[ICOM] Icom 820/821 opinions

[ADUHAWK at aol.com]

John -- I had an 820H.  It did not get a good review in QST for the satellite 
reasons you mention.  The high/low power control is done with a push on/off 
switch.  I needed to get inside and turn down the high power to 25 watts on 2 
and 10 on 432 to keep my amplifiers happy.  

I didn't use the radio for satellite or packet, so other than the above 
mentioned minor nuisance I liked the 820H.  As usual, I put a 500 Hz CW filter 
in...to help get right on the signal during Aurora sessions.  It also saw some 
duty as an IF for 1296 in a pinch.  The QST review liked the 821H much better.

One more thing.  There are a series of LEDs along the bottom front of the 
radio.  They are there to show if the related function is in use.  Mine never 
worked...not even right out of the box. It was a minor nuisance too, but it made 
it harder to see what the heck those buttons were for.

Overall, I found the radio to be acceptable, but I would look for an 821H.

73, Tim K0PG