I have had my R8600 for about a year now and I am still finding out what it can do . This is partly because I am not the brightest creature on the planet and partly because I have an R9500 which is a fantastic piece of kit and my first love. However, as time goes by the R 8600 is catching up with the 9500 in my affection. It is rather sad that only Icom who seem interested in producing a quality receiver for enthusiasts. 73s de G6XYZ
A really nice radio but I would also add that no DMR and the lack of inbuilt decoding would not make me rush out and buy one. Come on Icom, you should be offering a one stop solution for all modes without having to use any external equipment to decode at this price.
Thank you for this walkthrough and, with apology for the lated comment (or query) may I seek your advice on why I could not received a local (UK BBC radio 4) 200KHz AM broadcast, while it is received loud and clear on vintage Selena, Sony ICF-7601L and on NRD-535. All these radios are placed in the same location, using the same antennae (long wire and other). In fact, the portable radios pick up this broadcast with hardly any antenna extension, while the IC-R8600 renders nothing but (50Hz) noise, and this is despite trying all the permutations on turning on 'noise reduction', attenuation, reducing RF gain. Am I doing anything wrong? Thank you.
Thank you again Bob. Your demonstration encouraged me to get this receiver. Any advice on the size (internal / external diameter) of the round DC power plug, to see if a generic alternative to Icom's is tenable? Thank you.
I purchased my R8600 from Universal Radio and it came with 1.20 firmware. As time has gone by the firmware version is 2.34. Should I update the firmware in increments or go straight to the most recent version and install that ? Any advice will help, Duane
Where is the 1 Hz tuning? I was disappointed in my radio when I discovered that it cannot dial in to 1 Hz precision even though the display goes out to .000 and your brochure advertises that frequency resolution is 1 Hz. You have this feature on the IC-7300. Why is it not enabled on your R8600? Still waiting on a satisfactory explanation from Icom.
Thanks Elias. We started selling the IC-R8600 in the UK at the end of 2017 (icomuk.co.uk/News_Article/2/186). This as all our radios are designed and manufactured in Japan..
@@Icom_UK Thank you again Bob and, with apology for troubling you further, I would be grateful for advice on apparent gaps (forgive me if my understanding is incorrect) in the frequency coverage: 252.895MHz to 255.100MHz , 261.895MHz to 266.100MHz 270.895MHz to 275.100MHz , 379.895MHz to 382.100MHz 411.895MHz to 415.100MHz , 809.895MHz to 834.100MHz 859.895MHz to 889.100MHz, 914.895MHz to 960.100MHz If correct, I wonder if this technically imposed or to comply with possible regional restrictions. I presume the 0.1 to 30 MHz is seamless, possibly with an interruption until the 118-137 MHz Air Band. Thank you again.
Greetings!! I see you have 8600 and 7300 side by side on your table. Tell me, on short waves, which device do you prefer in terms of reception (RX)?? I had a 7300 and I know how it works. And the 8600 has never been turned. I would appreciate any feedback. Sincerely, Oleg.
The 8600 has substantially better blocking dynamic range. Number 4 on Sherwood. And it sounds better optimized for AM, unlike most SDRS that sound crappy on AM.
You could have an aerial to cover such a wide frequency range but it would be a bit of a compromise. It really depends on what you want to listen to and what range you are expecting. Most operators use at least two aerials, one for frequencies up to 30MHz and another for 30MHz upwards. Often additional aerials are employed to cover frequency bands of interest.
I would like to know how you configure the 8600 with fldigi? If anyone can help me as it doesn’t show the 8600 under RIG section of configuration only the R8500.
I use a Diamond discone on my 8600; whilst the gain is zero the antenna does receive well over a wide range so I am happy. As ever, quality coax, plugs and a bit of height add to the listening experience.
How long will Icom support these new SDR radios for? If their FPGA or program storage ICs should fail many years from now I don't expect that Icom will repair it as they don't touch older Icom radios, but thankfully they can be repaired by the user. These SDR radios won't be home repairable and that concerns me and puts me off investing a lot of money into a new radio, matter how good it is. It's a shame because I like these radios.
good point, I would also consider environment for example room temp here is 24C-28C and OAT is 35C+ now imagine snoozing off after an afternoon beer and the aircon fails in the shack, expensive, unrepairable toast...
I can buy one right now but I,m not that stupid.I have radio,s here at the house that are cheaper and I like it so each to their own.I got better thing,s to do with ,3000.00 lol....
sorry ICOM I won't buy one...here's why:- I use kiwi sdr for whole HF (yes 2-30 in real time not just chunks) monitoring remotely over IP and sharing to 4 users (plus HF DF (toda) apps and lots of users worldwide as well) , and then specific SDRs for specific jobs (such as air band and NOAA) at specific band Fs. Now coming onto operation, it has a small screen with no copy output to HDMI and a mouse, I use my radios on a 65inch HDMI monitor, without glasses or headaches, apart from lacking a tuning knob (well some USB ones exist) I now use "Console SDR" a really great piece of software, waterfall, memories, vario width filters, superb noise reduction menu etc, all of these are in it for free as well as the ability to multi-windowise and run several disparate SDRs at the same time, Although this radio is nice, I still have my trusty R71 check RXs, it's really the end of "all in one boxes" for me...(and Thai nasty customs too) I've just sold 100 HF-UHF radios (60s-2000s) on ebay as I am clearing my 50 year collection, BUT I am keeping WW2 tube tech for real pleasure as well as historical value - for work I use SDRs (navy apps/ETTUS E310/Lime SDR etc) and for home QTH, kiwi and cross country wireless V4+ , plus some Harris preselectors and even a simple RTL SDR with front end BP filters. oh, and a variety of antennas. For TX/mobile/portable I am buying a Xeigu G90 to replace my manpack old-hat dodgy racals...I'm 69 and "retired" in asia too, this is my perpective, it's always horses for courses tho, FOOTNOTE although I use SDRs for dev at work, for home I was brought kicking and screaming to the altar of HF SDRs, "where's the freakin knob, my first radio was an AR88 etc" but using CCW and KIWI changed that plus I don't want to forever fiddle about pressing and twddling knobs and looking at a tiny screen at my age.... :-) 73 de MW3PWA
Nice radio but like you said price is high. I would never pay that much when I have older radio,s that I like better.each to their own. I,m with you bro.
About 50% of his speech is useless. Time wast. I, maybe most HAM, want to see that how it pick weak signals-voice and CW- up and how it reduce QRM and noise. Now a day, HAMs under very bad wave propagation conditions. If he really knows that, he has to spend his speech time for showing it's receiving -pick up- performance as a video rather than explain switches and terminals.
Love this radio . so much so I have got a second one, use one for HF the other V/UHF ... Loved you on our local radio down here in Devon and Cornwall
Thank you for your warm words...will pass on your comment to Bob.
I have had my R8600 for about a year now and I am still finding out what it can do . This is partly because I am not the brightest creature on the planet and partly because I have an R9500 which is a fantastic piece of kit and my first love. However, as time goes by the R 8600 is catching up with the 9500 in my affection. It is rather sad that only Icom who seem interested in producing a quality receiver for enthusiasts. 73s de G6XYZ
nice unit yet again from Icom
A really nice radio but I would also add that no DMR and the lack of inbuilt decoding would not make me rush out and buy one. Come on Icom, you should be offering a one stop solution for all modes without having to use any external equipment to decode at this price.
Definitely agree. In uk DMR is a must
Thank you for this walkthrough and, with apology for the lated comment (or query) may I seek your advice on why I could not received a local (UK BBC radio 4) 200KHz AM broadcast, while it is received loud and clear on vintage Selena, Sony ICF-7601L and on NRD-535. All these radios are placed in the same location, using the same antennae (long wire and other). In fact, the portable radios pick up this broadcast with hardly any antenna extension, while the IC-R8600 renders nothing but (50Hz) noise, and this is despite trying all the permutations on turning on 'noise reduction', attenuation, reducing RF gain. Am I doing anything wrong? Thank you.
Does this radio decode cell? Ty I’ve at the moment an old ice 9000 cheers Mike really good easy to understand video 73 mike
Thank you again Bob. Your demonstration encouraged me to get this receiver. Any advice on the size (internal / external diameter) of the round DC power plug, to see if a generic alternative to Icom's is tenable? Thank you.
If you can send me an email at marketing@icomuk.co.uk I can send you the information in the form of a graphic
@@Icom_UK Thank you very much Bob. Email on its way.
Can the 3.5mm remote port be hooked to ir cable for tv remote (or laptop ir) connection control(chan up/down, number pad use etc)?
I purchased my R8600 from Universal Radio and it came with 1.20 firmware. As time has gone by the firmware version is 2.34. Should I update the firmware in increments or go straight to the most recent version and install that ?
Any advice will help,
Duane
Where is the 1 Hz tuning? I was disappointed in my radio when I discovered that it cannot dial in to 1 Hz precision even though the display goes out to .000 and your brochure advertises that frequency resolution is 1 Hz. You have this feature on the IC-7300. Why is it not enabled on your R8600? Still waiting on a satisfactory explanation from Icom.
I was considering one of these a while back, but as it won't handle DMR it's not a lot of use for scanning enthusiasts in the UK.
Superb demonstration. Thank you. Can I please ask if the receiver is actually made in Japan? Thank you.
Thanks Elias. We started selling the IC-R8600 in the UK at the end of 2017 (icomuk.co.uk/News_Article/2/186). This as all our radios are designed and manufactured in Japan..
@@Icom_UK Thank you Bob. Useful to know.
@@Icom_UK Thank you again Bob and, with apology for troubling you further, I would be grateful for advice on apparent gaps (forgive me if my understanding is incorrect) in the frequency coverage:
252.895MHz to 255.100MHz , 261.895MHz to 266.100MHz
270.895MHz to 275.100MHz , 379.895MHz to 382.100MHz
411.895MHz to 415.100MHz , 809.895MHz to 834.100MHz
859.895MHz to 889.100MHz, 914.895MHz to 960.100MHz
If correct, I wonder if this technically imposed or to comply with possible regional restrictions.
I presume the 0.1 to 30 MHz is seamless, possibly with an interruption until the 118-137 MHz Air Band.
Thank you again.
Could you tell me what the mute is for.Thanks steve.
How does its sensitivity and selectivity compare to icom pcr-1000 or SDRPlay RSP1A ?
Greetings!! I see you have 8600 and 7300 side by side on your table. Tell me, on short waves, which device do you prefer in terms of reception (RX)?? I had a 7300 and I know how it works. And the 8600 has never been turned. I would appreciate any feedback. Sincerely, Oleg.
The 8600 has substantially better blocking dynamic range. Number 4 on Sherwood. And it sounds better optimized for AM, unlike most SDRS that sound crappy on AM.
Which is better as receiver , ic-7300 and ic-r8600?
Do you need the use two antennas to cover 10 to 300,thanks steve.
You could have an aerial to cover such a wide frequency range but it would be a bit of a compromise. It really depends on what you want to listen to and what range you are expecting. Most operators use at least two aerials, one for frequencies up to 30MHz and another for 30MHz upwards. Often additional aerials are employed to cover frequency bands of interest.
Nice radio. Is there anything to listen to above the 1240 MhZ ham band? Just curious if there is any analog, or digital voice use.
23cms amateur band 1.240 - 1.325 Ghz
GPS Satellites 1.2276 and 1.57542 Ghz
Hydrogen line (used for radio astronomy ) 1.420 Ghz
Mobile phones 1.4/1.8/2.1/2.6 Ghz
Iridium sat phones 1.6138 - 1.6265 Ghz
Inmarsat phones 1.525 - 1.559 Ghz and 1.6265 - 1.6605 Ghz
13 cms amateur band 2.300 - 2.450 Ghz
Microwave ovens 2.450 Ghz
Various radars/telemetry/space comms/ military etc etc.
People say that the communications receiver is the best shortwave receiver that has ever been made on earth.
Do you get an sd card if you buy it new.thanks steve.
Hi Steve. An SD card is not included with this radio from the factory although I have seen resellers include one.
I want to scan 10khz - 300khz in CW mode can this be accomplish ? Looking for transmissions to submarine, Thank you ,Maxton
We are unsure...we have never tried this application.
does it have IF DSP? or any kind of DSP?
I would like to know how you configure the 8600 with fldigi? If anyone can help me as it doesn’t show the 8600 under RIG section of configuration only the R8500.
I com UK your I com ic, r 8600 wid band communications Receiver is cool
I posted in a couple places I’m looking for antenna recommendations That would be great for places where space is limited.
I use a Diamond discone on my 8600; whilst the gain is zero the antenna does receive well over a wide range so I am happy. As ever, quality coax, plugs and a bit of height add to the listening experience.
Hello, tell me how to detect unauthorized radiation at 400 MHz?
How long will Icom support these new SDR radios for? If their FPGA or program storage ICs should fail many years from now I don't expect that Icom will repair it as they don't touch older Icom radios, but thankfully they can be repaired by the user. These SDR radios won't be home repairable and that concerns me and puts me off investing a lot of money into a new radio, matter how good it is. It's a shame because I like these radios.
good point, I would also consider environment for example room temp here is 24C-28C and OAT is 35C+ now imagine snoozing off after an afternoon beer and the aircon fails in the shack, expensive, unrepairable toast...
The only thing this receiver don't do is SDR :(
sorry DMR :(
way ttooooo expensive...
I can buy one right now but I,m not that stupid.I have radio,s here at the house that are cheaper and I like it so each to their own.I got better thing,s to do with ,3000.00 lol....
Yup… why so expensive. Might as well buy a 991A for example for less than half the price with MARS
sorry ICOM I won't buy one...here's why:- I use kiwi sdr for whole HF (yes 2-30 in real time not just chunks) monitoring remotely over IP and sharing to 4 users (plus HF DF (toda) apps and lots of users worldwide as well) , and then specific SDRs for specific jobs (such as air band and NOAA) at specific band Fs. Now coming onto operation, it has a small screen with no copy output to HDMI and a mouse, I use my radios on a 65inch HDMI monitor, without glasses or headaches, apart from lacking a tuning knob (well some USB ones exist) I now use "Console SDR" a really great piece of software, waterfall, memories, vario width filters, superb noise reduction menu etc, all of these are in it for free as well as the ability to multi-windowise and run several disparate SDRs at the same time, Although this radio is nice, I still have my trusty R71 check RXs, it's really the end of "all in one boxes" for me...(and Thai nasty customs too) I've just sold 100 HF-UHF radios (60s-2000s) on ebay as I am clearing my 50 year collection, BUT I am keeping WW2 tube tech for real pleasure as well as historical value - for work I use SDRs (navy apps/ETTUS E310/Lime SDR etc) and for home QTH, kiwi and cross country wireless V4+ , plus some Harris preselectors and even a simple RTL SDR with front end BP filters. oh, and a variety of antennas. For TX/mobile/portable I am buying a Xeigu G90 to replace my manpack old-hat dodgy racals...I'm 69 and "retired" in asia too, this is my perpective, it's always horses for courses tho, FOOTNOTE although I use SDRs for dev at work, for home I was brought kicking and screaming to the altar of HF SDRs, "where's the freakin knob, my first radio was an AR88 etc" but using CCW and KIWI changed that plus I don't want to forever fiddle about pressing and twddling knobs and looking at a tiny screen at my age.... :-) 73 de MW3PWA
what an awsome post - thanks for sharing, and wishing you well.
£2500.00 a rip off
Nice radio but like you said price is high. I would never pay that much when I have older radio,s that I like better.each to their own. I,m with you bro.
About 50% of his speech is useless. Time wast.
I, maybe most HAM, want to see that how it pick weak signals-voice and CW- up and how it reduce QRM and noise.
Now a day, HAMs under very bad wave propagation conditions. If he really knows that, he has to spend his speech time for showing it's receiving -pick up- performance as a video rather than explain switches and terminals.
Got the cash but I wont be buying one till DMR`s added ! eat the poo sandwich Icom...
Same for me without DMR and TETRA.... not interesting today