The Icom MBA-3 is a rear panel adapter with a card edge connector for the Icom IC-A220 VHF air band transceiver. It converts the A220's rear panel D-sub 25-pin connector into a card edge interface, letting the radio plug into card edge equipment such as the Icom PS-80 base station for ground-based operation.
If you want to run an IC-A220 on a desktop for control tower, ground crew, flight school, or operations-room communications, the MBA-3 is the piece that makes the connection. It is also the adapter that lets you retrofit an A220 into equipment that previously held an Icom IC-A200 or IC-A210, so you can modernize an existing installation without replacing the surrounding hardware.
What the MBA-3 does
- Adapts the IC-A220 rear panel (D-sub 25-pin) to a card edge connector
- Connects the A220 to card edge equipment, including the Icom PS-80 base station and MB-53 mounting bracket
- Retrofits an A220 in place of an older IC-A200 or IC-A210
- Fits panel mount positions previously occupied by King KY96A, KY97A, KY196A, and KY197A units
Installation
The MBA-3 is not a plug-and-play swap. Per the manufacturer, installation requires soldering and additional assembly to wire the adapter to your equipment. Plan for the retrofit as a wiring job, and have a qualified avionics technician complete any aircraft installation. Verify the pin-out of your existing tray or equipment against the A220's requirements before you begin, since older trays may carry extra connections.
Is the MBA-3 right for your setup?
Choose the MBA-3 if you are moving an IC-A220 onto a PS-80 base station, or if you are replacing a legacy Icom IC-A200 / IC-A210 or a King KY-series unit and need the A220 to mate with the existing card edge connector. If you are building a fresh base station from scratch, pair it with the PS-80 power supply for desktop operation with a built-in speaker and hand microphone.
| Manufacturer | Icom |
| Part Number | MBA-3 (also listed as MBA3, IC-MBA3) |
| Type | Rear panel adapter, card edge connector |
| Radio-Side Connector | D-sub 25-pin |
| Equipment-Side Connector | Card edge |
| Compatible Transceiver | Icom IC-A220 |
| Connects To | Icom PS-80 base station, MB-53 bracket |
| Retrofit Compatibility | Replaces IC-A200 / IC-A210 installs; fits King KY96A, KY97A, KY196A, KY197A positions |
| Installation | Requires wiring/assembly, not plug and play |
radioparts.com is your source for Icom air band accessories. Questions about A220 base station configuration or retrofit compatibility? Contact our team before you order and we will confirm the right parts for your install.
