Icon UHF radio

Gday Murray
What's wrong with tin cans and a long string............

Icon is reputed to be good - GME is said to be a shade under them (I don't know where the difference lies) but a fair bit cheaper. I started out with Uniden in 1989 but had lots of problems with them so changed to GME and have been using them (40 ch) for years with no problems. Just purchased 2 x 80 ch handhelds and they give excellent reception.

Camperman2

The Icom you're looking is the one we purchased for our Troopy. We've had mostly Uniden in the past.
We did consider both Icom and GME this time around. The Icom was recommended because the speaker is on the hand unit. I'm not sure if that's the case with the particular GME you're considering, might be something to check for yourself. Obviously it's more important if you're planning to mount the head unit in a strange spot.

Quote from the ICOM site

"Easy to hear,
with audio directly from the controller microphone"

Haven't really used it enough yet to say how well it performs.

After playing with heaps of radios both local and international I learnt two things. The simpler the better and if you are happy with what you have don't change.

That said get the simplest radio with the features that you want. And if I was you I would stick with GME seeing that you have had good service before. Yes; Icom are excellent.

I also thought that Icom were made in Japan. At least the ones I have had have been made there.

Personally I would not get the one with a speaker in the microphone. A much narrower audio oputput and harder for the passenger to also listen in at the same time. The sound also does not "carry" as well. Harder to hear when a way from the microphone. Okay if you want to sling it over the shoulder and be a real macho operator. But not very practical. Just my views.

Phil

We have had a Icom 440 for over 3 years now and have had no problems at all. Have travelled on numerous very rough roads/tracks.

We have never had any audio issues as Phil has referred to.

One feature I liked with the 440 was that I was able to fit the main body under the driver’s seat and then just have the controller microphone on the dash.

Kevin

Hi murray
I have the above mentioned radio and find it easy to use once you get basic understanding of how to set up a radio i.e. Operating procedures. In regards to the speaker on the handheld piece i have a bilatural hearing loss aided by hearing aids and have no trouble hearing it with it mounted on the dash. Hope this helps.

Cheers Troy.

I have an Icom 440.
Very neat, less clutter in the cabin.
I have put an exextension speaker on the main box so I/we have no troubles hearing it. The transmission and reception are excellent...best of any I've had...Uniden, GME, Ormicom. When I bought the Icom I was told it was the Rolls Royce of UHF...and it may well be. All up a good easy to use unit.

I have 2 x41s Icom Handhelds and there a Top Spec Japanese radio...Last time I spoke to GME they were not looking at putting the sound in the radio head...

Of course they can change there mind at any minute...