Icom Showcases New ID-51A D-STAR Dual Band Portable Radio with Built-in GPS and Micro SD Compatibility
Icom Inc., industry-leading manufacturer in amateur (ham) radio products and parent company to Icom America Inc., announced the new
ID-51A Dual Band D-STAR portable at the annual Tokyo Ham
Fair in late August 2012. Evolving from Icom's popular ID-31A D-STAR portable, the ID-51A possesses new features including but not limited to:
dualwatch, 500 extra memory channels (for a total of 1,752 channels), automatic position reply (DV), repeater search functions and AM/FM Receivers.
"Saying the ID-51A is just a dual band D-STAR portable
does not give the complete picture," says Ray Novak, Icom America Division Manager – Amateur & Receiver Products." This powerful
new radio is the result of many requests from the D-STAR community."
The 5W VHF/UHF dual band transceiver is based on Icom's celebrated
ID-31A D-STAR handheld radio and retains key features
such as DV (digital) mode operation, built-in GPS, IPX7 Submersible, and Micro SD card accessibility. While slightly taller than the ID-31A to
accommodate a larger full dot matrix screen, the ID-51A has a natural fit and feel in a user’s hand. Similar to the ID-31A, a simple directional
keypad navigates through various menu settings and functions, including one-touch access to radio features such as a preloaded D-STAR repeater
directory.
The VHF/UHF ID-51A offers extended coverage and a robust feature set without compromising usability. The 144MHz/430MHz dual band transceiver can
receive two bands simultaneously: VHF/VHF, UHF/UHF, and VHF/UHF possible. Additionally, the radio's independent AM/FM receiver can receive broadcast
stations concurrently with the dualwatch function.
With a GPS receiver conveniently built-in, the ID-51A can provide automatic position reporting after receiving a call. The versatile handheld also
comes standard with a Micro SD card slot to store record incoming/outgoing calls and audio from the voice recorder function. GPS data logs
containing information such as latitude, longitude, course, speed and date can also be saved on the memory card and exported to a PC.
The ID-51A handheld generates 5W of RF output power on both VHF and UHF bands, with five power level settings (5, 2.5, 1, 0.5, and 0.1). This
lightweight portable is IPX7-rated, withstanding submersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. A voice synthesizer function announces
frequency, mode, and call sign—ideal for blind or sight-impaired amateurs. Additional features include TX voice memory (1 channel, 60 seconds)
for repeated calls, CSV formatted communication log, and a 10-step battery voltage indicator.
Pricing and release date for the ID-51A D-STAR Dual Band Transceiver is not available at this time. Interested parties should check Icom America's
website periodically for product updates on the ID-51A.
As of August 2012, this device has not been approved by the Federal Communications Commission, This device may not be sold
or leased, or be offered for sale, until approval from the FCC has been obtained.
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