The IC-R8500 is reintroduction of the original radio, and will meet all the original receiver specifications advertised when the radio was first introduced. There will be only one version of the IC-R8500 produced, thus sales will be restricted to qualified* export or government customers.

Wide Frequency Coverage

The IC-R8500 covers a wide frequency range continuously from 0.1 to 2000MHz, with 10Hz resolution, while maintaining a high receive sensitivity. You can be sure that if there are any communications or broadcasts out there, you'll be able to hear them with minimum interference from other signals.

Various tuning steps

Two methods of frequency entry are available; using the tuning dial or direct frequency entry from the keypad. Use the method that best suites the situation. Numerous tuning steps are available for operating a wide variety of stations. They are 10, 50, 100Hz, 1, 2.5, 5, 9, 10, 12.5,20, 25, 100KHz & 1MHz.

In addition, a programmable tuning step is available. The programmable tuning step can be set (independently for each memory channel) to a value between 0.5 ~ 199.5Khz in 0.5kHz steps.

All Mode Capability

Radio signals are transmitted in a variety of modes. The IC-R85000's all mode capability allows you to receive signals in many different modes from the world over. SSB (USB, LSB), CW, AM, FM and WFM are included and several speciality modes, CW narrow, AM wide, AM narrow and FM narrow are available to receive a variety of signals that require a matched passband width.

The optional TV-R7100 TV/FM adapter allows you to receive TV broadcasts (when connected to a CRT monitor) and listen to stereo FM broadcasts.

Superior receive characteristics

The IC-R8500 has superb high receive sensitivity over its entire range, and built in high quality crystal (TCXO) provides good frequency stability of less than +/- 10Hz below 30MHz; less than +/- 3ppm above 30MHz. The crystal is the reference for the PLL and DDS circuits to achieve these specifications.

Convenient features for receive

IF shift and APF (audio peak filter) functions are built in - a first for a receiver in this class. IF shift is used to reduce interference from nearby signals. It does so by adjusting the center frequency of the IF filter. APF is used to reduce interference from signals superimposed over a desired signal by adjusting the center frequency of the audio filter. The APF is especially useful when receiving CW, but is also useful in other modes as a tone control.

In addition a noise blanker, RF attenuator and selectable AGC functions, clarify desired signals when experiencing various forms of interference. A digital AFC function tunes the receiver to the center of FM or WFM signals.

Ample memory Channels

The IC-R8500 has 1000 memory channels providing versatile operating possibilities. Each memory channel can store a frequency, mode (including passband width) and tuning step etc.

To facilitate efficient use of memory channels, they are divided into 20 banks of 40 channels each plus an auto memory write area of 100 channels and a skip area of 100 channels. Alphanumeric names can be assigned to the channels (up to 8 characters) and banks (up to 5 characters) for easy recognition.

In addition there are 20 scan edge memory channels to store 10 sets of frequencies for programmed scan plus 1 priority channel for priority scan. The number of channels in each bank is user assignable.

Versatile scanning functions

For basic scanning - memory, priority and program scans are available. For more advanced needs - select, skip, autowrite and mode select scans can be selected.

The IC-R8500 scans very quickly and the speed is continuously adjustable up to 40 channels per second (in both memory and programmed scans) with a continuously adjustable delay time. Also, VSC (voice scan control) provides efficient scanning by skipping unmodulated signals. Customize the scan behavior to suit your needs.

RS-232C interface

An RS-232C serial port is located on the rear panel of the receiver for direct connection to a personal computer. Icom's CI-V data communications format allows you to control and monitor many receiver functions from your PC, as well as to read data or levels in the receiver such as AF gain, squelch level, received signal strength together with received frequency, channel names and many others.

Additional outstanding features

• 3 antenna connectors are provided; an SO-239 type and a phono (RCA) connector for below 30MHz; a N type connector for above 30MHz
• S-Meter squelch allows you to receive only those signals stronger than a pre-set level
• Easy to read analog S Meter and center frequency indicator
• Vice synthesizer (optional UT-102 required)
• Sleep timer (30, 60, 90 & 120 min. selectable)
• REC and REC remote terminals are provided for tape recorder control and for recording received signals (received signals can also be recorded when the optional UT-120 is installed).

ICOM R-8500 Manual