Icom ID-4100 D-Star mobile quick review

[@DrKO2453]

Ordered one today, hopefully will get here tomorrow. Going to have a friend install the wiring from the engine compartment into the passenger compartment. I can't wait to play with this rig. Seriously...thanks for getting me back big time into the hobby!

[@bigchew3149]

I know its ben a while but How do/did you like your 4100 ? any issues to be aware of ? If you still got it and use it then that will tell me a lot ! Thanks !

[@ad4zuradio142]

TIP: For all users of DSTAR mobile radios: GET A 5W 8 Ohm SPEAKER. This will transform your DSTAR experience. Tinniness gone. Narrow gone. ICOM internal audio leaves a lot to be desired, but, when you break free of the radio internal audio architecture....WOW. Now you're enjoying DSTAR.

[@3TQVK]

Great Post, yes I do this with an IC 7100 the difference is incredible, I use a 3 way Sony Speaker about a 24" x 12" Sounds Awesome Nothing better

[@JeffHochberg]

Thanks for the advice!!!

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I use a 10 watt Bearcat external speaker and it sounds great.👍😱🎙

[@yugbe]

I just got this radio (Literally fired it up last night for the first time) and its really cool. Using it as a base station at the moment while we save for our 7300. The other option is putting this one in the minivan (Yeah... I know) and getting the 991a which has 2m and 70cm built in. Regardless, this is a great radio and fires very well off my j-pole.

[@kellyw1648]

I installed the bluetooth chip. Very easy install. I use the Aftershokz bone conduction headset with my radio. The VOX feature doesn't work because the mic is not sensitive enough unless I cup my hand in front of me to direct sound around to the mic. You can still use the radio's mic though. And you can also pair your Aftershokz BT headset to other devices like you phone and computer. Works great.

[@KO4WYO]

I see you're from Florida too. I'm from Ocala area. Thanks for the review

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I have both the 4100a and ID-51a Plus 2 and they work very well but lots of features for both that I don’t use because I’m afraid of messing up what I have programmed into them.I only use the ID-51a Plus 2 with my Shark OS1 and for our local repeaters and it never leaves home since I have the ID-4100a in my pickup.

[@TBGaels32]

I just bought this rig to use as my base station at the home QTH and saw this video. I’m wondering how similar this radio is compared to my 5100 that I keep in the mobile.

[@cesarvieitez2981]

Just a question, if you were going to choose between the 4100 and the 5100 which one would you choose? Mainly to use as a base station and thank you for you honest answer.

[@bigchew3149]

I had this same Question Recently & I decided I really Liked the Look of the 4100 Better than the 5100 Even Though most of my buddy's have the 5100 I went 4100 & glad i did ! WoW only took 2years to get a reply ! Sory

[@brontoab1]

*For All Those Interested In This Radio for terminal and access point mode* These modes do not work like a hot spot. They only work with call sign routing which means you can't just connect to a repeater or a reflector and have a general QSO. So there are two reviews on this radio on KZbin and neither make this clear. The advertising literature also does not make this clear. Buyer beware. Also, if this information has changed please reply so I know so I can make it work as I had intended it to and that is like a hotspot. But, as of the information I have this morning, this only works with callsign routing, which sucks. If you already have the ID-880h, there is no strong reason to "upgrade" to the 4100 (unless you really need the DR mode) the Access Point and Terminal modes are useless in the US. It feels like Icom just stole 460 bucks from me. I'm probably done with ICOM after they pulled this crap.

[@dustoff499]

brontoab1 I think Terminal and Access Point modes maybe for those that have not invested in DVAP or SharkRF etc.. So aside from a user friendly menu system/display, GPS and BT, the radio (as I see) is no different from the 880H. Again, no continuous dual band receive and the mic backlight is stuck at one color. For those that have the 880H you may be disappointed in this radio as an upgrade. I'll stick with my 880H for now. For those that do not have an 880H this I believe is a very good radio!

[@brontoab1]

Icoms product brochures clearly made it appear the the terminal and access point modes worked like a hot spot so I'm pretty disappointed that it doesn't. Even the review in this video clearly inferred those modes (well the access point mode) works like a hot spot when it doesn't. I just want to save people money because, as you also said, if you have the 880h, you may be disappointed. It's a good radio if it's your first dstar mobile however.

[@Sam-w9des]

what is call sign routing?

[@garthb100]

brontoab1 There is a gateway client for the Raspberry Pi that has been used on DVAPS and MMDVMS that now works on this radio. I have it setup and working. QnetGateway.

[@gcopter1963]

Access point mode is the same as other brands, you can only access the established modes for DSTAR. Now, if you want it to transcode to other formats: D* to DMR, YSF, P25, etc., you will need a "hotspot", such as the OpenSpot3, that has the AMBE vocoders built in and do the job. AFAIK, terminal mode allows you to access the D* network to REF, XRF, if you want it to access something else, then, you will need another gadget, such as a RaspberryPi running PiStar or the granddaddy of them all, an OpenSpot which will allow you to transcode your D* into other digital voice formats.

[@jano3681]

why they did it for the left hand operator? 99,99 TRXes has main knob on the right side to not cover display during operation.. ,

[@HJCF0520]

Looks like a great radio! It would be cool if it had APRS but I like the multiple color options. Great video.

[@Gump420]

It does but called DPRS just like the ID51

[@NuclearCowboyTube]

@@Gump420 Then it doesnt have APRS then does it..... DPRS works different than APRS

[@9999plato]

How can you sell a mobile radio with no mobile bracket??? I just got an IC5100 and its lacking the same necessary items. It just feels like they are nickle and diming you.

[@greenicemelt2659]

Hello great video ! Wondering what is a good mobile antenna for this 4100 radio ?

[@NarrowRoadAdventures]

Unfortunately the 5100 is not IOS/iPhone compatible. That is the main reason I am leaning towards buying the 4100. Right now I, a newbie, am debating do I go D-Star with Icom or APRS with another brand. Do you have any input on the subject?

[@TNsbeII]

Does it come with a cable to remote mount the display? if yes, how long it is?

[@buzzsah]

ic 4100 or whats the difference id 4100a?

[@jeangys]

ic 4100A came with the bracket ,4100 does not

[@ths3900]

A is America?

[@gcopter1963]

@@jeangys ummm..it doesn't...it's an added expense.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I was Surprised when I saw the Macclenny,Florida 145.250 on your screen.I did not know of a Digital repeater here in Macclenny in 2017 & I'm only about one mile from the repeater site which is now the AB4GE Repeaters & neither is a Digital Repeater.I know that call sign is from an Old SK who lived here but I knew nothing about that repeater?

[@gary5831]

at 4 and 1/2 bills its a bit pricey for a radio without dual receive. The small 800D size screen is a PIA mobile.

[@dustoff499]

gary s Actually once you use the radio for a time it's very easy to use - not a PIA. However... your correct, for this price there is no excuse for no continuos dual band receive. GPS maybe but personally, I could care less for BT.

[@dustoff499]

I don't get why they [all brands] include various color modes for the display, but have only a single color backlight for the mic. I guess I'm nit picking.

[@randyguay8606]

also an option to shut it off or at least a light sensor like a cell phone auto dim

[@3TQVK]

@@randyguay8606 They do

[@N9IBZED]

So I could use this radio like a simplex nodefor D-STAR and walk around town with a handheld like the ID-51 or the TH-D74 and connect to the network if I understand correctly the reason I ask is because the closest D-STAR repeater is over100 miles away and I don't want to get something that won't work for what I want it to do

[@gcopter1963]

You should. It all depends on your antenna setup. I tried this previously, with a YSF rig and antenna up in my attic.

[@N9IBZED]

@@gcopter1963 cool thanks

[@gcopter1963]

In my experience, having a antenna outside and high enough on a band that would carry your signal far, it's a beautiful thing and works like a repeater. Higher frequencies=better penetration while lower frequencies=longer distances, you need to get antennas for both VHF and UHF and see what works out.

[@N9IBZED]

@@gcopter1963 I will definitely look into it thanks

[@roostershooter76]

What are the advantages of Dstar? After all ... the available repeaters are minute compared to standard FM 2 meter repeaters,a no not a lot of people buy Icom with Dstar available.

[@pleaswaite]

New England has a ton of D-STAR repeaters available because PAVE-PAWS wiped out our 70cm analog repeaters. It's nice because the repeaters are linked up to the Internet reflectors and so you can get more traffic on the repeater. The downside is the crazy expense and the fact that the audio is meh.

[@gcopter1963]

In my case, I love the sound of digital voice. Analog is a dime a dozen. If you like analog, it's like tuning to an AM station in your car vs. FM. To each their own, I guess.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I keep forgetting how to use the Near Repeater function?

[@jackh7356]

Could not find the WA4TCD FB page as mentioned in the video. Please provide a link to the group. Thanks.

[@scottjohnston804]

agreed, could not find it, updated link?

[@robpataky2066]

It looks like the repeater list you can download from ICOM hasn't been updated since 9/2017. Is that correct?

[@3TQVK]

Probably Its only as good as the people that send the data to ICOM

[@9Z4Y]

Hello prepper, how do you use this rig on the Amateur Satellites, where the Uplink is a 70cm Freq, and the Downlink is a VHF freq? I wan tto be able to use both frequencies in the same memory channel, where the RX is a VHF freq, and the TX is a 70CM freq, can this be done? and if so, how? THANKS

[@3TQVK]

Better off with a 5100 Full Duplex If your serious for satelittes ID-9700

[@cmd0405862]

CAN THIS RADIO BE SET UP AS A BASE STATION AT HOME ? IF SO, IS THERE ANY VIDEOS SHOWING HOW TO GET THIS DONE ? THANKS.

[@joedidit3233]

Any mobile can be set up as a base station. Simply connect it to a good power supply, run good cable to a good 2 meter/70 cm base antenna of your choice.

[@jimchase7028]

When I try to run the programming software on WIN10 I keep getting some kind of error. Any suggestions?

[@seaningram3285]

Looks like the ID 880H.

[@widukind6340]

have this radio *DUAL WATCH*???

[@polian78]

After having the large touchscreen on the 5100, I feel that this one would drive me nuts to operate.

[@3TQVK]

I have an 880 and a 5100 Have used both mobile, I think the 880/4100 would be better the screen on the 5100 while driving is too big 4110 looks like a great radio A mobile ID 51 The coherence in sinology with in the new models is great Peter VK3TQ

[@timb3060]

Hey can you say me how to open 70cm Relais with the tone :D?

[@aaronlabranche2977]

How is the front end i want a solid front end

[@3TQVK]

In a digital radio, there is no algorithim for intermod or wind noise

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

Does this cross-band repeat?

[@3TQVK]

5100

[@HondaGuy2009]

These radios today are so complex

[@sergeplaut4217]

génial ce petit ID 4100!

[@twentyone3811]

Does this offer cross band repeater?

[@3TQVK]

5100 RTM

[@essa3769]

Good

[@Gump420]

Can you monitor both DSTAR and analog at the same time like you can with the ID 51??

[@JeffHochberg]

No you cannot. This radio doesn’t have dual VFOs.

[@3TQVK]

5100 works brilliantly

[@robertoellison8507]

I really hate that this mobile radio cannot even allow an analog repeater to be put into it except by computer only....I tried to put in my local repeater for a few hours but could not..

[@gcopter1963]

RTFM

[@soupdragon12345]

I’m a newbie also , taking my Technician license test . My question is , can I get on American link with this ? Thanks

[@jeangys]

What happened to 2 receivers and 800 MHz

[@duaneshuster6366]

(Jean) Yes wheres the twin band two volumes and two squelchs radios they need a comback $300 is fair for one them. For a normal dualband the Kenwood V71a is the best true twin bander. The digital radios ok but as many repeater operators can't keep the Internet connection going 24/7 analog will always keep people communicating

[@3TQVK]

@@duaneshuster6366 5100

[@duaneshuster6366]

I'm happy with V71A radio I had older one lost revive but there filters for on the PCB that go bad in earlier models I have that to a freind to keep repair for himself he ordered them and got cool radio . Like stimulus radio . Hey whatever your all into out there just miss them twin banders tyt radios got de-sense problems in crossband. Repeat go for name brand .

[@trevorputterill]

if you just supported APRS

[@polian78]

Well, if you have the GPS and D-PRS enabled, every time you key up your position will be sent to the APRS network

[@trevorputterill]

yeah i know just prefer aprs

[@ad4zuradio142]

I'm with you Trevor - They don't understand the difference. They think DPRS is APRS.

[@ertonyrn]

+AD4ZU RADIO pretty much same shit.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

Unless you get lost a lot why would anyone want someone tracking their position? Makes ZERO sense to me.

[@rogerfethkenher3726]

I live in Springfield MO,,, Can I use this radio to receive D-STAR where I live???

[@gcopter1963]

IF there are nearby DSTAR repeaters nearby...why not?

[@Chuckwagon524]

found a mobile PC you could use with USB Wireless broadband access and possibly interchange with radios. Maybe even program the radio in vehicle? Powered by 12v. www.mini-box.com/CarPC-Jetway-JNF694L-3350-M2-ATX?sc=8&category=1543

[@robertoellison8507]

I will have to get someone who knows computers to program the dang thing...

[@3TQVK]

all radios are like that thesedays

[@Joe4USMC]

15:13 Now we know where you live! Bwahahaha!!

[@billypoe3703]

Quit yelling! Or move the microphone away from you.

[@GLICKMIRE]

Another useless waste of time. All I am looking for is a video on basic programming of repeaters.

[@philparrish6914]

Read your manual instead of dissing all of the work others have done. Read the manual to learn how to use the radio and then YOU make a video telling others how to do it. Good grief!

[@GLICKMIRE]

@@philparrish6914 All I am saying is that he missed the mark on an "out of the box" review. He went straight to the advanced stuff. It's people like you that discourage viewers from making comments. Good Grief yourself!

[@philparrish6914]

@@GLICKMIRE You said nothing about that, you said you are looking for a programming video. The radio is easy to program manually by following the manual, and even easier using the Icom software. I had mine 'out of the box' and programmed within ½hr. It ain't that hard.

[@GLICKMIRE]

@@philparrish6914 I do program it using the manual. However, it does have a bit of a learning curve. Despite having this radio for a number of weeks, I still keep learning new stuff while programming and using it. I had to download the advanced manual for a lot of help. I am getting close to the point where I probably could make a video that would save folks a lot of legwork. If that happens, I will let you know.

[@3TQVK]

@@GLICKMIRE How hard is it ....really