R8600 CTCSS/DCS Decoding via 12 KHz IF out jack?

[KC1UA]

I have been historically nitpicky about being able to decode CTCSS and/or DCS tones of signals with the IC-R8600 or any receiver for that manner. Usually it's accomplished via a discriminator tap. So, has anyone tried to use the 12 KHz IF out jack (the 1/8" jack, not the USB output) to send data to an outboard decoder such as an Optoelectronics DC440, DC442, or Connect Systems CD-1 or CD-2?

Given that the aforementioned USB jack provides data that can be decoded via the SDR# CTCSS and DCS plug-ins, I wonder if the 1/8" jack would work with a hardware decoder?

 

[KC1UA]

Followup for anyone who cares. I was able to get my hands on a Connect Systems CD-1 decoder. With the jack output set to IF, this does not work at all. Unfortunate, but it was worth a try.

 

[n2pqq]

I wonder if you used the 10.7 mhz output on the back of the radio if that would work
number 10 in the diagram
Icom R8600 Rear Panel

I remember using the 10.7 mhz output on the rear of the icom R8500
with a cd-1 decoder and it worked fine
You had to flip a switch inside the radio
number 3 in the diagram

Icom R8500 Rear Panel

I have contemplated buying a AOR ARD-300 after seeing theses videos

I know it seems frivolous

 

[KC1UA]

The easiest all-around way for me seems to be the 12KHz IF out via USB into SDR#, which when used with DSD+ affords decoding of DMR and shows CTCSS and DCS tones. I'll try to set up the 10.7 MHz option at some point and see if it works.

That ARD300 looks neat....but ouch! $$$ And according to Universal's website it's been discontinued. AOR creates these super-niche items that hardly anyone buys, and then discontinues them. I had an ARD25 that worked well with P25 back in the day, and they had grandiose plans for expansion that never happened.

Thanks for the info though, interesting videos!

 

[KC1UA]

I tried the 10.7 MHz IF out. I used a RG174 type coax terminated with a BNC male and spade lugs on the other end, tested for continuity with an ohmmeter.

No worky, sadly.

 

[techman210]

The CD-1 works in the audio, not RF domain. You can't jam 10.7 Mhz or 12 Khz into it and expect it to work without putting a demodulator between the radio and the CD-1 which would be possible, but impractical.

You have to tap the discriminator in the radio, and provide that signal to the CD-1

 

[KC1UA]

If there was a discriminator tap option for this receiver that came out two years ago, it would be evident. There isn't one. Using SDR# with either the 12 KHz IF out or using the 10.7 MHz IF out with an SDR as a panadapter affords decoding subaudible tones and the use of DSD+ for DMR decoding. Having a standalone hardware option that eliminates the need to use the clunky tone search method of the 8600 apparently is not going to be an easy option.

 

[trust_93]

Hello, I'm the author of the F5UOX YouTube channel with the videos on the R8600 and ARD300, you can also use an AOR AR-DV1 as a decoding interface with the reverse FI option.

PS: Sorry, but I use a translator

F5UOX Frédéric