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Product Test – ICOM IC-A20 Transceiver
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Product Report Icom Ic-A20 Transceiver
The ICOM IC-A20 VHF Transceiver is one excellent example of how far technology has progressed in recent years.
The IC-A20 is a true Navcom with 200 channel capability. As well as giving to and from VOR indications, it also shows the deviation off course in relation to a VOR station. The display uses arrows to indicate off course deviations in the same way as the CDI uses a needle on a conventional VOR. This unit does exactly what the modern panel mounted Navcoms will do and more, although I would fit an external antenna for improved long-range reception.
There are many uses for the Icom including receiving ATIS broadcasts without having to go off area frequency or as a back- up VOR receiver to be used as a cross-reference. I certainly wish I had had a unit such as this in my own aircraft when I recently experienced a total failure of my Coms digital display-changing frequencies by counting the clicks is not easy! Another facility is having 121. 5 available at the touch of a button for instant access to that vital emergency frequency or for maintaining a listening watch. Auto gain control helps reduce signal fading while the automatic pulse noise limiter (ANL) suppresses ignition type noises etc.
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For those who like listening to the airwaves, as well as this unit being a scanner, the Icom has a 16 channel programmable memory with lockout available on any of these frequencies.
Other features include a transmit high or low switch which allows a much longer battery charge life. Another battery saving feature is that if the light is switched on at night, then the unit turned off, and later turned on (say the next day, making it near impossible to see that the light is on), the light is automatically turned off.
One small detail to be aware of is that the plastic window in the protective case can make reading the display difficult. Because of this, I preferred to use the transceiver without the case.
My opinion after using the Icom is that this is not just another transceiver but a very functional and sophisticated piece of equipment which has many capabilities and is extremely easy to operate. As a pilot using the equipment and not into the finer technical details or performances of electronics, I believe the Icom IC-A20 is indeed deserving of its excellent international reputation.
The purchase of the IC-A20 will automatically include: 1 x battery (I would buy an extra one), cigarette lighter cable, wall charger unit, carry case, belt clip, antenna and earphones plus many other options, headphones etc. too numerous to mention. Further information is available from Icom Australia Pty Ltd, 7 Duke Street, Windsor, Vic 3181, phone (03) 529 7582 or toll free (008) 33 8915.
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