IC-V86 Review with George Thomas and Ray Novak

[@OregonDX]

I love this little radio. Its very tough and made well. It travels with me to work, in all kinds of scenarios. Its thrown in and out of the work truck all day, it goes camping and hiking. It even goes fishing with me.

[@wangyu1189]

Just bought this 2 weeks ago. New sub from philippines😍

[@tommybewick]

I just got this radio and I'm really liking it. I did discover that you need the basic manual that comes with it and additionally the advanced manual that you can download and print from the icom website to learn all the functions of this radio. Some things are covered in the basic manual, but a lot more is covered in the advanced manual. You actually need BOTH manuals because what's in the basic manual is NOT in the advanced manual.

[@walk-tall-hikes]

Just bought one of these! Looking forward to getting at the end of the month. I love icom and this is one of the best deals in radio for the budget conscious ham!

[@joeframo3347]

I bought mine in hro in Atlanta and I love mine it's everything Ray and George says it is

[@CWB-RF]

I saw this listed on HRO's website and came looking for videos on it. Looks like it's a nice rig and at a good price point. I know the BNC connection is a big deal to many guys but not a plus for me necessarily. The big news that got me interested is the 7 watts and higher capacity battery. Tempted to buy one just because it seems like a great everyday radio for 2 meters simplicity. I'm also interested to see if they make a dual band version like the IC-T70A that I have in my collection of handhelds.

[@nivid01]

I love these two guys, and the other guy too! I thoroughly enjoy their reviews of Icom radios. But your other setup was better where they sat in a row of three (when the other guy is present), with the Icom guy in the middle, with the video camera above, and I think there was a large monitor behind them.

[@outlandersystems552]

When is Icom going to release an FT3DR killer with D-STAR, a color screen, SSB on Analog 2m, APRS, DPRS, Bandscope, and a 4,000 mAh battery?

[@nathanadrian]

I would but that immediately

[@outlandersystems552]

@@nathanadrian Bonus points if they add a DTMF keypad as well.

[@JPM454]

Non ruggedized are lame as hell. When are you guys going to make something that can actually be used outdoors and outside moms basement?

[@GTF425]

OutlanderSystems I would buy that.

[@JPM454]

Also while we’re at it big shout out to the folks that screwed us on TRI radios.

[@7125Mhz]

A superb quality 2 meter with great sensitivity, and superior speaker quality. The price is right, too!

[@binoykv]

Nice how is the programming ?.. especially through PC- TNX

[@boggs2005]

I heard from some ham radio users that the V80 has much better RX selectivity than the V86. The V86 is a bit deaf and desensitized unlike the V80 which has a better front end, though the speaker of the V86 is more louder than the V80 and more TX power bur with a compromise as stated earlier.

[@flpirate4565]

Thank you, great info.

[@Dawnseeker2000]

Please give us the IC-U86 in the United States. All I need here in the Portland metro area is UHF.

[@bev8200]

What grabs me about this model is the ruggedness and the commonality. Hopefully by the end of the year I want the satellite radio.

[@joeframo3347]

Boys Ray George has a great personality really cool dude

[@bowbreaker1]

I've had the icv86 for about 2 years now. It's a spare that performed well. However, WTH were the design team thinking with the lcd screen. many characters don't look at all like they should.

[@binoykv]

Its a nice HT I am using, only thing is its LCD is very small compared to the size in this modern era, I am getting a very good audio report

[@joeframo3347]

I still have mine George and Ray the only thing I don't like about it is the keypad doesn't light up and that pisses me❤

[@joeframo3347]

Hello Ray hello George very very nice radio well made well well made Solid Rock Solid

[@derrickhouska4935]

Display for the power capability of the battery. That makes a huge difference.

[@binoykv]

Hello .. V80 accessories (battery) is compatible with V86?.. TNX-73's

[@actioncollectibles5826]

I can't set name on saved frequency. Everytime I select the saved frequency to set a name , pressing func + set key just keeps putting it in set mode menu. In initial mode already set disp function to name. Also in the initial mode there is no EX HI function off or on for 7watt power. That should be the first selection once in initial mode instead it's BEEP. Feeling stumped.

[@joeframo3347]

Another great product from icom

[@engine4052]

I brought one used from ham, and the speaker jack cover screws were lost, there anyone that has them laying around they let go or were i could buy 2 screws?

[@thedayofevil]

How does it compare to the IC-V80 and U80?

[@JPM454]

“A bigger battery and submersible-rating NEEDS to happen.”

[@outlandersystems552]

Absolutely. We need to go back to the Bendix King / Thales MBITR style batteries, where the capacity can be scaled-up or down for the user's needs.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

the tone scan feature is pretty slick for a handheld

[@PY3IT]

My Baofeng HT does too.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

@@PY3IT which baofeng model do you have? The model I have doesn't have tone scan.

[@MarinusWillemstijn]

Great Video Bloopers at the end :)

[@spencermiles963]

You mention it is IP54 in the earlier part of the video then say it is IP67 later. Which rating does it actually have? It looks like icom lists both which makes zero sense. It would be like taking a test and be given a grade of both an A and B.

[@ricardoferreira9939]

WHERE TO BUY BP200L BATTERY FOR A23 PLEASE

[@reedbarber]

ICOM, Please make a 220mhz and 440mhz version..

[@dustin9759]

Can you seriously not store a unique CTCSS tone Code per memory channel? I am only seeing one CTCSS code setting in the Set Mode Programming which is absolute junk if that's the case.

[@Neno-i9u]

*THE STOCK ANTENNA LOOKS BULKY, IS IT REALLY NOT AS GOOD AS A DIAMOND BNC 2 METER ANTENNA?*

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

Icom had a major fail with the V86.... Lack of the Tx/Rx indicator light. WHY did you do this Icom ? Even the Chinese junk radios have this, as well as the rest of your HTs

[@ScannerJunkie]

Is it a metal or plastic case?

[@hikerglenn]

Plastic outer, die cast inner chassis. Really rock solid.

[@monstersdoexist]

I like the heft and power output, but the antenna is very old school. Reminds me of the one on my old IC-02at. I do not understand the love of a wobbly BNC connector.

[@malenve6vid]

What about the Icom cloning software??

[@MrN9ja]

You can purchase from your favorite Icom dealer. It is the Icom CS-V86.

[@gblan]

Why would anyone buy the Sport model? I imagine the radio would chew through AAs in short order getting quite expensive in the very short run. You could buy the rechargeable version and the battery pack for what, $25? Then you'd have both. Buy the Sport model and a Li-Ion battery and charger will set you back a much bigger chunk.

[@lifetraveler3894]

What about ic-u 86

[@in-sani-ti]

If I'm in car convoy, would the device works?

[@monstersdoexist]

Please explain 'car convoy'.

[@bev8200]

@@monstersdoexist 🤣

[@LtNomad120mm]

All good and all but aesthetically wise, I prefer the V80. For me, I don't really get into HAM radios except for collecting and occasionally operating it.

[@pieman192]

Is Icom now using a cheap Direct conversion receiver design instead of a superior superheterodyne receiver as found on the IC-V80 and IC-T70A of years gone by ? My T70A was bullet proof on receive . The only radios with direct conversion receivers are cheap Chinese radios. Is this new IC-V86 really made in China like the new cheap Yaesu HTs ??

[@forgetyourlife]

Made in Japan.

[@miriamsmith7135]

My cheap Yaesu FT 4XR and FT 65R both say Made in Japan. They both work well, not as good as the ICOM V86 but just about as good.

[@PY3IT]

ICOM HTs are built to last for ever

[@outlandersystems552]

They really are. I've put a beating on my ID-51A, and it's still trucking. They really do need to bump up the IPX rating, like another commenter said.

[@christianandaya3929]

but its direct conversion receiver

[@michaelbrown-ns4dl]

@Jim Robinson Not so much. In a strong signal environment it caves like a cheap house of cards. I have pagers mixing with NWS with other signals...a mess. Restricted to the stock antenna...it is ok. Audio is excellent and 7 watts is nice too. But if you connect it to a bigger antenna...it is horrible. My T-70A has a vastly better receiver and is fine on a big high base antenna here. It is great for emergency power out use. The new rig is useless for this...too many images and noise. It is a shame...it it the first Icom I have ever owned that was disappointing as a receiver. I own a R8500, IC7410,IC9100, IC7200, IC718, R100...and more. IE..I am a giant Icom fan. This new rig needs better image rejection and out of band rejection. Bummer.

[@christianandaya3929]

@@michaelbrown-ns4dl icom should recall this unit. lol

[@wdsracer]

michael brown so a v80 or a t70 would be a better choice?

[@pieman192]

wdsracer The T70 is bullet proof if you can get hold of one 👍

[@ivrsn_1569]

What other icom is similar to this but dualband? Uhf vhf?

[@caseygillock8131]

Vox doesn't work on my v86. I wasted my money

[@brettvk4bde]

With the talk of the 2m band being given away to aircraft band. This radio would be null and void wouldn't it

[@wdsracer]

Does this unit also work like a scanner? Can i just program it and listen to my local fire frequencies?

[@joeframo3347]

Yes you can

[@johnmcdowell5739]

Anyone know how to reprogram/store a new CALL CHANNEL frequency ?

[@MrN9ja]

You can find that information in the advanced manual in Chapter 6. Here is the link to download the advanced manual. www.icomjapan.com/support/manual/1813/

[@johnmcdowell5739]

@@MrN9ja thank you

[@pensilification]

That George Thomas is a snooze

[@kg7tuo999]

Have it. The manual they say is great because it's small and simple.....IT SUCKS as it does NOT describe how to do necessary things like what codes on a menu item mean what. Just how to get to the menu item. I am very unimpressed with the minimalist manual and no additional manual to download. So ZERO explanation of critical features.

[@TheMabuhayguy]

I found this online, might help. I don't know why they don't at least include a link to it! www.icom.co.jp/world/support/download/manual/pdf/IC-V86_U86_AM_ENG_1.pdf

[@twohandsandaradio]

@@TheMabuhayguy Yep, Icom is notorious for minimal get on the air manual and then the advanced manual.

[@hobojon44]

who is going to talk for just 6 sec at a time

[@BrendaEM]

Unbiased Review? With a company rep, right there? Oh, it doesn't state that it's unbiased. I'm sorry. : P -1 Point to Icom's rep for such chicanery.