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ICOM
IC-A22 760 Channel Air Band Handheld VHF NAV/COM Transceiver
With the 5-watt transmitter, the A22 covers the 760 aviation
frequencies with 25 kHz spacing. You can tune these frequencies
with the keypad or the tuning knob of the unit. In addition,
you can store 50 of your favorite frequencies in the handheld's
memory. Remembering which memorized frequency is used where
is easy. Icom thoughtfully allows you to attach an alphanumeric
message to each one.
The A22 tunes the
National Weather Service frequencies with the touch of a button
and will tune the 121.5 emergency frequency with the touch of
another. If you are interested in listening to pilots in action
but don't know the frequencies in use, the A22 will scan up
and down and stop when it hears something. The automated noise
limiter and top-mounted squelch knob guarantee superb reception. A headset provides
the optimum in-flight communication, and Icom has made this
more comforting by building in a side tone so you can hear what
you are transmitting. The headset adapter, which securely clips
to the handheld, even has a plug for a separate push-to-talk
(PTT) switch, another thoughtful feature. To give the A-22
a thorough workout, I made a 270-mile round-trip VFR cross-country
using the unit as my sole source of communication and navigation.
It performed splendidly from start to finish. The only problem
I had was remembering to hold the flexible rubber-covered antenna
above the windowsill line. Any position below this degraded
my flight following communications with air traffic control.
(Aircraft owners can solve this problem with externally mounted
antenna, and renting pilots can solve it with that nifty handheld
holder from Sporty's Pilot Shop that suction-cups to the window.) The A22 receives
all 200 VOR navigation frequencies and displays an easy-to-read
course deviation indicator in the LCD window. You can dial in
the desired TO/FROM radial with the knob, or you can push a
button to lock onto the direct radial to the station. Another thoughtful
A22 feature is semi-duplex operation, which enables you to communicate
while receiving a VOR station. You have to program the communication
frequency you'll use before duplex operation, but this a simple
four-step operation, and duplex frequencies can be programmed
into memory before you add the rest of your memory channels.
Once the frequencies are programmed, pushing two buttons enables
duplex operation. The success of my
VFR flight has given me peace of mind. Should I have an in-flight
communication/navigation failure, I know there is an effective,
reliable, and redundant system in my flight bag-- the ICOM
IC-A22. To add redundancy
to the redundant system, I'd get the optional alkaline battery
pack. Murphy's Law dictates that a freshly charged Ni-Cd will
expire when it's needed most. There is also an optional cigarette
lighter cable, but the airplanes I fly don't have cigarette
lighters. (I'd also get the external PTT and Sporty's suction
cup handheld holder to eliminate in-flight juggling.
The A22 has a suggested
retail price of $720, but street prices are around $600 (*Ace's
Pilot Shop Price only $399.95!). The unit comes complete
with antenna, headset adapter, Ni-Cd battery pack and charger,
carrying case, and belt clip. For more information, contact
Icom America, 2380 11th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98004; (425) 454-8155.
Or use Flight Training's reader service card.-- S.M. Spangler
Article reproduced
with permission of "Flight Training" Magazine, August
1995.
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