Using the IC-R8600 as an SDR Receiver

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AOR-262

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Yes this can be done and everything you need to know about how to use the Icom IC-R8600 as an SDR Receiver can be found here ...

Manual Downloads | Icom Inc

But my question is about this:

I have done everything as per what Icom have written about how to use the IC-R8600 as an SDR Receiver -- but it doesn't work for me?

My laptop only detects the IC-R8600 as a 'Composite USB Device' and not as it should be; which should be 'IC-R8600 I/Q OUT Port (WinUSB)'

Any ideas why this is?
 

escortz28

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Please confirm that you are connecting the USB cable to the I/Q Port on the rear panel and not either of the USB ports (one front, one rear) for PC communications.
 

AOR-262

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That shouldn't make any difference? The USB Cable is connected to the rear of the IC-R8600 and plugged into a free USB port on the laptop -- all other free USB ports produce the same result i.e. that is it detects the IC-R8600 as a Composite USB Device and not a "IC-R8600 I/Q OUT Port (WinUSB)'" as it should be.
 

AOR-262

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@bagmouse7

Well Hell I be damned! I never realized that -- there IS 2 USB connectors on the back of the IC-R8600. I swapped the cable to the other USB port and low and behold the HDSDR software came to life.

Bagmouse7 who ever you are -- you're a legend. You're amazing!! Bless you my friend.
 

davidp124

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IC-R8600 and HDSDR Issue

Have recently upgraded to windows 10 v.1803 and now unable to use HDSDR. Shows following error box when HDSDR started:

ExtIO_ICR8600
Communications failed
Cannot Access Receiver

Have current usb IQ package in place for HDSDR v1.0. I am also using Icom's V1.32 firmware. Any ideas appreciated

David
 

prcguy

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I think the title is a bit misleading as the Icom R8600 is an SDR.

Yes this can be done and everything you need to know about how to use the Icom IC-R8600 as an SDR Receiver can be found here ...

Manual Downloads | Icom Inc

But my question is about this:

I have done everything as per what Icom have written about how to use the IC-R8600 as an SDR Receiver -- but it doesn't work for me?

My laptop only detects the IC-R8600 as a 'Composite USB Device' and not as it should be; which should be 'IC-R8600 I/Q OUT Port (WinUSB)'

Any ideas why this is?
 

AOR-262

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Have recently upgraded to windows 10 v.1803 and now unable to use HDSDR. Shows following error box when HDSDR started:

ExtIO_ICR8600
Communications failed
Cannot Access Receiver

Have current usb IQ package in place for HDSDR v1.0. I am also using Icom's V1.32 firmware. Any ideas appreciated

David

@davidp124

Make sure the cable is plugged into the I/Q Output Jack on the 'rear' of the IC-R8600 (see attached image -- 'C')

Also -- update your HDSDR program to version 2.76a

I was getting this exact same error message and that was because I had the cable plugged into the USB Connector. Now HDSDR works just fine.
 

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davidp124

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Thanks for the reply. I forgot to say that I do have the HDSR v2.76a on-board as well and the usb in the proper IQ jack. I will try a re-install to see if any changes. I'm afraid the issue may be with this new win10 update. Will let you know....Thanks

@davidp124

Make sure the cable is plugged into the I/Q Output Jack on the 'rear' of the IC-R8600 (see attached image -- 'C')

Also -- update your HDSDR program to version 2.76a

I was getting this exact same error message and that was because I had the cable plugged into the USB Connector. Now HDSDR works just fine.
 

AOR-262

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@davidp124

I've had this new update from Microsoft called a cumulative update aka Feature update to Windows 10, version 1803 and I've had no problems with using HDSDR. If you're still struggling, let me know and I may have a solution.
 

davidp124

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Re-sequenced the entire install 1st the HDSDR program then 2nd, the v1.0 usb package; 3rd, the usb into the IQ jack then 4, usb into the pc, then a power on to the 8600. Still get the ExtIO/Comm Failed/Cannot Access Receiver error. And yes, I have the win 10 v1803 upgrade. Any assistance appreciated. (did not mention that even though it shows the error, it does activate the Remote/Local switch on the 8600
he
David

@davidp124

I've had this new update from Microsoft called a cumulative update aka Feature update to Windows 10, version 1803 and I've had no problems with using HDSDR. If you're still struggling, let me know and I may have a solution.
 
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AOR-262

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@davidp124

Try this ...

First, make sure you unplug the USB cable connecting your IC-R8600 to your PC/Laptop.

Secondly, you'll be uninstall everything.

(assuming you're using Windows 10) -- Go to Control Panel and open Programs and Features.

1) Look for HDSDR v2.76a -- Uninstall it. (a reboot maybe required, reboot if requested to do so)

2) Look for Icom IC-R8600 USB I/Q Package for HDSDR -- Uninstall it.

I use the RT Systems WCS-R8600 Programming Software for the Icom IC-R8600 so the following Windows Driver Packages may not need to be uninstalled -- if you have these installed, leave them for the time being.

Windows Driver Package - Silicon Laboratories (silabenm) Ports (12/10/2012 6.6.1.0)
Windows Driver Package - Silicon Laboratories Inc (silabser) Ports (11/15/2017 10.1.1.1951)

Next, press the Windows key and press 'R' to open the Windows RUN window. Inside the RUN window, type 'CMD'.

Once the Command Prompt window has opened, type the following:

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

then type:

devmgmt.msc

Once Device Manager has opened, click on 'View' and then click on 'Show Hidden Devices'

At the bottom of Device Manager, look for 'Universal Serial Bus Devices'

Expand this and you'll see this:

IC-R8600 I/Q OUT Port
IC-R8600 I/Q OUT Port (WinUSB)

Hover your mouse over both (one at a time, in no particular order), right click your mouse and select 'Uninstall'

A reboot maybe request but reboot your PC/Laptop anyway so click the Windows Start button, click on the Power Icon and then click on 'RESTART'.

Read the following documents from Icom and follow the instructions step-by-step exactly as printed to freshly install everything again.

Manual Downloads | Icom Inc

and this document ...

Manual Downloads | Icom Inc

Let me know how you get on.
 

davidp124

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Attempted three times, failed three times. Followed step by step and still gives me the ExTIO Communications failed. Clone is still good, just the HDSDR program. Thanks again for the help. I will try again later....

David

@davidp124

Try this ...

First, make sure you unplug the USB cable connecting your IC-R8600 to your PC/Laptop.

Secondly, you'll be uninstall everything.

(assuming you're using Windows 10) -- Go to Control Panel and open Programs and Features.

1) Look for HDSDR v2.76a -- Uninstall it. (a reboot maybe required, reboot if requested to do so)

2) Look for Icom IC-R8600 USB I/Q Package for HDSDR -- Uninstall it.

I use the RT Systems WCS-R8600 Programming Software for the Icom IC-R8600 so the following Windows Driver Packages may not need to be uninstalled -- if you have these installed, leave them for the time being.

Windows Driver Package - Silicon Laboratories (silabenm) Ports (12/10/2012 6.6.1.0)
Windows Driver Package - Silicon Laboratories Inc (silabser) Ports (11/15/2017 10.1.1.1951)

Next, press the Windows key and press 'R' to open the Windows RUN window. Inside the RUN window, type 'CMD'.

Once the Command Prompt window has opened, type the following:

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

then type:

devmgmt.msc

Once Device Manager has opened, click on 'View' and then click on 'Show Hidden Devices'

At the bottom of Device Manager, look for 'Universal Serial Bus Devices'

Expand this and you'll see this:

IC-R8600 I/Q OUT Port
IC-R8600 I/Q OUT Port (WinUSB)

Hover your mouse over both (one at a time, in no particular order), right click your mouse and select 'Uninstall'

A reboot maybe request but reboot your PC/Laptop anyway so click the Windows Start button, click on the Power Icon and then click on 'RESTART'.

Read the following documents from Icom and follow the instructions step-by-step exactly as printed to freshly install everything again.

Manual Downloads | Icom Inc

and this document ...

Manual Downloads | Icom Inc

Let me know how you get on.
 

AOR-262

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@davidp124

When you open the HDSDR program, click on Options (or press 'F7'), hover your mouse over 'Select Input'

-- you should see 3 entries:

WAV File
Sound Card
IC-R8600


There should be a black dot to the left of IC-R8600 -- meaning IC-R8600 is selected?

Is this correct for you?
 

AOR-262

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And you're still getting the error:

ExtIO_ICR8600
Communications failed
Cannot Access Receiver
 

AOR-262

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@davidp124

The error message you're getting:

ExtIO_ICR8600
Communications failed
Cannot Access Receiver

I can only re-create that error if I plug the USB cable into the USB Connector instead of the I/Q Output Jack.

You must have the USB Cable plugged into the wrong socket.
 

davidp124

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I am in the IQ Out Jack and not the USB.

When in the HDSDR program and Options I select ICR8600 on input and it gives warning to Load another ExtIO_ICR8600.dll. Still it gives the Error Comms Failed.

It will activate the Remote Local on the front panel of the 8600 and will read tuned frequency from the HDSDR program but no Spectrum Scope or audio thru the PC. Maybe a bad usb cable? Check with another cable/cable ok

@davidp124

The error message you're getting:

ExtIO_ICR8600
Communications failed
Cannot Access Receiver

I can only re-create that error if I plug the USB cable into the USB Connector instead of the I/Q Output Jack.

You must have the USB Cable plugged into the wrong socket.
 
Last edited:

AOR-262

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@davidp124

Looks like everything is ok with the HDSDR software and the IC-R8600 as you've said your IC-R8600 is able to read and adjust to the frequency with HDSDR. It is possible there is an issue with the cable. As for the sound issue, this seems to be more of an issue with your setting up of the HDSDR software and/or the sound devices controlled by the operating system Windows.

Let us know how you get on.
 

tonycart

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@davidp124

Hi, I have exactly the same problem with the HDSDR software and the IC-R8600. I raised a question with IcomUSA and they confirmed the error messages you have seen. IcomUSA said they were going to raise this with Icom engineering in Japan, but didn't give any timescales as to when this problem will be fixed.
 
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