Icom UK Adds a Wealth of Expertise to its Board May 15, 2012
Posted by Icom UK in Company News.add a comment
Icom UK is celebrating the appointment of two new company directors. Joining Icom UK’s current board of Bob, Dave and Andy Stockley is Sam Taylor-Nobbs as Sales Director and Richard Owen as Financial Director.
Icom Marketing: marketing@icomuk.co.uk
Visit Icom UK at the Powerboat & RIB Show this weekend (11th and 13th of May 2012) May 11, 2012
Posted by Icom UK in Marine Radio.add a comment
The Powerboat & RIB Show is being held at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth between 11th and 13th of May 2012. The show is a free event for all the family and will showcase some of the most exciting RIBs and powerboats on the water today. If you are in the area this weekend, why not check the show out and our range of new marine communication products including the IC-M91D, Icom’s first GPS Marine VHF/DSC Handheld and IC-M423 Compact Fixed Mount VHF/DSC. Both models share a new common user interface and noise cancelling technology that are unequalled in VHF models today.What is the Amateur Radio Foundation Licence? March 29, 2012
Posted by Icom UK in Amateur Radio.Tags: Amateur Radio Foundation Licence, Amateur radios, Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) website: http://www.rsgb.org
add a comment
The Amateur Radio Foundation Licence gives everyone the opportunity to gain an understanding of the basic technology and operation of Amateur radios. After completion of a practical test and a 20 question multiple-choice paper, the foundation licence gives you the opportunity to operate 10 watt radios on a variety of bands.
Many radio clubs up and down the country run the Foundation Licence course and a quick look at the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) website: http://www.rsgb.org – will provide you with the location of your nearest club, as well as further information on radio licenses.
The course is usually run over a weekend, which is long enough to cover the syllabus comfortably. Most of the training is practical and includes:
• How to set up an Amateur Radio station
• How to operate your radio
• How to make a call
• How to complete a log
Checking that you can do this satisfactorily is part of the syllabus and each item will be ‘signed off’ as it is completed. There is a small amount of theoretical work, but only enough to appreciate things like which antenna or fuses to use and how to get the best out of your station. Safety is an important part of the training.
The course should last a total of 10~12 hours. It should be possible to complete it and come out with your ‘pass’ certificate in a single weekend. Some courses will be run over a few weeks, perhaps some evenings and a final day to finish. However it is run, you will be able to sit a short multiple choice written assessment at the end of the course and come away with a pass certificate which will get you your callsign. Foundation licensees are permitted to use commercially manufactured transmitters and kits constructed in accordance with the supplied instructions. Higher licences such as the Intermediate and Full give the privilege of building equipment to your own designs, from magazine articles, or modifying second hand commercial equipment. Ex-commercial equipment is often sold at radio rallies for a small fraction of its original cost and provides a very cheap way of getting on the air.
The Foundation Licence is intended to be a ‘starter’ and most licensees will want to upgrade to the higher-grade licence. Extra freedom is an incentive for the Foundation licensee to upgrade, as are the extra transmit power and extra frequencies. Intermediate licensees may transmit at up to 50 watts of power, use frequencies above 440MHz, and can also send fast scan (normal) TV pictures. Full licensees may transmit up to 400 Watts, use the amateur satellites and may, in certain circumstances, apply for special permission to run even higher powers equipment (e.g. for moon bounce or meteor scatter.)
I have previously completed the course myself to gain a greater understanding of Amateur Radio. I remember being impressed by the passion and enthusiasm of my tutors who explained radio theory in an easy, fun and straightforward way. More importantly, it has provided me with a useful insight into Amateur Radio.
There was a practical element to the course with VHF and HF operation, which I felt was very entertaining. The course was well laid out and study notes were provided; although I did pay for a course accompaniment, the training course handouts, assessment and administration; all of which came to a low price. It was extremely good value because you can’t put a price on the cost of learning skills and development.
So who should take the Foundation Course?
• Existing users – those who already have some radio experience can expand their knowledge into what might become a new hobby.
• Schools, air cadets and any other groups who might already have the opportunity to study from tutors and captains.
• Anybody between the ages of 5~90 who has an interest in science or engineering.
If you are interested in taking the foundation course or would like more details, visit the Radio Society of Great Britain website: (www.rsgb.org.uk)
Ian Lockyer (M3INL)
Marketing Manager
Go on have a go!
Icom UK Marketing Manager to Take on 3 Challenging Events for 3 Great Charities March 22, 2012
Posted by Icom UK in Company News.Tags: Children with Cancer, Ian Lockyer, Icom UK’s Marketing Manager, Kent Association for the Blind, RNLI
add a comment
Icom UK’s Marketing Manager, Ian Lockyer is undertaking 3 gruelling athletic challenges in aid of 3 charities this year. Ian will be attempting to complete the London Marathon (22/04/12), 24 Hour Challenge (19/05/12-20/05/12) and the London Triathlon (22/09/12) in aid of ‘Children with Cancer’, ‘RNLI’ and the Kent Association for the Blind.
Ian said, ‘Last year I ran the Brighton Marathon for the Kent Association for the Blind and raised £600 which I was truly chuffed about both for the achievement of running that distance and the amount of money I raised. So how do you top a marathon? Well I am going to be taking part in three challenging events (one marathon, one ultra marathon and one triathlon) for three great Charities.’
Please help Ian achieve his aim by visiting his fundraising page at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ianlockyer.
For more details about the fantastic charities that Ian is raising money for:
– Kent Association for the Blind
Everyone at Icom UK wishes Ian the best of luck!
Icom Marketing: marketing@icomuk.co.uk
Check out the Icom Radio Archive March 2, 2012
Posted by Icom UK in Uncategorized.Tags: Amateur Radio (Ham) Archive, Avionic/Airband Radio Archive, Marine Radio Archive, Radio Accessory Archive, Radio Receiver (Scanner) Archive, Two Way Business Radio Archive
add a comment
If you are looking for information about older Icom models that are no longer available, you should check out our new archive section on our website. This section is ideal for anyone looking for information about an accessory for a particular radio or looking to research their purchase of a second hand model.There are six sections which will eventually be categorised in the same way as the rest of the website. They are:
– Marine Radio Archive »
– Two Way Business Radio Archive»
– Amateur Radio (Ham) Archive »
– Avionic/Airband Radio Archive »
– Radio Receiver (Scanner) Archive»
– Radio Accessory Archive »
Please note that this section is not finished yet and we are in the process of back cataloguing our older range. Should a model not be there, please bear with us as we are endeavoring to get them added as quickly as possible!
The Importance of Using a Speaker Microphone with your Icom 2 Way Radio March 2, 2012
Posted by Icom UK in Airband Radio, Amateur Radio, Business Radio, Marine Radio, Uncategorized.Tags: Amateur handheld radios, and avionic handportables, Icom 2 way business radios, Icom 2 Way Radio, marine handportable radios, Speaker Microphone
add a comment
One of the most useful two-way radio accessories you can find is a speaker microphone. These useful devices can be attached to your shirt or jacket allowing you to talk with ease without holding the radio, which can then be neatly stored in a carry case, clipped to your belt or put in a pocket. This gives you the ability to operate the radio from the speaker microphone without having to use the buttons on the radio. Simply locking the radio keypad will also ensure you remain on your working channel. Furthermore, as speaker microphones are often used close to the head, you will find that received messages from the speaker on the microphone itself are clearly heard.
Speaker microphones are useful in business environments allowing staff to work more efficiently and concentrate on the task at hand, such as giving directions or operating equipment. Similarly if you are piloting a vessel an Icom waterproof speaker microphone will free up your hands allowing you to take the controls more safely.
Most Icom 2 way business radios, marine handportable radios, Amateur handheld radios, and avionic handportables have speaker microphones as optional accessories.
Click on our Icom Microphone section to see how they can enhance your Icom 2 way radio.
What is Amateur Radio? February 7, 2012
Posted by Icom UK in Amateur Radio.Tags: Amateur (or HAM) Radio, entry-level 'Foundation Licence', Radio Amateurs
add a comment
Amateur Radio is a hobby with a history…and you can be part of its future!
Amateur (or HAM) Radio has been at the forefront of technical advances in radio communications over the last century. Its achievements have been ground-breaking in helping the spread of global communication. It is now possible to see pictures from outer space, hear news from distant lands or get press releases from any major capital in the world. However, not many people realise the important contribution that Radio Amateurs have made to this communication explosion.
Radio Amateurs played their part in the development of RADAR; they were the first to realise the potential of world-circling shortwave radio and more recently, Radio Amateurs have taken a keen interest in digital technology such as computers, the Internet, and digital and satellite communications. So although this is an old, some might say ‘traditional’ hobby, (it has been going for over a century) the qualification of being a Radio Amateur is considered a good stepping stone into a modern career in science or engineering.
Things you might notice about Radio Amateurs…
They have an inherent interest in ‘how things work’. Most Amateurs have made many friends around the world. If you think that sending a few text messages to a few mates is communicating, think what it would be like sending those messages to thousands of friends, in hundreds of countries!
Radio Amateurs are always happy to share knowledge and their enthusiasm with other people.
For example you can ask a Radio Amateur…
• How can I speak to a Russian, a South American or an Australian within the hour?
• How can I speak to an astronaut?
• How can I access the 100 Amateur satellites circling the planet?
• How do I hear the Voice of America?
As with any hobby there are rules to be learnt and followed and it is expected that you will undergo tuition to qualify as a Radio Amateur. It is true that an understanding or an interest in science will help. To encourage newcomers to try the hobby, a entry-level ‘Foundation Licence’ has been introduced. This only involves a few hours study, and answering a few basic questions. This will normally result in a pass certificate, which will get you ‘on the air’.
There is a nation-wide network of local radio clubs that give talks on the latest developments, and will help and encourage new Amateurs, and train them to pass the higher intermediate and full licence exams. There are often social and operating ‘on-air’ evenings, where new ideas are exchanged and newcomers are provided with the opportunity to learn new skills.
A more serious side of the hobby is the invaluable work Amateur operators provide in an emergency. This has been evidently shown in the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina in the USA and the Australian wildfires. Amateurs rallied together, and provided a vital service to the community when other forms of communication were unable to cope.
Who would find Amateur Radio an interesting and social hobby?
• Anybody, irrespective of age, perhaps with an interest in science, who has time on their hands and is keen to have a hobby that demands time, skill and care.
• Existing radio users – Those who already have some other form of radio licence who wish to expand their knowledge into what might be a new hobby eg. CB radio enthusiasts, marine VHF and HF licensees.
• If you are at school or in the air cadets you might already have the opportunity to study from your tutors or captains. Many schools have radio equipment or even clubs.
• Anybody bedridden, housebound.
• Anybody who wants an absorbing hobby that will last a lifetime!
Here are a few informative websites worth visiting:
Icom UK Ltd: http://www.icomuk.co.uk
Hamlife: http://www.hamlife.co.uk
Radio Society of Great Britain: http://www.rsgb.org.uk
Shore Based Licence Free Communications, IC-F27SR PMR446 Walkie Talkie January 9, 2012
Posted by Icom UK in Licence Free Radio, Marine Radio.Tags: Ian Lockyer, IC-F27SR PMR446 Walkie Talkie, Marketing Manager of Icom UK Ltd, Shore Based Licence Free Communications
comments closed
Icom has launched a new professional grade licence free walkie talkie called the IC-F27SR. Ideal for Yacht Clubs and Marinas, this light commercial handheld is incredibly simple to use and is suited for race officials, harbour masters who need to keep in touch with their colleagues across shore or harbour.
Ian Lockyer, Marketing Manager of Icom UK Ltd said, ‘this radio has just three controls: transmit button, volume control and channel selector. This simple interface makes it ideal for busy events such as races where the radio is often passed from person to person.’
He added, ‘One of the most impressive features about this new model, which catches the eye of a lot of organisations, is that is that it can operate for a massive 37.5 hours (Usage 95-5-5 typical) between charges. This is really handy if your team are working long shifts during events.’
He went onto say, ‘The IC-F27SR is ideal for working in the coastal environment having been tested to 11 categories of environmental military standards for dust protection and water resistance. This is a model that is designed to provide reliable communications. Also, because this radio operates on non-marine channels it can be used without interfering with ship-ship communications and does not require private marine channels to be used.’
Ian said, ’The IC-F27SR radios also pack a punch in terms of their audio quality. The built in amplifier provides 800mW audio output from the large 45mm speaker. This means the IC-F27SR can deliver loud and intelligible audio even in extremely windy environments or during festivals or races.’
Icom UK’s Christmas & New Year Opening Hours December 23, 2011
Posted by Icom UK in Company News.Tags: Icom UK's Christmas & New Year Opening Hours
comments closed
Over the festive period, Icom UK will be closed at 5.00 pm on Friday the 23rd of December, and will reopen at 8.30 am on Tuesday the 3rd of January.
On behalf of all the directors and staff, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Protect Your Marine Electronics against Salt Corrosion December 23, 2011
Posted by Icom UK in Marine Radio.Tags: Protect Your Marine Electronics against Salt Corrosion
comments closed
For marine electronics, the saltwater environment is one of the harshest on earth. It’s a fact that over time, whether you are a yachtsman, powerboater or sea angler that your VHF radio and other marine electronic equipment will suffer from salt corrosion.
If corrosion is the bad news, then the good news is there are steps to ensure that your VHF radio continues to be your trusty safety aid. As mentioned in most manuals, it is good practice to clean your radio thoroughly with fresh water after exposure to saltwater. Otherwise, keys, switches and controllers may become inoperable due to salt crystallisation.
This simple, practical procedure will ensure that you can prolong the life of not only your VHF radio, but any other waterproof portable marine electronic equipment that you might be using. But please ensure it is waterproof before giving it a bath!!
Icom UK Blog 