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Icom ID-31A Review: 440Mhz D-STAR HT
- Thread starter Moleculo
- Start date
GPS Functionality
The ID-31a has very complete GPS functionality which I'll give an overview of. It supports not only use of the internal GPS receiver; you can use an external GPS by wiring one up to the DATA port. I've already shown how you can display your own position or the position of another digital station that is broadcasting the information. The radio also completely supports DPRS, the D-STAR version of APRS. If you've used another radio that supports APRS, the DPRS setup is nearly identical. You can tell the ID-31 to include your DPRS info while also transmitting digital voice (often D-STAR repeaters have the IGATE program running) or set it to beacon periodically while operating simplex.
The ID-31 has extensive GPS memory capabilities. You can store your own waypoints, other stations' locations, or even manually enter coordinates to store. The memories can be given names and assigned to one of 26 memory banks if desired. There is also a special RX station memory bank. The manual isn't clear on how many GPS memories may be saved, but I assume that they are included as part of the 1250 memories available. Even the memory banks names can be changed from the default lettered names to your own custom names.
Another nice feature is the GPS Alarm function. This function will sound either 1 or 3 beeps depending on how close you are to the memory you set an alarm for. You can turn on alarms for specific stations, locations, or even an entire GPS memory bank.
In all, the GPS functionality is well thought out and very complete.
The ID-31a has very complete GPS functionality which I'll give an overview of. It supports not only use of the internal GPS receiver; you can use an external GPS by wiring one up to the DATA port. I've already shown how you can display your own position or the position of another digital station that is broadcasting the information. The radio also completely supports DPRS, the D-STAR version of APRS. If you've used another radio that supports APRS, the DPRS setup is nearly identical. You can tell the ID-31 to include your DPRS info while also transmitting digital voice (often D-STAR repeaters have the IGATE program running) or set it to beacon periodically while operating simplex.
The ID-31 has extensive GPS memory capabilities. You can store your own waypoints, other stations' locations, or even manually enter coordinates to store. The memories can be given names and assigned to one of 26 memory banks if desired. There is also a special RX station memory bank. The manual isn't clear on how many GPS memories may be saved, but I assume that they are included as part of the 1250 memories available. Even the memory banks names can be changed from the default lettered names to your own custom names.
Another nice feature is the GPS Alarm function. This function will sound either 1 or 3 beeps depending on how close you are to the memory you set an alarm for. You can turn on alarms for specific stations, locations, or even an entire GPS memory bank.
In all, the GPS functionality is well thought out and very complete.
Miscellaneous Features
Several miscellaneous features included with the Icom ID-31 are worth mentioning. One very innovative feature for an HT is the speech capability. When used in digital mode, the ID-31 has the ability to announce the callsign of other stations. You can adjust both the speed and volume level of the callsign announcement and how frequently it is announced.
The ID-31 can auto reply to a call to your callsign by either transmitting yoru callsign digitally or by transmitting a recorded voice message. This might be useful if you happen to walk away from the HT while expecting a call. Not only can it record your own audio to play, but it can record an entire TX and RX QSO. There are many options for recording QSOs including recording based on PTT, recording only the RX station, or recording both RX and TX audio. All recordings are saved to the microSD card as WAV files.
Several miscellaneous features included with the Icom ID-31 are worth mentioning. One very innovative feature for an HT is the speech capability. When used in digital mode, the ID-31 has the ability to announce the callsign of other stations. You can adjust both the speed and volume level of the callsign announcement and how frequently it is announced.
The ID-31 can auto reply to a call to your callsign by either transmitting yoru callsign digitally or by transmitting a recorded voice message. This might be useful if you happen to walk away from the HT while expecting a call. Not only can it record your own audio to play, but it can record an entire TX and RX QSO. There are many options for recording QSOs including recording based on PTT, recording only the RX station, or recording both RX and TX audio. All recordings are saved to the microSD card as WAV files.
Summary
After using this new HT for a few weeks, I have some overall thoughts on this product. First, it is a very nice, well built, sleek little radio. I like that it is waterproof and it seems like it will take some abuse. It's obvious that a lot of thought went into making this radio very easy to use, especially when you consider that programming D-STAR isn't typically as easy to do as the analog modes. The ID-31 makes excellent use of the microSD card and I can only hope that Icom continues to add this feature to other radios. They've done GPS functionality right in this radio, as well.
It seems like they have some work to do with the TX audio quality, though. I'm not sure if this is something that can be corrected in firmware, but I hope so. My biggest issue with this radio is that it is 440Mhz only. While there are quite a few 440Mhz D-STAR repeaters in my area, the inability to use this radio to access the 2 meter D-STAR repeaters is frustrating. I also regularly use 2 meter FM repeaters and simplex with an HT, which means I must carry two radios if I want to use both 2m and 70cm on both FM and D-STAR. This is just impractical. I realize that Icom has other radios that fulfill these requirements, so I view the ID-31 as a niche type of product.
So here's the summary: D-STAR is neat, it's a quality radio, built tough, nice features, easy to use with lots of functionality, a niche product because of the single band capability, but the microSD card and the included programming software is where the innovation is.
After using this new HT for a few weeks, I have some overall thoughts on this product. First, it is a very nice, well built, sleek little radio. I like that it is waterproof and it seems like it will take some abuse. It's obvious that a lot of thought went into making this radio very easy to use, especially when you consider that programming D-STAR isn't typically as easy to do as the analog modes. The ID-31 makes excellent use of the microSD card and I can only hope that Icom continues to add this feature to other radios. They've done GPS functionality right in this radio, as well.
It seems like they have some work to do with the TX audio quality, though. I'm not sure if this is something that can be corrected in firmware, but I hope so. My biggest issue with this radio is that it is 440Mhz only. While there are quite a few 440Mhz D-STAR repeaters in my area, the inability to use this radio to access the 2 meter D-STAR repeaters is frustrating. I also regularly use 2 meter FM repeaters and simplex with an HT, which means I must carry two radios if I want to use both 2m and 70cm on both FM and D-STAR. This is just impractical. I realize that Icom has other radios that fulfill these requirements, so I view the ID-31 as a niche type of product.
So here's the summary: D-STAR is neat, it's a quality radio, built tough, nice features, easy to use with lots of functionality, a niche product because of the single band capability, but the microSD card and the included programming software is where the innovation is.
ID-31A Audio Quality Issue Origin?
Hi Moleculo,
Cool Moniker, BTW!
I read your posts on the new ICOM HT with great interest. I am wondering if the audio issue is due to the IP7X waterproofing? The Microphone may have some sort of membrane over it to protect it.
Has anyone tried and external microphone on the radio, such as the HM75 (or newer versions)? If so, I am very interested in knowing the result of that trial.
I sold my Icom 91AD last year, and I am looking to buy a new HT.
What is the radio like in a rag chew session? The 91AD used to get so hot it was painful to hold on to, and the radio itself would go into a self protection mode and stop transmitting after about 2 minutes of fairly continuous transmission (yes, I'm a real long winded sort).
I appreciate the effort you've gone through to relate your impressions of the radio.
Regards,
Shane
Hi Moleculo,
Cool Moniker, BTW!
I read your posts on the new ICOM HT with great interest. I am wondering if the audio issue is due to the IP7X waterproofing? The Microphone may have some sort of membrane over it to protect it.
Has anyone tried and external microphone on the radio, such as the HM75 (or newer versions)? If so, I am very interested in knowing the result of that trial.
I sold my Icom 91AD last year, and I am looking to buy a new HT.
What is the radio like in a rag chew session? The 91AD used to get so hot it was painful to hold on to, and the radio itself would go into a self protection mode and stop transmitting after about 2 minutes of fairly continuous transmission (yes, I'm a real long winded sort).
I appreciate the effort you've gone through to relate your impressions of the radio.
Regards,
Shane
I suspect the audio problem may be in part caused by the weatherproofing since the comments are that it sounds a bit muffled. I don't have the external mic to try with it, but I'm sure that will have a different audio quality than the built in mic as I've never used an external mic that didn't sound different than the radio itself.
The radio can get hot if transmitting for an extended time on high power, but it doesn't seem any worse than any other radios of similar size. Remember, these little radios don't have a huge surface area for the heat sink so the case is designed to do the job. That can make it get pretty hot to the touch if you get long winded. I haven't been able to make it shut down yet
The radio can get hot if transmitting for an extended time on high power, but it doesn't seem any worse than any other radios of similar size. Remember, these little radios don't have a huge surface area for the heat sink so the case is designed to do the job. That can make it get pretty hot to the touch if you get long winded. I haven't been able to make it shut down yet
How would you compare the ID-31A to the Yaesu VX-8?
Have you had the chance to work the D-PRS? I'm presuming it is digital proprietary version APRS. If so, I find this unfortunate. I like using APRS in remote locations, and don't need it worsen by trying to find someone with an ICOM radio.
The lack of VHF is a turn off. I use my radio in the backcountry, and it is tough enough trying to transmit, let alone only have 440..
Have you had the chance to work the D-PRS? I'm presuming it is digital proprietary version APRS. If so, I find this unfortunate. I like using APRS in remote locations, and don't need it worsen by trying to find someone with an ICOM radio.
The lack of VHF is a turn off. I use my radio in the backcountry, and it is tough enough trying to transmit, let alone only have 440..
They are really entirely different radios. The VX-8 is a jack-of-all-trades type of radio, while the ID-31A is a very purpose-built, DSTAR radio.
You can set up the radio to send DPRS info along with your DSTAR QSO when you key. Because it's part of the data stream, you never are bothered with it. Most D-STAR gateways are setup to gate the information to the APRS network, so your info will show up on sites like aprs.fi. The catch is that the radio does not have a built in TNC to use in conjunction with a normal digipeater. So, if there happens to be someone beaconing APRS info on a 440mhz frequency (I'm not sure why they would be doing that), the ID-31 won't do anything with it.
For those in need, I've posted the expanded TX/RX modification information here:
www.worldwidedx.com/icom/132879-icom-id-31a-expanded-transmit-receive-mod-first-internet.html
www.worldwidedx.com/icom/132879-icom-id-31a-expanded-transmit-receive-mod-first-internet.html
I'm happy to report that the ID-31A sounds MUCH better on D-Star than it did analog. Like night and day. In fact, the audio is borderline "hot", where it was really muffled on analog.
This was my first day on D-Star & I have to say I'm impressed now. I actually spoke to Mole while he was inside his office on the HT, talking to me 15 miles away over two mountains on simplex. We usually talk during the day with him outdoors, running through a repeater sitting at a 4000' elevation behind me, and the white noise can still be hell. That's the first thing I noticed on D-Star. No white noise at all. Pretty cool...
This was my first day on D-Star & I have to say I'm impressed now. I actually spoke to Mole while he was inside his office on the HT, talking to me 15 miles away over two mountains on simplex. We usually talk during the day with him outdoors, running through a repeater sitting at a 4000' elevation behind me, and the white noise can still be hell. That's the first thing I noticed on D-Star. No white noise at all. Pretty cool...
I just found that you can adjust both the TX/RX treble and bass audio quality using the supplied software. These settings are not currently available to change on the radio itself. I fond that cutting the bass and boosting the treble on TX got much better audio reports on analog FM than the default settings.
Weird but it sounded clear as a bell on D-Star before you found the bass/treble setting. The adjustment on FM was like night and day though. It sounded like an HT after the adjustment, but sounded like a shoe phone on the default setting.
:w00t:
Updated firmware released by ICOM here;
Firmware Updates / Software Downloads | Support | Icom Inc
Note that the USB adapter cable is required - you can't do it via the uSD card.
I haven't applied the update yet as I'm waiting for the cable to arrive.
Best Regards,
Tim VK2AAA
Updated firmware released by ICOM here;
Firmware Updates / Software Downloads | Support | Icom Inc
Note that the USB adapter cable is required - you can't do it via the uSD card.
I haven't applied the update yet as I'm waiting for the cable to arrive.
Best Regards,
Tim VK2AAA
So I'll be getting my bonus here in a few days and I've really been eyeing this radio. The biggest issue for me is that its a mono-band radio. I am primarily on 2m. I currently own the Yaesu VX-8R and use the APRS functionality all the time, but I am having serious issues finding what D-Star is, what it can do, etc. I've read the wiki page and it told me absolutely nothing. If I got this radio, what can I do with D-Star?
D-STAR brings several features to the table:
First, it is a digital mode that takes less bandwidth than analog signals. This is advantageous because it allows more stations in a crowded band. Because it is digital, it allows you to combine data and voice at the same time. For example, callsigns and locations of stations are automatically displayed on everyone's radios. You can also specify specific stations to talk to and only that station's squelch will open. Because the repeaters are connected to the internet, you can easily talk to any other station via a repeater through the internet. One thing is cool is that if you include your GPS info with your transmission, the whole system automatically knows where you're at. This allows another station to automatically find you without having to know what repeater you're on (this is called callsign routing). There are other things that D-STAR can do, as well but this should give you a few ideas of the basic capabilities.