THE BEST HANDHELD RADIO!!! | ICOM ID-52

[@m4rkm4rk13]

Is this a music video or a radio presentation?

[@prisim]

Its a radio presentation by a guy who loves music

[@WillLeingang]

😂

[@Radiomate]

Love the tunes 🙏🙌🙌🙌

[@ka8syv203]

Why not both? Play some "Spirit of Radio" by Rush!

[@raydavidsonm0ray.777]

Hi Andy, I've only just bought myself 1 of these ICOM ID52 E rigs. I've not been out with it yet, as I am still learning my way around the radio.

[@davidalan2469]

Everything I like to do has Andy there first. Avata 2, Meshtastic, and HAM. I'm taking my first ham test in a week and have a ID-52 plus 60th anniversary version in route.

[@andykirby]

😁 nice! Good luck with the test!

[@FM-us3rd]

I just got an ID52A, and it is as you say, EPIC! The sound is absolutely incredible. I have an Ft3 and IMO I have really good hearing but I struggled a lot trying to decipher the words at times. The ID52 sounds like a much bigger radio! IMO it is worth the cost. Great video as always, keep em coming!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

The audio quality is so good on the ID52, its another level compared to most other handhelds. Really pleased with mine. Would have been good if the air band stepping was tighter to allow you to dial in to the exact frequency but that hasnt cause any major issues. Battery life is great and the batteries are interchangeable with the 705. There is nothing quite like an Icom radio. 73 from MJ7NLK, keep up the good work

[@DeeMcQueen]

Mate this looks pretty epic! I don't have a ham license but have been a scanner/receiver user for a while and icom always impress me with their equipment.

[@zzxxenith]

Kenwood TH6A had the band scope 15 years ago. No DMR support makes it pretty useless on digital. However nice toy just couldn't justify for the price, thanks nice video and review.

[@JPHET37]

Im so happy with my old Icom ic-31a . It’s a single band 440 MHz . I have 2 feel so bad I sold one of the 2. I just love the DV now I’m still thinking about getting the ID-51a or 52 with water fall is so nice !

[@DavidDeLuge]

My FT5D scope seems to work really nicely and the WIRES-X is also a big plus but I guess this is Icom's equivalent. 👍🏻

[@ukrainehamradio]

I study English, including from videos on KZbin, and it is very interesting for me to watch your videos, although I still don’t understand half of it) It’s much easier with Americans and even Australians, but I want to understand what the English say too.

[@ianmangham4570]

You're avin a Turkish ain't ya!

[@mantassernius8976]

Where Andy you learn English?

[@ianmangham4570]

@@mantassernius8976 You're avin a bubble

[@m0bob]

I went to the Philippines, they could understand Americans, but they couldn't understand me 😭

[@ukrainehamradio]

@@m0bob I wonder how you would rate this joke performed by the Russians? Watch from 0:50 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnLNh42OpbaHpas

[@apjbuilder]

Just ordered one ! Love your enthusiasm and energy!

[@darrylyoung1121]

+1

[@ronammologist16]

Who did you order from?

[@K4SRF]

I have mine paid for and pre-ordered here in the States. Looking forward to getting my hands on it. '73 / Steve

[@andykirby]

Cool, that's interesting, are they released yet? Or are you literally waiting for the first shipments over there?

[@K4SRF]

@@andykirby Last heard, they have arrived in the States. Now, they are being sent out to the distributors. I bought mine from DX Engineering. Before taxes, this radio was $649.95 USD, (490.61 Pounds sterling.) I'll be adding it to my other HTs which consist of Yaesu, Kenwood, Anytone and yes, Baofeng. I do own the ICOM 7300 as well for my DXing and the ICOM 7100 for UHF/VHF.

[@SIGINT007]

Took the plunge and got one...what a tank. The scan rate is insane and while the cost is high, it's a Cadillac and pairs well with my ID51 as the batteries and accessories are the same.

[@adriansmith3116]

Nice to see someone use It and not just reading a script.

[@Anri75]

I love the music at the end! Watched many episodes and only now realised that this was your own music. I was under the impression that I was listening to some top author that I somehow managed to miss, even though this was my favourite style when I was regular at parties. So well done, and thank you! I will have a look if I can find your albums on youtube.

[@joeframo3347]

That is a beautiful radio the displays big and the colors are brilliant thank you for sharing this 👍

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

Thank you! 73 from Pennington, New Jersey

[@guruoo]

Be crazy to see this with integrated wifi, and/or bluetooth that could allow remote operation from laptop, tablet, or phone app.

[@garenkarapetian709]

I'm not a ham-geek (so I don't really care for big home shacks and piles of equipment), I'm more into hiking, bushcraft and sailing and just want a multifunctional handheld radio that will help you when you need it. I've had my Radtel RT-490 for a while and very happy with it. The GPS and USB-charging really help when you are in the wild. But one feature that would make a lot of difference is SDR (Waterfall and Scope) and GPS mapping of nearby repeaters. Carrying an extra device like Malahit is not an option - because weight and practicality. ID-52e is close to being ideal for such purposes, but the price is crazy high. I guess we'll just have to wait for Chinese alternative at 1/10 the price. Sending pictures is a nice feature, but what would be far more useful is the ability to send/receive text messages over long distances. The new Quansheng uv-5(8) gave hope - like Waterfall/Scope, text messaging etc, but the monocrome screen is so tiny and lack of knobs make such features unusable in the field. Exciting times though.

[@pmr446]

It's an elegant and well performing radio Andy. Well done on the review, the only point that puts me off buying it is the lack of DMR support, if it had DMR I would have bought one straight away. 73's Danielle 26DC260.

[@GeoffreyFeldmanMA]

For license reasons, there are no radios with more than one digital mode. Neither ICOM nor YAESU supports DMR. This is well understood.

[@thopkins2271]

@@GeoffreyFeldmanMA Kenwood seems to have managed to have DMR and DSTAR…. They aren’t prohibited. They’re simply trying to force the market into using what they invested in.

[@MeTube3]

Any place with any reasonable activity is bridged across digital modes anyway.

[@Thordmz]

Get an OPENSPOT 4 PRO and do it all.

[@C4H6As]

@@GeoffreyFeldmanMA Could you explain that "license reasons"?

[@kennysweeney4970]

Love it Andy I’ve just treated myself to 1 and a 705 plus a alexloop for Christmas 🎄 looking forward to recovering my new toys 😁 73s MM3 PTJ

[@andykirby]

Nice one! It's gonna be an epic Christmas for you!!!

[@Sentinel4261]

t hanks for the information i worked with radio for all must 10 years thanks again Andy.

[@SimonVK3XEM]

Great radio with awesome features, but the most importan feature missing IMHO is APRS. Sure it has DPRS but that requires D-Star repeater infrastructure around.

[@mixxndj]

Nice radio.. but I agree.. having SSB would be cool..

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

Very nice clear Video enjoyed the outdoors aswell .

[@georgewashington7444]

Thanks for the review! For the price of this HT I would save a bit more and get the vastly more capable 705 if you don’t have one yet. Pickup the workhorse-tank of a HT the FT60R and your bases are covered. I have a 705 one SOTA/POTA and ordered another as a home base rig. Long live QRP!

[@andykirby]

Thanks! Love the 705, best radio out there IMO!

[@tangoseal1]

Far from most expensive handheld radio 650 USD is A LOT sure but have you seen a Motorola APX? Those are several - I've seen some for 5 to 10,000 USD each and they are just p25 walkies. But as far as HAM radio usage you are probably spot on man as far as most expensive handheld.

[@hbirtt]

Not gonna disagree that this radio is beautiful, and I want one pretty bad. That said the state of SDR is such that we should be expecting radios in the couple/few hundred dollars/pounds range to have these features. I feel like the big boys like icom are trying really hard to ignore SDR, and it's going to be a mistake like when Microsoft didn't get in to the mobile phone game in time. If they keep sitting on this, we'll get them from someone else, and how do we feel about icom when they're old tech with good build quality? Eventually, we look at it like a Windows Phone, don't we?

[@pale_2111]

I'm thinking about getting one next year and just use it for D-STAR around the house. I've got the 5100A and the IC-705, both great radios. The 5100A is my main 2m/70cm base station radio, while the IC-705 is for HF, 2m SSB and D-STAR. Carrying the IC-705 around the house while on a reflector is a bit awkward. Just wish Icom would put APRS in their radios in conjunction with DPRS.

[@catalinalb1722]

Thanks for showing us the new good stuff Andy! 🙂 I do have a Malahit DSP2 portable receiver. DE1CTL 73!

[@paulknapton7836]

Great video Andy, cheers…. Does anybody have experience of operating an ICOM ID-52 on top of mountain/hill on an external antenna, how did it perform ? My question is will it operate perfectly fine on an higher gain ‘external antenna’ like a SOTAbeam, Vertical, Flower Pot etc. I’ve recently been operating from UK Trig Pillars up at around 500m and each handheld I’ve tried the RX receive on an external antenna is de sensed / brake through / pager over load etc stopping you from operating.

[@stewpot3971]

I like the band scope and repeater find options...

[@wisteela]

Yeah, those are awesome features.

[@WX4GPS]

They always charge top price when it releases, I paid $1600 for their IC-7100 and then it dropped to $1299 months later and now its under $1000. This will be in the $400 range within 4 months of its release and probably somewhere in the $300 after a year

[@electriceyeslide5959]

Still $600 US!!

[@JohnDoe-tm1rv]

No APRS, No SSB , RX , No duplex. Why ICOM, why ?

[@electriceyeslide5959]

It doesn’t need APRS on D Star, it uses DPRS which converts the 52’s GPS receiver data to APRS systems.

[@JohnDoe-tm1rv]

@@electriceyeslide5959 DPRS is just part of D-Star. I want real APRS like it is done in Kenwood handhelds

[@LarryAnnen]

Thanks- I just ordered mine. Retiring the Yeasu FT2DR and Yaesu's complicated menu structure.

[@autofox5.067]

I have just ordered an Icom 2730a and I really wish it had a screen like this hand held. I may have to save up and get one of these!

[@M0IAX]

Really good video thanks. I agree the waterfall is great really useful last weekend doing SOTA. I got good reports for my TX audio.

[@anthonyryan923]

Andy, your enthusiasm makes your reviews by far the best. Cheers, Tony,G6XYZ

[@andykirby]

Cheers Tony!👍🏻

[@wrxs1781]

Nice kit, cant find them for sale in Canada, in the US. $650.00. Great radio by your revue.

[@dadanggatotp]

Nice radio, icom is the best, i have ic-2n since 1996 and still work!

[@freelancer2011]

Great vid!!! Love your cheery disposition and enthusiasm!! -You're helping me make a dusty mic work again! 😀 For 2 metres, I got a Yaesu VX6. It was billed as waterproof but ever since i had i've had to run a direct mic to it and turn the Mic Gain up. Just so that fellow hams can here me. Have u had to do any of this with the ID-52E?

[@1VK3]

Looks like a cracking little handy. Heard a couple of blokes talking about your videos on GB3OY the other day. All good things. 73s geezer

[@GeoffreyFeldmanMA]

Does it have true APRS or only through D-Star? that's my complaint with other ICOM rigs. To me the real benefit of APRS is while out on a hike and letting people know where you are whether or not if they have D-Star.

[@UABFWSS]

No aprs ability, which makes it just about useless, imo.

[@DaveTibbetts]

loving the trance and this is my dream radio!

[@robertchambers5821]

I do agree with you about Icom products, but as far as I'm concerned they missed the mark. They have clung to their own technology using DPRS. It does work but only near an Icom repeater. Perhaps they could have done both APRS and DPRS. I would have purchased one of these if it was APRS capable. Instead I'm waiting until the new Kenwood 75a is launched. 8P6RC

[@radioactive8772]

Thanks for the video. I just ordered one, can’t wait for its arrival. Yes it’s over priced, but man, it’s a good looking radio. Thanks K7WHN

[@landonmiller6943]

Great video! Mouth watering here waiting for mine to arrive from HRO.

[@martinryan5069]

They should have hf ssb rx and tx for that money everyone would buy one I wonder who will be the first to do it

[@pmr446]

If they also added DMR I would buy one straight away..

[@Veslanjejezivot]

Awesome review. Just found out about your channel. Could you please tell me where can I get that stand for IC 705 so I can hold it in my hand during Fox hunt? Ty :)

[@DharmaDharma11]

Thanks! I was able to buy a used one from Ham Radio Outlet for $200 off list price.

[@ndrthrdr1]

Awesome! I love my ID-52, Uunfortunately, I paid full price.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Well said! I am having a lot of fun with mine too.

[@andykirby]

Thanks Josh, it's great isn't it!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Another fantastic video from Andy thanks 73 from kb2uew

[@HamRadio2]

Great walk-thru and info.

[@andykirby]

Thanks Jason, Happy New Year 👍🏻

[@joegrace5818]

Do I need this? No. Am I going to buy it? Yes.

[@landonmiller6943]

Know that well feeling well. Me too...

[@cash082]

The Icom ID-52 isn't that expensive, in fact it's an el cheapo compared to a Motorola APX8000. Beautiful radio though! Thank you for the awesome reviews

[@cash082]

@@FooBar89 it could be. It does 2m and 70cm and P25! 👏👍

[@cash082]

@@FooBar89 Actually, with Front Panel Programming abilities, you can! Input/Output, PL/DPL tone or NAC

[@ch716]

Icom is refreshing this radio with a USB-C interface this winter (2024 - IC-52A/E Plus). On paper, the TH-D75 looks better, but I have a strong feeling I’d enjoy this radio more. Having to choose between no aprs and no banded is frustrating.

[@PortableRadio]

Nice radio, but unfortunately without (analog) APRS messaging possibility. I wonder how well it behaves close to other transmitters that are often on summits. The wideband Yaesu radios for example are useless on such summits. An external bandpass would help, but puts stress on the SMA connector.

[@che59v]

Great expensive Show-Pony radio for those of us who might take their hobby way too seriously. For us, a $45 radio that does more or less the same will do. Thanks for one more great video.

[@joshpack]

Riiiiight... Welcome to the hobby, theres a lot to learn!

[@bthemedia]

3 seconds in and I already dig the music… and ham radio! 🤯 🕺

[@bthemedia]

WHAT!? Music by you!?!? Where is your DJ music channel???

[@m7bcwstuart84]

love mine i got a 21 mile simplex contact great radio Andy

[@andykirby]

Yeah the good audio on the ID52 certainly punches through and helps with those long range contacts!

[@knoxieman]

I like that a lot, im the same as you in terms of pure FM, I have no interest in DMRor most digital modes however I do like and use fusion, I have had a dstar radio for years and never used it on Dstar, analogue FM is still where its at for me, I can use a digital radio any time I want by picking up my smart phone.

[@andykirby]

Yeah definitely mate, i agree...actually the funny thing is DSP is getting so good now it can pick out a voice in analogue noise like never before. Especially on SSB and what's weird it actually sounds like digital but better as there's still a real sounding human voice but no hash. I think that in itself is going to be the future for HAM radio. Best of both worlds. Fusion has gotten really popular, mainly because its now included in all yaesu's shack in the boxes like the FT991, DSTAR has dwindled because the only all mode, all band (apart from 4M) radio they offer is the IC705 which doesn't suit everyone as its only 10W.

[@ag1382]

Not in production, but a D74 sells for more than the 52.

[@patrickgerth4570]

I like the EDM in the background.

[@johnpeterson7264]

Great intro to the new radio !

[@StormChaserDavisMax]

The ID52 is a cool radio. However i assume you mean the most expensive icom amateur portable. my monoband Kenwood costs more than the ID52 lol. There are many handheld radios commercial and ham (or dual purpose) which costs more than the 52. Im a kenwood sales rep at a local dealer and some of these things cost half as much as my car for a portable lol. not to mention the Motorola APX series lol. Great and honest review though!

[@TingILi]

Kenwood TH-D74 is more expensive than ID-52 hahaha, but D74 gets more useful feathers and functions. Nice review.

[@andykirby]

😁TH-D74 is also now discontinued unfortunately.

[@MrAlphacallsign]

The best handheld are from KENWOOD for years they do there handheld superior and easy to use , but this IC 52 look good , let’s see what KENWOOD will bring us for sure I will buy me one soon the price drop

[@Robalforduk]

The repeater find from GPS has always been for all modes (FM & Digital)

[@andykirby]

Not on the early ID51 and ID31 models, it was just for digital, there was no FM equivalent of DR mode.

[@dafyddr8678]

A very smooth curvy design and does appear to have a clean look from the front. I'm almost thinking I wish I hadn't purchased my Yaesu FT5D ! 73 matey... Dafydd M6ULU

[@andykirby]

Yeah I will probably let my FT5 go but then again it's my only fusion radio mad APRS is nice to have.

[@jakep5121]

You do a great job on your videos. The content and your editing combined with your passion for the hobby and charismatic personality really shine through. Keep em coming!

[@andykirby]

Thanks Jake, appreciate that 👍🏻 Happy Christmas.👍🏼

[@MrAlphacallsign]

@@andykirby how’s the battery 🔋 on that radio I had the TH 74A amazing radio but battery 🔋 didn’t last all they I had the FT5DR battery is not the best but it not bad so again battery 🔋 ????? Do it last

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Thanks Jake 👽

[@genuine_legend]

I have a question, whats stopping me as a non licenced operator buying one of these and using it but in a professional manner

[@jolebole-yt]

Now I have to sell my FT-5D and get me an an ID-52 lol. Looks like a more refined radio. Do you know if CHIRP supports the ID-52 for bulk repeater/ memories programing ? Or Icom has their own app for that. Cheers!

[@andykirby]

Yeah it is quite a lot more advanced than the Yaesu. I had the 5D also and then sold it. The radio comes with all the repeaters programmed and the nearest repeater search is just amazing...so I haven't even tried chirp😅

[@MicroShack]

… I need to go shopping!

[@iamsemjaza]

And come 2024, you can do a similar thing (seeing the band) on a Quansheng K5(8) with the proper firmware

[@adk5746]

Thanks ! Is the id50 as punchy as the id52

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

Very nice vid. Spendy but tempting. I’m looking for my first decent HT to start doing more QSO’s and can’t justify the $ for the ID52. I like to get out with my portable and travel. Repeater search, wow! Pls recommend a good upgrade from the baofeng UV5R? I have a Kenwood in the Jeep and have my eye on Icom. Yaesu ok too. I like the dual nob setup (usually squelch?). Thanks!

[@uSIsAsx4]

Hi Andy, just watched your couple of reviews on the ID-52, (just subscribed also) nice to see a fresh review on the new stock being shipped. I also have a 705 and Kenwood D74, my ID-52 arrived yesterday. I totally agree with all you have reported on and that it seems a fantastic radio, although early days for me. I would be interested in your comments on a couple of dislikes I have found. I have a couple of SMA - BNC adaptors that use on other radio's when wanting to use another BNC antenna. Because the SMA stub on the ID-52 is so long you can't bottom out the adapter to fit down so there is a gap. Would be a weak point also if using a sizeable antenna. I thought the Icom AD-92SMA adapter would be the solution (more money) but no it's a funny nut assembly onto the stub then the BNC. Ok thoughts were, "I won't use my high gain BNC antenna's" but buy a good SMA better antenna. Problem is even another antenna may not bed right down, my D74 is the same type of antenna and does not quite screw down fully if I try it on the ID-52. Mine also seems to pick up interference easily from computers (my other HH don't suffer with this) . Shame the menu items won't scroll round, you have to go back up and down. I don't like the fact you can tilt the radio and see the top edge of the display board and light behind. Still love it as the 705. Bit picky but wonder what you thought. 73 Graham

[@OhYeah-qx9qn]

@andykirby Do you know how wide the bandscope is, or how wide it can be? I would be nice to see, for example, the whole 2m band in the scope but I doubt it is that wide. I checked both of Icom's user manuals for this but no mention of how wide the scope is or if it can be changed.

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

There was a lift on today Andy. I think you filmed that today as I can see fog Which we had

[@mikesey1]

I always have problems with Icom radios. From the days of the 706 HF, and T8 h/h to probs with the 7300, breakdowns are common. Not so with a whole collection of Yaesu radios I have. I DO like the look of that Icom though.

[@Hogdriver88]

Just received this radio today. In getting it set up, trying the ‘nearest repeaters’ function will find only DStar repeaters, but no FM repeaters. Wonder if I need to download a repeater list first but I didn’t see that in the manuals.

[@gcopter1963]

Page 5-30 of the ID-52A Advanced manual.

[@alzathoth]

no keypad? IDK. if i wanted an HT with a keypad on this level of quality, what would you recommend?

[@jeremythreat844]

Love it, great job Andy!

[@darylcheshire1618]

I just ordered one.

[@peterkunka2694]

Nice radio, but, not worth upgrading yet. I have the ID-51A Plus2 that I plan on using for D-Star soon when I purchase the Shark OpenSpot3. That'll give me more connectivity time whether at home/mobile using a Verizon JetPack Hotspot. For over the air stuff, the ID-5100 in my Jeep works very well around here in Arizona, USA on simplex/repeaters. Thanks, and 73. Pete - KI7LIL

[@stevenyemc]

Hi Santa, Yea that one mate! Ta..

[@mixxndj]

Hey Andy, do you think this could be set up as a in car mobile replacement? Maybe add an external handheld mic, external speaker and maybe an external mobile mounted antenna? I guess other than power output, would you think this would do the job??

[@andykirby]

Hi, Yes this radio would be a perfect 2/70cms mobile. It has great Bluetooth connectivity so would work with the cars built in Bluetooth perhaps or a headset, also the repeater search features would be handy in the car. I'm experimenting with amplifiers at the moment as it's good to have a bit more power in the car. You could fix this radio to the windscreen on one of those suction mounts allowing you to see the screen without looking down. The waterfall would be really useful when working simplex stations whilst mobile too. I think I'll do a video about this😁

[@mixxndj]

@@andykirby yes!!! I think that may be a good solution for me.. look forward to the video. Your fellow ham and music producer from California.. ✌🏼💯🔥 73

[@audiomaker1]

Can it be made to transmit on US CB channels for SHTF? The FT5D cannot and I would switch for this ability.

[@ipklondonuk]

looks like a nice radio, would I buy one? No I don't think so, I got the Kenwood TH D74E when that first came out and to be honest it doesn't do anything that makes me go wow. To be honest, I used my Yaesu FT 70D more. I don't do APRS, I don't have any Dstar repeaters in my area, I have a perfectly good HF radio so I don't need to monitor that, everything else is covered by my Yaesu

[@btcullen5876]

Would you record an ID-52 training video on some of the features ie. loading repeaters, scanning, loading channels with RT Systems...?

[@agso73]

Nice icom handheld.

[@wisteela]

Absolutely awesome, and great video too. 73 M7TUD

[@StevieB-jj9fz]

Do you have a link to purchase the radio?

[@chargeriderepeat7024]

Ive been watching you for years and decided to scroll back to the early days, your first house move etc. Who was that young guy with a side part.

[@andykirby]

😅

[@ianmangham4570]

@Andy , Hi mate, question for ya, i have my 1000w rear hubmotor with a 55v 13ah generic Chinese kit on my mtb, now I'm well happy but just for the buzz I've seen these hoverboard 4ah 42v lion packs /blue xt60 connection £50,if i buy 2 and wire them in series can I charge them using an old 36v lion 2amp charger? I'm talking just remove the 3pin connector then fit a xt60? Of course I'll seperate them first so I'm only charging 42v, will she CHARGE mate? Merry Crimbo Andy av a gud'n brother 🇬🇧🙏🚲 📻

[@pnowikow]

I started off as a Yaesu fanboy but they really are not innovating their new equipment. I'm pretty sure my next radio is going to be an Icom. The ic705 is probably the one I'll get. The first modifications going to be that USB C charging board

[@sptvids]

Nice radio, shame about the price though, looking forward to your D Star stuff, I've not used it yet on my 705

[@raymondmartin6737]

Wasn't the Kenwood D74, from about 5 years ago, more expensive at about $700.00 US 🇺🇸? 73 de W2CH, Ray

[@K4SRF]

Yes it was. (I have one of these as well.)

[@landonmiller6943]

@@K4SRF Me too, and I'm hanging on to it, great handheld is the D74!

[@andy2E0JIU]

Looks a good bit of kit Andy but for £484 blimey I'd want it to make my dinner 🤣🤣expensive for a handy but does look good 👍

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

Buy a lot of baofeng's for that

[@2e0hpi]

The Kenwood TH D74 was expensive at nearly £700

[@andykirby]

I paid about £600 for mine, and sold it for less than that 😁

[@ohaya1]

Wow, awesome music!