these are by far Icom's best offering in a mobile radio. they are durable and well built. they program with a cheap cable and Icom is very good about selling software to non dealers ie HAMs and end users. this radio is capable of 128 conventional channels. Do NOT be tempted to get the next radio up the 521 or 621 to get more channels. It has an undersized PA and will fail. Stick with 121 and 221.

the radios can be programmed to operate in the ham band without any modification to the software or the radio. it has a front firing speaker that allows many mounting options. there are a range of accesories available like dtmf micrphones, desk micrphones, external speakers etc. there are also many option boards that can easily be installed in the radio supporting features like rolling code encryption, MDC-1200, Fleetsync etc. Havis and Jotto both make faceplates for their consoles for flush mounting.

these radios scan very well, and I find them excellent for monitoring public safety. they are also capable of some pretty sophisticated signalling. I have my UHF on my volunteer fire dept tones, so that when I need quiet time, the radio will be silent until a call gets toned out. I even programmed one for a customer to be capable of toning their dept out, as a backup dispatch point.



Here are two radios in a console, a VHF and a UHF, dirty but working fine for over a year.

I have over 100 of these radios out in the field and I never get returns for repair on these.

Special note for US Coast Guard Auxiliary personel. the icom f-121 is the only radio approved for both Auxnet and marine band use. Your comms officer should be able to program the required channels for you. You will need to be Auxcom qualified.

trunking users: this radio is capable of LTR and Smarttrunk trunking. However Icom does not support it. You will need to add the UT-105 or UT-111 option boards. My town uses LTR trunking and I have a 221 monitoring the system, despite Icom telling me it can't be done. the trunking is very limited and if you expect to use it more than casually I would recommend a different radio.

Advanced info: these radios can be turned into a repeater very easily. the proper cables, instructions even enclosures are available inexpensively. I have two of these configured as a 70cm repeater and it has been up without incident for two years. they even integrate seamlessly with most repeater controllers. this might also be useful for GMRS operators. You can put up a full featured repeater very inexpensively using these rigs. Most of this is plug and play, however in some instances soldering a blob on a jumper is required.

Lastly do not hesitate to get one of these radios. It has been my experience that when there is a good tough radio available it usually becomes discontinued. Obviously the radio companies want to sell you more higher tiered radios, that will break often. You will not be disappointed with this rig.