ICOM IC-R6 Receiver

[bigrick1964]

Got a question. Ebay sells the European version of the R6 that says there are no gaps in coverage. Even if there are no gaps, the R6 is analog and cell phones are digital. What difference would it make if the cell band was blocked or not? Still couldn't make out anything that was being broadcast, right, or am i not seeing something?

 

[skanit]

You're correct even if you can receive those frequencies, you wouldn't be able to hear anything... not like the old day!!

 

[doughpatterson]

As stated earlier, no narrow fm mode. But also NO 7.5khz channel steps which is now the standard in VHF highband (non-federal). That kills it for me.

Trying to program in 151.0175MHz (FM). Tried all the memory steps, can't get there. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[N8IAA]

Trying to program in 151.0175MHz (FM). Tried all the memory steps, can't get there. Anyone have any ideas?

0.5KHz would be the correct step. Don't know if the R6 has that. You should still be able to hear the comms on 151.0150.
Larry

 

[oregontreehugger]

Trying to program in 151.0175MHz (FM). Tried all the memory steps, can't get there. Anyone have any ideas?

Yeah, you're going to have to try listening just above or below that frequency. Finer steps would be a welcome addition to an R6 successor, as would be an NFM mode.

FYI -- here are the tuning steps directly from Icom's R6 web page:
"5, 6.25, 8.33*, 9*, 10, 12.5, 15,
20, 25, 30, 50,100, 125, 200 kHz
* Selectable depending on operating bands."

 

[KB2ZY0]

Question:

How do I lock out the US AM/FM Broadcast Bands in Scan Mode? I want to scan All Bands EXCEPT Those. The "User Guide" is practically useless in regards to this info. Can someone advise me? Thanks.

 

[oregontreehugger]

Just looked through the R6 manual again and I'm not seeing where you can skip entire chunks of broadcast signals. You can skip individual frequencies and channels, or do a programmed scan between two frequencies, though.

 

[Deboradio]

I just placed an order for one....My recently acquired Tecsun PL-660 receives well, but is a bit poor on far away targets, and I needed a scanner too.

 

[Deboradio]

Cellular frequencies blockage is a matter of legislation and they follow that, regardless of the new digital systems in use globally.

 

[N8IAA]

I just placed an order for one....My recently acquired Tecsun PL-660 receives well, but is a bit poor on far away targets, and I needed a scanner too.

When you say 'far away targets'. What frequencies are you asking about?
Larry

 

[Deboradio]

I was referring to the Air Band Frequencies.

I live near the airport and although the tower and nearby flying aircraft come in loud and clear, far away aircraft are very faint...I hope that the IC R6 would be able to better receive them. Also the Tecsun PL 660 can't do scanning of the air band and the R6 can.

 

[N8IAA]

I was referring to the Air Band Frequencies.

I live near the airport and although the tower and nearby flying aircraft come in loud and clear, far away aircraft are very faint...I hope that the IC R6 would be able to better receive them. Also the Tecsun PL 660 can't do scanning of the air band and the R6 can.

I might not have been clear, HF/VHF/UHF frequencies. I would presume you are using the 660 for HF and need a scanner for VHF/UHF frequencies. Wouldn't a BC125AT be cheaper and easier to program? Regardless of which radio you get, you will need a better antenna than supplied by the manufacturer to receive those distant signals.
Larry

 

[Deboradio]

I also have the Alinco DX-SR8E (receiver) on order, which I will use for HF, but it is still not here with me.
I get satisfactory performance with Tecsun PL 660 on HF, I have been listening to Radio Australia and also Radio Havana. I have once managed to hear Amateur Radio on USB from Georgia. All this with just the supplied wire antenna. I would like to be able to listen to more Ham's on SSB but I still haven't had much success there.

As for the VHF aviation signals, these too are well received using the radio's own whip antenna, for those signals in the vicinity...Far away aircraft are received, but very faintly. Also the frequencies for VHF need to be inputted, scanning is not available.

Now I also have a Icom IC R6 on order, because I fancied a scanner too. Then my plan is, after trying out these three radios to see what I can do about a good antenna. I am not too knowledgeable in these things, but learning is fun.

 

[N8IAA]

I also have the Alinco DX-SR8E (receiver) on order, which I will use for HF, but it is still not here with me.
I get satisfactory performance with Tecsun PL 660 on HF, I have been listening to Radio Australia and also Radio Havana. I have once managed to hear Amateur Radio on USB from Georgia. All this with just the supplied wire antenna. I would like to be able to listen to more Ham's on SSB but I still haven't had much success there.

As for the VHF aviation signals, these too are well received using the radio's own whip antenna, for those signals in the vicinity...Far away aircraft are received, but very faintly. Also the frequencies for VHF need to be inputted, scanning is not available.

Now I also have a Icom IC R6 on order, because I fancied a scanner too. Then my plan is, after trying out these three radios to see what I can do about a good antenna. I am not too knowledgeable in these things, but learning is fun.

The R6 is not a scanner. It is a communications receiver. The 125AT is a scanner. I think that it will be more usable on VHF/UHF air frequencies. I have one just for that.
Larry

 

[Deboradio]

I am not aware of the 125 AT scanner.. I will check it out.

 

[bob550]

I get satisfactory performance with Tecsun PL 660 on HF, I have been listening to Radio Australia and also Radio Havana. I have once managed to hear Amateur Radio on USB from Georgia. All this with just the supplied wire antenna. I would like to be able to listen to more Ham's on SSB but I still haven't had much success there.

When you say Ham radio from Georgia, is that the state or country?

Receive conditions are terrible right now! I'm using a 70 foot external random wire antenna into an Icom R71A, and I'm not getting much activity above 40 meters, and then only Hams in the Eastern US. With my setup here in the Northeast US, and when conditions are good, I've logged Amateur stations in the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, central Asia, and the Middle East, as well as many points in between.

I can't say how the R6 will perform for you. But, I do own an R5. Using the supplied antenna, it seems to be relatively sensitive on VHF and UHF frequencies. But, don't expect anything much on HF. These so-called wide-band receivers are a compromise at best. They offer convenience and wide coverage, but at the expense of performance. You're better off with a dedicated scanner for VHF/UHF, and a communications receiver for HF.

 

[Deboradio]

That is Georgia the country...(which is much nearer)

I ordered the Icom IC R6 mainly to hear Air Band.

For HF I use the Tecsun PL 660 and I will also use the Alinco DX SR8 receiver when it comes.

 

[oregontreehugger]

The R6 does an excellent job with receiving the air bands, both VHF and UHF.

 

[Deboradio]

I have just received a IC R6... What a wonderful little radio...Happy Days Ahead...

 

[Deboradio]

I have one of those tiny FM transmitters for mp3 music, used in the car. They sometimes call them FM Modulators. I have the frequency set to 107.0 MHz and the car stereo receives it there. My R6 also receives the signal on 107.0 MHz. But I noticed something weird. It also receives the same signal on 214.0 MHz. This is the double of 107.0 MHz. I wonder why is this so.