My R8600 will not tune some "unblocked" frequency ranges

[KG7PTP]

I have what I thought was the export, unblocked version although the areas that I cannot tune or manually enter are not in any of the US cell blocked ranges. I cannot enter or tune to 927 MHz for example to listen to 33 cm Ham band...I also cannot tune or enter freqs from about 239MHz to 260MHz....any ideas on why this might be happening?

 

[wd9ewk]

I have what I thought was the export, unblocked version although the areas that I cannot tune or manually enter are not in any of the US cell blocked ranges. I cannot enter or tune to 927 MHz for example to listen to 33 cm Ham band...I also cannot tune or enter freqs from about 239MHz to 260MHz....any ideas on why this might be happening?

Which "export" version do you have?

Maybe not at 239 MHz, but the Japanese version has gaps in coverage up to 960 MHz, including the upper end of the 33cm amateur band. This screenshot from the Japanese IC-R8600 instruction manual shows the coverage for R8600s sold in Japan:



This isn't unusual for Icom receivers made for the Japanese market.

From what I have seen over the years, it seems like the best "unblocked" versions of Icom receivers are made for Canada: no gaps.

 

[VE2XWA]

I have what I thought was the export, unblocked version although the areas that I cannot tune or manually enter are not in any of the US cell blocked ranges. I cannot enter or tune to 927 MHz for example to listen to 33 cm Ham band...I also cannot tune or enter freqs from about 239MHz to 260MHz....any ideas on why this might be happening?

Look like you have the 06 version for the France market. Check page 14-1 of the manual.

 

[KG7PTP]

thanks for the replies...I think the ebay store I bought it from said Japan was the origin but been a while so not sure. I will look deeper in the manual. I'm assuming if I have the Japan model with all the gaps then there isn't any easy fix. Looks I'll be putting this one up for sale in favor of one that I can enjoy fuller coverage on.....that'll teach me to read the fine print

 

[Echo4Thirty]

What are the first 2 digits of your serial number?

02 - USA (Blocked)
04 - USA-1 (Unblocked)

 

[KG7PTP]

What are the first 2 digits of your serial number?

02 - USA (Blocked)
04 - USA-1 (Unblocked)

01
It's the Japanese flavor I've discovered...has many of the Mil air band & 33cm Repeater output (927.XXXX) all blocked....gonna need work on getting a version that isn't so blocked up...thx for the info

 

[KG7PTP]

Thanks to all who replied & enlightened me....my bad for not doing more research before pulling the "buy" on this one....I shot myself in the foot & ended up with the model that blocks some of my favorite monitoring freq blocks....I'll probably get another & strive for the versions sold in Canada
Or an AOR 5100 (but even pricier)....I have 2 unblocked R8500's I need to get fixed someday....one lost its HF hearing but everything above 30MHz works well..the other lost the display lighting but still useable...I'll limp them along for now as 927Mhz & Mil air substitutes

 

[wtp]

known birdie areas maybe ?

 

[prcguy]

Thanks to all who replied & enlightened me....my bad for not doing more research before pulling the "buy" on this one....I shot myself in the foot & ended up with the model that blocks some of my favorite monitoring freq blocks....I'll probably get another & strive for the versions sold in Canada
Or an AOR 5100 (but even pricier)....I have 2 unblocked R8500's I need to get fixed someday....one lost its HF hearing but everything above 30MHz works well..the other lost the display lighting but still useable...I'll limp them along for now as 927Mhz & Mil air substitutes

I would recommend looking for an 04 unblocked version. They can be had from some US dealers.

 

[Napalm]

I would recommend looking for an 04 unblocked version. They can be had from some US dealers.

Truly is there any point, aside from bragging rights?

 

[prcguy]

Truly is there any point, aside from bragging rights?

If I'm going to buy an expensive "all band" radio I want it to actually be all band capable. I don't like anyone telling me what my receiver can or cannot receive, even though there may not be anything to receive there. Plus I qualified for a Govt purchase so I took advantage of it and I have used my 8600 in support of Govt activities.

 

[ArloG]

No bragging rights. Own an -04 also. If you can buy a DC-Daylight SDR radio without problems, the FCC rules are outdated anyway.
I believe SDRUno did software block some freq. bands. Dunno, been awhile since I used it.
Too bad still to this day that most SDR software is prejudiced towards I/Q SDR radios like the R8600.
The backbone of many using SoapySDR as the driver base. Good luck getting a working soapy driver for the R8600 that plays nice.
DSD+, Satdump, the colors you choose.
Being software weak but very eager. I've asked the masses for the resources and tutorials to build my own drivers. Nope.
What's a module......ver. 06, 07, 08 ? Heck if I know. Other yaznooks say that they would be willing to dev. drivers if I shipped one to them.
I call B.S. when I offer a secure VPN and PC with any and all software preinstalled and the remote access software of their choice. They 'chimp-out' !
As for Icom. I just found out there is a new firmware update. Haven't checked it out yet. That addresses 0. And I mean ZERO requests made by the buyers and users of this radio.
Suggestion? If you're an eBay bargain seeker and the seller advertises unblocked. And they are unwilling to verify the version (ex: -04). They probably drop ship or simply need reported.