IC-R30 far outperforming 8600 on local P25

[oceans777]

Atlanta Public Safety System is P25 Phase 2, I put the frequencies in two IC-R30 receivers with Remtronix 800 MHz antennas - very busy voice traffic, no system tracking obviously. In fact traffic on the IC-R30's is busier, more interesting than the SDS100's most days.

Same system frequencies in both IC-R8600 receivers updated to FW 1.33 (but ran at 1.32 also) and neither 8600 manages more than an occasional RX pop-up with no audio or just a second of garbled audio. Digital monitor set to Digital but tried Auto, used the same antennas and also a D3000 outside for the 8600's. Good LMR400, strong signals at the 8600's. D3000 antenna attached to the IC-R30 instantly grabs and decodes the same P25 transmissions.

Another local Type 1 non-encrypted (DeKalb County) system on both 8600's has marginally better performance but still lagging way behind the IC-R30, misses a lot of the audio, RX pop-up fastest, most consistent on filter 3 but filter 1 is the only one that manages audio on this system on either 8600.

Appreciate any enlightenment, I know the IC-R30 is newer but are they using a different method to handle digital or ??

 

[oceans777]

Called Icom tech support, they said the IC-R30 does decode P25 Phase 1&2 while the IC-R8600 is limited to Phase 1. Seems odd.

Icom's IC-R30 site says "including P25 (Phase 1)" and all the ads and info I've seen say Phase 1 but I'm clearly receiving more traffic on the P25 Phase 2 sites than on the SDS-100 or at least equal while the 8600's won't handle the few Phase 1 sites I've found with any consistency. (Those Phase 1 sites also coming in well on the IC-R30 with stock or 800 MHz antennas.)

 

[vince48]

oceans777,
are you positive that the R30 decodes phase 2? Anyone else verify this?

 

[Wally46]

My R30 will not decode Phase 2. It sounds garbly when I try.

 

[oceans777]

oceans777,
are you positive that the R30 decodes phase 2? Anyone else verify this?

No not at all, just stating what Icom US tech told me today. I’m definitely getting lots of traffic on Atlanta Pub Safety though so that couid be units not on Phase 2 or I have no idea - I dont think IC-R30 does Phase 2, just not sure whats going on. I am hearing some of the same units on the IC-R30 as on the SDS-100 tracking on the Atlanta Public Safety but they must be units on Phase 1.

Mostly I’m trying to get why they pick it up while 8600’s can’t.

 

[UnderwaterWindow]

Oddly enough, I am receiving audio on frequencies that are listed as P2 on the database. Can't confirm that they actually are being transmitted as P2, but the audio is great.

 

[AOR-262]

Wonder if P25 Phase 2 will ever be included in a Firmware update for the IC-R8600?

 

[oceans777]

Wonder if P25 Phase 2 will ever be included in a Firmware update for the IC-R8600?

I think what I’ve been hearing on the R30’s are Phase 1 direct and talkaround, mobile to mobiles and some Phase1 radios operating in the Phase 2 system, definitely not following/decoding Phase 2 TDMA trunking. Explains why the calls are more interesting and casual too.
Reading some dated P25 info but I think P25 Phase 2 TDMA is trunking only so for Icom to add it they’d be making the 8600 a trunktracking Phase 1 & 2 TDMA receiver which I don’t think is likely but sure hope they do.
Someone who knows more about current P25 Phase 2 operation may say it’s possible by firmware.

The IC-R30’s definitely are handling P25 Phase 1 here dramatically better than the 8600’s. Great addition to the SDS-100 too.

 

[racin06]

Yes, my R30 performs very well on my local P25 system. Of course, the R30 isn't a trunking radio; therefore, it's somewhat limited. If you have not yet seen my video comparing the R30 to the Uniden SDS100, see video link below. The audio is from the R30.

https://vimeo.com/277799069