Icom ID-51A Plus2
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| Frequency | TX: 144-148 MHz (2m), 430-450 MHz (70cm), RX: extended VHF/UHF + AM/FM broadcast + aviation band + weather band (USA) |
| TX power | 0.1 / 0.5 / 1 / 2.5 / 5 W (5W / 2.5W / 1W / 0.5W / 0.1W selectable.) |
| Modes | FM (analog), DV (D-STAR digital voice), AM (receive only) |
| Battery | Li-ion 1150mAh / 7.4V |
| Weight | 255 g (9 oz) - 255g with BP-271 battery and antenna. Dimensions: 58×105.4×26.4 mm, ultra-compact. |
| Connector | SMA-Female on the radio body - takes SMA-Male antennas |
| Year | 2016 |
| antenna | SMA-Female on the radio body - takes SMA-Male antennas |
| speaker mic | Icom proprietary (NOT Kenwood compatible) |
| data | OPC-2350LU interface cable (INCLUDED) |
| ext dc | external DC power jack |
| microsd | MicroSD card slot |
| power req | BP-271 Li-ion 1150mAh (standard, included; ~4.5 hours). Optional BP-272 high-capacity. External DC power jack. |
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. MONOCHROME dot-matrix display; GPS; microSD; NO USB port (charges via wall charger); NO Bluetooth; IPX7. BP-271 1150 mAh (BP-272 1880 mAh optional). Plus/Plus2 add Terminal/Access Point modes. ID-51A Plus2 = 2016. DISCONTINUED.
A D-STAR HT that helped build the D-STAR community. Terminal and Access Point modes let you create your own gateway. It has 1,304 channels including 750 repeater memories, IPX7 waterproofing, and GPS with D-PRS, Near Repeater Search, and altitude logging. A 128x104 display, dual-watch, aviation/broadcast/weather receive, a MicroSD slot, and a voice synthesizer round it out. The OPC-2350LU cable and CS-51 software are included, with RS-MS1A Android support, in 4 colors, ultra-compact at 255 g and 26.4 mm deep.
Discontinued, so buy used or remaining stock. The BP-271 standard battery lasts only ~4.5 hours (get the BP-272). No band scope or waterfall (the ID-50A has them). No USB-C (the ID-50A has it). No Bluetooth (the ID-52A has it). No Share Picture (the ID-50A has it). 5 W max. Icom proprietary accessories. The ID-50A is the recommended current replacement.
A classic D-STAR handheld, now discontinued. The ID-51A Plus2 was a definitive D-STAR HT for years: Terminal/AP modes, GPS, IPX7, dual-watch, and 750 repeater memories in a 255 g package. The ID-50A brings a band scope, waterfall, USB-C, and Share Picture at a similar price. Buy the ID-51A Plus2 used for value, or the ID-50A new for current features.
The Icom ID-51A, in its final ID-51A Plus2 form, was for years the workhorse of Icom's D-STAR handheld line, a compact, light, dependable radio that introduced many hams to digital voice. It is an amateur radio for the 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands, requiring 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, plus analog FM.
It transmits 5 watts across multiple power levels, has built-in GPS for position reporting, a monochrome dot-matrix display, and a microSD slot for recording and logs. The Plus and Plus2 versions added Terminal and Access Point modes, which let the radio reach the D-STAR network through an internet-connected PC or phone, useful where no local repeater exists. It is rated IPX7, submersible to a meter. Notably for a radio of its era, it has no USB port, charging is through a dedicated wall charger, and no Bluetooth.
It has been discontinued, with the ID-50A and ID-52A taking its place, but it remains common and well-supported in the D-STAR community. The current mid-tier replacement is the ID-50A; the color-screen flagship is the ID-52A.