Panel Mount Radios & Base Stations

A panel-mount aviation radio is your aircraft's permanent primary communication transceiver, wired into the ship's electrical system, antenna, and intercom rather than carried loose like a handheld. Pilot Mall is an authorized Icom dealer, and this collection pairs Icom's panel-mount VHF air band transceivers with a ground-based FBO base station so both aircraft owners and airport operators can equip from one shelf. Whether you are completing an experimental build, upgrading the comm stack in a certified airplane, or running pattern advisories from the ramp, the right Icom radio is here.

Shop by mission:

Experimental and light sport builds: the Icom IC-A220 panel mount with bright OLED display is a favorite for homebuilt and LSA panels.
Certified and IFR aircraft: the Icom IC-A220T is TSO'd for use as a primary VHF radio with 8.33 and 25 kHz channel spacing.
FBOs and flight schools: the Icom IC-A120B base station handles ground-to-air communication at the airport.
Portable backup: pair any install with a handheld aviation radio for emergencies and ramp use.

Not sure which Icom fits your aircraft and operation? The guide below explains TSO versus experimental, channel spacing, and how a base station differs from a panel mount. Free U.S. shipping over $100.

Icom panel-mount radios and base stations: choosing your primary comm

Every radio in this collection is built by Icom, a trusted name in aviation communication, and Pilot Mall is an authorized Icom dealer. The lineup answers two related needs: a permanent primary VHF transceiver for the panel, available in experimental and TSO-certified versions, and a base station for ground operators who talk to aircraft. The compact table below shows where each one fits before the guide walks through how to choose.

Model	Type	Best for
Icom IC-A220	Panel mount, OLED, non-TSO	Experimental and light sport aircraft
Icom IC-A220T	Panel mount, OLED, TSO'd	Certified and IFR Part 23 aircraft
Icom IC-A120B	Base station	FBOs, flight schools, uncontrolled airports

Panel mount versus base station

A panel-mount radio lives in the instrument panel and is hardwired to the aircraft's electrical bus, antenna, and intercom, serving as the primary transceiver you fly behind every day. The IC-A220 and IC-A220T are both panel mounts with a bright OLED display, an 8 watt transmitter, 8.33 and 25 kHz channel spacing, a built-in two-place voice-activated intercom, an instant 121.5 emergency button, NOAA weather channels, and 14V or 28V operation. A base station like the IC-A120B is not installed in an aircraft at all; it sits on a desk or counter at the airport so ground staff can communicate with pilots in the pattern or on the ramp.

TSO-certified versus experimental

The difference between the two panel mounts is certification. The IC-A220T is approved under TSO-C128a and TSO-C169a for use as a primary VHF radio in a Part 23 general aviation aircraft and meets the RTCA DO-160G environmental standard, which makes it the choice for certified and IFR airplanes. The standard IC-A220 shares the same feature set but is not TSO'd, so it is intended for experimental and light sport aircraft where TSO approval is not required. Installing a radio in a type-certificated aircraft is regulated work, so plan on a certified avionics technician handling the install under FAR Part 43.

Why buy from Pilot Mall

Authorized Icom dealer: genuine Icom radios with the full manufacturer warranty.
Aviation only: we sell pilot gear and nothing else, so our team knows comm radios, antennas, and intercoms.
Clear guidance: we help you sort TSO from experimental before you order the wrong box.
Free U.S. shipping over $100: these transceivers qualify.
Trusted for decades: thousands of pilots and operators rely on Pilot Mall for cockpit equipment.

Looking to round out the cockpit? Browse all aviation radios and transceivers, the full range of Icom aviation radios, and aircraft intercoms and adapters, or add a handheld aviation radio as a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Icom IC-A220 a TSO-certified aviation radio?

No. The standard IC-A220 is the non-TSO version, intended for experimental and light sport aircraft. If you need TSO approval for a certified airplane, choose the IC-A220T, which is approved under TSO-C128a and TSO-C169a as a primary VHF radio in Part 23 general aviation aircraft.

What is the difference between a panel-mount and a handheld aviation radio?

A panel-mount radio is permanently installed in the aircraft and wired to ship power, the antenna, and the intercom as your primary comm. A handheld is a portable, battery-powered transceiver carried as a backup or for ramp use. Most pilots fly a panel mount and keep a handheld for emergencies.

Do you need a TSO-certified radio for IFR flight?

In a type-certificated aircraft, the equipment used for required communication generally must be approved, which is why certified and IFR airplanes use a TSO'd radio such as the IC-A220T. Experimental and light sport aircraft are not held to the same TSO requirement. Confirm your specific install with your avionics technician.

What is 8.33 kHz channel spacing on an aviation radio?

Channel spacing is the frequency gap between adjacent comm channels. The older standard is 25 kHz, but 8.33 kHz packs channels more tightly to relieve crowded airspace and is required in parts of Europe. The IC-A220 and IC-A220T support both 8.33 and 25 kHz so they work in either environment.

Can the Icom IC-A220 replace a Garmin SL40 or Bendix/King KY97A?

The IC-A220 series is designed to fit common existing radio brackets, including those used by the Garmin SL40 and the Bendix/King KY96A and KY97A, which can simplify an upgrade. Bracket and connector fit varies by aircraft, so have a certified avionics technician verify your specific installation before ordering.

What is an aviation base station radio used for?

A base station such as the IC-A120B is a ground-based VHF radio used by FBOs, flight schools, and uncontrolled airports to communicate with aircraft in the pattern or on the ramp. It is not installed in an airplane; it sits at the operations desk to provide ground-to-air advisories and coordination.