Icom ID-50A
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| Frequency | TX: 144-148 MHz (2m), 440-450 MHz (70cm), RX: 88-108 MHz (FM broadcast), 108-174 MHz (VHF + AM airband), 375-479 MHz (UHF) |
| TX power | 0.1 / 0.55 / 1 / 2.5 / 5 W (5W / 2.5W / 1.0W / 0.55W / 0.1W — FIVE selectable power levels.) |
| Modes | FM (analog), DV (D-STAR digital voice), AM (airband receive only) |
| Battery | Li-ion 2000mAh / 7.4V |
| Weight | 300 g (10.6 oz) - ~300g with BP-272 battery and antenna. |
| Connector | SMA-Female on the radio body - takes SMA-Male antennas |
| Year | 2023 |
| antenna | SMA-Female on the radio body - takes SMA-Male antennas |
| speaker mic | Icom proprietary (NOT Kenwood compatible) |
| usb c | USB Type-C multi-function (charging, programming, microSD, Terminal/AP, CI-V) |
| ext dc | external DC power jack (10-16V) |
| microsd | MicroSD card slot |
| power req | BP-272 Li-ion 2000mAh (included). Optional BP-307 large-capacity (IC-705 battery). Optional BP-273 AA alkaline case. USB-C charging (USB PD NOT supported). External DC 10-16V. |
Estimated (unverified): AMATEUR (ham) radio - FCC Technician-class license or higher required (NOT GMRS/license-free). D-STAR (Icom digital voice/data) + analog FM - NOT DMR. Dual-band 2m/70cm; 5W (5 levels). MONOCHROME display with a MONOCHROME band scope/waterfall (NOT color - only the ID-52A is color). Built-in GPS; NO Bluetooth; USB-C (charge + program); microSD; IPX7 (submersible). BP-272 1880-2000 mAh. Wide RX incl. VHF air band + FM broadcast (no UHF mil air band - that's the ID-52A). Introduced 2023. ~$400 MSRP.
The most affordable Icom D-STAR HT with modern features. A band scope and waterfall display let you see active channels, and a multi-function USB-C port handles charging, programming, and more. GPS with Near Repeater Search finds local D-STAR repeaters, and Share Picture sends photos over DV mode. Terminal and Access Point modes let you build a personal D-STAR gateway. It is IPX7 waterproof, with airband and FM broadcast receive, 5 power levels, a MicroSD slot, and BP-307 (IC-705 battery) compatibility. It brings most ID-52A features at a lower price.
Premium-priced for a handheld. D-STAR has fewer repeaters than DMR in many areas. No DMR (D-STAR only). 750 mW audio (versus 1500 mW on the IC-T10/IC-V86). Icom proprietary accessories. USB PD is not supported (slower charging). No APRS decode (D-STAR only). The ID-52A Plus is the premium step-up.
An accessible D-STAR handheld. The ID-50A brings a band scope, waterfall, USB-C, Share Picture, and gateway modes to D-STAR at Icom's lowest D-STAR price. For operators entering D-STAR, it is the current entry point. The band scope and waterfall change how you find activity, letting you see active channels visually.
The Icom ID-50A is the mid-tier radio in Icom's D-STAR handheld line, sitting between the discontinued ID-51A and the flagship ID-52A, and it brought a band scope and waterfall to a more affordable price. It is an amateur radio for the 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands and requires an FCC Technician-class license or higher to transmit; it is not a GMRS or license-free radio. It uses D-STAR, Icom's digital voice-and-data mode, not DMR, alongside conventional analog FM.
One spec to get right: despite having a waterfall band scope, the ID-50A's display is monochrome, not color, the color display belongs only to the pricier ID-52A. It transmits 5 watts across five power levels, has built-in GPS for D-STAR position reporting, a wide receiver that covers the VHF aviation air band and FM broadcast, a microSD slot, and a modern USB-C port for charging and programming. It does not have Bluetooth. The body is rated IPX7, submersible to a meter.
Introduced in 2023, it is current production and was reviewed favorably by the ARRL as a capable, versatile D-STAR radio. For the color-screen flagship with Bluetooth and wider receive, step up to the ID-52A; the older ID-51A is the discontinued predecessor.