14MAR2024

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                       The Icom IC-R5 Receiver
                            <tf@sdf.org>

	The Icom R5 is a palm sized (2.3"x3.4"x1.13")  
wideband handheld communications receiver. It runs off two AA 
batteries, has AM and (W)FM receive modes, and frequency 
coverage of 150 KHz. to 1300 MHz. The receiver was introduced 
in the early-mid 2000s, and replaced the Icom IC-R2. The 
current model is the IC-R6.

        The R5 is a handy multi-purpose unit. I've used it for 
AM, FM, shortwave, and VHF/UHF communciations. The stock rubber 
duck antenna is OK for VHF and UHF monitoring. If you use the 
Comet telescoping whip antenna you get better reception on the 
lower frequencies. A few feet of antenna is all you need to 
increase performance, anything longer and the front end gets 
overloaded.

	Most of the time my R5 is monitoring nearby 
aeronautical communications. There are about 15 frequencies 
that see use within a 100 mile radius. Aeronautical comms are a 
primary monitoring interest, and the R5 with a 1/4 wave VHF 
antenna has no problems hearing it all.

        I reach for the R5 when I need a dedicated monitor for 
a frequency that requires closer attention, usually a local 
(analog) public safety frequency during an incident. The R6 is 
also the first receiver I reach for when I'm experimenting and 
need something with wideband coverage, such as when I'm 
checking the range of a Part 15 emitter or receiver LO 
emission.

	The R5 works well as a shortwave receiver when you use 
a telescoping whip antenna instead of the rubber duck. It works 
OK, but not great, for local AM broadcasters. It has an 
internal ferrite loop antenna that's on the small side. Its 
lack of performance on AM broadcast is not that big of a deal 
because I've got better radios for AM broadcast reception.

	I paired the R5 with a Diamond SRH789 telescoping whip 
antenna for better reception performance. At full extension I 
have no problems hearing the bigger shortwave broadcast 
stations, and the regional AM Window hams on 75m and 40m. 
VHF-low band public safety can be heard out to 50-60 miles 
depending on the terrain.

	New Icom IC-R6s are averaging around $200US on Ebay. 
R5s average around $150US. I'd consider that a fair price for 
what you're getting. You might find one for less at a radio 
swap meet/hamfest.