Hello,
In an earlier thread I commented about how the R2500 control head works just fine with the PCR2500, despite the early advertisement by Icom that claimed it would not due to "key internal differences".
I recently sold my R2500 to help defer the cost of a recently purchased AOR AR5000+3A. I found myself missing the control head of the radio though, and felt somewhat restricted by having to run software to constantly control my PCR2500. I decided to call Icom America and inquire about the availability of a control head. I did cheat a bit and tell them that it was a "second" control head for my R2500.
To make a long story short, Icom was only too happy to provide me the part # (98415258). Best yet the price was far better than I anticipated, at $109.57. I also ordered an MB84 controller bracket for about $23. I could have got that a little cheaper but I opted for the one stop shopping approach.
The control head arrived today and is controlling my PCR2500 just dandy. One word of caution, it does NOT come with the cable that connects the head to the radio. You'll have to order that as well. I had a ton of 6 contact RJ-11 connectors laying around, and used a length of CAT-5 cable to make my own custom length cable. If you're rolling your own here it's a straight thru cable just like a network cable would be, minus one pair of wires.
I still haven't seen the heads available from any dealers, but the nice folks at Icom America didn't bat an eye when I asked them for one. Stock was down to one when I ordered. Icom America can be reached at (800) 872-4266.
In an earlier thread I commented about how the R2500 control head works just fine with the PCR2500, despite the early advertisement by Icom that claimed it would not due to "key internal differences".
I recently sold my R2500 to help defer the cost of a recently purchased AOR AR5000+3A. I found myself missing the control head of the radio though, and felt somewhat restricted by having to run software to constantly control my PCR2500. I decided to call Icom America and inquire about the availability of a control head. I did cheat a bit and tell them that it was a "second" control head for my R2500.
To make a long story short, Icom was only too happy to provide me the part # (98415258). Best yet the price was far better than I anticipated, at $109.57. I also ordered an MB84 controller bracket for about $23. I could have got that a little cheaper but I opted for the one stop shopping approach.
The control head arrived today and is controlling my PCR2500 just dandy. One word of caution, it does NOT come with the cable that connects the head to the radio. You'll have to order that as well. I had a ton of 6 contact RJ-11 connectors laying around, and used a length of CAT-5 cable to make my own custom length cable. If you're rolling your own here it's a straight thru cable just like a network cable would be, minus one pair of wires.
I still haven't seen the heads available from any dealers, but the nice folks at Icom America didn't bat an eye when I asked them for one. Stock was down to one when I ordered. Icom America can be reached at (800) 872-4266.
