Also known as: IC-2730A, IC-2730
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The Icom IC-2730A is the consensus pick for a no-nonsense analog dual-band mobile: 50 watts on 2m and 70cm, true simultaneous dual receive (including V/V and U/U), wideband receive down to the AM air band, and Icom build quality — with no digital modes, no GPS, and no gimmicks.1 Still in production in 2026 at around $330, it is the radio you buy when you want the RF done right and nothing else.
Key takeaways The best pure-FM mobile. Clean, sensitive receiver; loud audio; true dual receive in any band combination; wideband RX 118–174 / 375–550 MHz including air band AM; dead-simple operation; CHIRP-supported. No digital voice, no APRS, no GPS — that’s the deal. Remote-head-only design (separation cable included, but mounting brackets cost extra). ~$330, in production. Transmitting needs an FCC ham license (Technician+); listening doesn’t.
Overview
The IC-2730A is a remote-head-only design: the controller separates from the RF deck, and the separation cable comes in the box. The catch every buyer should know up front is that the mounting hardware for the head costs extra — the MBF-1 and MBA-2 brackets are add-ons — and some controls split between the head and the DTMF microphone, which takes a little adjustment.
What you get for the money is Icom’s RF: a clean, sensitive receiver that holds up where budget imports desense, loud audio, and a large backlit LCD (not color, not touch) that is legible at a glance. True simultaneous dual receive covers V/V and U/U as well as V/U — genuinely two receivers, not dual watch. It holds 1,000 memories, transmits 50/15/5 W on both bands at ~13 A full-power draw, and offers an optional VS-3 Bluetooth headset via the optional UT-133A module. No GPS, no APRS modem, no cross-band repeat, no digital voice.
That last line is the whole trade: rigs like the AnyTone AT-D578UVIII Plus pile on features for similar money, but none of the budget feature-radios match this receiver. You pay Icom for RF quality, not a spec sheet.
Modes & coverage
- Analog FM only on amateur 2m and 70cm — no D-STAR, DMR, or C4FM.
- Wideband receive: 118–174 MHz (including AM air band) and 375–550 MHz — handy for monitoring public safety and aviation between QSOs, within the limits of an FM mobile’s scanning. For serious monitoring, a police scanner or an SDR does it better.
- True dual receive with independent volume/squelch per band.
Programming
Every route works, and all are painless:
- CHIRP (free) — the IC-2730 driver is mature; this is the easy path.
- Icom CS-2730 — Icom’s own software.
- RT Systems — the paid, polished option.
GopherTrunk alternative
GopherTrunk receives only — it cannot transmit — so it is no substitute for the IC-2730A’s half of a QSO. It is the smart first step, though: before spending $330, a ~$30 RTL-SDR running free GopherTrunk lets you hear every local repeater and see how active your area’s 2m/70cm scene really is — and unlike any mobile, it records, logs, and timestamps what it hears, covering the digital modes this radio skips. Listening requires no license; transmitting on the ham bands requires an FCC amateur license (Part 97, Technician class minimum). Dongle recommendations are in best SDR for GopherTrunk.
Who it’s for
- Buy the IC-2730A if you want the best-behaved analog FM mobile — a commuter/repeater rig with a receiver that holds up in RF-dense areas — and you don’t need digital voice or APRS. View on Amazon →
- Buy the ID-5100A for the same Icom RF plus D-STAR and a touchscreen, ~$130 more.
- Buy a used Kenwood TM-V71A for similar analog quality plus cross-band repeat at a lower used price, or a BTECH UV-25X2 if $330 is out of reach.
- Full field: the 10 best mobile ham radios.
Sources
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Icom IC-2730A product page — Icom America, on the 50/15/5 W output, simultaneous dual receive, 118–174 / 375–550 MHz wideband receive, remote-head design, and options. ↩
Frequently asked questions
Is the Icom IC-2730A still in production?
Yes — as of August 2026 it is current on both Icom America’s and Icom Japan’s lineup pages and stocked new at the major dealers, typically around $330.
Does the IC-2730A have digital modes or APRS?
No. It is analog FM only — no D-STAR, no DMR, no C4FM, and no GPS or APRS modem. You are paying for RF quality and true dual receive, not features. For digital, look at the ID-5100A (D-STAR) or AnyTone AT-D578UVIII Plus (DMR).
Can the IC-2730A receive the air band?
Yes — its wideband receive covers 118–174 MHz including AM air band, plus 375–550 MHz. Transmit is amateur 2m/70cm only.
Does CHIRP support the IC-2730A?
Yes, CHIRP has an IC-2730 driver, and Icom’s CS-2730 software and RT Systems are also available. Programming this radio is easy by any route.
Do I need a license for the IC-2730A?
To transmit, yes — an FCC amateur license, Technician class or above (Part 97). Listening needs no license, on this radio or on a $30 RTL-SDR running free GopherTrunk.