R-5 -vs- R-20

[Tom_G]

I am wondering about the differences between these 2 radios.
Beside the obvious such as the R-20 having dual receive, a full keypad, coverage up to 3GHz, audio recorder, and band-scope how do these to radios compare as receivers?

Is the R-20 that much better of a receiver ?
Any big audio differences ?

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated... Thanks, Tom/G, N1VVD

 

[PJinNJ]

I have both

and while the R20 is so much more I tend to always have the small R-5 with me. Just so easy and small and light.

 

[Air490]

Comparing them is really like comparing your family car to an F1 car. The R20 is a more advanced, more flexible and more capable receiver. However, as PJinNJ has already said, the R5 is great if you want a compact receiver.

 

[Tom_G]

Thanks to both of you for the comments.
I don't really have a preference for the radio to be compact.....

There seems to be a lot of R-20's around for sale lately for good prices so maybe I'll take the plunge....

Thanks,

 

[Air490]

I would say "do it" Tom. You won't be disappointed!

 

[Tom_G]

Yup....

Air490, Thanks for your insight....
I have a transaction in progress. I should have it later in the week.
I'll follow up here... Can't wait to get my hands on it...!

 

[Turbo68]

I got the Icom-R20 its a realiable receiver performance across all bands is excellent with a Diamond-RH771 antenna recently got rid of the Icom-R5 it wasnt realiable at all and with no keypad it was a pain the back to use it and u are limited in what u can do with the radio.

Regards
Lino.
ALINCO-DJX2000
AOR-3000/AOR-3000A/AOR-8200MK3
GRE-PSR500
ICOM-R3/ICOM-R20/ICOM-RX7/ICOM-PCR1000/ICOM-PCR1500/ICOM-PCR2500/ICOM-R9500
JRC NRD-545
KENWOOD TS-480SAT (2)
REALISTIC-PRO2035
UNIDEN-245/UNIDEN-396/UNIDEN-780
YAESU-VX7R/YAESU-FT8800R/YAESU-VR500

 

[DaveIN]

The R20 also has true dual receivers too. You can also record directly to the R20 off the air. great for recording that nightly fire department tone out test so that you can play it back into a decoder. If you have the CS-R20 software there is also a conversion program available to turn the icw recording files into wav files: icw2wav

 

[millrad]

The R20 also receives SSB. I have mine set up for HF ATC. Works well with an external outside antenna.

 

[Tom_G]

I received mine last week.
So far I like it.
Its a very nice receiver.
I have tried Airband, FM, and Medium wave so far and all are very good.

My only observation so far is that it could use a boost in audio power.

Thanks,