Icom IC-A16B 51 USA Aviation Bluetooth Ground-to-Air Handheld Radio, 1500mw
REGULAR PRICE: £398.00
About this item
- [FLEXIBLE CHANNEL SPACING] – Supports both 8.33 kHz and 25 kHz aviation channel spacing, ensuring reliable, interference-free communications across regulated airband frequencies.
- [POWERFUL AUDIO CLARITY] – 1500 mW loudspeaker output delivers clear, intelligible communication even in high-noise cockpits or flight line environments.
- [HIGH RF TRANSMISSION POWER] – 6 W (PEP) / 1.8 W (carrier) RF output provides strong, dependable signal coverage for enhanced airband communication range.
- [BUILT-IN BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY] – Enables hands-free operation with wireless headsets and cockpit accessories for safer, distraction-free flying.
- [EXTENDED BATTERY ENDURANCE] – Large-capacity battery delivers up to 17 hours of operating time*, reducing downtime on long flying days.
- [RUGGED & WEATHER-SEALED] – Compact, waterproof housing rated IP67/IP54 and tested to MIL-STD-810-G for durability in harsh aviation conditions.
- [ENHANCED NIGHT VISIBILITY] – LCD screen and illuminated keypad improve usability for low-light or night flight operations.
- [VERSATILE HEADSET COMPATIBILITY] – Works with third-party aviation headsets (optional OPC-2401 adapter required) for flexible cockpit integration.
Product Description
The ICOM A16B Comm-Only transceiver is ideal for students, ground crew and pilots of all levels! It has a compact, waterproof design for one-hand operation for working on the flight line, using it for back up in any aircraft, or for use by ground crew. Its 2400mAh Li-ion battery lasts over 17 hours and the radio includes a convenient sit-in rapid charger.
| SKU: | B07RG8LBKW |
| Weight: | 9.1 Ounces |
| Brand: | ICOM |
| Model: | IC-A16B 51 USA |
| Colour: | Black |
| Manufacture: | Icom America |
| Colour: | Black |
Exactly what I was looking for! Small, compact and light with all the features you expect from a handheld radio…and it has Bluetooth!! Which means I can easily pair it to my Sena comm system on my flight helmet without cumbersome cords! The range on the radio is typical for a handheld. There is plenty of memory to program all your frequently used frequencies and all the controls and buttons seem robust. You can’t beat this radio for the price, quality and features!
Quality
I haven’t really had this long enough to see if there is anything that I don’t really like. The channel is easy enough to read, but the icons are a little small. I like the headset capability and bluetooth.
Great radio for Ground support!
I have the Icom A16-A but have just upgraded to the Icom A16-B. It is the same radio but this radio adds a Bluetooth feature to the mix. I was very happy to see that this radio also allowed me to connect to my AirPods to keep up with the ramp frequency traffic when I do not have my actual headset on. Great radio for the price!
Aviation standard
It’s a great thing to have in the plane as a backup radio or for flight instructors sending students solo. Charge lasts a while, and easy to set up. You can talk or receive clearly. I use it to receive ATIS as well on planes that don’t have a secondary frequency.
I got this radio and the Sporty’s radio at the same time, and it’s a night and day difference in quality. This radio feels much better made, more compact and lighter as well without 8 AAs. I like that you can put in text for saved channels, so I’ve got my common frequencies saved with their airport identifier and use (ie TWR GND AWS) all readily available. Speaker is louder and much clearer than the Sporty’s hands down. Battery life is very good.
One of my favorite features is the bluetooth. Yes, it’s a little confusing that you have to get into a sub menu to use the bluetooth microphone portion, but once it’s set up it’s great. I have it linked to my Bose A20 headset with bluetooth, letting me use this as a backup radio without even dealing with my headset jacks, let alone adapters.
As far as downsides, I wish dealing with the bluetooth functions was easier. If it doesn’t connect after a main com failure in air setting it up would become a lot more difficult and cumbersome than plugging in a standard radio. The other downside is lack of regular charging ports of any kind, even the non-rechargeable Sporty’s radio has a USB-C input for emergency power of the radio in addition to readily available AA battery use. While the lipo of the Icom is impressive, you do NEED the cradle and power supply to charge it which is an extra concern when traveling with it. Wish it would charge off USB micro or C as well, or at the very least be capable of running off of it in an emergency situation.