From: jdwhite@iastate.edu (Jason White)
Subject: Re: ICOM-2SRA: 2m and Scanner: How is it?
Keywords: ICOM
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 08:35:31 GMT

In article <jclarke.717904660@teal> jclarke@teal.csn.org (J Christopher Clarke) writes:
>	I am currently in the market for both a full range scanner and
>a new 2m HT.
[...]

>Any insight that someone may have, both the amateur world and the scanner 
>world would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>J. Christopher Clarke
>jclarke@taf.atmos.colostate.edu
>
I wipped up this little review a while back; hope this helps.


		IC-2SRA Review - Jason White (N0RWU)

   The 2SRA combines a 2m HT (140-150 Tx, 138-174 Rx) on one "side" and a
25-950 MHz continuous coverage receiver on the other.  The unit looks a lot 
like the W2A, except for the extra antenna.  The 2m antenna uses a standard
BNC connector, but the scanner antenna uses a 1/8" mono plug to connect to the
unit.  I have found this antenna to be inadequate for the serious scanner 
enthusiast.

   Unfortunately, the non-BNC plug makes finding a replacement antenna 
impossible.  To get around this problem, I hacked together an 1/8" male to BNC
female adapter.  I've located a mail-order electronics place that sells these
adapters; mail me for more information.  This allowed be to connect any BNC 
male type jack to the scanner side.  While this works, the antenna is quite 
flimsy and care must be taken to keep the antenna from falling off.  This 
isn't a problem unless you have the unit under your coat or something similar 
where the antenna may rub against your coat and come loose.  I lost the 
replacement antenna I bought, plus the adapter I made when the antenna rubbed
against my coat and fell off.  To fix this problem, I attached a piece of wire 
to the antenna and connected it to the screw that the wrist strap goes around. 
With a replacement scanner antenna installed, I feel the reception is better 
than the PRO-34 I owned.  The unit is very sensitive and, consequently, does 
suffer from intermod.  For me, this does not present a real problem.  I only 
have an occasional problem with one frequency out of 50.

   The ham side of the unit has 30 channels, one call channel, and two channels
that are used to program upper and lower scan limits for a total of 33
channels.  The scanner side has 60 channels, one call channel, and two channels
to program upper and lower scan limits for a total of 66 channels.  The unit 
scans at about 10 channels/sec on the scanner side and about 6 or 7 channels/
sec on the ham side.  The scanner side has FM, AM, & WFM modes as well as
selective scanning modes, lockout, priority, and delay functions.  It also has
a full DTMF keypad (including A-D) and four 15-digit DTMF memories.

   Each side of the unit has its own volume and squelch knobs.  The unit 
supports pager and code squelch functions and with the tone squelch unit 
(included in the American version) also allows pocket beep and tone squelch
functions.  You can program one personal code and up to 5 group codes.

The LCD display is quite readable and each side has its own s-meter.  You can
simultaneously listen to both sides of the unit, which can be kind of confusing
at times.  Still, it has some nice applications.

Other features the unit has are: auto power off after 30 or 60 min, power saver
modes, clock, auto power-on (can be used like an alarm clock by setting
the scanner side to a business radio band and having the unit turn on at a
specific time), backlit display lighting.  The unit also has programmable
sub-audible tone and repeater offset frequencies for each channel.  
All in all, everything you'd probably want in a 2m HT.

The American version comes with the BP-82 battery back.  This pack will last
you about 3-3.5 hours in receive mode, less if you transmit.  I recommend
the BP-90, which allows you to use 6 AA batteries, which will last much longer.
With the BP-85 12 volt battery pack the unit can transmit a full 5 Watts.  I 
would also recommend getting the protective case (~$20).

Conclusions:

   I'm quite pleased with this unit.  It provides a 2m rig for the Ham and
a "scanner" for those of us who don't want to carry two separate units around.
It may suffer from a bit of intermod, but I find this to be more than 
tolerable.  The scanner side antenna will probably suffice for the average
enthusiast, but some will want to get the 1/8" mini to BNC female and get a
different one.  I would recommend this radio to anyone who wants the combined
abilities of a 2m HT and a decent continuous coverage scanner.

--
Jason White, Durham Center Operations   // Internet: jdwhite@iastate.edu
95 Durham Center, ISU                  //    Bitnet: jdwhite%iastate.edu@isumvs
Ames, Iowa  50011-2041		      // 
W:(515) 294-2256  H:(515) 232-1092   //  N0RWU, V.P. Cyclone Amateur Radio Club



-- 
Jason White, Durham Center Operations   // Internet: jdwhite@iastate.edu
95 Durham Center, ISU                  //    Bitnet: jdwhite%iastate.edu@isumvs
Ames, Iowa  50011-2041		      // 
W:(515) 294-2256  H:(515) 232-1092   //  N0RWU, V.P. Cyclone Amateur Radio Club
Newsgroups: alt.radio.scanner