There’s nothing quite like a box of new kit arriving. While a new radio doesn’t have that ‘new car smell’, there is the thrill of pulling out the hardware in plastic bags, intricately designed cardboard packaging, associated bits and pieces and manuals that make it a special moment for nerds and geeks alike. It’s also nice to see a screen without fingerprints for the last time in the unit’s life.

Today my Icom ID-5200 arrived from G and C Communications in Melbourne, as did a bag of swag from Icom Australia (for being one of the first 30 warranty registrants). Thanks to both for great service.

To give some context to my thoughts, it’s best if I first explain what I have been using on 2m and 70 cm to date. The new radio is for the home base. To date at home for 2/.7, I have been using an Icom IC-2730A Black. D-Star at home has been via the ID-52A Plus and a HS9AWO hotspot. Both have worked well but when I saw the ID-5200 announced in 2025, I knew that would be the machine to complete my shack. The IC-2730A Black will go to my car and the ID-52A Plus will be my carry radio.

My first impression? It’s a big ID-52A Plus. I remember back in 2010 when the iPad came out. Critics said, it’s just a big iPhone. To which I said “great”. Same here. It’s a big ID-52A Plus with loads more features and transmitting power. And that’s great, regally great. I think the ID-52 A Plus is a great radio. Even better, much of the look and feel in terms of menus, layouts, functionality and more are pretty much the same.

I was able to get on air fairly quickly, tuning both VFO’s into local aviation. The user interface was intuitive and the sound output was good. I then updated the firmware from what shipped to what was released last week. Again, this was a similar process to updating the ID-52A Plus.

But here’s the really cool thing. Icom has released CS-5200, it’s Windows software for its radios. Now, it looks like it was made for and hasn’t been updated since Windows 95, but it actually works, and well. Even better, from the CS-52A software, I could export my repeaters lists, channel lists and call channel lists to CSV files and then import them into my CS-5200 software. It uploaded immediately and everything just worked. That was very cool. Oh, and this was all done through USB-C from the PC to the unit. No special cable and drivers were required.

My only criticism of the ID-5200 is that the head unit is off on its own. There’s no way to secure the head unit to the radio or anything else out of the box. Coming soon are a desktop stand and bracket to join the head and base unit. It comes with a bracket that includes magnets to connect the head unit to a vehicle dashboard or wall. But it’s not very functional. However, I did work out that by installing the magnets, I could turn the radio base unit at 90 degrees and it would hold the head in place so I could use it on the shelf. There is a bracket coming around the new year that will enable me to secure the head unit to the base front on. But for now, it’s OK. And it ships with an insanely long cable to connect the head to the base. Again, I can live with that for now.

To add some context to the two pictures above, for the moment, I am using the microphone that came with IC-2730A, with all of the bells and whistles. The microphone that comes with the 5200 is the ‘no-frills’ version and I will get another shortly for the base.

So, all in all, first impressions are good. I have a bit to learn going through he many additional functions but 15 minutes after powering up, fiddling with software and rebooting, I was on the air, talking locally and globally through FM and D-Star. It’s a worthwhile addition to the shack. I’m happy.

Unlike Icom amateur radio products, the programming software for this isn't free which was a bit of a surprise. Still it was fairly straight forward to import frequencies once I had the csv file format sorted. So much quicker than my older Uniden scanner, and quite sensitive too. The Bluetooth functionality pairs well with my headphones so my listening doesn't upset the family!

Works as described and very well made. Speedy delivery too.

Exactly what I needed. Super quick despatch. Friendly and attentive service. Solid construction.

good size, not too heavy and very strong.

Great adaptor allowing me to use smaller thread antennas on my vehicle.

Great product with fast delivery

Efficient, quick and polite service. Great to support a business supporting our veterans! Mike arrived in perfect condition and earlier than my expectations. Whilst this is my first purchase from this great business, I would definitely recommend them. There is also a variety of other comms gear that will be great accessories! I invite you to give them ago. I don't think you will be disappointed! - Phill.

The service from G&C is above anything expected!
Thanks, I'll be back n

Good customer service and quick delivery.

Great service great help and delivered as promised the very next day

Decided to get a decent first-step into the world of radio receivers, getting ready for the upcoming airshow. I was guided to this radio and after a few weeks of here and there use I have picked it up pretty quick and anticipate using it at the Avalon Airshow in 2027. In the mean time I used ChatGPT to create a bunch of different frequencies channels so i can easily go through labelled and organised frequencies easily and quickly. One of my favorite features is being able to listen/record to two broadcasts at the same time.

Product arrived on time with updates to tracking. Well packaged. Excellent and well worth the price paid. Easy to setup. Do require an antenna swr anilizer to tune to the radio before transmitting. Does have an inbuilt tunner.
Still discovering all the built in extras.