ICOM R8500 question

[Attackron]

I can get an unblocked icom r8500 new in the box for $1700.00

what makes the icom 8500 so much better then a $500 uniden 996t. ( other then more freqs)

I guess what i'm asking is does this thing receive so much better/further or something....
i'm trying to justify the money to myself.



thanks

 

[woody_46]

The R8500 is built like a commercial grade radio. In fact government agencies use this receiver. SETI uses/recommends this receiver also. Mine receives HF just as well as my R75. The VHF/UHF reception is superb too. It is less prone to overload in high RF areas.

The downside is no trunktracking features & slow scanning. It is a wideband receiver, not a scanner.

Hope that helps.

 

[N9JIG]

I can get an unblocked icom r8500 new in the box for $1700.00 what makes the icom 8500 so much better then a $500 uniden 996t. ( other then more freqs) I guess what i'm asking is does this thing receive so much better/further or something.... i'm trying to justify the money to myself. thanks

I use my R8500 mostly for dial spinning and occasional HF reception. In that respect it can't be beat. It is much more resistant to intermod and other interference and is more sensitive than regular scanners.

I is however not really useful as a scanner such as the 996 or others. The scan rate is slower, harder to program and it lacks things like PL or trunking. It is also slightly less than suitable for mobile installation...

If you can afford the 8500 (or afford to have that kind of money tied up) and plan on using it as a receiver that happens to scan then go for it. If you are looking for a true scanner then you might want to use that money on a different radio and have some leftover to buy more toys.

 

[Attackron]

well i listen mainly to mil-air and Tyndall AFB, Eglin AFB and NAS Pensacoloa are all with in 40 miles of me. Tyndall is the 1st line of protection for the gulfcoast here and NORAD has been sending out a lot of alert fighters (f-22 Raptors) on intercepts to unknown targets (UFO'S) i've heard so wild stuff so i was hoping to find the best UHF/VHF receiver i could get I have a uniden 996 its good for scanning but i need reach as most action here is in the gulf of mexico.


any suggestions on a great hi power receiver ????

 

[N9JIG]

The 8500 will work great for UHF and VHF AM Aeronautical, I use mine for that all the time. It just doesn't trunk-track of course and does not handle digital modes (P-25 etc.)

 

[naSTI]

My opinion on your situation is the following:

You already have a 996 for the non-military, local, digital and trunking traffic. But to be able to receive ALL-MODE (SSB, AM, FM) with the superb receiver the 8500 is, you can't go wrong. Although if the most you're listening to is Mil-Air Freqs ,and I'm sure you'd like to receive the National Guard on HF ,there are only a handful of better (read: costlier) receivers, the 9500 and the AOR AR-ONE to mention a couple.

However, you may want to look at the best upgrade you can get right now and that's a better, higher mounted antenna. See the antenna discussions on opinions there.