Hi everyone, I have an Icom F80S portable. I am having a problem getting certain channels to take the programmed frequencies, and I am unsure if it is due to being out of frequency range, being a narrowband split, or if i have selected the incorrect polarity for DCS. Channel information will flash on and off on the display, and I a do not recieve anything on those channels. Is this simply a matter of a firmware upgrade? I can read the radio with the software if you need more info to provide an answer / educated guess. Much appreciated, thanks!
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ICOM F80S questions
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12dbsinad
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If the channel flashes on the screen, that means the VCO is "unlocked". A few things can cause this... incorrect frequency being entered, frequency is out of band for the radio bandsplit or the radio has a issue.
The F80 came in 2 bandsplits. 400-470 Mhz and 450-512 Mhz. If you are trying to enter a UHF T band Frequency for example into a lower bandsplit radio, the display will flash and unlock the VCO.
EDIT: There is a P25 version with FIPS enabled that is 380-450 Mhz also.
The F80 came in 2 bandsplits. 400-470 Mhz and 450-512 Mhz. If you are trying to enter a UHF T band Frequency for example into a lower bandsplit radio, the display will flash and unlock the VCO.
EDIT: There is a P25 version with FIPS enabled that is 380-450 Mhz also.
Cool...so it is definately NOT a problem with incorrect CTCSS / DCS polarity, that's good to know. How can I determine a band split, the serial number, or reading it with the programming software? Thanks again. I'm also curious if being used for recieve-only, how critical is it that that WFM / NFM and the definef khz spacing is selected correctly?
12dbsinad
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F80S 45 = 400-470 Mhz
F80S 06 = 450-512 Mhz
If you have the original box it will give you that above info on the sticker with the serial number. If you just have the radio i believe it just says F80S on the sticker under the battery. I believe the only way to find out is to call icom with the serial number.
Or, do what I do and just plug in 485.000, then 470.000 Mhz. If the screen flashes on 485 and not on 470, you know it's a lower split radio.
It's always a good idea to select either WFM or NFM for whatever channel you are listening to. That however is not related to the screen flashing. If it's a newer F80S, and has firmware 3.1 is will auto force the radio into NFM no matter what you do to meet the narrowbanding requirements.
F80S 06 = 450-512 Mhz
If you have the original box it will give you that above info on the sticker with the serial number. If you just have the radio i believe it just says F80S on the sticker under the battery. I believe the only way to find out is to call icom with the serial number.
Or, do what I do and just plug in 485.000, then 470.000 Mhz. If the screen flashes on 485 and not on 470, you know it's a lower split radio.
It's always a good idea to select either WFM or NFM for whatever channel you are listening to. That however is not related to the screen flashing. If it's a newer F80S, and has firmware 3.1 is will auto force the radio into NFM no matter what you do to meet the narrowbanding requirements.
Bummer, radio is a 400-450, and I assume the VCO is not a swappable component. In the Boston area, this radio is nearly useless to me without T-band capabilities. The guy I bought it from was mistaken in his assessment. Perhaps someone will be interested in a trade. Great radio.
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