needs of 99% of the users.

 

[russbrill]

Wouxun is not quality. I may be a good hobby radio, but they are a far cry from a good Motorola or Kenwood. You can get UHF Kenwood mobiles with Part 95 certification for well less than the $319 they want for it. But the skill required to program a Kenwood or Motorola isn't there for many GMRS users. Nothing wrong with that, just different radios for different uses.

They do fill a role, though. They are easy radios to get into GMRS with, and fill the needs of 99% of the users.

I would pay $350 for an Icom that could match the Wouxun in features... Icom are you listening

 

[radio00]

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