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                      The Icom IC-R5 Receiver
                           <[email protected]>

       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.

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