The controls are intuitive, the ability to adjust almost all parameters is fantastic and the scope with waterfall is particularly useful. This radio blows them all out of the water. I have owned many receivers over the past 40 years including the vaunted Drake R8A and R8B models. I have had this radio for about six weeks.
Whether the difference is worth the price is up to the listener. Whatever you hear on the '7300, the 'R8600 hears it better. IMHO, the IC-R8600 SDR LW, MW, and HF portion of the receiver is an IC-7300 on steroids. The main VFO knob is also slightly smaller.but comes with a very comfy rubber ring around the knob. The receiver is slightly smaller in size than the IC-7300. Not so with the Icom.įit and finish is of the high quality Icom is known for. My old Drake R-8 had AM synchronous detection but failed to maintain a steady lock on a station. The sync immediately locks in improving reception. On the shortwave bands I was able to utilize the IC-R8600's synchronous AM demodulation. My location is coastal/rural and I have not experienced any OVF indications while using the IC-R8600. The Palstar, too, is a very good receiver but came in a close third. Signals were on average 2 to 3 S-units stronger on the 'R8600 over the IC-7300 with MF Band ATT off.which is no slouch as an AM BCB receiver. The IC-R8600 was the clear winner in best reception.both signal strength and audio quality. Having the '7300 and also a Palstar R30C receiver, I was able to do some unscientific A/B comparisons on the AM broadcast band. All settings are laid out in a logical fashion the touch screen is about as good as they get. If you have an Icom IC-7300 you'll be familiar with the GUI display. You'll need it handy to squeeze out all the fun and features available in the 'R8600. And a little scanning of the local public safety bands. This one goes to 3000MHz! In fact, my primary focus is BCB DX'ing and some casual shortwave listening. My interest pretty much caps off at about 450MHz. I'll be the first to admit this receiver is more than I need and covers frequencies I will probably never visit. No FM stereo but that too can be handled externally.
#R8500 REVIEW HOW TO#
(Others have posted how to do this in other places.) Scanning is fast and radio is solidly built. You could also connect the 10.7 IF out to another SDR. DMR is not included in the radio itself but having the I/Q output allows you to to that. Honestly, when the commercial power is "on," it's pretty hard to fully appreciate the abilities of this radio! Updated firmware and using the I/Q output for HDSDR and SDR console. Tuned around through HF and a bit in V/U range and couldn't find anything other than actual signals. Logged 64 different VLF beacons using an 80m OCF dipole.
No switching power supplies, computers, electric motors, plasma TV's etc. Amazed to tune in the VLF range (10 KHz to 500 KHz) and find nothing but actual signals there. During a recent storm, our power went out so I immediately hooke this radio up to a 12v battery and tuned around for the next 4 or so hours. The radio is small in size but has an incredible amount of capabilities! Being able to switch the meter from the standard "S meter" to dBm or dBuV is very useful for broadcast or V/U communications work for field strength measurements.
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