Introducing the IC-R8600 base receiver. Whether deployed with two receivers on a single 19-inch rack, or on your desk at home, the IC-R8600 is an impressive upgrade to any serious SIGINT team, interference research team, or the avid shortwave or receiver enthusiasts. Covering 10 kHz to 3 GHz, this communication receiver enables you to hear and see a wide variety of signals on a 4.3-inch color display. Other key features: Decodes digital communication signals: P25, NXDN., D-STAR Advanced FPGA processing technology provides clarity and accuracy of received signals. Optional remote control software takes received audio and spectrum scope data and transfers through an IP network for monitoring from remote locations. Real-time spectrum scope with a waterfall screen More information and specifications can be found at the link below! IC-R8600: http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=71-001699
I do not think it does trunking - and no DMR decoding even for something simple like the ham repeaters Will not pay those prices unless they get more features in it - too many other radios doing more for decoding for a lot less. I do like the 'Mute' feature - to many other radios leave that out for people who transmit as a hobby or a living.
News about this receiver has been floating around for months now. I just wish they would give a official release date for the US. It is already out over seas. I would love you have one but I doubt it will be anywhere near my price range. I think it would make a good partner to my 7300 and allow me to have a second receiver plus the added range that the R8600 has.
The is high but a lot better as far as features per dollar then the previous R8500 that has been discontinued. Still almost twice what a 7300 which is a full blown transceiver. Guess just have to see what happens when it is released over here.
It is nice to see Icom standardizing on a user interface. They are definitely capitalizing on the success of the UI from the 7300, which was largely lifted from the 7100, 7000, etc.
One thing that seems to be missing with ICOM in general, is bandwidth on the RXer. For years they seem to limit the SSB filters to 0-3600Hz max if you shift the filter 300Hz. Typically in 3.6K the SSB RX is 3.3K on one side-band and 300Hz on the unwanted (total is 3.6K). I hope we are getting to a point where the user defines the RX bandwidth like a real SDR type system and all this shifting like some antique RXer is going away... The SDR PLAY/UNO is still impressive, so is the RF Space Cloud IQ for about 600 dollars but that is not going to 3GHz.
What is known is that the receiver is Direct Sampling up to around 70 mHz, then conventional Super-hetrodyne after....
For that kind of money for a receiver only, I would consider the new IC-7610. A step up from the IC-7300, and also a transceiver. The price being quoted for it is not much more than the 8600. If your interest is VHF++, APCO, and other digital decoders, then it's a different story. Also, as per a previous message, it is a superhet above 70Mhz. 73 de Vince, VA3VF
I doubt the receiver is "traditional superhet" at any frequency. Most likely, above some frequency, it uses a superhetrodyne down-converter to feed what is now a high digitally sampled IF frequency - this is NOT traditional in any sense. Hybrid tranceivers normally use a very low IF (5-30 KHz) to feed the digital back end processor. Is it worth $2000 - $3000. Mmmmm. Not to me.
