R8600 vs R9000?

[IK2GNP]

My question is in the subject.
I'm evaluating a new wideband ICOM receiver for my shack, and I thought that the R8600 could be the best choice yet.
But today I got a great offer for a latest series R9000 (probably produced around year 2000) in fascinating conditions.
I never seen such fantastic radio, and it would be perfect for me because I could be in trouble with touch screen display due to visual impairments (maybe I must connect my computer to completely control the R8600).
So, my question is: what about performances of these radios? Anyone compared both side by side?
I repeat that the R9000 is in perfect conditions, we made some test with RF generator and other instruments.
What do you think? All possible advices would be very appreciated. Thank you.

 

[prcguy]

Go here and check out the measured specs. The R8600 appears to be the best performing standalone receiver ever tested by Rob Sherwood.

Receiver Test Data

 

[bearcatrp]

What happens when you need it repaired? Don't think Uniden is repairing older receivers. Could check to see. The R8600 is a beast. Along with the iPad software, hard to beat. Good luck.

 

[IK2GNP]

What happens when you need it repaired? Don't think Uniden is repairing older receivers. Could check to see. The R8600 is a beast. Along with the iPad software, hard to beat. Good luck.

I did not understand your connection with Uniden. Could you please explain?
Also, which iPad app do you mean? If you are speaking of the app made in Germany (do non remember its name), the author told me that it is not Voiceover compliant and he can't fix this.
Maybe a different app? Thanks.

 

[bearcatrp]

Opps, meant Icom. This iPad app…

SDR-Control - Marcus & Jan Roskosch

roskosch.de

Not sure what you mean about voice over compliant. Can you explain? I do know when using the app it stops sound on the radio and comes over the iPad. It’s pretty slick. Worth the money.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

My question is in the subject.
I'm evaluating a new wideband ICOM receiver for my shack, and I thought that the R8600 could be the best choice yet.
But today I got a great offer for a latest series R9000 (probably produced around year 2000) in fascinating conditions.
I never seen such fantastic radio, and it would be perfect for me because I could be in trouble with touch screen display due to visual impairments (maybe I must connect my computer to completely control the R8600).
So, my question is: what about performances of these radios? Anyone compared both side by side?
I repeat that the R9000 is in perfect conditions, we made some test with RF generator and other instruments.
What do you think? All possible advices would be very appreciated. Thank you.

I have bad eyes and fat fingers. After you buy "the best performing standalone receiver ever tested by Rob Sherwood.", send the nice IC-R9000 to me. Thanks

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Opps, meant Icom. This iPad app…

SDR-Control - Marcus & Jan Roskosch

roskosch.de

Not sure what you mean about voice over compliant. Can you explain? I do know when using the app it stops sound on the radio and comes over the iPad. It’s pretty slick. Worth the money.

There is a Facebook for ICOM CI-V experimentation. One guy there makes remote control boxes with knobs, buttons and LED's to get around the menu nonsense of the more modern radios. It is all pretty much experimentation but some utility there for fat fingers, me. I don't know if they have any outboard voice announcement stuff. But certainly over the many decades of these radios being out there, someone has.

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[IK2GNP]

I have bad eyes and fat fingers. After you buy "the best performing standalone receiver ever tested by Rob Sherwood.", send the nice IC-R9000 to me. Thanks

I have no eyes and normal fingers... haha!!
Speaking of visually impairments I mean that I'm a blind person, so I'm not able to use any touch screen display, unless some accessibility feature is added like, for example, in every Apple devices.
This is the reason for which I'm so doubtful to purchase the R8600. The old R9000 has a large and well-recognizable keyboard like R7100 or R8500 that I used in the past.
But obviously the problem could be that it is an old radio, and if it fails.... you are off.
Howver, I don't think that I will send the nice IC-R9000 to you..... sorry!

 

[IK2GNP]

Opps, meant Icom. This iPad app…

SDR-Control - Marcus & Jan Roskosch

roskosch.de

Not sure what you mean about voice over compliant. Can you explain? I do know when using the app it stops sound on the radio and comes over the iPad. It’s pretty slick. Worth the money.

Yes it is SDR-Control app. I had an email exchange with the author, and he confirmed that it does not work with Voiceover.
Voiceover is a screen reader installed in all Apple portable devices (iphone and ipad) and Mac computer. It reads all elements on the screen through an electronic voice, so a blind person can use the device without seeing the screen.
But every apps must be compliant with this technology. If not, Voiceover does not work and it is the case of SDR-Control.
Also, having the sound from the ipad instead of the radio would not be good for me.

 

[IK2GNP]

There is a Facebook for ICOM CI-V experimentation. One guy there makes remote control boxes with knobs, buttons and LED's to get around the menu nonsense of the more modern radios. It is all pretty much experimentation but some utility there for fat fingers, me. I don't know if they have any outboard voice announcement stuff. But certainly over the many decades of these radios being out there, someone has.

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There was a nice little box called Hampod built from an american technician. Connecting the box to the radio via serial port (CI-V for ICOM), this box spoke with its internal voice all radio's status and the radio could be controlled via a keyboard on Hampod top panel.
There was a different box for each brand (ICOM, Kenwood, Yaesu).
Unfortunately it is discontinued and no new projects are going on I'm afraid.

 

[bearcatrp]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[IK2GNP]

Damn! This R9000 was just sold. Another ham arrived just before me. Bad luck.
Looking for another (if it will be), or a good R9500. We will see.

 

[IK2GNP]

And finally I arranged an unbelievable deal for a like-new R9500.
@RFI-EMI-GUY, have you any group.io mailing list for the R9500 too? Thanks.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

And finally I arranged an unbelievable deal for a like-new R9500.
@RFI-EMI-GUY, have you any group.io mailing list for the R9500 too? Thanks.

r9500 groups.io Group

This group is dedicated to the discussion of the new professional/commercial grade receiver from ICOM, the IC-R9500. Hams, SWL's, and others are welcome here. Spammers need NOT apply! Spam, racism, name-calling, vulgarity, religious or political propaganda, personal insults and/or verbal abuse...

groups.io

This is not my group, but I belong.

Nice find!

 

[IK2GNP]

r9500 groups.io Group

This group is dedicated to the discussion of the new professional/commercial grade receiver from ICOM, the IC-R9500. Hams, SWL's, and others are welcome here. Spammers need NOT apply! Spam, racism, name-calling, vulgarity, religious or political propaganda, personal insults and/or verbal abuse...

groups.io

This is not my group, but I belong.

Nice find!

Thanks, I subscribe.