Icom IC-R6 Reception

[mdgjedde]

In my almost constant search for "the next radio," I've repeatedly come across the Icom IC-R6. It possesses a clearly impressive frequency range, including the ability to monitor shortwave broadcasts. How is the range on this scanner? Basically, is it realistic to use this set as a shortwave unit at any range? I was looking at the version shown here:

Icom IC-R6 Receiver

All advice and suggestions are appreciated.

 

[NCFire11]

its not digital, but other than that its a good reciever

 

[NineSierraGolf]

its not digital, but other than that its a good reciever

So please enlighten me here, what exactly is a digital scanner? I do know there are broadcast band digital radios, but I don't think they can scan and receive UHF or VHF band encrypted voice traffic.

Someone else mentioned here about a POLICE SCANNER. Is this a special model for US law enforcement that receives nothing but police voice traffic?

Perhaps its another misnomer.

I own an ICOM IC-R6 which is a great analog scanning receiver. It is handy to carry about and is very frugal on batteries (2 x AA rechargeable). It is the latest edition of the R3 and R5 and at last has the long awaited feature of being able to scan selected channel banks as well as multiple banks.

The reception and audio is clear and I rate it about 3.5/5 overall. I have a Diamond 40cm whip on order which I am sure will improve signal strength especially on vhf.

Cheers

 

[nanZor]

Not only is it not digital, it is also not trunking!

It only does the older analog-only reception - which it does very well. As a scanner, it is ok as long as you've had previous experience with scanning - or are a newcomer willing for a slightly deep learning curve. But make no mistake, scanning is not the highlight of the R6 compared to what we normally think of a scanner today.

You can receive shortwave with it, but you'll need a much better antenna. In my opinion, the R6 does not make a good HF receiver if you are just starting out. Quite frankly, I wonder what the percentage of R6 users actually use the HF shortwave on a * regular * basis is. Probably pretty small and I would look for a dedicated shortwave receiver to start with. Oh, and there is NO ssb if you want to listen to hams / utility stations.

Don't get me wrong, I like my R6. But I don't use it for shortwave, and I can press it into the standard analog-scanner usage. For hardcore scanning, I reach for something else.

 

[NineSierraGolf]

Yes, I agree Hertzian, the R6 is not a shortwave receiver of any merit. If I wish to monitor SW, Use my Sony ICF-SW7600GR which is far better below 30 mHz and it has SSB.

I would like your opinion on what you regard as a 'top of the line' handheld scanning receiver. I have used an AOR 8200 MkIII but wasn't that impressed with it by todays standards.

How do you rate the ICOM IC-R20?

Cheers

 

[nanZor]

I would like your opinion on what you regard as a 'top of the line' handheld scanning receiver.

Heh, nobody has built one yet to MY specifications.

Thing is, the most expensive scanner in the world isn't going to go as far as the guy with the $99 special, but is backed up by experience and knows the limitations of his gear. Much of that I got right here over the years - so thanks to the RR users!

How do you rate the ICOM IC-R20?

Definitely a receiver first, with some scanning capability. Obviously analog only with no trunking, and for some it takes a bit getting used to the programming. Dual-watch is handy and preferable to "priority" scanning sometimes. HF is good and stable, and can be very fine-tuned. But for extensive HF usage, you'll be wearing out the keypad and/or knob quickly, so that can become tiresome. Of course it benefits from a real antenna, although unlike most other receivers, you have BOTH RF-Gain, and overall Attenuation at your disposal in case of overload. For HF use, like the R5/R6, I feel it is a niche product. If you have to have HF in your hand, the R20 does well.

It really is all a balancing act of trying to decide what compromises one is willing to make for extremely broad coverage, and overall usability in a small package.

If you are into airband coverage, either VHF or UHF milair it does great if you like to sit on a specific freq. However, if you are scanning a large amount of set frequencies, you can easily miss transmissions. I would actually recommend something a LOT faster than the R20, even if it doesn't have the same good receiver specs, to be able to nab those quick transmissions. Of course there is a middle ground of scan speed that one would have to decide upon for themselves. I sit on freqs with the R20 or R6, but use a much faster scanner for actually scanning.

So even if you don't intend to use say a digital or trunking scanner, if it has the speed and band coverage you need, you can ignore what you don't want to use - it might be a better overall choice than the R20.