icom R8500

[Randall]

anyone here own the icom r 8500? ive been thinking of getting one and would like to hear the opinions of people who own them.

 

[ka3jjz]

There are a few comments on EHam, plus the radio has it's own Yahoo group. Both places are good sources (besides here) of such information. We have a Wiki page devoted to the R-8500 here. Both the EHam and Yahoo links are there, along with compatible software. 73s Mike

 

[Declared_Hostile]

I've owned one for several years now. Been a great radio. Had to have some minor work done by Icom a while back. The LEDs for the display burned out. Not a terribly complicated repair but I wasn't comfortable subjecting that expensive of a radio to my ham fisted soldering.

It has great performance on VHF/UHF and does quite well on HF too. Very sensitive and resistant to intermod. Right up there with my AR-5000+3 in that respect. I feel it is better on HF than the AOR. The channel and bank system on the Icom is terrible though. Download the manual and you'll get a good idea. It does let you adjust the size of the banks but that is the only good thing I can say about it. The AOR spanks it as far as versatility in that respect.

Like many of the other high end radios like the Icoms and the AORs they click. They have relays that click when they cross certain frequency bands. If you are scanning a group of frequencies that cross these boundaries you will hear a constant chatter of relays clattering. Just the nature of these beasts.

 

[MacombMonitor]

anyone here own the icom r 8500? ive been thinking of getting one and would like to hear the opinions of people who own them.

Excellent communications receiver, too bad it's been discontinued. You can still find them used, and usually in excellent condition. I think due to their cost, owners tend to take better care of them then they sometime do with inexpensive scanners.

If you don't need the big box, and front panel, consider the new ICOM PCR-1500. It's a small black-box receiver that is programmed/controlled by your computer. The software presents three different radio styles on your screen. Very cool!

 

[hotdjdave]

Pcr2500

If you don't need the big box, and front panel, consider the new ICOM PCR-1500. It's a small black-box receiver that is programmed/controlled by your computer. The software presents three different radio styles on your screen. Very cool!

There is also the new iCOM IC-PCR2500/IC-R1500 (due out in June). It is very similar to the IC-PCR1500/IC-R1500, but with D-Star digital decode and a dual-receiver built in the box (two antenna jacks, too).

Both models have either a PCR version, which is a PC controlled interface; or a R version, which is a PC controlled or stand alone with a remote control head.

Both models are excellent, according to the specs and there have been some good reviews on the PCR1500.

Here are Yahoo! Discussion Groups to each:
PCR2500
PCR1500

 

[runslow]

anyone here own the icom r 8500? ive been thinking of getting one and would like to hear the opinions of people who own them.

Excellent communications receiver. I've owned one for a while and have been very satisfied with it's overall performance.

I don't think you'll be disappointed if you decide to purchase one.

Andy

 

[MacombMonitor]

There is also the new iCOM IC-PCR2500/IC-R1500 (due out in June). It is very similar to the IC-PCR1500/IC-R1500, but with D-Star digital decode and a dual-receiver built in the box (two antenna jacks, too).

Both models have either a PCR version, which is a PC controlled interface; or a R version, which is a PC controlled or stand alone with a remote control head.

Both models are excellent, according to the specs and there have been some good reviews on the PCR1500.

Here are Yahoo! Discussion Groups to each:
PCR2500
PCR1500

I was aware of the 2500 series, but chose to go with the PCR-1500.

From looking at Universal Radio's web site, it appears the D-Star feature requires an optional UT-118 module that cost $189.95. I'm not sure what you would gain by having this, as it appears to be for amateur radio, and in very limited use.

Also DTMF decoding is an option on the 2500 series (UT108), but is standard on the 1500 series.

With a price difference of $270.00 more for the 2500 series without any options, I don't see the added value.

Unless it's a misprint, it appears from the initial specifications that the 2500 series also has a multitude of missing frequency gaps, that are not missing in the 1500 series.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[MacombMonitor]

Grove Enterprises is advertising the ICOM IC-R8500 again! It's appears that it's being re-introduced by ICOM. It's unfortunate that sales will be restricted.

Here is a quote from Grove's site:

The IC-R8500 is reintroduction of the original radio, and will meet all the original receiver specifications advertised when the radio was first introduced. There will be only one version of the IC-R8500 produced, thus sales will be restricted to qualified* export or government customers.

​

 

[KC1UA]

I own one, and use it in conjunction with the RFSpace SDR-14 for spectrum analysis. Absolutely astounding combination, and a great receiver by itself as well. I found one used from Amateur Electronics Supply for around $1100.00. I'm very happy with it.