Would you like help with a specific function (e.g., setting up a split-frequency channel, DTCS tone, or unlocking extended RX)?
The original battery for the IC-V90 was the Li-Ion BP-217 (1950mAh). Under normal 5W transmit cycles, you could get about 10-12 hours of light use. However, the Achilles' heel of used IC-V90s today is battery availability. Icom discontinued the BP-217, and aftermarket clones are of variable quality.
The first thing you notice when holding an Icom IC-V90 is the heft. It weighs approximately 390 grams (13.7 oz) with the standard battery pack—significantly heavier than a modern Baofeng or Yaesu FT-4X. However, this weight is reassuring.
The antenna connection is a standard SMA (female) connector, making it compatible with modern aftermarket antennas like the Diamond SRH77CA. Icom ic v90
Let’s stack the IC-V90 against two modern radios: the Yaesu VX-6R and the Baofeng UV-5R.
The single biggest complaint about the stock Icom IC-V90 is the battery. The original BP-217 Ni-MH packs are almost all dead today. They suffer from high self-discharge and the "memory effect."
How to fix this today:
Because the Icom IC-V90 is a monoband radio (144–148 MHz in the USA, 144–146 MHz in Europe), it does not waste energy on scanning bands you don’t need. Here are the hard specs that still beat many modern dual-banders:
The Icom IC-V90 is a VHF transceiver designed primarily for the amateur radio market, specifically the 144–148 MHz band. It is characterized by a distinct design philosophy that prioritizes RF durability, simple user interface, and high duty-cycle capability over aesthetic refinement or advanced digital features. This paper dissects the radio’s technical specifications, ergonomics, and real-world performance to understand its continued relevance in the modern ham radio landscape.
Here is the biggest hurdle for modern users: The Icom IC-V90 is a pain to program by hand. Would you like help with a specific function (e
It lacks a numeric keypad. Yes, you read that right. To change frequency, you rotate the top knob. To enter a specific frequency (e.g., 146.520), you must use the "dial" method, spinning through megahertz and kilohertz separately. It is slow and tedious.
The workaround is the OPC-966 cloning cable (or a 3rd party USB version) combined with old-school software like CS-V90. Most owners program the 207 memories once via a PC and then never touch the VFO again.