ICOM R-8500 - Newbie questions

[scansomd]

I recently acquired an ICOM R-8500. It did not come with an AC Adapter. I was considering purchasing this adaptor:

http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ico-ad-55s-12?gclid=CK2w6JaO87UCFYje4AodrR8AHw

I'm also interested in controlling the radio using Ham Radio Deluxe. This CIV Cable seemed to be a suitable:

CI V Cat USB Interface Cable Icom R7000 IC R8500 IC 9000L IC 7800 IC 781375 Good | eBay


Your thoughts on these options would be appreciated. Is there something better/cheaper? Other things to consider?

Thanks in advance,

Richard

 

[woody_46]

That power supply will be fine or you can purchase the Icom one at Universal Radio. I use my R8500 with the serial port cable that was provided with the radio. Some software I liked works better with it than the USB cable. Since my computer is newer it didn't have serial ports so I bought an add on card for about 30$. HRD works just fine with my setup.

 

[scansomd]

Thanks Woody. What sort of things can you do with HRD? Just monitor and change the frequencies? Or can you upload frequencies, alpha labels, etc to the radio?

 

[woody_46]

HRD allows you to load preprogrammed bandplans and tune with it. I have not bothered to create my own scanlists yet but I believe you can. It also gives you a scope to see activity on the bands. I haven't used it all that much yet. I use the Icom control software with an old computer & Win 98 mostly. I'm sure others can tell you more about HRD since I've only scratched the surface with it, but it does work well with the R 8500.

 

[BamaScan]

Here are the add ons for the R8500. Power Plug made by Icom and New is 48.95 plus shipping.
Icom R8500 Wideband Receiver, Icom IC-R8500

 

[scansomd]

I haven't been able to create scan lists using HRD 6.0. I am disappointed. Anyone here been able to create scan lists using any version of HRD?

HRD allows you to load preprogrammed bandplans and tune with it. I have not bothered to create my own scanlists yet but I believe you can. It also gives you a scope to see activity on the bands. I haven't used it all that much yet. I use the Icom control software with an old computer & Win 98 mostly. I'm sure others can tell you more about HRD since I've only scratched the surface with it, but it does work well with the R 8500.

 

[scansomd]

Thanks. Universal radio has it on back-order (like most of their inventory). With luck I will receive it late this week.

Here are the add ons for the R8500. Power Plug made by Icom and New is 48.95 plus shipping.
Icom R8500 Wideband Receiver, Icom IC-R8500