R9000 ICOM IC-R9000

[pratzert]

Hi All.

I have always had my eye on an "Unblocked" ICOM IC-R9000.

In its day, it was the premier receiver to have.

There are still a few used units around for purchase, but who know how well they function, or if they can be repaired if necessary.

So... Which ICOM receiver comes closest to its functioinality now-a-days ? Is it the 7500 ?

Thanks !

 

[N9JIG]

The R8600 is the current premier receiver from Icom. The closest to the 9000 would be the R9500, but the R8600 seems to do just about everything the 9500 does at a quarter the price.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Hi All.

I have always had my eye on an "Unblocked" ICOM IC-R9000.

In its day, it was the premier receiver to have.

There are still a few used units around for purchase, but who know how well they function, or if they can be repaired if necessary.

So... Which ICOM receiver comes closest to its functioinality now-a-days ? Is it the 7500 ?

Thanks !

I personally own one since new. They function superbly. They are repairable, though they are very complex receivers. I am keeping mine and not upgrading, frankly because I have fat fingers and poor eyes so the newer "tinier" receivers are not that attractive to me because they have multi-function menu buttons and small display.

There are radios privately owned like mine and many more that are ex government surplus that probably have had continuous operation and thus screen burn in and poor operation.

Some owners have recapped these radios entirely which to me seems a bit risky. I would recommend repair rather than throwing a lot of effort into recapping and causing other faults. I have recapped the power supply of mine though it really had no issues at the time.

You should look to buy an unmodified unit from a SK estate.

I own this support group; Fire away!

ICOM-ICR-9000@groups.io | Topics

groups.io

 

[dlwtrunked]

The R8600 is the current premier receiver from Icom. The closest to the 9000 would be the R9500, but the R8600 seems to do just about everything the 9500 does at a quarter the price.

I have both a R8600 and R9500. The R9500 has a far better tuning knob, larger display (not touch screen), mumerical keypad (nicer than touchscreen only on the R8600), and less cramped more easily accessible front panel. in my appraisal of them, I would trade though an R9500 for two R8600.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I have both a R8600 and R9500. The R9500 has a far better tuning knob, larger display (not touch screen), mumerical keypad (nicer than touchscreen only on the R8600), and less cramped more easily accessible front panel. in my appraisal of them, I would trade though an R9500 for two R85600.

Having two receivers is definately a plus. I had an R7000 and R71A prior to buying the ICR-9000 and I did miss the ability to park the HF radio on activity and tune in UHF military on the other. At the time I was in Miami with AWACS active on DEA ops. Once they were surveilling a boat docking at a home with davits in the waterway in Coral Gables and I jumped on my bike to see the action.

 

[N9JIG]

I have both a R8600 and R9500. The R9500 has a far better tuning knob, larger display (not touch screen), mumerical keypad (nicer than touchscreen only on the R8600), and less cramped more easily accessible front panel. in my appraisal of them, I would trade though an R9500 for two R85600.

You are absolutely right on all counts except that the R9500 costs about as much as 5.5 R8600's. I would happily go to HRO and buy a second R8600, trade you both then sell the 9500 and get another 8600, with a ton left over!

 

[dlwtrunked]

You are absolutely right on all counts except that the R9500 costs about as much as 5.5 R8600's. I would happily go to HRO and buy a second R8600, trade you both then sell the 9500 and get another 8600, with a ton left over!

I was not referring to actual dollars but what I would consider a fair trade. I did get the R9500 some years ago for only a little more than what is now half the current price. It was owned by a guy for 2 weeks before his family committed him (true story).

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I was not referring to actual dollars but what I would consider a fair trade. I did get the R9500 some years ago for only a little more than what is now half the current price. It was owned by a guy for 2 weeks before his family committed him (true story).

Wow, the family had him committed and he could not enjoy his toy? Cruel!

 

[bob550]

Wow, the family had him committed and he could not enjoy his toy? Cruel!

He was probably committed when his family found out how much money he spent on a radio.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Wow, the family had him committed and he could not enjoy his toy? Cruel!

I was not given a reason. They foolishly discounted the price as they could not find the manual (a pdf is on line) nor the power cord (same as on most PCs. They later found them and sent them to me. I bought it from consignment from HRO (I was in the Woodbridge store and they shipped it from a CA store).

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

He was probably committed when his family found out how much money he spent on a radio.

I would be in a straight jacket about now!

 

[bearcatrp]

I would be in a straight jacket about now!

I would be divorced if I spent that much on a receiver.

 

[bearcatrp]

But I did get by buying a R8600. Only bruised a little.

 

[w4amp]

I would like to see a R9500 that received digital modes.

 

[Davrs]

...wanted to buy an R 9000, but wife ok'd a R 8600, and she likes it so much, she wants me to get another.

 

[IK2GNP]

After a long search, finally I found an R9000 in almost mint conditions.
I was looking for the R9500 at first, but after finding this one I quickly jumped to it and I have no regret.
It is a fantastic receiver, and for me it is better than the R8600 because I can't use touch screen due to my visual impairments.
This R9000 has a little, no noisy cooling fan in the power supply section, so I believe it is one of the latest production probably around the year 2000 or so.
Very very happy with it.
The next step would be going digital with this receiver, maybe connecting any possible DMR/D-star/C4FM decoder to the 10.7MHz out, but I don't know which one. Any idea?

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I would try an SDR receiver on the 10.7 MHz Jack and use as a panoramic display with 230 KHz bandwidth available. Then use plug in software to decode modes desired.

As far as your new receiver, is the fan inside the unit or outside?

 

[IK2GNP]

I would try an SDR receiver on the 10.7 MHz Jack and use as a panoramic display with 230 KHz bandwidth available. Then use plug in software to decode modes desired.

As far as your new receiver, is the fan inside the unit or outside?

Hello, could you please explain better your option?
I don't want to use any computer for my radio listening, I prefer standalone receivers.
Which SDR receiver you are speaking of? Is there any SDR to decode such modes that can be connected to the IF out?
My IC-R9000 has an internal fan, probably installed just under the sink on the back panel (not sure because I did not opened the box).
It can't be seen, just heard. It is not a "controlled" fan, it run continously when the receiver is on, but the noise is very low so it can be easily ignored during listening.

 

[Marcy57]

I always wanted one of those the Icom 9000 or 9500 and was actually going to get one in
2021 when I retired but I always thought if it needed repair or something went wrong with
it was a headache to ship back and forth ? so I went with the 8600...much easier if something
happens to it..enjoy ...good luck with your 9000...73,s Marcy

 

[IK2GNP]

I always wanted one of those the Icom 9000 or 9500 and was actually going to get one in
2021 when I retired but I always thought if it needed repair or something went wrong with
it was a headache to ship back and forth ? so I went with the 8600...much easier if something
happens to it..enjoy ...good luck with your 9000...73,s Marcy

Yes you are right. This receiver is so difficult not only to ship but also to move in the shack.
It was so heavy to position over the desk, big pain in my back for some days.... haha!!
But now I'm happy. If any fault will happen in the future.... well, I will evaluate.
Agree that the R8600 is newer, easier to manage, and maybe better, but I can't use it as I mentioned.