P25 "compliant"--how compliant?

[Bote]

When Icom states that their F1721, 2721, et al are "P25 compliant", what exactly does that mean?

They are coy in their descriptions, but they do state that a UT-120 module is required. What other gotchas are there?

In other words, if I buy an Icom F1721 can I start talking to a P25 conventional system right out of the box? Or do I have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get there? And how much extra will it cost above the basic radio purchase?

I wish their literature were more informative.

Thanks.

 

[radionerd13669]

Icom Apco 25 compliant radios Work hand and hand with other Apco 25 compliant radios Motorola,Tyco,Kenwood,Vertex ect

The Ut-120 board is for the F1721D,F70D,F2721D ,F80D.The reason for the board is because users have the option to purchase p25 now or upgrade later.

 

[Josh]

by compliant, the iCom radios just to IMBE voice. They do not do any form of trunking, it's conventional only.

There are three tiers of iCom P25 radios... one is the equivalent of analog only, unless you buy the digital board.

There is a second tier with the 2P5 Board in the radio, but it isn't activated, but can be with a flash upgrade

Finally, there is a third tier which is all set to go digital or analog right out of the box.

-Josh

 

[radionerd13669]

Three Tiiers?

You can buy either the Vhf Anolog "D" Version or you can buy a P25 out of the box version of the radio.

For the UT-120 to work the radio needs to be sent to Icom to be upgraded and activated.


The F1700-2700 series and F70-80 series Non Digital radios are not classified in the p25 series

 

[Josh]

Exactly

You can have the radio without the board, one with the board, but unactivated, or both the board and activation. This is how it is outlined on the icom website.

 

[Bote]

Exactly

You can have the radio without the board, one with the board, but unactivated, or both the board and activation. This is how it is outlined on the icom website.

I pored over the Icom website and it did not come out and state that explicitly. That was the reason I asked the question here. They keep touting that the radio is "compliant", but that sounds too much like sales-speak to me, meaning that the radio doesn't do P25 out the box.

The posts here confirmed it for me.

Thank you.

 

[Josh]

It can, it all depends on how much $$ you want to spend right away.

 

[radionerd13669]

I pored over the Icom website and it did not come out and state that explicitly. That was the reason I asked the question here. They keep touting that the radio is "compliant", but that sounds too much like sales-speak to me, meaning that the radio doesn't do P25 out the box.

The posts here confirmed it for me.

Thank you.

I think you are reading it all wrong. You can either purchase the F1700D/F70D series P25 out of the box or you can choose to be able to upgrade them later like the last post states it depends on how much you can spend

All companies that make P25 radios and meet the apco standards are considered p25 compliant

 

[N2DLX]

If you're looking at what is cheaper, buy the radio digital-ready. I've looked at the numbers and it's just not worth trying to upgrade later. It's a "do it right the first time" situation. It would only be handy for large fleets of department radios, for example, where you don't need P25 today but tomorrow you will. Save the money on x number of radios that can be upgraded with a later budget. For a personal radio or a small fleet of units, save the money on each by paying for digital out of the box.

Or, open your wallet a little more and buy one of the new F9011 P25 Trunking radios! I can't wait for mine. They only do true P25 trunking, not Motorola Smartnet/Smartzone for example, which may have digital talkgroups.

 

[MTS2000des]

Wonder if Icom has any chance of releasing a UHF version of the 9011...lots of UHF trunking, and if they keep the same idea with LTR support as they did with the F80, they have another winner. Hopefully this will include an improvement in the audio on P25. I am not too terribly impressed with the P25 audio on TX or RX on my F80DS. My old Astro Saber with ancient R06.XX DSP sounds better, and my XTS5000 with R12.00.01 sounds natural and almost "analog" minus the static- the F80DS is painful to listen to on digital. It's wonderful on analog though.

 

[radionerd13669]

I see Icom has sent press relesases out on the relase of these radios but who knows when they will appear on the market.

They do have it on there site

IC-F9011 Series VHF P25 Conventional & Trunked Transceivers - Features - Icom America

 

[N2DLX]

Icom is using a new model-numbering scheme with these radios:

VHF (136-174 MHz): F9011 (B, S and T versions)
UHF (400-470 MHz): F9021 (B, S and T versions)
UHF (450-512 MHz): F9023 (B, S and T versions)

Each frequency range has its own "model number" so there's no confusion as to which "90xx" you have. B is equivalent to a Motorola Model I, S is equivalent to a Model II, and T is equivalent to a Model III. B is "basic", S is "simple front panel", and T is "ten-key/DTMF keypad".

I heard that these radios may be pushed back even further to the summer. Apparently there have been problems all along with the programming software, so I have to commend Icom for holding up the release until they get it right. I don't mind waiting longer if I get my money's worth in the end.

 

[Bote]

Icom user menus

I heard that these radios may be pushed back even further to the summer. Apparently there have been problems all along with the programming software, so I have to commend Icom for holding up the release until they get it right. I don't mind waiting longer if I get my money's worth in the end.

Of course, it is much easier to provide upgraded application software via their web site than it is to update the firmware in the radio, so I suspect that there might be more to this delay than the programming software.

Has the user interface been improved over the menu system employed in the V8000 and its commercial parents?

It seems that they bury frequently-used settings deep in the menu structure when they should be readily accessible via a button press.

 

[radionerd13669]

The V8000 programming doesnt ever compare to the commercial stuff F33,F5061 ,1700

 

[RADIOGUY2002]

Yeap

Exactily, theres room for improvement in some areas, but overall its good stuff.

I to am awiating the 9011, 9023 T versions. If your going p25 you might as well go tier III or get a harris xg-100 unity. Fullband 136 to 870 radio for the cost of two three icom 9000 series p25 radios.