R8500 questions

[N9JIG]

I have purchased an Icom R8500 and while I am awaiting delivery I have a couple quick queries:

1) I have seen posted in places that PL and DPL codes can be read from the AGC jack on the rear of the radio with a CD-1 or CD-2 decoder. I presume that this is discriminator audio. If so, has anyone used this with a data slicer or sound card Trunker application?

2) Anyone know what the option slot on the rear panel of the radio is? According to pictures I have seen it looks like a square panel on the rear of the radio, and behind it is a fairly large cavity that appears to be reserved for some type of option slot.

Thanks!

 

[frankh]

Trunker will work fine but first, you need to reposition a jumper see page 16 of owner manual. As to slot on back of radio, I think Icom had other plans for the chasis(different model/configuration).

 

[bagmouse7]

I have used trunker with a slicer using the discriminator output from the AGC port. It works great.
Here is how to do it:
http://www.discriminator.nl/r8500/index-en.html

There is nothing that I know of that fits in the space you are talking about. The 8500 user manual shows all the options available for the radio at the end of the manual:
http://www.rigpix.com/icom/icr8500_manual.pdf

 

[N9JIG]

I have used trunker with a slicer using the discriminator output from the AGC port. It works great.
Here is how to do it:
http://www.discriminator.nl/r8500/index-en.html

Sounds good to me! I wasn't looking forward to soldering in my newest toy...

Thanks!