ICOM IC-F21GM setup of two used radios (newbie)

[WSDF258]

I'm brand new to GMRS and just bought my first two radios (ICOM IC-F21GM) used from eBay. The radios are in really nice shape and are barely used in the factory boxes and appear to hold a charge just fine.

When I first received the units, one channel was working to transmit from radio one and receive on radio two, but could not transmit from radio two to radio one. I attempted to follow the instruction manual to setup one channel for each unit to communicate bath and forth, but now they don't work on any channel after trying to change the settings. I would like to have a simple setup for them work together for around the yard, so not trying to do anything complex.

For someone that is new to radios in general, what's the easiest way to setup these radios? Is my best bet to purchase the cable and software that work with these radios or is there a better way to do it?

[SteveShannon]

4 minutes ago, WSDF258 said:

I'm brand new to GMRS and just bought my first two radios (ICOM IC-F21GM) used from eBay. The radios are in really nice shape and are barely used in the factory boxes and appear to hold a charge just fine.

When I first received the units, one channel was working to transmit from radio one and receive on radio two, but could not transmit from radio two to radio one. I attempted to follow the instruction manual to setup one channel for each unit to communicate bath and forth, but now they don't work on any channel after trying to change the settings. I would like to have a simple setup for them work together for around the yard, so not trying to do anything complex.

For someone that is new to radios in general, what's the easiest way to setup these radios? Is my best bet to purchase the cable and software that work with these radios or is there a better way to do it?

First, for every channel, remove any CTCSS tones or DCS codes on both transmit and receive.

Then just change them both to the same channel and you should be able to transmit from one to the other.

Don’t try to transmit from one to the other when they’re just a few feet (or inches) from each other.  That can cause desensing, which is when the strong transmit power from one overwhelms the sensitive receiver of the other.  Put some distance between them.

Good luck!

[amaff]

44 minutes ago, WSDF258 said:

just bought my first two radios (ICOM IC-F21GM) used from eBay

[Socalgmrs]

Get a programming cable and what ever program they use.  This will make your life 1000xs easier.   You unfortunately didn’t pick the best beginner radios to start with.  Your learning curve is going to be steep. 

[WSDF258]

Thank you for the responses and appreciate the insight from veterans. I have tried to remove the CTCSS tones and DCS codes, but still no luck. I will plan to purchase the cables and software and give that a shot.

[SteveShannon]

10 minutes ago, WSDF258 said:

Thank you for the responses and appreciate the insight from veterans. I have tried to remove the CTCSS tones and DCS codes, but still no luck. I will plan to purchase the cables and software and give that a shot.

Okay, but please don’t give up on learning to set and clear tones from the front panel. The Icom is a good radio. Being able to program it from the front panel could be extremely useful. 

[SteveShannon]

If you're really thinking of spending $75 on programming software, I would recommend spending the same amount of money to get more current radios instead.  

[wayoverthere]

Bluemax49ers has been my source for cables for most of the LMR radios in my collection, and some of the software as well. It does look like he has a cable for those Icoms, too, with an option to add the software.

https://bluemax49ers.com/product-explorer/icom-ic-f21gm-ftdi-programming-cable-opc-i478/

[Lscott]

On 10/31/2024 at 9:39 AM, WSDF258 said:

I'm brand new to GMRS and just bought my first two radios (ICOM IC-F21GM) used from eBay. The radios are in really nice shape and are barely used in the factory boxes and appear to hold a charge just fine.

I hope you got the right band frequency range. Those radios come in two different ones. One of which would be basically useless. You want the 440-470 range.

You should be able to tell from the FCC ID tag on the back of the radio. It should match the one found here:

https://fccid.io/AFJIC-F21

Which seems to show the radio is certified for Part 95A, which is the old rule part for GMRS. This means it's still perfectly legal to use under the new rules.

Looks like a nice solid basic radio.

icom_ic_f11_f21_brochure.pdf

[gortex2]

The F21GM was the UHF GMRS Version of the radio. When I was an ICOM dealer we sold a ton of them to hunters. It was firmware locked to GMRS/FRS.

https://www.ameradio.com/doc/Icom_IC-F21GM_brochure.pdf