R8600 Icom IC-8600 - some reception tests

[righthalfplane]

These videos compares the reception of the Icom IC-R8600 to some other devices at various frequencies. The devices were connected to the same antenna through a splitter and set to their highest gain. The tests were done by ear and with a db meter (the db meter sometimes lies).

Icom IC-R8600 vs. SDRplay RSP2 at CB Frequencies with SdrGlut.

Icom IC-R8600 vs. SDRplay RSP2 at FRS Frequencies with SdrGlut.

Icom IC-R8600 vs. BladeRF xA5 at FRS Frequencies with SdrGlut.
Icom IC-R8600 vs. BladeRF xA5 at FRS Frequencies with SdrGlut.

GitHub - righthalfplane/SdrGlut: SdrGlut is a simple software defined radio - using glut and glui for its interface

SdrGlut is a simple software defined radio - using glut and glui for its interface - righthalfplane/SdrGlut

github.com

 

[Ubbe]

It's a bit difficult to compare with the bandwidth set so high. You have them set to 240KHz and 250KHz and should probably be at least 10 times more narrow. Are there a reason to why you have it to demodulate such a large frequency span?

/Ubbe

 

[righthalfplane]

When I listen at frequencies below 80 MHZ, I use a bandwidth of 2 MSPS. When I listen at frequencies above 80 MHZ, I normally use a bandwidth of at least 10 MSPS - otherwise you have to constantly scan to find anything. The only reason I used such a small Sample rate was to reduce the size of the I/Q files. 240KHz is the lowest Sample Rate that the Icom IC-R8600 driver returns as usable, that is why it was selected.

 

[Ubbe]

I misunderstood the information, my fault. I can see on the sample rate that the IQ capture are 250KHz, that's ok, but I looked at the green demodulated bandwidth and what the received signal where actually modulating in the spectrum view. The green demodulated width, 25KHz, seems to be 10 times wider than what the signal are modulated to, something like 2,5KHz. It seems a bit strange that the transmitter are so weak in modulation. The audio sounds the same as if a NFM signal are monitored in WFM mode, a lot of excessive noise and makes it difficult to hear signals that are weak in RF strength.

/Ubbe

 

[righthalfplane]

Narrow Band FM normally has a bandwidth of 12.5 KHZ (For a few cases it is larger) - that is what the green demodulated bandwidth shows and that what is used for demodulating.

 

[righthalfplane]

Here is another comparison to the HackRF One -

Icom IC-R8600 vs. HackRF One at FRS Frequencies with SdrGlut.