R8600 Firmware Update possibility question

[AOR-262]

It's been a while since the last Firmware update for the R8600 (last update 31st July 2018 - Version 1.33 USA and Non-USA). Have you/owners of the R8600 been submitting ideas, feature requests, changes etc. to Icom for them to consider these in any future Firmware updates? What have you suggested to Icom? Or what would you suggest if you would like to mention in reply to this question.

(P.S. We all know it's highly unlikely Icom will ever release a Firmware that allows the listening of DMR so no doubt that request to Icom goes straight into their recycle bin - so that's a waste of an email)

 

[palmerjrusa]

The reason I don't expect a DMR-enabling firmware update for the ic-r8600 is that the DMR software is propriety and would require purchase of the license. I would like the ic-r8600 to be able to decode DMR signals but I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

 

[AOR-262]

@palmerjrusa

Well well ... I spoke too soon. What a coincidence! A few days after posting this post, Icom release a Firmware update.

USA Version ... Firmware Updates / Software Downloads | Support | Icom Inc

Non-USA Version ... Firmware Updates / Software Downloads | Support | Icom Inc

Don't hold me to this but I read elsewhere that someone friendly with someone who works for Icom; mentioned that Icom are working on a Firmware update for the R8600 that will add the ability to receive DMR and P25 Phase II -- but that will not be available until sometime next year (2020).

 

[lolbananalol2]

Trunking would be nice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[palmerjrusa]

@palmerjrusa

Well well ... I spoke too soon. What a coincidence! A few days after posting this post, Icom release a Firmware update.

USA Version ... Firmware Updates / Software Downloads | Support | Icom Inc

Non-USA Version ... Firmware Updates / Software Downloads | Support | Icom Inc

Don't hold me to this but I read elsewhere that someone friendly with someone who works for Icom; mentioned that Icom are working on a Firmware update for the R8600 that will add the ability to receive DMR and P25 Phase II -- but that will not be available until sometime next year (2020).

Fingers crossed here!

 

[K2KOH]

Curious about firmware updating. Can I download this file on a formatted SD Card from the MAC, or does it have to be Windows?

 

[TailGator911]

That is certainly good news if it's not well-intended gossip. DMR on this radio would seal the deal. And Phase II? Too much to hope for, but nice if it happens. 2020, huh. Maybe by then I'll have this radio figured out. haha

JD
kf4anc

 

[palmerjrusa]

That is certainly good news if it's not well-intended gossip. DMR on this radio would seal the deal. And Phase II? Too much to hope for, but nice if it happens. 2020, huh. Maybe by then I'll have this radio figured out. haha

JD
kf4anc

Figuring out a receiver like the ic-r8600 is half the fun!

 

[AOR-262]

Curious about firmware updating. Can I download this file on a formatted SD Card from the MAC, or does it have to be Windows?

@N2MWE

Any SD Card reader should read/write to the SD Card that is being used with the R8600 -- however, as it states in the manual, you must format the SD Card using the R8600 (that means do not format the SD Card using a PC or MAC)

 

[K2KOH]

Perfect! Thanks!

 

[TailGator911]

I think that might have been my problem and why my original sd card for my R8600 went corrupt. Crazy symptoms followed, the most annoying that the radio would power off whenever I initiated a Group Memory Scan. I formatted the card with my Dell PC. Lasted about a month then went squirrely on me. Formatted a new Sandisk card using the R8600 and everything is back to normal. No problems since.

JD
kf4anc

 

[K2KOH]

Yeah I formatted mine in the radio, and then loaded the file from my Mac and it worked perfectly.

 

[woodpecker]

The reason I don't expect a DMR-enabling firmware update for the ic-r8600 is that the DMR software is propriety and would require purchase of the license. I would like the ic-r8600 to be able to decode DMR signals but I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

DMR is an ETSI standard, its not proprietry, the AMBE+2 codec has to be licensed from DVSI but its the same codec as NXDN anyway, if the DVSI AMBE3000 chip is used it includes all the codecs anyway, that is what AOR do.