PCR-1500 / R-1500 opinions?

[MacombMonitor]

So has any of RR's members purchased one of the new Icom PCR-1500/R-1500 communications receivers?

I've been anxiously waiting for some reviews, or user feedbacks.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[vince48]

Bill
Yes, I purchased my PCR1500 from Grove last week. Been playing around with it off and on for a week.
So far, it seems a bit more sensitive in the UHF and 800mhz band than my PCR1000. Have not tried SW yet, but will do some SWL this weekend.
I like the software. However, I must warn you, the manual is not very informative. Before I purchased my PCR1500, one task it had to do, search for both DSC and CTSS tones. In my area, this is necessary. The manual really does not say it will do this. When I called Grove to see if they knew, the nice lady had Bob Grove phoned the ICOM people to ask the question, and it will. Thanks Bob for your help on this.
The band scope works well. The scanning speed is very good. It also appears to be the same as my PCR1000 in regards to overload.
My feelings at this point are positive. Now, I plan to sell my PCR1000, Kenwood R5000 (with VHF converter) and Pro 2006 with OS456 (full) board with lappy and Probe software and just keep my PCR1500!
I have already asked Perry at Data Files (Probe) if he is going to have software for the 1500. Perry said no. Too bad, I really love the Probe software.
I believe TrunkPCR is going to have software for PCR1500 to monitor Motorola and EDACS.

Cheers!

 

[buttsrob]

I didn't know it would scan for both CTCSS AND DCS tones. That's good to know.

One thing I'm dying to find out........what is there worth listening to between 1 and 3 GHz?

I suspect most everything in that range (above the 1.2 GHz Ham Band) is digital. Maybe I'm wrong.

So far this appears to be the only "low cost" receiver that goes that high.

 

[vince48]

buttsrob
I don't monitor and do not have the antennas for that range.

vince48

 

[hotdjdave]

Now if it would just do APCO-25.

I have had the PCR-1000 for a few years and like it - just limited to what I can hear in Los Angeles where so much is digital and/or trunked.

 

[buttsrob]

Now if it would just do APCO-25.

Interestingly enough....I was just reading a guy's post on the Yahoo PRC/R1500 Discussion Group.

He's taken his new PCR-1500 apart to do some exploring and found some intersting things.

One of them is a blank spot on the circuit board for an 18-pin IC that's labled "P25 Digital".

It certainly makes me speculate about the future of this radio....and I think I'll wait awhile and see.

Until then I'll stick with my PCR-1000.

 

[hotdjdave]

Intriguing

Interestingly enough....I was just reading a guy's post on the Yahoo PRC/R1500 Discussion Group. He's taken his new PCR-1500 apart to do some exploring and found some intersting things. One of them is a blank spot on the circuit board for an 18-pin IC that's labled "P25 Digital".

Intriguing!

It certainly makes me speculate about the future of this radio....and I think I'll wait awhile and see. Until then I'll stick with my PCR-1000.

I think I will do the same.

 

[hotdjdave]

Yahoo Group Link

Interestingly enough....I was just reading a guy's post on the Yahoo PRC/R1500 Discussion Group.

What group is this? Could you provide a link, please.

Thank you.

 

[buttsrob]

What group is this? Could you provide a link, please.

Thank you.

Here's the link to the message. Of course you'll have to subscribe to read it.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ICOM-IC-R1500/message/216

 

[hotdjdave]

Yahoo Group: ICOM-IC-R1500

Thanks, I am "now a member of the group ICOM-IC-R1500!"

 

[buttsrob]

Thanks, I am "now a member of the group ICOM-IC-R1500!"

RGR - No problem. I guess (from the traffic I'm reading on it) that TrunkPCR works with the PCR-1500....but they (Icom) really need to look into APCO P25 and other digital modes.

It would be a hoot if they figured out how to decode ProVoice (since they're one of the few companies that can afford the invitable legal battle).

Hey, I can dream can't I?

 

[DaveIN]

So does it search for CTCSS/DCS quickly or very s l o w l y?

 

[vince48]

DaveIN
I have a PCR-1500 and one of the tasks it had to do was have the ability to search both CTCSS/DCS tones. Yes it does, but not instant as say Pro-96, 2096 or the new Unidens.
CTCSS search is adequate, but DCS is way too slow. Reminds me of the old Uniden 895, it searches one tone at a time and goes through the whole tone list until it matches the tone received.
But I really like my PCR1500

vince48

 

[DaveIN]

Did you get the remote head?

 

[Air490]

Can anybody give any impressions on its airband performance yet?

Is there a lack of sensitivity around 300MHz like in the R20?

 

[vince48]

No. I don't think I would want the remote head.

 

[MacombMonitor]

No. I don't think I would want the remote head.

I had read somewhere that the remote head had very limited, basic functionality. I guess it would be OK, if you had it in a car, but then there are much better choices for that environment.

 

[flash22]

hi for those who are intrested there a nice lot of pic's both internal and external inc the display and pcb's of the PCR/R1500 here...

http://www.tiscalinet.ch/lastlonewolf/ (use the menu on the left)

A few yahoo groups dedicated to the PCR/R1500 and PCR 1000

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCR-1000/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ICOM-IC-R1500/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCR-1500/

 

[yaesumofo]

Does anybody know what the UT-107 is. I don't think it is a ctcss decoder. It looks like some sort of data decoder.
Anybody?
Also I find it amazing that ICOM is using 10 year old technology for the DSP.
I also find it amazing that the boards inside the PCR-1500 are much smaller than the Boards inside the PCR-1000. Actually it isn't that amazing. All radios have become smaller in the 2nd and 3rd generations. Just look at the size difference between a Uniden BC-250 and the BCT-396d. The 396 is about 2/3 the size of the 250 with a lot more features and digital built in!!
Will there be an APCO 25 decoder for the PCR 1500?
I love my PCR-1000 It is a fine radio. Do I need to get a 1500?
Yaesumofo

 

[hotdjdave]

Ut-107; Pcr1500; Pcr2500

Does anybody know what the UT-107 is. I don't think it is a ctcss decoder. It looks like some sort of data decoder. Anybody?

The UT-106 is a digital signal processor (DSP), providing Automatic Notch Filter (ANF) and Noise Reduction (NR) functions.

The UT-107 is an option available for a service available only in Japan. The translated website reads:

FM Teletext Reception Correspondence
FM teletext tuner picture - It can correspond on the FM teletext tuner (UT-107 option) with "the radio FM teletext where letter appears".​

Here is a picture the FM Teletext Display:

Will there be an APCO 25 decoder for the PCR 1500? I love my PCR-1000 It is a fine radio. Do I need to get a 1500?

A member of the PCR1500 Yahoo! Group, Contranl, took apart his 1500 and found markings on the IC board that read "P25 Digital" next to one of two empty slots where circuits would go. Future upgrade? See this posting (you may have to join the group to view): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ICOM-IC-R1500/message/216


Also, you may want to know that iCOM is also coming out with a PCR2500 / R2500 model as well. This model has two digital tuners.

Some have noticed that the 1500 leaves gaps in the coverage above 1800 MHz and the 2500 leaves gaps in coverage below 960 MHz. Maybe you need both? The iCOM claims the 2500 is D-Star digital capable (iCOM's digital format similar to P25). I have not read anything about the 2500 being taken apart, as I am sure it is not yet available; but I assume it will have the same slot available for the P25 Digital, as did the 1500.


See the following links:

The Yahoo! Group I created for the PCR2500: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCR2500
Click here to join this group

RR Thread about the PCR2500: http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35528

Yahoo! Group for the PCR1500 (the owner is closing the group): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ICOM-IC-R1500/message/216

Yahoo Group for the PCR1000: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCR1000

A website some guy created. On it he has pictures of an R1500 taken apart: http://www.tiscalinet.ch/lastlonewolf/index.html