Re-programming an older F3-2

[trooper1954]

Hello all,
Brand new to the forum with my first question.
I have an older Icom F3-2 VHF portable that I would like to re-program to narrow band, and also program the channels for RR in BC.
I have contacted an Icom dealer who confirmed that this is doable with this radio, but he unfortunately didn't have the programming software as it's older and DOS based. I have also sent an email to Icom Canada asking if they can carry out this request.
Should all else fail, I'm prepared to buy the software and the cloning cable and try myself, but my first question would be what software do I need, and what cable?
Second question...if the software is DOS based, how could I make that work on a laptop running WIn 11? Or would I need to find someone with a really old computer windows 8 or older? I have heard this is possible, although I've also heard that it is sometimes unsuccessful.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[12dbsinad]

The old F3's are either wide or narrow depending on the model, they are not switchable between the 2. Narrowband F3's (and F4's) are typically VERY rare as it was a time well before any narrowband mandate.

F3-2 are wideband only
F3-3 are narrowband only

Hope this helps before you go any further.

 

[12dbsinad]

I will also add that I would assume you're referring to a F3 and not the F3G as they are completely different radios (and will do both wide and narrow or narrow only) depending on model.

I assume this because the F3G software is Windows based.

Many people (and dealers) get confused between the 2.

 

[jeepsandradios]

The F3 software is dos based. You need a old PC with a true serial port to program them.

 

[emptysky1]

The F3 software is dos based. You need a old PC with a true serial port to program them.

I don't recall F3 or F4 narrow but There were used the F4 for Gmrs and ham freq 15 years ago in central fla area.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Hello all,
Brand new to the forum with my first question.
I have an older Icom F3-2 VHF portable that I would like to re-program to narrow band, and also program the channels for RR in BC.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

The old F3's are either wide or narrow depending on the model, they are not switchable between the 2. Narrowband F3's (and F4's) are typically VERY rare as it was a time well before any narrowband mandate.

F3-2 are wideband only
F3-3 are narrowband only

Hope this helps before you go any further.

I've got ZERO knowledge about most Icom LMR, it's not gear I use day to day. The only Icom LMR gear I've ever owned and used was H16/U16 portables andany I programmed the occasional mobile.

Having said that, if the OP has a wideband only portable, then they 100% can NOT use it on the BC RR/LD channels. The BC RR/LD channels are 11k0(2.5kHz) narrowband ONLY. In BC its hit or miss on wideband/narrow band on VHF. While new analogue frequencies licensed will be 11k0, there is a TON or legacy 16k0 wide band stuff still in use. There is no mandate to narrowband existing assignments in Canada.