Move over, XTS1500 - Here Comes ICOM's P25 Radios!

[ASTROMODAT]

Our best hope for a TRULY AFFORDABLE P25 radio?

Looks like they are taking a "wait and see" approach (can't blame them). If P25 really takes off, ICOM won't be far away from a comercial offering, based on the article below. Perhaps trhis is why Motorola is launching the XTS 1500?

Project 25 Digital Directions From Icom

Bellevue, WA (11 August 2003) Icom America is excited to showcase sample Project 25 Digital radios in our booth at the APCO INTERNATIONAL 69th Annual Conference & Exposition, August 10-14, 2003 at the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana. Icom will have two mobile and two portable radios in simplex operation on the air and operating at the APCO Conference. When in digital voice mode, these sample radios are fully compatible with other P25 radios.

“Although they are still preproduction samples and are not yet in large scale mass production, these radios are a sign of Icom’s continuing commitment to leadership in the development of mobile and portable radios that meet customers needs while exceeding their expectations, even in a rapidly changing technological environment,” reports Chris Lougee, VP of Icom America.

Project 25 (P25) is an initiative of representatives from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO), the National Association of State Telecommunications Directors (NASTD), selected Federal Agencies and the National Communications System (NCS). Recognizing the need for common communications standards for First Responders and Homeland Security/Emergency Response professionals, the deployment of P25-compliant systems will allow for equipment interoperability, compatibility and economy of scale. In light of recent worldwide terrorist activities, interoperability among first responders is a key initiative of many countries.

According to Mr. Lougee, “Icom has no fixed plans to launch P25 radios at this time. We do, however, plan to be an integral part of the development of this technology and plan to be one of the strongest Project 25 Digital two-way radio manufacturers in the world. This market is not only large from a business perspective, but of vital global importance from a safety perspective. As the Digital market moves in the direction of P25, Icom is looking at developing a family of Project 25 Digital products for that market.”

With years of experience as an innovator in the field of digital modulation applications, digital signal processing technologies and analog trunking systems, Icom is able to develop these P25 digital radio products in response to a rapidly changing technological environment.

The P25 samples that will be at APCO are built with the same field-proven physical chassis and body as the very popular F40G and F620 series conventional FM radios. As always, Icom products are produced in ISO9001 and ISO14001 certified production facilities, ensuring long lasting dependability you can count on with confidence.

In addition to the land mobile market, Icom has also launched a digital amateur radio system called “D-Star.” D-Star is a complete infrastructure of terminals, repeaters, backbone and Internet gateways besides market dominant generations of HF radios with digital signal processors.

“This is an exciting time in our industry,” explains Chris. “While there is no doubt that rapid change in a demanding environment is challenging, it represents exciting opportunities. What we learn and develop as part of this project can be translated across our product lines, and that will keep us on the forefront of radio communications across industries.”

Icom America's parent company, Icom Inc., was founded in Osaka Japan. Icom is a publicly held Japanese corporation; its stock is traded on the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchange. Icom began as an engineering and manufacturing company, making advanced, compact solid-state radio equipment for use by amateur radio enthusiasts. Icom has since grown to become an industry leader with a product line that includes state-of-the-art communications equipment for land and marine use as well as avionics. Icom America's headquarters are in Bellevue, Washington. http://www.icomamerica.com

At press time, there are no photographs available of the new radios. Please call for current availability.

[1 Adam 12]

Well one thing for sure, other than EF Johnson/ Transcrypt the majority of manufacturers are gonna put out only VHF / UHF for the larger Federal Contracts and for large State or City units that stay on VHF/UHF... so the XTS 1500 is gonna go unanswered in the 800 Smartnet, Smartzone market. Personally I think its the first volley in the beginning of the end of the MTS series... though some serious stink was apparently raised the last time it was brought up. From what I understand thru sources, the XTS 1500 will offered as an analog only ( with no Flash upgrade possible) or as a digital combo. Between that and the XTS 2500 being available to do both and having a display, ... ( However with no encryption available on either ?? )who knows ...the market is getting more interesting ... Would be interested to see what ICOMs product line comes out with and wasn't Kenwood coming out with something around this time.

[USPSS]

Kenwood has the TK-5400 770-890mhz portable, full APCO P25.

It is being bought by a lot of public safety already and they work great, about $1800.00 list.

And they have V&U Coming complete with DES-OFB & AES in the next 2 months.

[Dale Earnhardt]

THey should start pumping out with uhf's that would be nice hehe

[1 Adam 12]

Yeah I would like to see it when it gets here. Only thing is the Kenwood is not going to be a Smartnet/Smartzone capable radio, which to some agencies won't matter since there are a few cities down here that use 800 conventional, but even with the National 800 channels a lot of States and Counties offer mutual aid talkgroups to the cities and unfortunately all these systems are Smarnet /Smartzone or EDACS, so they may sway to buying a radio that can do the systems that surround or are available to them. But I also see some soon to be happy VHF users who where waiting for something like this to make at least the compliance move. Interestingly enough when MA-COM was pushing the Open Sky system the radios where encased in the Kenwood TK 290-390 style housing. The salemen refused to ID the manufacturer, so I really wonder if they where just providing the skeleton or they had a hand in more....???