IC-R8500

ICOM
IC-R8500

Specifications

Prices

Triple-conversion desktop receiver, frequency range 0.1-2000 MHz all-mode. It combines the functionality of a HF radio set with those of a advanced scanner. Ideated in Japan, year of introduction 1996.

Reference market : amateur-radio

IC-R8500 specifications

General

Frequency coverage [1]
0.1000 ~ 1999.9999 MHz
Mode
CW / LSB / USB / AM / FM / WFM
Tuning step
10 / 50 / 100 Hz / 1 / 2.5 / 5 / 9 / 10 / 12.5 / 20 / 25 / 100 KHz / 1 MHz User-defined 0.5~199.5 KHz with 0.5 KHz resolution

Receiver

Sensitivity
SSB / CW	1.0 uV (0.1~0.5 MHz, 10dB S/N) 2.0 uV (0.5~1.8 MHz, 10dB S/N) 0.25 uV (1.8~2 MHz, 10dB S/N) 0.2 uV (2.0~30 MHz, 10dB S/N) 0.32 uV (30~1000 MHz, 10dB S/N) 0.32 uV (1240~1300 MHz, 10dB S/N)
AM-N	2.5 uV (1.8~2 MHz, 10dB S/N) 2.0 uV (2.0~1300 MHz, 10dB S/N) 2.0 uV (1240~1300 MHz, 10dB S/N)
AM	6.3 uV (0.1~0.5 MHz, 10dB S/N) 13.0 uV (0.5~1.8 MHz, 10dB S/N) 3.2 uV (1.8~2 MHz, 10dB S/N) 2.5 uV (2.0~1300 MHz, 10dB S/N) 2.5 uV (1240~1300 MHz, 10dB S/N)
AM-W	3.2 uV (30~1300 MHz, 10dB S/N) 3.2 uV (1240~1300 MHz, 10dB S/N)
FM / FM-N	0.5 uV (28~1000 MHz, 12dB SINAD) 0.5 uV (1240~1300 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
WFM	1.4 uV (30~1000 MHz, 12dB SINAD) 2.0 uV (1240~1300 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
Selectivity
CW-N [3]	> 0.5 KHz (-6dB) < 1.0 KHz (-60dB)
SSB / CW	> 2.2 KHz (-6dB)
AM-N	> 2.2 KHz (-6dB)
AM / FM-N	> 5.5 KHz (-6dB)
FM / AM-W	> 12 KHz (-6dB)
WFM	> 150 KHz (-6dB)
IF filter ultimate attenuation [2]
75 dB
RF attenuator
10 / 20 dB
DR (Dynamic Range) [2]
81 dB (20 KHz spaced signals) 59 dB (5 KHz spaced signals)
Blocking [2]
132 dB (100 KHz spaced signal, 14 MHz)
IP3 (3rd order intercept point)
+27 dBm (14 MHz)
Image rejection
> 60dB (1.8~30 MHz) > 50dB (30~1000 and 1240~1300 MHz)
IF-shift range
± 1.2 KHz min
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
Fast, slow
Frequency stability
± 3ppm with temperature from -10°C to +50°C
IF (Intermediate Frequency)
1°	48.8 MHz (0.1~30 MHz) 778.7 MHz (30~500 MHz) 266.7 MHz (500~1200 MHz) 778.7 MHz (1200~1500 MHz) 266.7 MHz (1500~2000 MHz)
2°	10.7 MHz
3°	455 KHz (not for WFM)

Features

Memory
800 regular memories in 20 banks 100 for auto-memory write scan 100 for memory skip scan 20 for programmed scan limits 1 priority channel
Display
10 Hz frequency resolution
Antenna
SO239 50Ω (0.1~30 MHz) N 50Ω (30~2000 MHz) RCA 500Ω (0.1~1.8 MHz)
Power supply
13.8 VDC external
Power consumption
2000 mA typ 1800 mA squelch ON
Audio power
2 W on 4~8Ω
Audio output
Jack 6.35 mm headphone Jack 3.5 mm external speaker Jack 3.5 mm line Jack 3.5 mm recorder activation
Connections
RS232C-25 (PC) Jack 3.5 mm (CI-V) Aux (AGC / unfiltered FM discriminator output)

Mechanical and environmental data

Operating temperature
from -10°C to +50°C
Dimensions
287 (W) x 112 (H) x 309 (D) mm
Weight
7kg

0.1 ~ 1000 MHz and 1240 ~ 1300 MHz specifications guaranteed.
This parameter, not in official data, was obtained with direct tests.
Optional FL-52A filter for 455 KHz IF.

IC-R8500 description :

The ICOM IC-R8500 is a receiver with plenty of functions, far from complex to use, with some important points in the controls management being equipped with a rational front panel. Substantially the IC R8500 is internally divided between a section dedicated to frequencies below 30 MHz and a section, more articulated in the conversion scheme, for frequencies above up to 2000 MHz. All mode, with IF-shift to offset the band-pass filter with respect to the tuned frequency, adjustable audio filter on two levels, noise-blanker, selectable AGC time constant, squelch, two RF attenuators, internal clock and switch-off timer. Wide range of memories collected in 20 distinct groups that can be identified by a term to five characters while eight characters can be inserted to mark each frequency, a memory bank is intended for the self-writing function that keeps track of the active frequencies during a scan, a further memory bank allows to insert the channels that the user imposes are ignored during the scan. The tuning can be set by rotary control, whose friction is adjustable, with direct input from the keyboard, or even via remote PC. Predefined tuning steps that can also be user-defined with 0.5 KHz resolution.

Multiple search options: between band limits, within memories, on a priority channel, according to the mode, with auto-writing. Scan speed 10 memories per second, 20 channels per second in the search for bandwidth limits. VSC function to unlock the scan in the presence of an unmodulated carrier. Automatic frequency control (AFC) in FM mode with display indication.

IC-R8500 performance and practical notes :

The salient feature of this receiver is its hybrid nature, basically a HF device to which a V/UHF scanner has been added or - symmetrically - a scanner with a dedicated HF section added. Regardless of this vision, the ICOM ICR8500 offers unique features that make it appreciated by certain groups of users. In highlighting the merits and the defects it must be emphasized that the combination of sensitivity and images rejection has its maximum in the 30~500 MHz range, presenting a progressive degradation on the higher frequencies due to the conversion scheme adopted. Below 30 MHz the dynamic range with the presence of signals far from the tuned frequency is certainly of a good level but nevertheless significantly worsens with a reduced signals separations compromising listening in crowded bands. The mediocre IF filters selectivity in fact makes the receiver not competitive in these cases.

Aspect to remember is the mandatory management of the antenna system. Depending on whether you are tuning a radio channel lower or higher than 30 MHz, a specific input connector is activated, respectively SO239 and N. The receiver is designed to have two separate antennas reserved for a predefined frequency segment. If you want to use a single broadband antenna difficulties arise. On the contrary, those who have separate systems can take advantage of this mode which makes an external switch superfluous. In other words, the form of management integrated into the ICR 8500 can be as negative as positive depending on how the system will be wired.

Another peculiar aspect is the availability, on the rear panel, of a connector where the AGC (ie a voltage proportional to the intensity of the signal) is normally present. With a modest intervention, without modifying the circuit in any way, it can be arranged to have at output the FM discriminator without any filter action. Accessing the discriminator directly is important when decoding digital data streams. Generally speaking the contents of this nature, strings of bits therefore, can see their integrity degraded when in reception the audio are filtered. The IC R8500 overcomes this problem by allowing signals to be processed with appropriate software for various purposes: to detect the CTCSS tones of selective call, follow the AIS maritime traffic, analyze the transmission of telemetry services in FSK / GMSK, and so on. In other words, a considerable potential for experimenters who are dedicated to V/UHF communications.

IC-R8500 price

We have collected for your convenience the ICOM IC-R8500 sale price (US Dollar) and its trend over time. Useful to guarantee a cheaper purchase of this radio and to put it for sale in the second-hand market. Of course offers, accessories, warranty terms and conditions can lead to different figures.

Price	Date	Condition
USD 1024.00 (799GBP)	2021-oct	Second Hand Very nice clean condition, and boxed
USD 1112.00 (950EUR)	2018-oct	Second Hand Perfect condition. Comes with original box
USD 1340.00 (999GBP)	2018-oct	Second Hand Good condition overall. Comes with power supply and manual. Boxed
USD 1138.00 (849GBP)	2018-oct	Second Hand Comes with manual and external power supply

IC-R8500 review

Sensitivity
Selectivity
Dynamic range
Spurious response
Audio
Signal functions
Control functions
User friendly
Stars: 1=insufficient \| 2=just sufficient \| 3=mediocre \| 4=good \| 5=excellent

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