Receiver recommendation

[kruser]

Welcome to the R8600 club. I've had mine for a year and I feel I have not even scratched the surface of this beast. Get the ICOM programming software, pricey but worth it.

I recommend this also. While RT Systems does sell a version made for the 8600, I've had it trash my memories more than once. I found I can use RT's software as long as I only work with small groups of frequencies That seems to work most of the time. RT's software allows copy and paste operations above what Icom's CS-R8600 software allows. But Icom's software is much faster in all aspects over RT's software.
Some users use an external spreadsheet program like Excel that can be made to work well with importing things into the R8600's memory channels. RT's software does not allow changing several of the settings unique to the radio. Icom's version work perfectly and allows you to adjust about every possible radio setting via software.

Of course you can always get the software at a later date. That will give you some time to research the pros and cons of each software.
I ended up with both software programs for working with the 8600 memories. Each one has benefits over the other.

In addition to the Icom receivers forum here, there's a pretty active groups.io group for the 8600 also. It's definitely worth joining the Icom receiver related groups.io groups
I don't do Facebook but I've seen mention of some pretty active Icom Facebook groups as well. If you are into Facebook, the related groups would probably be worth joining.

Do you have a power supply?
The 8600 does not come with a power supply. They sell a matching speaker for big bucks that has an 8600 compatible power supply built in.
You really only need a well regulated 12 VDC supply capable of maybe 5 amps or more. That will give you a little breathing room as you are not running the supply near its current limit,
You should be able to find a decent linear 12 VDC supply for a decent price. I'd stay away from Switching type supplies. They are getting much better these days but many of them still emit RFI into the receiver.
Some users checked the Icom supply built into the matching speaker and found that it was not a regulated supply so it put out near 18 VDC with a small load. This higher voltage was making the users 8600's run much warmer than normal. Something to watch for as heat kills electronics.

 

[shatnersbassoon]

Thanks for all the info.
I've been using ICOM's CS-R30 software on the R30, it's a bit clunky but works well so I'll probably have a look at ICOM's software for the 8600. I did briefly look at the RT software when I got the R30, but most people seemed to prefer the icom.

The place I'm buying from is including the AD-55NS power supply. Looks to be a 15VDC 2A switching supply.
Hopefully that should be ok to get started, though as you say, maybe looking into a non-switching supply would be a good idea.

Would you think that any RFI emitted by a switching power supply is picked up by the antenna, or more directly into the radio itself?

 

[prcguy]

The IC-R8600 beats the IC-9000 in performance hands down. Plus the color display is much nicer. There is almost 30yrs difference in technology between the two.

The 9000 is one of the best receivers ever made. Surprised you bought a 8600.

 

[prcguy]

I have the SDRPlay RSP2pro and its not bad. I might even be happy if it was the only HF/VHF/UHF receiver I owned. I don't use it much but when I do its impressive for what it costs.

If it's HF-only I'd suggest the ICOM R-75. A good performance, features, fairly recent design and not too long discontinued.

Otherwise I'd suggest a used ICOM R-8500 - good HF and VHF/UHF performance. More communications receiver than scanner in terms of features but a very nice toy indeed.

Or, as a last suggestion, embrace the future and buy something like the SDRPlay RSP1A - inexpensive and a grand way to get your feet wet with the new way of listening that has more or less completely replaced the old school receiver (apart from portables.)

 

[kruser]

The place I'm buying from is including the AD-55NS power supply. Looks to be a 15VDC 2A switching supply.
Hopefully that should be ok to get started, though as you say, maybe looking into a non-switching supply would be a good idea.

Would you think that any RFI emitted by a switching power supply is picked up by the antenna, or more directly into the radio itself?

I'm pretty sure some reviews of the AD-55NS I'd read showed it to be a nice and quiet supply so you should be fine.
The bad switchers I've had over the years got in through both, the antenna and through external wires.
Fixing the noise on the wires was easy using snap on ferrite chokes. Fixing the noise getting in through the antenna ports was a bit trickier. I honestly don't remember how I dealt with that unless it's my rack of large AGM batteries that I used to get rid of the switcher.
I think the little switcher supply may have came with an R8500 that I'd bought used so I don't know if it was OEM or just a supply someone threw in the box. I do know it had Icom's name on it.
I'd try that AD-55NS before you look to replace it. Some simple limit searches with an antenna on the radio itself should find problems and no antenna at all may find any noise getting in through control or power cables.
You'd like to think that Icom supplied a high quality power supply with a top class radio!

 

[shatnersbassoon]

My 8600 arrived today. Had to spend half my working day with it sitting in the box next to me, not being able to play with it.
Had it setup for half an hour or so, and so far very impressed. Might have to resort to reading the manual at some point!

 

[vince48]

yes, you will have to resort to the manual

 

[N4DJC]

My 8600 arrived today. Had to spend half my working day with it sitting in the box next to me, not being able to play with it.
Had it setup for half an hour or so, and so far very impressed. Might have to resort to reading the manual at some point!

I have one recommendation, save your current settings to the SD card. I keep two cards for my 9700, the original settings (after setting for time date etc) and my current programming. In case I forget what I changed

 

[shatnersbassoon]

Good idea.
I've been playing with the RT software to get a load of my old frequencies in, so I've been making plenty of backups!

 

[palmerjrusa]

Hide the purchase (somehow!) from the wife and get an R8600. You will love it. I don't think I've ever read a post where someone regretted getting an R8600 after they made the purchase.
It's a top rated receiver if you look at the ratings from Sherwood Engineering. I'm not sure if it's still rated as number one on Sherwood's list but it was for quite a while. I've not looked in a long time. Receiver Test Data

I loved the 8600 so much that I ended up getting a second one! Yes, it was impossible to hide that purchase!
I mainly use them for everything above 30 MHz but I also use them both for HF and below, just not as often as above 30 MHz. I also have an old Icom IC-R9000 that I love and would never part with. Sometimes I find myself using the old R9000 instead of the new 8600's but that's just habit I think.

You live dangerously!

 

[palmerjrusa]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a recommendation for a desktop receiver, to supplement or maybe replace my R30.
Now that I'm working from home the R30 is on all day and although 90% of the time it's scanning civ and mil-air I do like to have a scan around the HF bands.

I love the R30, but being a handheld in a cradle, I don't find the R30 great for just having a quick spin through the frequencies to see what's about. Not like having a big dial and dedicated buttons for certain features.
I'm not so interested in any digital modes (not that there are many here in the UK anyway), so are there any desktop style recievers that I should be considering?

Would love something with a waterfall display but things start to get a bit expensive.
The R8600 looks amazing and ticks all the boxes as far as features, but is probably totally overkill for me, and I'd never get the purchase past the wife!
I do have an SDR, but would rather something that I can turn on and use rather than have to use a PC.

Hope that rambling makes some sense!

Cheers, Matt

Save your $$$ and get an IC-R8600, it's an amazing receiver.
Icom really hit it out of the ballpark with this one.
Oops, saw you bought one, enjoy!

 

[NYG]

Good idea.
I've been playing with the RT software to get a load of my old frequencies in, so I've been making plenty of backups!

RT Systems fixed their programming software with the latest update. I haven't used it yet but there have been a number of reports that it's vastly improved.

 

[shatnersbassoon]

RT Systems fixed their programming software with the latest update. I haven't used it yet but there have been a number of reports that it's vastly improved.

I've used it quite a bit since yesterday. I've not had any crashes and it seems fast enough.
There's a few feature missing that I'd like to see added, and some use-ability improvement, but seems ok for the price.

Also, does anyone know if it's possible to re-order or insert a memory group in the CS-R8600 software?
I don't see a way to do it on the radio, and certainly not in the RT software!