Simple. Small. Powerful. These are the three words we’d associate with the Icom IC-2300H. It’s not right for everyone, but if you need a rugged, small, and easy-to-use 2-meter mobile transceiver that packs up to 65 watts of power, it’s hard to do better – especially for the price.
Good
- Built to last – The Icom IC-2300H meets MIL-STD 810 G specifications for shock, vibration, and temperature, so it’s particularly well-suited for mobile use.
- Up to 65w of transmission power – 65 watts is plenty for a 2-meter radio, and the Icom IC-2300H also supports 25w, 10, and even 5w transmission, which helps reduce heat and power use.
- Great heat dissipation – Speaking of heat, this mobile transceiver handles it well, even in hot environments. The aluminum chassis functions as a passive heat sink, keeping the unit cool even during extended 65w transmission. There’s also no fan, which means the IC-2300H will be more reliable and quieter compared to fan-cooled 2w radios.
- Loud 4.5 watt speaker – The speaker is mounted on the top of the unit, and provides 4.5 watts of clear sound output. This is plenty for mobile use, even in loud environments.
- Simple, clear, bright screen – The 6-character LCD screen lets you choose between a green, amber, and yellow backlight. It’s basic, but bright and easy to use, especially in a mobile setting.
- Small footprint – At about 5.5 inches deep, 6.4 inches wide, and 1.6 inches tall, this 2-meter radio is small enough to fit even on the most cluttered desk, or in a cramped vehicle with minimal space for a transceiver.
Bad
- Included microphone could be better – The included microphone sounds a bit tinny and is chock-full of buttons, making it a bit unintuitive. Some users have solved this problem by swapping the included HM-133 microphone with the simpler HM-154 model.
- Has a bit of a learning curve – The menu interface can be a bit challenging due to the small screen size. For this reason, many users opt to program the IC-2300H using a data cable (not included) and a PC, rather than trying to program it manually.
Bottom line
The Icom IC-2300H is a great option for a primary radio if you only use the 2-meter band, or as a secondary radio if you like to explore other radio bands or digital radio. Its solid construction is great for both mobile use or in a ham shack. And while it does have its
Product Specs
| Frequency coverage | TX RX 144–148MHz 136–174MHz |
| Mode | F2D, F3E |
| No. of memory channels | 207 (including 6 scan edges and 1 call) |
| Frequency resolution | 5, 6.25, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50kHz |
| Operating temp. range | –20°C to +60°C; 14°F to +140°F; |
| Frequency stability | ±3ppm (–10°C to +60°) |
| Power supply requirement: | 13.8V DC ±15% |
| Current drain (at 7.4V DC): Transmit at 65W Receive Stand-by Receive Max. audio | 11A 0.4A 1.5A |
| Antenna impedance | 50Ω (SO-239) |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) (projections not included) | 140×1.57×162 mm; 5.51×1.57×6.38 in |
| Weight (approx.) | 1Kg; 2.43lb |
| Modulation system | Variable Reactance |
| Output power | 65/25/10/5W |
| Spurious emissions | Less than –60dBc (High, Mid) |
| Max. deviation | ±5.0/2.5 kHz wine/narrow) |
| Microphone impedance | 60Ω (8-pin modular) |
| Receiver system | Double superheterodyne |
| Intermediate frequency | 46.35MHz/450kHz (1st/2nd) |
| Sensitivity | Less than 0.18μV at 12dB SINAD |
| Squelch Sensitivity | Less than 0.13μV at threshold |
| Selectivity Wide Narrow | More than ±6kHz/6dB More than ±14kHz/60dB More than ±3kHz/6dB More than ±9kHz/55dB |
| Spurious rejection | More than 60dB |
| Audio Output Power | 4.5W (typ.) |
| External speaker connector | 2-conductor 3.5(d) mm 1/8″/4Ω |
Expert reviews
- YouTuber Wilbodave reviewed the Icom IC-2300H. He liked the small size of this 2-meter radio, as well as the powerful 4.5 watt top-facing speaker, which delivered clear and high-quality sound. He also liked the option to select between 5w, 10w, 25w, or 65w transmission, and the overall frequency receive coverage offered by this mobile transceiver. However, he did criticize the “flimsy” construction of the volume knob and squelch knob, and the excessively loud beep that the unit makes when it turns on.
- In a review from The National Association for Amateur Radio, Bob Alison praised the compact size of the unit, as well as the smart heat sink design and the included mobile mounting bracket. He also liked the feature-rich microphone and the top-facing speaker.
- In a YouTube review, Everything Ham Radio was impressed with the “great features” offered by the Icom IC-2300H, as well as its ruggedly-built construction and its maximum transmission output of 65 watts. He also liked the three-color LCD display, with its simple construction and ability to select between yellow, green, and amber for the backlight.
User reviews
- On DXEngineering, the Icom IC-2300H has a rating of 4.65 stars out of 5, across 26 total reviews. Reviewers called it “easy to operate,” said it had “great signal reports,” and “does everything a 2-meter radio needs to do.” Others noted its fantastic performance despite its small footprint, with solid 65w signal transmission, calling it “small but powerful.” On the more critical side, several users mentioned that the included mic has lots of buttons and can be confusing to use, and doesn’t provide the best sound quality. A few users also had trouble programming the unit manually, and recommended programming it using a computer and a programming cable (not included).
- eHam.net users have given the IC-2300H a rating of 4.7 stars out of 5, across a total of 29 reviews. One reviewer called it “solid, loud, and easy to use,” and another noted that its features are all “good to excellent.” Overall, users said it was a solid radio for the 2-meter band, with easy programmability and a big display despite its relatively small footprint. However, one user noted that the provided microphone (HM-133) provided “tinny” sound, and another user noted that the volume and squelch knobs felt cheap and “sloppy” compared to some other higher-priced radios.