Microlighters

I heard in the WCMC meeting last night that ICOM do not recommend the use of the A4, A6, and A24 for use in microlights and if so used they will not acknowledge the warranty.

These are unconfirmed statements so if anyone has a contact at ICOM or one of their distributors could they please confirm it.

I have a ICOM A4 Sport and it has worked perfectly in my plane for years.

I have bought a new A4 a few months ago (from an approved Icom supplier in Benoni) and installed a whip aerial (from Buzzcom) at the same time...... comms have been absolutely perfect, no problems

As far as i recall, nothing was metioned in the Icom manual and warranty regarding it not being recomended for microlights, nor by the approved Icom supplier (i specifically mentioned to the agent that it was for microlighting when i was looking at the various radio models)...

I would not be too impressed if it is ideed an Icom policy (or the agent) not to honour the warranty

Any Icom agents or suppliers able to confirm

Browsed the Icom America website and Japanese website and didn't find any mention of not being able to use these radios on microlights/ultralights. Instruction manuals also don't contain any warnings / exemptions of usage. Maybe its in the fine print somewhere?

You would think that if it was a general Icom thing it would apply to the A-5 / A-23 radios as well?

Hi guys,

I've received a letter from one of our regular Icom suppliers informing us that if handheld ICom radios are used in microlights with custom made antennas there will be no waranty repairs done on the radio. Can't remember the exact wording of the letter, but if I recall correctly they reffered to externally mounted antennas used on trikes, which (due to being "incorrect length") damage the radio's transceiver unit. So if the radio is used with any other antenna than the original rubber one they will not accept any warranty claims.

BTW, just a note on the A6. Apparently the A6 requires a special power converter if you want to run it off your trike/aircraft mains, unlike the older A5 units which you could just run of your trikes 12V battery. Unfortunately for anyone who buys this radio now there are none of these power converters available at this time, and apparently will not be available for another 1 to 6 months from any authorised ICom distributor...
So unless you can make one of those up and are willing to forego your warranty or you're willing to put up with the hassle on charging your radio's battery every time, you should consider another radio solution for your aircraft... may be an ICom A23, or an A200?

Safe flying.

I make the 11 volt supply and a Intercom for these radios with good results.

Paul Lintott
Air MAgic