R6 ICOM R6 my first impressions.

[polekat62]

After much researching on Radio Referance forums, I bought myself a ICOM R6 receiver for Christmas. I am really pleased with it. We have always had a Scanner in our kitchen, and I can sort of compare the R6 . I am surprised how I am able to pickup distant signals, such as marine traffic around Port Angles, which is about 18 miles away. I have down loaded marine, CCG,harbour air, helijet etc. into 4 banks with the help of Butel software. And the nice thing is,I can take the radio with me on my walks along the waterfront in Victoria and listen to all the activity.Thanks again to Radio Referance for all the information, and tips. I did do one test, and that was how long the batteries would last. I installed 2 new fully charged Enelope batteries and with the radio scanning 4banks and a ear bud plugged in, it lasted 24 hrs and 15 min.
Thanks for letting me post
Dale

 

[satellite909]

Hello, I read your comment on the R6, it is a remarkable receiver. I have mine 3+ years now and always have it turned on monitoring various frequencies. What I enjoy doing is trying different antennas depending on what frequency spectrum I want to listen to. Have fun with it!

 

[W8WCA]

Those little R6's are great! Such a small, yet great Receiver.
I use mine for all sorts of listening - Mil Air - Civil Air - Ham - GMRS-FRS -some misc Local Gov Fire EMS LEERN etc (That are not trunked)
I use RT Systems software - (As I use for all my Radio equipment)

This thread had some good info: R6 - Icom IC-R6 notes

 

[prima19rider]

I too have come to the same conclusion. The R-6 for me is a better fit than the R-15 and the sds100.

 

[satellite909]

Too bad the Icom ICR15 only goes up to 500mHz… however it is a really cool, high quality receiver.

 

[bagmouse7]

The R6 also scans super fast so it is great for Airband monitoring.
It is a great little radio, lots of “bang for the buck”!

 

[bcradio]

Lots of cool stuff to listen to in Victoria (and so much from south of the border!) Enjoy your R6!

 

[satellite909]

The R6 also scans super fast so it is great for Airband monitoring.
It is a great little radio, lots of “bang for the buck”!

Yes it’s great on Airband, ACARS, etc.
And pretty darn good on shortwave using a long-wire!

 

[oregontreehugger]

The R6 is a great little radio, you'll have a blast with it!

It does a great job on airband, marine, railroads, and pretty much anything else you can find that's analog. Being able to program it with software makes things sooo much easier, too. That and the long battery life on those Eneloops. Carried one around for years and never had a single problem.

Sure wish Icom would update the little bugger and make an "R8" or something like that.

 

[bearcatrp]

With the R15 out now, doubt there will be any R6 replacement. Just like we are hoping for a R30 replacement. Will not happen.

 

[satellite909]

The R6 is a great little radio, you'll have a blast with it!

It does a great job on airband, marine, railroads, and pretty much anything else you can find that's analog. Being able to program it with software makes things sooo much easier, too. That and the long battery life on those Eneloops. Carried one around for years and never had a single problem.

Sure wish Icom would update the little bugger and make an "R8" or something like that.

Yeah it would be cool if another “RC-“ whatever number, does come out as an updated ICR6… but with Icom, who knows.

 

[satellite909]

With the R15 out now, doubt there will be any R6 replacement. Just like we are hoping for a R30 replacement. Will not happen.

Hello, yes most of us were hoping for either replacement and/or upgrade on the R6 & R30, but I did read somewhere that there is a replacement being considered for the R30 but may take a while. Was that replacement the R15??? No one knows for sure…guess we’ll have to sit back and see what 2025 brings.

 

[EMTBob]

Love My R6, R30 And ICQ7A Wich Is Also The R2 Without All The Bling They All Receive Very Well. Just Need To Get A Replacement Battery For My R30 Without Breaking The Bank.

 

[satellite909]

Love My R6, R30 And ICQ7A Wich Is Also The R2 Without All The Bling They All Receive Very Well. Just Need To Get A Replacement Battery For My R30 Without Breaking The Bank.

That’s a really nice trio of receivers you have. Replacement battery for the R30… not sure where to even look for one, maybe directly from Icom??

 

[G7RUX]

A replacement genuine Icom battery isn’t a horrifically expensive option but there are a number of third party options available. Might I also recommend getting hold of the dry battery box as this could be very useful with Eneloop batteries if and when the original LiIon becomes unavailable?

 

[EMTBob]

Actually Have The Dry Box Thanks

 

[N9JIG]

So I have a pair of R5's ( as well as an R30 but that is for an entirely different purpose). Is there anyone who has directly compared the R5 and R6 that can share their opinions?

White the R5 is pretty much my go-to radio when railfanning or plane watching due to the size and performance I wonder if there is any reason to get an R6 to replace one or both.

 

[satellite909]

So I have a pair of R5's ( as well as an R30 but that is for an entirely different purpose). Is there anyone who has directly compared the R5 and R6 that can share their opinions?

White the R5 is pretty much my go-to radio when railfanning or plane watching due to the size and performance I wonder if there is any reason to get an R6 to replace one or both.

I don’t have an R5, only the R6, but I did read on Universal Radio that the R6 is an upgrade from the R5, R2. It’s a fine receiver and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with it if you get one.

 

[oregontreehugger]

So I have a pair of R5's ( as well as an R30 but that is for an entirely different purpose). Is there anyone who has directly compared the R5 and R6 that can share their opinions?

Have had the R2, R5, R6, and R20. Of them all, the R6 is the one that stuck around the most.

IIRC, the bigger changes between the older R5 and the newer R6 is an increase in scanning speed, and being able to link banks together. Unfortunately, the R6 doesn't do the narrowband spacing on VHF, but it still does a fine job of picking up the signals.

Battery life with a pair of Eneloops is phenomenal on the R6, but that's pretty similar to the R5 and R2 anyway.

 

[OzziePoole]

Really like this receiver and find it very sensitive.

The only minus point is it's very susceptible to electrical interference which seems to be a problem with other models.