Icom has quietly launched the ID-52E PLUS, a refreshed edition of its flagship VHF/UHF D-STAR handheld, for the European market. This is not a ground-up redesign. The PLUS keeps the proven ID-52E hardware core and concentrates on the two things operators actually complained about – the ageing Micro-USB port and wired-only smartphone connectivity – while adding one genuinely new receive capability: the UHF military air band.
The same proven core underneath
Under the hood, the ID-52E PLUS is every inch the successor of the ID-52E: dual-band VHF/UHF coverage, full D-STAR digital mode alongside FM analogue, local simplex and repeater operation, and worldwide DX through the D-STAR gateway network. The IPX7 waterproof rating carries over as well, so the radio survives short immersion – the kind of reassurance that matters on mountain hikes and in emergency communication kits.
USB Type-C at last
The most visible change sits on the bottom edge: the long-serving Micro-USB port is gone, replaced by a standard USB Type-C connector. Any phone charger now tops up the radio, and a single Type-C cable handles PC programming, microSD data transfers and CI-V remote control. For anyone who has ever hunted for a proprietary cable before a trip, this alone justifies the upgrade.
A new band to listen to: UHF military air
Icom has extended the air band receiver beyond the familiar VHF civil aviation range into the UHF military air band, covering 225 to 374.995 MHz. Spotters and aviation enthusiasts can now follow a much wider slice of the traffic around airbases and training areas – a first for this handheld family.
GPS with D-PRS position reporting
The built-in GPS receiver now works hand in hand with D-STAR: the radio reports your position automatically via D-PRS, shows the distance, bearing and Maidenhead locator of nearby D-STAR stations on screen, and can answer incoming position requests on its own. A nearby-repeater search and a GPS track logger round out the package for hikers and emergency teams.
Bluetooth D-STAR and 32 GB on microSD
Terminal mode and access point mode no longer need a cable: the ID-52E PLUS pairs with Android devices over Bluetooth for cable-free D-STAR gateway access, and can hold a terminal-mode session while still operating on simplex or through a repeater. The microSD slot now accepts cards up to 32 GB – enough room for QSO audio recordings, voice TX memory, logs, GPS tracks, repeater lists and firmware files.
Your ID-50E accessories still fit
Compatibility with the ID-50E series has been retained almost across the board: batteries, speaker microphones and antennas from earlier models clip straight onto the PLUS. For clubs and individual operators upgrading from an ID-50E or ID-52E, the existing accessory drawer stays useful – and the real cost of moving up drops accordingly.
What the ID-52E PLUS means for dealers
Every one of these changes removes a sales objection. Type-C ends the “why does my radio need a special charger” conversation. Bluetooth matches the way customers already use their phones. Carried-over accessories protect the existing installed base instead of forcing a clean break. With D-STAR remaining the most widely deployed amateur digital protocol in Europe, Japan and North America, the ID-52E PLUS arrives as the safe, low-friction flagship for any D-STAR-focused shelf.
Official brochure
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This report is based on the European launch announcement of the Icom ID-52E PLUS as covered by Chinese amateur radio media. Specifications are preliminary and subject to Icom’s official documentation.