Icom Id-52a Setup guide

This manual describes instructions for advanced features and

instructions.

See the BASIC MANUAL that come with the transceiver for

precautions and basic operations.

ADVANCED MANUAL

VHF/UHF TRANSCEIVER

ID-52A

ID-52E

1 ATTACHING ACCESSORIES

2 USING a microSD CARD

3 BATTERY CHARGING

4 FM RADIO OPERATION

5 D-STAR OPERATION (ADVANCED)

6 GPS OPERATION (ADVANCED)

7 VOICE TX FUNCTION

8 RECORDER FUNCTION

9 MEMORY OPERATION

10 SCAN OPERATION

11 REPEATER AND DUPLEX OPERATIONS

12 SET MODE

13 Bluetooth®OPERATION

14 SHARE PICTURES FUNCTION

15 OTHER FUNCTIONS

16 UPDATING THE FIRMWARE

17 OPTIONS

INTRODUCTION

i

Thank you for choosing this Icom product. This product is designed and built with Icom’s state of the art technology

and craftsmanship. With proper care, this product should provide you with years of trouble-free operation.

This product combines traditional analog technologies with Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio

(D-STAR), for a balanced package.

ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MANUAL (As of November 2021)

You can use the following manuals to understand and operate this transceiver.

LIf necessary, you can download a glossary of HAM radio terms from the Icom website.

TIP: You can download each manual and guide from the Icom website:

https://www.icomjapan.com/support/

Enter “ID-52A” or “ID-52E” into the Search box on the site.

Basic manual (Comes with the transceiver)

Instructions for the basic operations and precautions.

D-STAR GUIDE that explains registering your call sign

to a gateway repeater and D-STAR’s basic operations

is also included.

Advanced manual (This manual)

• Attaching accessories

• Using a microSD card

• Battery charging

• FM Radio operation

• D-STAR operation (ADVANCED)

• GPS operation (ADVANCED)

• VOICE TX function

• Recorder function

• Memory operation

• Scan operation

• Repeater and duplex operations

• SET mode

• Bluetooth®operation

• Share Pictures function

• Other functions

• Updating the firmware

• Options

CI-V Reference Guide (PDF type)

Describes the control commands used in remote

control operation (serial communication using CI-V).

About the DV Gateway function (PDF type)

Instructions for the system requirements or operations

to use the DV Gateway function.

Updating the repeater list (PDF type)

Instructions for the steps to update the repeater list.

Using the GPS Logger function (PDF type)

Instructions for operating the GPS Logger function

that saves location data from a GPS receiver onto a

microSD card as a log.

TRADEMARKS

Icom, Icom Inc. and the Icom logo are registered trademarks of Icom Incorporated (Japan) in Japan, the United States, the

United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and/or other countries.

The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by

Icom Inc. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Adobe, Acrobat, and Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United

States and/or other countries.

APRS®is a registered trademark of Mr. Bob Bruninga in the U.S.A. and other countries.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

Google, the Google Logo, Google Play, the Google Play logo, Android, and the Android logo are trademarks of Google, LLC.

IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.

iPadOS is a trademark of Apple Inc.

App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

All other products or brands are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.

INTRODUCTION

ii

FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES OF ADOBE®ACROBAT®READER®

The following functions and features can be used with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

•Keyword search

Click “Find” (Ctrl+F) or “Advanced

Search” (Shift+Ctrl+F) in the Edit

menu to open the search screen.

This is convenient when searching

for a particular word or phrase in this

manual.

LThe menu screen may differ,

depending on the Adobe Acrobat

Reader version.

Click to open the find or

search screen or advanced

search screen.

• Find screen

• Advanced search screen

•Printing out the desired pages.

Click “Find (Ctrl+F)” or “Advanced Search

(Shift+Ctrl+F)” in the Edit menu to open the search

screen.

This is convenient when searching for a particular

word or phrase in this manual.

LThe menu screen may differ, depending on the Adobe

Acrobat Reader version.

LSelect the “A4” size to print out the page in the original

manual size.

•Read Out Loud feature.

The Read Out Loud feature reads aloud the text in

this PDF.

Refer to the Adobe Acrobat Reader Help for the

details.

(This feature may not be usable, depending on your

PC environment, including the operating system.)

LThe screen may differ, depending on the Adobe Acrobat Reader version.

INTRODUCTION

iii

ENTERING AND EDITING TEXT

Controls used for text entry To change the character type

1. When not selecting text, or an entered text is

selected, push [QUICK].

2. Rotate [DIAL] to select the character type, and

then push [ENT].

Character

type

Selectable characters and

symbols

Character

conversion

ABC A to Z, 0 to 9, (space) A/a

abc a to z, 0 to 9, (space) A/a

123 0 to 9, (space) –

!”# ! “ # $ % & ’ ( ) * + , - . / : ; < = >

? @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` { | } ˜ (space)

–

TIP: When the character type is “ABC” or “abc,” and

while entering a character, push [QUICK] to select

upper case or lower case letters.

Push [QUICK]

• To insert a text, move the cursor to a place to enter,

and then rotate [DIAL] or push D-pad().

• To clear a character, push [CLR].

• To consecutively clear characters, continuously

hold down [CLR].

[DIAL] (Rotate)

Selects a character

[ENT]

Sets

Moves the cursor

to the left

Moves the cursor to

the right

Cancels Clears

Opens the

character

Opens the Entry

Select window

Selects the character

INTRODUCTION

iv

USABLE CHARACTERS

The usable characters and symbols and the maximum characters differ, depending on the item.

See the following list for details.

LThe usable characters and symbols for each character type are described at the bottom of the page.

Category Item Character type Maximum

characters Information

FM Radio Memory Group Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Memory CH Group name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Call CH Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16

Your Call Sign Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Call Sign A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 8 –

Repeater List

Group Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Sub Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 8 –

Call Sign A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 8 –

GW Call Sign A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 8 –

GPS TX Mode

Unproto Address [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 56 Normally 12 characters

(API52,DSTAR*)

Comment [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 43

The number of characters you can

enter differs, depending on the data

extension and altitude settings.

Object Name/

Item name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 9 –

GPS Message [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 20 –

GPS Memory Group Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

P-Scan Edge Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

Program Link Program Link name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 16 –

CS screen

UR A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 8 –

R1 A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 8 –

R2 A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 8 –

My Call Sign Call Sign A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 12 (+1) Includes “/” between the Call sign

and Memo field.

My Station TX Message [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 20 –

DTMF Memory DTMF code 0 to 9, A, B, C, D, *, # 24 –

SD Card

Save Setting [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 23 Illegal characters:

/ : ; * < >

Export [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 23 Illegal characters:

/ : ; * < >

Bluetooth Device Name [ABC] [abc] [123] [!”#] 9 Excluding “ICOM BT”

DR screen Direct Input (UR) A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 8 –

Direct Input (RPT) A to Z, 0 to 9, /, (space) 8 –

[ABC]: A to Z, 0 to 9, (space)

[abc]: a to z, 0 to 9, (space)

[123]: 0 to 9, (space)

[!”#]: ! “ # $ % & ’ ( ) * + , - . / : ; < = > ? @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` { | } ˜ (space)

INTRODUCTION

v

HOW TO ENTER TEXT

Example: Entering “Calling” as a Memory name.

[MENU] > MEMORY > Memory CH

1. Push [MENU].

2. Select “MEMORY” on the second page of the

MENU screen.

3. Select “Memory CH.”

4. Select a channel group where the memory

channel you want to edit is listed.

5. Rotate [DIAL] to select a Memory channel.

6. Push [QUICK].

7. Select “Edit.”

• The Edit screen is displayed.

8. Select “NAME.”

9. Push [QUICK].

10. Select the character type.

LTo enter symbols, select “!"#.”

11. Rotate [DIAL] to select a character, then push [ENT].

LInformation

• To move the cursor forward, push D-pad().

• To move the cursor backward, push D-pad().

• To insert a character, move the cursor to a place to

enter, then rotate [DIAL].

• To clear a character, push [CLR].

• To consecutively clear characters, continuously hold

down [CLR].

• When the character type is “ABC” or “abc,” and while

entering a character, push [QUICK] to select upper

case or lower case letters.

12. Repeat steps 9 ~ 11 to enter a name, and push [ENT].

• Returns to the Edit screen, and the entered name is

displayed.

13. Select “<<OverWrite>>.”

• A confirmation dialog is displayed.

14. Select “YES.”

• The Memory name is overwritten.

1-1

Section 1

Attaching the antenna.............................................................................1-2

Attaching and detaching the battery.......................................................1-2

Attaching and detaching the belt clip......................................................1-3

Attaching the hand strap.........................................................................1-3

ATTACHING ACCESSORIES

1ATTACHING ACCESSORIES

1-2

1

2

1

Attaching and detaching the battery

To attach or detach the battery pack or battery case,

see the illustrations below. See page 3-8 for battery

case details.

LWhen attaching the battery case, slide it, and press firmly

until it is fixed with both latches.

LWhen detaching the battery case, turn OFF the

transceiver.

Attaching the antenna

Insert the antenna into the base of the SMA antenna

connector and tighten the antenna.

TIP: Third-party high gain antennas may increase

transceiver performance. The optional AD-92SMA

antenna connector adapter enables you to use

antennas with a BNC connector. (p. 17-2)

NOTE:

• Even when the transceiver is turned OFF, a small

current still flows in the transceiver. When not

using the transceiver for a long time, remove the

battery pack or case to prevent the batteries from

becoming exhausted.

• The battery protection function automatically

reduces power to Low1 power (0.5 W) when the

temperature is around 0°C (32°F) or below. In

addition, High, Mid, and Low2 power selections

are disabled.

Battery pack or

battery case

To attach To detach

Antenna

1ATTACHING ACCESSORIES

1-3

q

w

Attaching the hand strap

Slide the hand strap through the loop on the top of the

rear panel, as illustrated below.

Attaching and detaching the belt clip

To attach or detach the belt clip, first remove the

battery pack or case, if it is attached. (p. 1-2) See

the illustration below.

To attach the belt clip, slide the belt clip in the

direction of the arrow until the belt clip locks in place,

and makes a ‘click’ sound.

To detach the belt clip, lift the tab up (1) and slide the

belt clip in the direction of the arrow (2).

To attach

RWARNING! NEVER swing the transceiver by

holding the hand strap. This could cause injury to

yourself or others.

Belt clip

Battery pack or

battery case

To detach

Tab

Hand strap

2-1

Section 2

About data saved on a microSD card��2-2

Saving settings onto a microSD card ��2-2

DSaving as a new file ��2-2

Saving with a different file name��2-3

Loading the saved files on the microSD card��2-4

Backing up data saved on the microSD card onto a PC ��2-5

DAbout the microSD card’s folder��2-5

DMaking a backup file on your PC��2-6

Importing or exporting a CSV format file ��2-7

DImporting ��2-7

DExporting ��2-8

About the SD Card mode ��2-9

Check the free space and the recording time on the microSD card��2-10

USING a microSD CARD

NOTE: See the Basic manual

Section 6 for details on how to

insert or remove a microSD card

and precautions�

2USING a microSD CARD

2-2

About data saved on a microSD card

The following data can be saved onto the card:

• The transceiver’s settings

• Communication/receive log and contents

• Automatic answering voice audio in the DV mode

• Voice audio for the Voice TX function

• Voice recorder

• Captured screens

• Memory channel contents

• FM Radio memory

• Your (UR) call sign memory

• Repeater List

• GPS memory

• Position data from the GPS receiver

• Pictures for the Share Pictures function

• Transmitted and received log of Share Picture

• Pictures for the Opening Picture setting

Saving settings onto a microSD card

The Memory channels, settings on the MENU screen,

and the Repeater List can be saved on a microSD

card�

Saving data on the card enables you to easily restore

the transceiver to its previous configuration, even if

you perform an All Reset�

You can save settings data as a new file, or you can

overwrite a current file�

DSaving as a new file

[MENU] > SET > SD Card > Save Setting

1� Push [MENU]�

2� Select “SD Card” in the “SET” menu�

3� Select “Save Setting�”

4� Select “<<New File>>�”

• The file is named in the following format:

Setyyyymmdd_xx

(yyyy: Year, mm: month, dd: day, xx: file number)�

LTo change the file name, see page 2-3�

5� Push [ENT]�

• The confirmation screen is displayed�

6� Select “YES�”

• While saving, a progress bar is displayed� When saving

is completed, the SD CARD screen is displayed

�

LTo exit the MENU screen, push [MENU]�

Overwriting a current file:

To overwrite data in a current file, select the file you

want to overwrite in step 4 to the left�

TIP:

• Data is saved in the “icf” file format� You can copy the icf

data on a PC and edit it using the CS-52 

�

• If “Save Form” is set to the earlier firmware version, the

confirmation window is displayed after step 4� To save

the data in the earlier firmware version, select “YES�”

2USING a microSD CARD

2-3

Saving with a different file name

[MENU] > SET > SD Card > Save Setting

1� Push [MENU]�

2� Select “SD Card” in the “SET” menu�

3� Select “Save Setting�”

4� Select “<<New File>>�”

5� Hold down [CLR] to delete the characters�

6� Enter a file name, and then push [ENT]�

LSee page iii on how to enter characters�

7� Select “YES�”

• While saving, a progress bar is displayed� When saving

is completed, the SD CARD screen is displayed�

LTo exit the MENU screen, push [MENU]�

2USING a microSD CARD

2-4

Loading the saved files on the microSD card

The saved Memory channels, settings on the MENU

screen, and Repeater List can be copied to the

transceiver�

This makes it easy to copy Memory channels or the

Repeater List, to another ID-52A/ID-52E and operate

with the same data�

NOTE: Saving the current data is recommended

before loading other data into the transceiver�

Example: Loading all the data in the

“Set20211101_01” file

[MENU] > SET > SD Card > Load Setting

1� Push [MENU]�

2� Select “SD Card” in the “SET” menu�

3� Select “Load Setting�”

4� Select a data file to load into the transceiver�

5� Select the loading content�

•ALL:

Loads all Memory channels, settings on the

MENU screen, and the Repeater List into the

transceiver�

•Except My Station:

Loads all Memory channels, setting on the

MENU screen except MY call signs, and the

Repeater List into the transceiver�

•Repeater List Only:

Loads only the Repeater List into the transceiver�

6� Select “YES” or “NO�”

•YES:

The skip settings of the Repeater List are

retained�

•NO:

The skip settings of the Repeater List are

cleared�

7� Select “YES�”

• Starts checking and loading the data file�

• After loading, “COMPLETED!” is displayed�

8� Restart the transceiver to operate with the new

setting�

2USING a microSD CARD

2-5

Backing up data saved on the microSD card onto a PC

A backup file enables easy restoration, even if the

data on the microSD card is accidentally deleted�

ID-52 Capture

Csv MemoryCh

GpsMemory

RptList

Picture

Voice yyyymmdd

yyyymmdd

VoiceTx

QsoLog

Reply

RxLog

Setting

Private Rx

Tx

OpeningPicture

RadioMemory

YourMemory

Gps

yyyymmdd

VoiceRec

•ID-52 folder

The folders created in the transceiver are contained

in this folder�

•Capture folder

The captured screen data in the “png” or “bmp”

format�

•Csv folder

The Repeater List, Your (UR) call sign memory,

GPS Memory folders, and so on�

DAbout the microSD card’s folder

The folder in the microSD card contains the following:

•GpsMemory folder

The GPS Memory in the “csv” format�

•MemoryCh folder

The Memory channel contents in the “csv” format�

•RadioMemory folder

The FM Radio memory contents in the “csv” format�

•RptList folder

The Repeater List in the “csv” format�

•YourMemory folder

The Your (UR) call sign memory in the “csv” format�

•Gps folder

The GPS logging data in the “log” format�

•OpeningPicture folder

The pictures in the “bmp” format that are used for

the Opening Picture setting�

•Picture folder

The pictures in the “jpg” format that are used with

the Share Pictures function�

•Private folder

The RX Picture History and TX Picture History�

•Rx folder

The RX Picture History in the “dat” format�

LThe RX Picture History contents are not displayed on

the PC�

•Tx folder

The TX Picture History in the “dat” format�

LThe TX Picture History contents are not displayed on

the PC�

•QsoLog folder

The QSO log data in the “csv” format�

•Reply folder

The automatic reply data in the “wav” format�

•RxLog folder

The RX record log data in the “csv” format�

•Setting folder

The transceiver’s setting data in the “icf” format�

•Voice folder

The recorded QSO audio date folders�

•VoiceRec folder

The recorded Voice recorder audio date folders�

•yyyymmdd folder

The recorded QSO audio data and the recorded

Voice recorder audio data is saved in the “wav”

format�

•VoiceTx folder

The recorded voice audio data for the Voice TX

function in the “wav” format�

2USING a microSD CARD

2-6

Backing up data saved on the microSD card onto a PC

DMaking a backup file on your PC

Windows®10 is used for these instructions.

1� Insert the microSD card into the microSD card

drive or a memory card reader on your PC�

2� Click the “Open folder to view files” option to

access the card�

Click

• ‘ID-52’ folder is displayed�

3� Right-click “Removable disk�”

4� Click “Copy�”

5� Open a folder to copy a backup file, then right-

click, and then click “Paste�”

• Copies the card data onto your PC�

(Example: Copying into the “Backup” folder on the

C drive)

6� To remove the card, click the remove media icon

(“ ” in the screenshot shown below) in the

taskbar�

Then, click “Eject Removable Disk�”

7� When “Safe To Remove Hardware” is displayed,

remove the card�

TIP: When “USB Connect” is set to “SD Card Mode,”

and the transceiver is connected to the PC through a

USB data cable, you can directly access the microSD

card that is set in the transceiver from the PC�

([MENU] > SET > Function > USB Connect)

Right-Click

Click

2USING a microSD CARD

2-7

Importing or exporting a CSV format file

Read this section before importing or exporting a

Comma Separated Values (CSV) format file from the

microSD card�

You can import or export the following data:

• Memory CH

• FM Radio Memory

• Your Call Sign

• Repeater List

• GPS Memory

DImporting

NOTE:

• Before importing, make a backup file of all the

transceiver’s data to the card in case of data loss�

• The transceiver cannot display files that have a file

name 24 or more characters� If necessary, rename

them using 23 characters or less� When exporting CSV

format files using the CS-52, BE SURE the names are

23 characters or less�

Example: Importing the Your Call sign memory�

[MENU] > SET > SD Card > Import/Export > Import

1� Push [MENU]�

2� Select “SD Card” in the “SET” menu�

3� Select “Import/Export�”

4� Select “Import�”

5� Select “Your Call Sign�”

6� Select the CSV file to import�

• The confirmation dialog is displayed�

TIP: When importing a Repeater List, “Keep



See step 6 on page 2-4 for details�

7� Select “YES�”

• Starts importing�

• After importing ends, “COMPLETED!” is displayed�

8� To complete importing, restart the transceiver�

2USING a microSD CARD

2-8

Importing or exporting a CSV format file

DExporting

Saving as a new file:

Example: Exporting the Your Call sign memory�

[MENU] > SET > SD Card > Import/Export > Export

1� Push [MENU]�

2� Select “SD Card” in the “SET” menu�

3� Select “Import/Export�”

4� Select “Export�”

5� Select “Your Call Sign�”

6� Select “<<New File>>�”

• Displays the FILE NAME screen�

LThe file is named in the following format:

Your*yyyymmdd_xx

(yyyy: Year, mm: month, dd: day, xx: file number)�

* When you select the other items, each file is named

as shown below�

Memory CH: “Mch”

FM Radio Memory: “Radio”

Repeater List: “Rpt”

GPS Memory: “Gps”

LSee page iii on how to enter characters�

7� Push [ENT]�

• The confirmation dialog is displayed�

8� Select “YES�”

• Exports the setting data�

LTo exit the MENU screen, push [MENU]�

Overwriting the current file:

When you overwrite data in a current file, select the

file you want to overwrite in step 6 to the left�

2USING a microSD CARD

2-9

About the SD Card mode

When “USB connect” is set to “SD Card Mode,” and

the transceiver is connected to the PC through a USB

data cable, you can transfer the files between the

micoSD card set in the transceiver and a PC�

You can back up the setting data and recording data

saved on the microSD card to a PC, and save the

image data for the Share Pictures function and the

firmware data to the microSD card without inserting or

removing it�

[MENU] > SET > Function > USB Connect

1� Connect the transceiver to a PC using a USB

cable�

2� Push [MENU]�

3� Select “Function” in the “SET” menu�

4� Select “USB Connect�”

5� Select “SD Card Mode�”

• The confirmation dialog is displayed�

6� Select “Yes�”

NOTE: Before connecting the transceiver in the SD

Card mode to a PC with a USB cable, a microSD

card must be inserted�

LIf the microSD card is not inserted, insert it with the

transceiver turned OFF, and then reconnect the USB

cable�

TIP: In the SD Card mode, the transceiver works

not as a transceiver but as a data storage device� It

temporarily stops some functions as follows:

• Stops recording

• Pauses the GPS Logger function and the RX History

Log function

• Disconnects a Bluetooth device

• Disables the Auto Power OFF function

To exit the SD Card mode

LThis instruction manual is based on Windows 10�

1� Click “ ” in the task tray�

2� Click “Eject Device�”

3� After “Safe to Remove Hardware” is displayed,

remove the USB cable from the PC�

2USING a microSD CARD

2-10

Check the free space and the recording time on the microSD card

[MENU] > SET > SD Card > SD Card Info

1� Push [MENU]�

2� Select “SD Card” in the “SET” menu�

3� Select “SD Card Info�”

• The free space and the recording time on the

microSD card are displayed�

LTo exit the MENU screen, push [MENU]�

3-1

Section 3

Battery information ��3-2

DBattery life ��3-2

DBattery icon ��3-2

Charging information ��3-3

DCharging through the [DC IN] jack ��3-3

DCharging with a USB cable ��3-4

Charging with the BC-202IP2 optional rapid charger ��3-5

Charging with the BC-202IP3L optional rapid charger ��3-6

Connecting BC-202IP3L together��3-7

External DC power operation ��3-7

About the optional battery case��3-8

DBattery life ��3-8

DAbout the battery replacement ��3-8

Specifications for the battery charger and battery packs��3-9

DBP-271 Li-ion battery pack (optional) ��3-9

DBP-272 Li-ion battery pack (supplied) ��3-9

DBP-307 Li-ion battery pack (optional) ��3-9

DBC-202IP2 rapid charger (optional)��3-9

DBC-202IP3L rapid charger (optional)��3-9

BATTERY CHARGING

Icom ID-52A Setup guide

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