R5 Do I need a new receiver?

[spike_tt]

I've just set about regaining my long since lapsed private pilots license. Back when I used to fly I purchased an ICOM IC-R5 which I still have and it's a great little receiver.

But in the intervening years, airband radio has moved on and stations are now just 8.33KHz apart. My R5 doesn't have this step size as an option. I presume newer versions have it since it's mentioned in the manual on the ICOM website, but my version doesn't offer it.

Is there anything I can do about this? Or do I need to buy a new receiver?

 

[N9JIG]

In the USA you wouldn't since we do not (yet) use 8.33 KHz. channel spacing, it is all 25 KHz. still. In the UK and Europe then you probably would.

That said, the R5 should be able to hear 8.33 KHz. offset channels with the next nearest frequency it is capable of, albeit with some minor performance hit.

EDIT: I just read my R5 manual (I have 2 of these radios) and it appears that the R5 does indeed have 8.33 KHz. channel spacing so you should be all set.

 

[N1EXA]

Europe and North American run Different Band Plans on the Aicraft service. In North America
Aircraft are still AM mode and 25 Khz channel spacing.
Where are you Posting From The US , Europe or Oceana ?

Pete N1EXA

 

[spike_tt]

Sorry, I should have said I *am* in the UK where 8.33kHz abounds.

I was looking at the manual from the ICOM website which shows the 8.33KHz steps. I assumed this was for a later version of the receiver since mine didn't seem to have this option. But I just dug out the actual paper manual that came with my radio and I saw 8.33KHz listed there also.

So, after a bit more concentrated reading I finally understood how to change the step-size and I'm now able to scan in 8.33KHz steps.

Thanks for your help! I was *soo* close to buying an R6.

 

[N9JIG]

Sorry, I should have said I *am* in the UK where 8.33kHz abounds.

I was looking at the manual from the ICOM website which shows the 8.33KHz steps. I assumed this was for a later version of the receiver since mine didn't seem to have this option. But I just dug out the actual paper manual that came with my radio and I saw 8.33KHz listed there also.

So, after a bit more concentrated reading I finally understood how to change the step-size and I'm now able to scan in 8.33KHz steps.

Thanks for your help! I was *soo* close to buying an R6.

I went out to the car and retrieved my own R5 and sure enough it does have the 8.33 KHz. spacing. If we ever switch to it here in North America then I am all set with it!

 

[IK2GNP]

Well, I think that the 8.33KHz is not a problem with ANY receiver.
For example, with my IC-R9000 base station receiver, reducing the step to 1KHz I'm able to tune all airband frequencies that I want to monitor without any problem.
And, if I want a really perfect tuning (covering the last little 330Hz error), I reduce the step to 100Hz and here we are.
So, no need for a specific receiver, also with the portable models I believe.