How can I tell if I have a R8600 02 or R8600 04
R8600 02 or 04
- Thread starter rocky28965
- Start date
225 views and no-one knows the answer, really?
wd9ewk
Member
What are the first two digits of the serial number? According to the IC-R8600 service manual, the USA version is 02, and a "USA-01" version is 04. For many years, Icom has put the version number in the serial numbers of its radios. A similar serial number scheme exists for the IC-R30 I have, based on whether the version is the "USA" version with the 800 MHz gaps or the version which doesn't have the gaps.
You can also try tuning the 800 MHz range, seeing if there are gaps around 824-849 MHz or 869-894 MHz. The "USA" version should not be able to tune those ranges. The "USA-01" version should be able to do that.
Thank you for your reply.
The serial number starts with 01
It has gaps from 809.900 to 834.100 and 859.900 to 889.100
The radio was bought new on eBay from Japan
The serial number starts with 01
It has gaps from 809.900 to 834.100 and 859.900 to 889.100
The radio was bought new on eBay from Japan
wd9ewk
Member
Looks like it is the version made for the Japanese market. This is becoming more common, eBay sellers offering versions intended for Japan to buyers around the world.
Icom's Japanese web site has a Japanese PDF manual for your IC-R8600. The gaps you mentioned appear in the manual.
If Icom's receivers are anything like Icom's amateur transceivers sold in Japan, there won't be any way to undo those coverage gaps.
Good luck!
I got one of those Japanese manuals with it but haven't bothered to read it.
Fortunately, those gaps don't bother me.
I took a punt buying one from Japan, but there was not a lot to choose from, who would deliver to my location in NZ
My local supplier had some arriving in November, and they were another $1500.
The first challenge I had was changing it to English.
Fortunately, those gaps don't bother me.
I took a punt buying one from Japan, but there was not a lot to choose from, who would deliver to my location in NZ
My local supplier had some arriving in November, and they were another $1500.
The first challenge I had was changing it to English.
I wonder what the reason for the Japanese version to skip those small segments in the coverage What are the uses in Japan for those segments?
I suspect the segments in the 800 and 900 bands are for domestic cellular there but what about the Mil Air and UHF portions?
I suspect the segments in the 800 and 900 bands are for domestic cellular there but what about the Mil Air and UHF portions?
