R30 R30 - In 2020, what do you listen to the most with it?

vagrant

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While I use iOS daily, I have android devices as well that I specifically use for radio stuff, like the R30. The removal of the Android version is not good.


@KevinC - One can pair the R30 with a Bluetooth speaker as well.
1671027769839.jpeg
 
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G7RUX

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While I use iOS daily, I have android devices as well that I specifically use for radio stuff, like the R30. The removal of the Android version is not good.
You can still download it from Icom at the very least and sideload it for the time being.
 

N4SRN

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I’m using my R30 to scan for local GMRS repeaters - there are several that don’t appear on MyGMRS that I’ll want to,avoid in setting up,a local group repeater.
 

philnic100

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Use my R30 for VHF/UHF Aero as well as Aero HF; got a 50 ohm Hi-Z interface connector from Amazon Japan after a Google search and it transformed the stock aerial. Compared to another well regarded active BNC antenna it has, for sensitivity, has been consistently the better. Regularly take it out mobile and regularly hear traffic over Indian Ocean, Polar traffic, as well as Manila radio. Always end up recording stuff, its that good and the freq/date tagging makes playback easy.
 

philnic100

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I agree with the comment on the app; it takes the channel navigation to another level without having to enter menus etc to transit between channels in different banks.
 

N4SRN

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Use my R30 for VHF/UHF Aero as well as Aero HF; got a 50 ohm Hi-Z interface connector from Amazon Japan after a Google search and it transformed the stock aerial. Compared to another well regarded active BNC antenna it has, for sensitivity, has been consistently the better. Regularly take it out mobile and regularly hear traffic over Indian Ocean, Polar traffic, as well as Manila radio. Always end up recording stuff, its that good and the freq/date tagging makes playback easy.
Can you post a link? Sounds interesting!

Bret/N4SRN
 

G7RUX

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If I remember correctly, Icom uses their own version of NXDN on the commercial side. It's called IDAS. I think those initials stand for Icom Digital Advanced System, but I'm not certain.

-Johnnie (KC5IGH)
Indeed, Icom's IDAS *is* NXDN with a few extras in the optional signalling. It is backwardly compatible with other NXDN systems since it complies with the published standards.
 

W8WCA

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Just FYI: The Icom RS-R30A App is on the Google Play (still)

I am gathering up info as I have a R30 coming early next week.
I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a Galaxy Note 10 Plus

(I tend to use the Note 10 + More for my Radis as It also has SDRAnywhere)
 

G7RUX

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Indeed. The apps (I use the iOS versions) can be a bit fiddly to get them working but are pretty good once going.
 

cherubim

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I'm getting sick of the R30's really cheap case, poor display and bad flat keypad design. What clown designed the ergonomics of this receiver ? A 12 year old ? Clearly, the bean counters had a say here on what the final design would be.

Don't get me wrong - I like the performance of this receiver, it's very sensitive and pulls in signals well across all bands but falls down in its physical design. The display is poor - bad contrast and weak clarity. The flat keypad is stupid - one ends up pressing the wrong button and ends up somewhere they shouldn't be making it harder to recover. Then there is the case - a cheap affair that would break if dropped from a modest height. Compared with the AOR-8200's case it's about as rugged as an aluminum can. Battery life is nothing to write home about either.

This is typical of Icom products. They always fall short in many ways and over price their products beyond what is reasonable. No wonder the R30 was a sales flop. I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of mine.
 

G7RUX

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I'm getting sick of the R30's really cheap case, poor display and bad flat keypad design. What clown designed the ergonomics of this receiver ? A 12 year old ? Clearly, the bean counters had a say here on what the final design would be.

Don't get me wrong - I like the performance of this receiver, it's very sensitive and pulls in signals well across all bands but falls down in its physical design. The display is poor - bad contrast and weak clarity. The flat keypad is stupid - one ends up pressing the wrong button and ends up somewhere they shouldn't be making it harder to recover. Then there is the case - a cheap affair that would break if dropped from a modest height. Compared with the AOR-8200's case it's about as rugged as an aluminum can. Battery life is nothing to write home about either.

This is typical of Icom products. They always fall short in many ways and over price their products beyond what is reasonable. No wonder the R30 was a sales flop. I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of mine.
The case design is the same as the A25 series aero handhelds and these all meet a set of MilStd test specifications. One of my R30 has been subject to fairly rough use and except for a problem with the antenna connector (which was my own fault) has been absolutely solid.

Granted, the LCD is a bit awkward to see in some lighting conditions but it’s about the same as many dot-matrix LCDs I have used.

The less-than-stellar sales of the R30 was likely due to the general downturn in the sales of high-price scanner kit and its significantly higher price than competitor equipment.

I like my R30s and their performance means they will be staying.

That said, it would be nice if it would stand up securely but that’s a minor issue and one that is common with many handheld receivers over the last 30 years.
 

Kiniutech

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cherubim. Wow, ?? many will disagree with this statement. Yes it is no perfect but there is NO alternative on the horizon at the moment.
I think it is a receiver /scanner for keep until something new showing up ?
Capabilities outplaying few shortcoming you highlighted, its stays with me for a bit yet, actually this will be the last radio for sale.
I will get rid of few others before R30
 
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bearcatrp

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As for the poor display, iCom RS-R30I mobile app via BT is your friend. Working well on iPhone 14 Pro
If I’m reading it correctly, you can not write to memory. Is this correct?

 
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