Hi Bob! Thanks so much for the video. I'm going to buy one of the Icom ID-5100a units this week and I really appreciate the time and detail you put into this radio. Thanks for your thoughts at the end as well. Videos like this are a service to the Ham community. 73, George N3GLD Dallas, TX
I just purchased a 5100a and am learning how to use it. Nice video. I noticed one good reason for formatting the SD card in the radio is that it will set up the directory structure that it needs.
Great Review Robert and totally unbiased! Not a big Icom fan but really done the radio justice. Im new to this Digital system and youve given me a real insight. All the best from the UK 73s from M6GZB
Great review by the way, one other thing I did that was worth the $24.99+ tax was I bought a two pack screen guard for a tablet, cut to size and applied it to protect the touch screen. There is enough material to do three more replacements.
Hi there great video review, I really enjoyed it! I'd like to know what settings do you suggest in the TX audio menu, ie Bass boost on /off, treble etc? Many thanks.
Great video Bob! Thanks for doing this and I think (if I may speak for others as well) we'd appreciate any follow ups or reviews of other radios. 73's de N2VU
Great video! Initially, I want to say how you had great natural lighting, a probably perfect overcast conditions that were almost Hollywood quality that directors and producers look for and wished they could control the weather to achieve! Your showing of the radio's abilities was wonderfully detailed! I'm currently waiting for one to be delivered from HRO with all the accessories that I could afford like the "nifty desk mounting bracket" for example, as well as the "MARS/CAP" modification as I did with the Icom 7300. And yes, the "audio features" that I might enhance with studio-quality microphones later. Thank you for your time and effort here. KD8EFQ/73
Thank You Bob for this very detailed and informative review!! I agree with all of your pro & cons. I would really like to see a color screen on this radio. I just can't imagine that a color screen would cost that much more. The new Yaesu FTM-400DR has a color touch screen which is very pleasing to the eyes. I also agree that the Bluetooth option as well as mounting brackets should be included for the price. Keep up the good work!! 73 de Jerry (WR5G)
very good evaluation, i agree completely, and yeah you definitely should get the mount and bluetooth included, specially with china spitting them out at almost half the price great job 35 minutes very well spent!
Thanks for sharing. Very informative video. New to the hobby and trying to figure out which one to buy. Does the 5100 have an integral tnc or just a jack for a separate external tnc? 73 KC1ERO.
with the bluetooth/android app, does it give you functionality for public service to see people who are transmitting DPRS data on lets say simple or over the repeater to show their current position on a map or is it just repeaters only?
Thank-you for the review. I agree with you on what is missing. Also one big big problem is the internal fan is very noisy after you have keyed the MIC. I am trying to relocate the radio unit my hand shack bench to help with this. Apart from that is a good device.
which repeater in HotSprings is dstar capable? I know John AD5FU has been busy adding dstar nodes. All I have the ID 51a and I tried getting on the one at VA at LR, IN the VA, I still couldn't get out but I did talk to someone in digital mode but he was the site owner.
Icom does color monitors. I wonder why they skipped that? Maybe a “5200?” My 7000 (w/ color screen) is still plugging along. I’ve got your mic upgrade in it. I was mobile near Quartzite, AZ and made contact with a guy in Jakarta, Indonesia. He complimented my audio quality. Thank you.
I found your video very informative and then somebody must have listened to you because I just bought the radio today and looking forward to getting a program didn't everything else and the mounting bracket is also in the box so someone listen to you well 73 from KD2JLH
Out of probably a hundred radios I've owned in 48 years of hamming, the 5100 is the only radio a missed after selling. I upgraded to the Ic-9700, but it doesn't do what the 5100 does. the 5100 is the ideal dual-bander.
I have to agree with you Bob. The items not included will hurt ICOM if they don't start including them with there radios. I want a color screen, I want an app for my apple devices too. Not giving us the Bluetooth module, mounting bracket, and Dual digital receive that's just greedy.. Great review keep up the good work! BTW I just bought the radio, mounting bracket antenna ext speaker ... and I think its great .. 73 N3KCA
They are not as bad as Elecraft where almost everything is optional and their "MFJ-ish" case design is stuck in the 1990 era. LOL. They are even more greedy than Icom.
Since this radio is a few years old, would you think this would be a good radio for a beginner? I am looking for one for my Jeep. I just passed my tech class this past monday, still waiting to get my cll sign, but looking for a good radio for my Jeep. Thanks for the replay if you have time to answer and I hope you have a blessed week. This is an excellent videos, Subbed you as well.
I still think the 5100 i the best mobile radio available. The Yaesu FTM-400 is the competition and it has had problems. Also, C4FM doesn't sound as good as Dstar in my opinion. C4FM's high-quality mode isn't used by repeaters and WiresX. DN low quality mode sounds like krud. Icom has made really easy to operate interfaces now with their touch screens. Just get the RT systems software and cable to program it. That makes it SO easy. I use my 5100 more than any other radio daily. Look for a deal.
Your costing me money Robert! I saw your video and was on the fence about buying the radio but now I have to get it. So many features. I have the D74 and enjoy it but I will love the 5100. You mentioned having a Public Service bank of frequencies. Are they D Star Public Service or just FM stations? Let me know. All the best.
Antonio- They are FM. There are still plenty of FM systems. FRS-GMRS in the USA is full of activity.. and the stores all use HT's on the Motorola "color" frequencies "Red Dot etc". You will really like the 5100...the screen is excellent too...I tell my friends- if you spend time with me, you will spend some money- but you will be very happy!
Can you do a detailed video on starting with DStar from how to select your main repeater to registering and getting on the air as well as setting up a DV simplex frequency. I'm lost with DStar.
Well, it's been 9 years since I had that radio! it is a deep subject, but getting on DSTAR itself is not complicated. I just checked on UA-cam and there are a ton of how-to videos on the ID-5100 and Dstar. The basic concept is that first you need to go to the website of the local club that has a Dstar repeater. Register there and you'll then be IN the Dstar system. The next and prime concept is that you set up memories in your 5100 (in a separate bank) just for Dstar. The reflectors are basically computer-based repeaters. 1C, 4B and a few others are the main ones. Your radio issues the connect command to the reflector by sending a connect command. On a memory that has the local repeater freq in it - there is a field in the memory for the command. (use the PC programming software!!!) REF001CL would be the text you put there to connect with 1C (1 charlie). It has to be 8 digits long. REF004BL would be to connect with 4B (all Texas). You make "connect" memory channels for each reflector you like to use. Then you have two other channels (with that same local repeater freq or home hotspot freq) one which has CQCQCQ and one which has "U". Once you key up on the connect channel, the repeater (or home hotspot) will read out in voice that you are connected. Then you switch over to the CQCQCQ memory channel you set up- for QSO'ing. If you don't key in 10 minutes, it will disconnect. If you switch to the U channel you set up , it will disconnect when you key up. That's it. The Dstar (DR?) mode in the radio uses the GPS to locate the nearest Dstar repeaters. I never used it. Snag a hotspot from Ebay and set it up. Dstar is pretty boring anyhow...but worth trying. Good luck! Bob
I was disappointed when I bought the ID-51 that when I was using a DVAP, that I could not use the repeater database, but had to enter any links myself. Is the 5100 the same in this respect - ie : does Icom recognize the existence of Dplus !
yeah man im just wondering, on my 5100 if one person is talking on one side , and the second side both at the same time. I thought it was supposed to mute the sub and allow the main side to be heard, not both at the same time. I have only one speaker hooked up, do i need a second speaker ....one for each side , or is this a problem with my unit???
I have just got licensed. I live in a small home on small lot on Long Island NY. For use in the house what antenna would you suggest? Compact size of full size ant? I am thinking of getting a 5100.
Bob- I'm originally from New Hyde Park... know your dilemma. I like the 17 foor fiberglass dual banders. The workman brand are the cheapest...and the Diamond are the best. Comet is the in-between quality, but closer to a diamond. Go by the price. Main thing is to use the SHORTEST length of LMR-400 coax. DO NOT skimp on the coax. LMR-400 is ideal. You'll be a happy camper for sure!
Good evening sir I have the same Radio Id 5100a it’s still in the box. I’m just wondering what the best antenna for this kind of radio a mobile antenna
OK..does price matter? If so, the ID-51A is it. Best audio of all Dstar radios. Best total functionality? IC-7100. Very low price now and amazing scope of operation. That said, I use my ID-5100 all day every day. It's a joy to use.
Great job!!! Great review... I would like to ask what is your comments with the years about touch screen...is it still responds good when you touched it? Or please inform us about generally screening problems! Thanks a lot... SV4IMN GREECE
So I live in Arizona, and the sun is brutal here. If I install this in my car, can I remove the control head at work to get it out of the sun and put it back after work without having to fiddle with settings?
Good evening Sir. I have the same radio ID 5100a it’s still in the box. I’m just wondering if you can tell me what’s the best mobile antenna for this kind of radio..
The best antenna in my opinion would be a Diamond SG7700. If you have room for more height, the SG7900. You must not use a magnetic mount. Get the edge clip design to ground the antenna.
Robert, Another great review. I bought the ID-51A HT after watching your review on that item. Now it looks like I'm going to have to "pony up" and purchase the 5100A too. Thanks for that! hihi I agree with you on all your observations, likes, and dislikes and would like to add another dislike. Why is the MIC jack only on the main body of the radio??? It's not very convenient in a mobile installation to route one more cable, plus the inconvenience of having to make your own or purchase an extension. I'm sure it's just a straight through Cat5 RJ-45, and at the price point of the radio, should have been included along with the mounting brackets. I like to be on the bleeding edge and have the Yaesu FTM-400DR too. Yaesu did right with the large color screen, but just like Icom, Yaesu missed the mark on a MIC jack on the control head. And so far, between the ID-51A and the FTM-400DR the Yaesu Fusion repeater digital audio is a little more pleasing to my ear than the Icom digital signals. But that's just my opinion. I'm looking forward to your next video.
Carl- It IS a wonderful rig. So easy to operate...no real complaints...but as I said, there are always things they could have done better. Those cost more money...ha.. You'd be very happy with one. I did upgrade my mic and am getting better audio too. if you get one, check me out at AB5N dot com
Nice unit! Would be more useful if the display was reversed ie: dark back ground white or blue letters. Driving at night with a bright background is annoying. Jmho. 73 Tod kc9rka
Got them both...Love the screen on the FTM400...but there is a kill shot. It doesn't have memory banks. Yup..no way to separate your logical groups of channels. That's not good at all. I use the 5100 in the base and 400 in the car...might swap them out..
The Bluetooth UT-133 is nearly worthless. It won;t connect to any newer Bluetooth devices. I could not connect it to my Samsung Galaxy S5 or any of my Samsung Android tablets. Tech support said that it only works with very old Bluetooth devices (Version 2.1 - 3.0). What were they thinking when they released this product? I think this is the last Icom I ever buy.
I own a 5100 as well. I have to say I agree with you on the missing mounts and other items. Looking at a $1061.65 for a Dual bander with all the "Options" THAT ARE NOT OPTIONAL??? I think we should all leave the "Options" sitting on Icom's shelf. Nothing speaks louder to corporations as lost funds. For less that $20.00 I made my own mounts and mic extension cable. So again let Icom keep there $332.70 options. The Android App is a cool feature but for me I don't see the need. So I don't see that as a stand apart feature. I do like that it started out with Android. I am so over the overrated IPhone BS.
Absolutely. I think Icom HQ may have a slightly distorted view of the American ham. Just because we are older and have deeper pockets, we are not necessarily going to just add 50% more to the purchase price to get the official Icom accessories. In most cases, these are cheap-to-produce items which they sub-out to China. If a mobile rig is going to cost this much...it needs to be fully capable of it's enhanced features. The Chinese rigs are going to include all the small items. Don't push us towards Chinese products.
Robert Nagy You should live in the UK to feel like you are getting ripped off! Yes we can have our radio equipment shipped from the US but what if we have a fault and have to send it back to the dealer. I have just bought this radio. First D-Star for me. My club and local RAYNET use this radio although suitable repeaters are miles from me and too far. Thanks for review and I look forward to watching your D-star and reflector vids. 73- MW6OZO
Question!! Has anyone used the "auto-off" on the radio? I have mine set to 30 minutes and have come back out to my car 8 hours later with a (luckily) still on radio about to kill my battery. I immediately reported this issue to tech support and chatted back and forth with a "Mike" who almost the same day replied and basically wrote off my concern and said he could not replicate the problem. GEE THANKS ICOM! So I then spent the next 3 DAYS scientifically trying every combination of radio settings to figure out where the hang up is with "Auto-Off". I tested everything from what band was on each side of the radio, squelch levels, activity (audio) on the radio, what SIDE the radio had activity (audio), having digital vs analog stations on, dr mode vs not, and MANY others. realize to do testing this specific each "change" on the radio would then need 30 mins of doing nothing to test the auto-off. After spending nearly 3 days trying endless combos all while NOT getting paid as a "tech" at ICOM but somehow doing "tech" work I narrowed it down to having ANY side of the radio with the volume knob turned up past 9 o' clock. So, those of you with 5100A please test this out on yours and let me know if the same happens. I find a pretty significant bug and Icom swats me away like a fly. I have reached out to ""Mike" about this and all I get are very generic "I can't replicate your problem" responses. gee thanks. Set your auto-off to 30 minutes. Tune to your fave Local repeater. Set audio 75% or greater... knob pointed at about 9 o clock.
I agree with the Bluetooth and bracket. I also agree with the Chinese, they will push the Japanese out off the US market, I rather buy Japanese, actually I’d rather buy American but that won’t happen!
Hello Bob: Great review! Are you planning to file a review of the ID-7100? I'm interested in how the ID-5100 and the ID-7100 compare in D-star mode. And of course how well it performed on HF. I'm travelling world wide for business and want to have a semi-portable unit running at a max. of 15w out of the cigarette lighter. Thanks, 8P6RC
My question mark and exclamation point are side by side on my phone, I guess I hit the question mark , without paying attention. My apologies there was nothing questionable about it, it was a great video.
I never in my life bought a icom radio because it don't come with no mounting bracket what is next no mic and the other problem is like the ic 7000 ic 7200 ic 7100 ID 5100 all those radio you have to spend money for mod the mic and the radios the price to way hi on top of that you have to spend 40 buck on the bracket and free software I buy KENWOOD radio look the D 72 look at the TH-74 with Dstar the v71 with ECHOLINK ready the 710G come with bracket best APRS radio I bet you KENWOOD will come with a replacement for the KENWOOD 710G it going to be a Mobil like the TH 74 but mobile the only I will buy from icom it will be a base radio but handheld mobile like the 7100 or 2 meter ni way Another point the new TH74 the screen is in color compare that with the 51 plus with no color
I've never heard of a MOBILE amateur radio NOT coming with a mounting bracket except for Icom. Most of my gear is Kenwood branded but they at least include mounting brackets as they always have. This is just a way for Icom to charge people more money because most folks are going to want a bracket and they KNOW this. This is just a chicken shit way of making people pay more than the advertised price.
Yeah that's kind of a bad point for a mobile radio. Having to purchase the mounting bracket a la carte is not a good thing, esp at the price charged for it. All mobile radios should ship with a mounting bracket, period, end of story.
Too many tales of fading screens for me. PLUS . NO BRACKET? That only comes with the deluxe version. Hyper-greedy Icom. Icom's pricing policy with DStar kit is no doubt one big reason for the ham public's massive migration to DMR, at the expense of the DStar infrastructure.
Well, EVERY person that has an issue with the 5100 will post a rant. The other 95% of people that love the rig...2% of them will post a comment. I miss my 5100 more than any rig I have ever sold. Bought the 9700 and I never turn it on.
For me this is useless and doesn't do anything my phone, gps, radio, camera or laptop can't do. This item appears to be made for people that just want more useless stuff crammed into yet another device. It's as if this was created to reduce the sales of other devices from different manufacturers. This 5100 is a mobile phone with Icom written on it. Why does anyone need this ? Everyone already has all the devices that do what this radio does. This radio was invented to do the same thing as brightly coloured lures in a fishing tackle shop - To attract more sales and make more money. I think this radio is made for the same reason as why they make people keep upgrading their phones and computers..... In 10 years this radio will be defunct and useless. I love Icom and have lots of their radios. Two of my favourites are the 2300H and T70A portable. They will still work 100 years from now. I guess I will cop abuse and get told where to shove my vacuum tubes because of my comments here......
Icon has decided to be the RIP OFF radio company. Stupidly outrageous high prices plus selling gear barren so that all needed accessories must be purchased at more rip off prices. I am so eager to give Icom $15,999. for their new HF 7851 xcvr.
The modification you made to my Icom 7000 microphone was outstanding . This was a great video .
Hi Bob!
Thanks so much for the video. I'm going to buy one of the Icom ID-5100a units this week and I really appreciate the time and detail you put into this radio. Thanks for your thoughts at the end as well. Videos like this are a service to the Ham community.
73,
George N3GLD
Dallas, TX
+George DeLoach I am next on the list! Excellent video.
Thanks for this video! By far one of the best ones! I appreciate you showing the features right up front. Thanks & 73!
Awesome video Bob, I made several changes in my own 5100 and learned quite a few new settings I cold make.
Thanks for your time,, Cheers,
I just purchased a 5100a and am learning how to use it. Nice video. I noticed one good reason for formatting the SD card in the radio is that it will set up the directory structure that it needs.
Gratulálok Róbert! További sok sikert!
Köszönöm! Minőségi videókat próbálok készíteni. Nincs képzelet, csak jó információ.
Nice review Bob. I know a lot more about this radio now from watching this video. 73, K2AK
Just obtained a 5100A and am starting to learn about D-Star. Thanks for the great presentation! Mark/AE1MS
Excellent narration. A very helpful video! Thanks
Great Review Robert and totally unbiased! Not a big Icom fan but really done the radio justice. Im new to this Digital system and youve given me a real insight. All the best from the UK 73s from M6GZB
Bob Thanks for the great Video again regards from Holland
Great review by the way, one other thing I did that was worth the $24.99+ tax was I bought a two pack screen guard for a tablet, cut to size and applied it to protect the touch screen. There is enough material to do three more replacements.
Hi there great video review, I really enjoyed it!
I'd like to know what settings do you suggest in the TX audio menu, ie Bass boost on /off, treble etc?
Many thanks.
Nice video, I added it to my ID-5100A playlist.
Great film well done very interesting..
Great video sir, thank you!!
Looks like a great toy to fiddle about with hahaha. I saw a 5100A on sale, save and own one within a month. :)
Bob, You made a very clear presentation on the ID-5100 ... I have the 51A and will consider to upgrade to the bigger unit - maybe. I love my 51 A ..
+Tom Small I was going to buy a 51A Plus until I saw this one LOL :)
The REMOTE HEAD Mounting bracket and Radio Mounting Brackets now come STANDARD in the ICOM ID-5100 DELUX model star date 2018
Great video Bob! Thanks for doing this and I think (if I may speak for others as well) we'd appreciate any follow ups or reviews of other radios. 73's de N2VU
GREAT video, thanks so much.
Great video! Initially, I want to say how you had great natural lighting, a probably perfect overcast conditions that were almost Hollywood quality that directors and producers look for and wished they could control the weather to achieve!
Your showing of the radio's abilities was wonderfully detailed! I'm currently waiting for one to be delivered from HRO with all the accessories that I could afford like the "nifty desk mounting bracket" for example, as well as the "MARS/CAP" modification as I did with the Icom 7300. And yes, the "audio features" that I might enhance with studio-quality microphones later.
Thank you for your time and effort here.
KD8EFQ/73
Thank You Bob for this very detailed and informative review!! I agree with all of your pro & cons. I would really like to see a color screen on this radio. I just can't imagine that a color screen would cost that much more. The new Yaesu FTM-400DR has a color touch screen which is very pleasing to the eyes. I also agree that the Bluetooth option as well as mounting brackets should be included for the price. Keep up the good work!! 73 de Jerry (WR5G)
Great practice for the 7100 as well!
One of the best reviews ever. Really fine
So helpful. Thanks
Thanks for the video.
Not for packet radio 9k6?
No integrated sound card, CAT over USB?
(my Standard C520 was able to do cross band repeater..)
very good evaluation, i agree completely, and yeah you definitely should get the mount and bluetooth included, specially with china spitting them out at almost half the price great job 35 minutes very well spent!
Thanks for sharing. Very informative video. New to the hobby and trying to figure out which one to buy. Does the 5100 have an integral tnc or just a jack for a separate external tnc? 73 KC1ERO.
Great review !
An excellent video!
with the bluetooth/android app, does it give you functionality for public service to see people who are transmitting DPRS data on lets say simple or over the repeater to show their current position on a map or is it just repeaters only?
Robert, would it be possible to run this in the house and in the truck/taking it back and forth? what antenna( or antenna's) do I need for both uses?
Also, does the Icom mapping show other stations like the ken wood Avmap unit? 73 KC1ERO
Great review
Thank-you for the review. I agree with you on what is missing. Also one big big problem is the internal fan is very noisy after you have keyed the MIC. I am trying to relocate the radio unit my hand shack bench to help with this.
Apart from that is a good device.
Mike- You can change it in the menu settings ... I guess even low is still noisy..indeed, I need to move mine also.
which repeater in HotSprings is dstar capable? I know John AD5FU has been busy adding dstar nodes. All I have the ID 51a and I tried getting on the one at VA at LR, IN the VA, I still couldn't get out but I did talk to someone in digital mode but he was the site owner.
Icom does color monitors. I wonder why they skipped that? Maybe a “5200?” My 7000 (w/ color screen) is still plugging along. I’ve got your mic upgrade in it. I was mobile near Quartzite, AZ and made contact with a guy in Jakarta, Indonesia. He complimented my audio quality. Thank you.
I found your video very informative and then somebody must have listened to you because I just bought the radio today and looking forward to getting a program didn't everything else and the mounting bracket is also in the box so someone listen to you well 73 from KD2JLH
Out of probably a hundred radios I've owned in 48 years of hamming, the 5100 is the only radio a missed after selling. I upgraded to the Ic-9700, but it doesn't do what the 5100 does. the 5100 is the ideal dual-bander.
Thanks!
I have to agree with you Bob. The items not included will hurt ICOM if they don't start including them with there radios. I want a color screen, I want an app for my apple devices too. Not giving us the Bluetooth module, mounting bracket, and Dual digital receive that's just greedy.. Great review keep up the good work! BTW I just bought the radio, mounting bracket antenna ext speaker ... and I think its great .. 73 N3KCA
I too was blown away by the lack of a mounting bracket. I also agree about having software for Apple devices. Especially for the MacBookPro.
They are not as bad as Elecraft where almost everything is optional and their "MFJ-ish" case design is stuck in the 1990 era. LOL. They are even more greedy than Icom.
Agree Andrew.
Great review Bob. Do you know if the FM repeaters list will be automatically updated or do you have to import them?
Nope, not automatically updated. Looks like DstarInfo.com is the source for this
list. They also have install instructions...take care!
Since this radio is a few years old, would you think this would be a good radio for a beginner? I am looking for one for my Jeep. I just passed my tech class this past monday, still waiting to get my cll sign, but looking for a good radio for my Jeep. Thanks for the replay if you have time to answer and I hope you have a blessed week. This is an excellent videos, Subbed you as well.
I still think the 5100 i the best mobile radio available. The Yaesu FTM-400 is the competition and it has had problems. Also, C4FM doesn't sound as good as Dstar in my opinion. C4FM's high-quality mode isn't used by repeaters and WiresX. DN low quality mode sounds like krud. Icom has made really easy to operate interfaces now with their touch screens. Just get the RT systems software and cable to program it. That makes it SO easy. I use my 5100 more than any other radio daily. Look for a deal.
Thanks for the vid and nicely done. But slow down, Bob. Whew, remember, we're hearing this for the first time!
Your costing me money Robert! I saw your video and was on the fence about buying the radio but now I have to get it. So many features. I have the D74 and enjoy it but I will love the 5100. You mentioned having a Public Service bank of frequencies. Are they D Star Public Service or just FM stations? Let me know. All the best.
Antonio- They are FM. There are still plenty of FM systems. FRS-GMRS in the USA is full of activity.. and the stores all use HT's on the Motorola "color" frequencies "Red Dot etc". You will really like the 5100...the screen is excellent too...I tell my friends- if you spend time with me, you will spend some money- but you will be very happy!
Does anyone know how to switch to the reverse repeater frequency on this guy? I have been able to find ZERO info on it
Can the list that suggests nearest repeaters be updated with regular FM repeaters as well or is it strictly DV?
Yes, regular FM as well.
Can you do a detailed video on starting with DStar from how to select your main repeater to registering and getting on the air as well as setting up a DV simplex frequency. I'm lost with DStar.
Well, it's been 9 years since I had that radio! it is a deep subject, but getting on DSTAR itself is not complicated. I just checked on UA-cam and there are a ton of how-to videos on the ID-5100 and Dstar. The basic concept is that first you need to go to the website of the local club that has a Dstar repeater. Register there and you'll then be IN the Dstar system. The next and prime concept is that you set up memories in your 5100 (in a separate bank) just for Dstar. The reflectors are basically computer-based repeaters. 1C, 4B and a few others are the main ones. Your radio issues the connect command to the reflector by sending a connect command. On a memory that has the local repeater freq in it - there is a field in the memory for the command. (use the PC programming software!!!) REF001CL would be the text you put there to connect with 1C (1 charlie). It has to be 8 digits long. REF004BL would be to connect with 4B (all Texas). You make "connect" memory channels for each reflector you like to use. Then you have two other channels (with that same local repeater freq or home hotspot freq) one which has CQCQCQ and one which has "U". Once you key up on the connect channel, the repeater (or home hotspot) will read out in voice that you are connected. Then you switch over to the CQCQCQ memory channel you set up- for QSO'ing. If you don't key in 10 minutes, it will disconnect. If you switch to the U channel you set up , it will disconnect when you key up. That's it. The Dstar (DR?) mode in the radio uses the GPS to locate the nearest Dstar repeaters. I never used it. Snag a hotspot from Ebay and set it up. Dstar is pretty boring anyhow...but worth trying. Good luck! Bob
I was disappointed when I bought the ID-51 that when I was using a DVAP, that I could not use the repeater database, but had to enter any links myself. Is the 5100 the same in this respect - ie : does Icom recognize the existence of Dplus !
yeah man im just wondering, on my 5100 if one person is talking on one side , and the second side both at the same time. I thought it was supposed to mute the sub and allow the main side to be heard, not both at the same time. I have only one speaker hooked up, do i need a second speaker ....one for each side , or is this a problem with my unit???
well thanks anyway..................
I have just got licensed. I live in a small home on small lot on Long Island NY. For use in the house what antenna would you suggest? Compact size of full size ant? I am thinking of getting a 5100.
Bob- I'm originally from New Hyde Park... know your dilemma. I like the 17 foor fiberglass dual banders. The workman brand are the cheapest...and the Diamond are the best. Comet is the in-between quality, but closer to a diamond. Go by the price. Main thing is to use the SHORTEST length of LMR-400 coax. DO NOT skimp on the coax. LMR-400 is ideal. You'll be a happy camper for sure!
Good evening sir I have the same Radio Id 5100a it’s still in the box. I’m just wondering what the best antenna for this kind of radio a mobile antenna
If you were only able to have 1 of 3 dstar radios, which would you choose. ID-51a, ID-5100, or IC-7100?
OK..does price matter? If so, the ID-51A is it. Best audio of all Dstar radios. Best total functionality? IC-7100. Very low price now and amazing scope of operation. That said, I use my ID-5100 all day every day. It's a joy to use.
Great job!!!
Great review...
I would like to ask what is your comments with the years about touch screen...is it still responds good when you touched it?
Or please inform us about generally screening problems!
Thanks a lot...
SV4IMN GREECE
No, no screen problems. This is one of the best radios for mobile or home use...
Please do more reviews! Haha
So I live in Arizona, and the sun is brutal here. If I install this in my car, can I remove the control head at work to get it out of the sun and put it back after work without having to fiddle with settings?
Yes, all the memories etc are held in the control head. Bob
Good evening Sir. I have the same radio ID 5100a it’s still in the box. I’m just wondering if you can tell me what’s the best mobile antenna for this kind of radio..
The best antenna in my opinion would be a Diamond SG7700. If you have room for more height, the SG7900. You must not use a magnetic mount. Get the edge clip design to ground the antenna.
Robert,
Another great review. I bought the ID-51A HT after watching your review on that item. Now it looks like I'm going to have to "pony up" and purchase the 5100A too. Thanks for that! hihi
I agree with you on all your observations, likes, and dislikes and would like to add another dislike. Why is the MIC jack only on the main body of the radio??? It's not very convenient in a mobile installation to route one more cable, plus the inconvenience of having to make your own or purchase an extension. I'm sure it's just a straight through Cat5 RJ-45, and at the price point of the radio, should have been included along with the mounting brackets.
I like to be on the bleeding edge and have the Yaesu FTM-400DR too. Yaesu did right with the large color screen, but just like Icom, Yaesu missed the mark on a MIC jack on the control head. And so far, between the ID-51A and the FTM-400DR the Yaesu Fusion repeater digital audio is a little more pleasing to my ear than the Icom digital signals. But that's just my opinion.
I'm looking forward to your next video.
Carl- It IS a wonderful rig. So easy to operate...no real complaints...but as I said, there are always things they could have done better. Those cost more money...ha.. You'd be very happy with one. I did upgrade my mic and am getting better audio too. if you get one, check me out at AB5N dot com
what antenna would you recommend using for a vehicle/mobile use? i want to order everything at once. great video. it made my choice a lot easier!
I like the Diamond SG7500A. Comet makes the same design for a few bucks less.
Diamond SG7900 Im on my second in 20 years Out performs every thing
Pete VK3TQ
+Peter Willmott 2nd that... on the tri-mag mount.
Do you have to modify radio to Rx/Tx GMRS frequencies?
Yes and it is easy to do. I have all separate banks in mine..FRS/GMRS....Business...aircraft..etc
@@Yavor54 do you have to unsolder in radio on the motherboard?
Could any one explain what is the difference between the Icom 5100 with golden lines surrounded the screen and the one which has silver lines
whaaaa?
Nice unit! Would be more useful if the display was reversed ie: dark back ground white or blue letters. Driving at night with a bright background is annoying. Jmho. 73 Tod kc9rka
Do you like this or the yaesu 400xdr better?
Got them both...Love the screen on the FTM400...but there is a kill shot. It doesn't have memory banks. Yup..no way to separate your logical groups of channels. That's not good at all. I use the 5100 in the base and 400 in the car...might swap them out..
I'm somewhat of a newbie still do trying to do my research before making a decision. Thanks for the reply and videos!
Thanks Bob, Nice review Great video ...73! A61Q
Great Video Bob, Thank you for the effort you put into this. Bill KA9LFU P.S. I just got my ID-5100A ON 01-20-17
Are you located in Dallas?
No, Austin and now Hot Springs.
The Bluetooth UT-133 is nearly worthless. It won;t connect to any newer Bluetooth devices. I could not connect it to my Samsung Galaxy S5 or any of my Samsung Android tablets. Tech support said that it only works with very old Bluetooth devices (Version 2.1 - 3.0). What were they thinking when they released this product? I think this is the last Icom I ever buy.
I own a 5100 as well. I have to say I agree with you on the missing mounts and other items. Looking at a $1061.65 for a Dual bander with all the "Options"
THAT ARE NOT OPTIONAL???
I think we should all leave the "Options" sitting on Icom's shelf. Nothing speaks louder to corporations as lost funds.
For less that $20.00 I made my own mounts and mic extension cable.
So again let Icom keep there $332.70 options.
The Android App is a cool feature but for me I don't see the need. So I don't see that as a stand apart feature. I do like that it started out with Android. I am so over the overrated IPhone BS.
Absolutely. I think Icom HQ may have a slightly distorted view of the American
ham. Just because we are older and have deeper pockets, we are not necessarily going to just add 50% more to the purchase price to get the official Icom accessories. In most cases, these are cheap-to-produce items which they sub-out to China. If a mobile rig is going to cost this much...it needs to be fully capable of it's enhanced features. The Chinese rigs are going to include all the small items. Don't push us towards Chinese products.
Robert Nagy You should live in the UK to feel like you are getting ripped off! Yes we can have our radio equipment shipped from the US but what if we have a fault and have to send it back to the dealer.
I have just bought this radio. First D-Star for me. My club and local RAYNET use this radio although suitable repeaters are miles from me and too far.
Thanks for review and I look forward to watching your D-star and reflector vids.
73- MW6OZO
Question!! Has anyone used the "auto-off" on the radio? I have mine set to 30 minutes and have come back out to my car 8 hours later with a (luckily) still on radio about to kill my battery. I immediately reported this issue to tech support and chatted back and forth with a "Mike" who almost the same day replied and basically wrote off my concern and said he could not replicate the problem. GEE THANKS ICOM! So I then spent the next 3 DAYS scientifically trying every combination of radio settings to figure out where the hang up is with "Auto-Off". I tested everything from what band was on each side of the radio, squelch levels, activity (audio) on the radio, what SIDE the radio had activity (audio), having digital vs analog stations on, dr mode vs not, and MANY others. realize to do testing this specific each "change" on the radio would then need 30 mins of doing nothing to test the auto-off. After spending nearly 3 days trying endless combos all while NOT getting paid as a "tech" at ICOM but somehow doing "tech" work I narrowed it down to having ANY side of the radio with the volume knob turned up past 9 o' clock. So, those of you with 5100A please test this out on yours and let me know if the same happens. I find a pretty significant bug and Icom swats me away like a fly. I have reached out to ""Mike" about this and all I get are very generic "I can't replicate your problem" responses. gee thanks. Set your auto-off to 30 minutes. Tune to your fave
Local repeater. Set audio 75% or greater... knob pointed at about 9 o clock.
So bummed that Icom didn't do a Apple iOS app for this :-(
Mic and speach you skipped over those what do they do
Speech makes the radio talk...and report to blind users about frequency etc. Mic? Hmm, maybe that was just mic gain level.
@@Yavor54 thanks for the info! I'm just leaving this radio. Mic is mic gain
I agree with the Bluetooth and bracket. I also agree with the Chinese, they will push the Japanese out off the US market, I rather buy Japanese, actually I’d rather buy American but that won’t happen!
Hello Bob: Great review! Are you planning to file a review of the ID-7100? I'm interested in how the ID-5100 and the ID-7100 compare in D-star mode. And of course how well it performed on HF. I'm travelling world wide for business and want to have a semi-portable unit running at a max. of 15w out of the cigarette lighter.
Thanks,
8P6RC
Fantastic tutorial?
Fantastic Tutorial- question mark? Only rig I wished I had not sold.
My question mark and exclamation point are side by side on my phone, I guess I hit the question mark , without paying attention. My apologies there was nothing questionable about it, it was a great video.
KcEMX 73"
The mic said "made in China" WTF!
+ELiTE_OpTiic TRUMP 2016
4
I never in my life bought a icom radio because it don't come with no mounting bracket what is next no mic and the other problem is like the ic 7000 ic 7200 ic 7100 ID 5100 all those radio you have to spend money for mod the mic and the radios the price to way hi on top of that you have to spend 40 buck on the bracket and free software I buy KENWOOD radio look the D 72 look at the TH-74 with Dstar the v71 with ECHOLINK ready the 710G come with bracket best APRS radio I bet you KENWOOD will come with a replacement for the KENWOOD 710G it going to be a Mobil like the TH 74 but mobile the only I will buy from icom it will be a base radio but handheld mobile like the 7100 or 2 meter ni way Another point the new TH74 the screen is in color compare that with the 51 plus with no color
I've never heard of a MOBILE amateur radio NOT coming with a mounting bracket except for Icom. Most of my gear is Kenwood branded but they at least include mounting brackets as they always have. This is just a way for Icom to charge people more money because most folks are going to want a bracket and they KNOW this. This is just a chicken shit way of making people pay more than the advertised price.
Ruck me funnin'! Have you never heard of punctuation?!?
Damn is your shit hard to read.
Yeah that's kind of a bad point for a mobile radio. Having to purchase the mounting bracket a la carte is not a good thing, esp at the price charged for it. All mobile radios should ship with a mounting bracket, period, end of story.
Too many tales of fading screens for me.
PLUS . NO BRACKET?
That only comes with the deluxe version. Hyper-greedy Icom.
Icom's pricing policy with DStar kit is no doubt one big reason for the ham public's massive migration to DMR, at the expense of the DStar infrastructure.
eham reviews pretty scathing
Well, EVERY person that has an issue with the 5100 will post a rant. The other 95% of people that love the rig...2% of them will post a comment. I miss my 5100 more than any rig I have ever sold. Bought the 9700 and I never turn it on.
Oh they left off a $5 Bluetooth module. Icom is cheap skates
Hungarian surname. Should pronounce "naj", not "nagee"
I know, but USA people cannot pronounce Nagy correctly! 73's from "Big Bob"
For me this is useless and doesn't do anything my phone, gps, radio, camera or laptop can't do.
This item appears to be made for people that just want more useless stuff crammed into yet another device.
It's as if this was created to reduce the sales of other devices from different manufacturers.
This 5100 is a mobile phone with Icom written on it. Why does anyone need this ? Everyone already has all the devices that do what this radio does.
This radio was invented to do the same thing as brightly coloured lures in a fishing tackle shop - To attract more sales and make more money.
I think this radio is made for the same reason as why they make people keep upgrading their phones and computers.....
In 10 years this radio will be defunct and useless.
I love Icom and have lots of their radios. Two of my favourites are the 2300H and T70A portable. They will still work 100 years from now.
I guess I will cop abuse and get told where to shove my vacuum tubes because of my comments here......
+Ade Larsen You are incredibly out of touch with the modern state of radio.
Jason Davis Yes Sir. You are correct.
And I love it.
Thanks :-)
LOL.
Icon has decided to be the RIP OFF radio company. Stupidly outrageous high prices plus selling gear barren so that all needed accessories must be purchased at more rip off prices. I am so eager to give Icom $15,999. for their new HF 7851 xcvr.