Icom IC-A6 unit, best price? any ideas...

[JP27]

Hi

Anybody know where I might get the best deal on an Icom IC-A6 unit in the UK at all please? Also need the earpiece headset (not the ear defender style one) to go with it.

Ideas welcomed!

Cheers
JP27

[rotorspin]

Hi there

are you looking for a new unit?

I am about to put one on Ebay - will send you the link when it is up?

[JP27]

thanks, What model is this?

[MightyGem]

Try these:
http://www.transair.co.uk/icom_transceivers.asp?SID=1&Category_ID=1936 (http://www.transair.co.uk/icom_transceivers.asp?SID=1&Category_ID=1936)
http://www.av8-pilotshop.co.uk/icom-radio-32-c.asp (http://www.av8-pilotshop.co.uk/icom-radio-32-c.asp)
http://www.ballooning.fsnet.co.uk/icom/icom.htm (http://www.ballooning.fsnet.co.uk/icom/icom.htm)
http://www.hamradio.co.uk/acatalog/Air-Band_Transceivers.html (http://www.hamradio.co.uk/acatalog/Air-Band_Transceivers.html)
http://www.radioworld.co.uk/~radio/catalog/icom-ica6-portable-transceiver-p-6175.html (http://www.radioworld.co.uk/~radio/catalog/icom-ica6-portable-transceiver-p-6175.html)
http://www.apexradio.co.uk/icom-ic-a6-portable-vhf-com-transceiver-pro-pack-138.htm (http://www.apexradio.co.uk/icom-ic-a6-portable-vhf-com-transceiver-pro-pack-138.htm)

[Jofm5]

Does it have to be the icom ?

I have the Vertex VXA-300 which is much the same on spec, but its a bit cheaper and you get the headset adapter included in the box it is also water resistant should that be of interest to you if you fly over water frequently. It feels a solid bit of kit but have yet to use it in anger.

[muffin]

If you buy an Icom A6, make sure you test it with your own headset first. There have been a lot of RF feedback problems with these when used with some headsets.

See here FLYER Forums • View topic - Feedback problems using GA headsets with Icom handhelds (http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40919&p=562521&hilit=+Icom+A6#p562521)

[GyroSteve]

Echoing the comments above - the A6 isn't a great radio for a number of reasons, unlike most of its predecessors in the Icom range.

I'll put my hand up here - I sell Vertex VXA-220 radios, they are a fraction of the price of the A6, have great features and work really well. The downside is that there aren't as many aftermarket accessories available (eg cheap speaker-mics) so you are stuck with the OEM ones. They also use an SMA connector for the antenna instead of the more standard BNC, so if you want to hook it in to an existing radio setup you need a couple of pounds worth of SMA-BNC adapter.