IC-R8500. PRECAUTIONS RINDOOR USE ONLY! IC-R8500 or AC adapter to rain, snow or any liquids. RNEVER connect the receiver to an AC outlet directly. This may pose a fire hazard or result in an electric shock.
TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT ... i EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ... i PRECAUTIONS ... i UNPACKING ... i TABLE OF CONTENTS ... ii 1 PANEL DESCRIPTION ... 1– 6 Front panel ... 1 Rear panel ... 5 Function display ... 6 2 CONNECTIONS ... 7– 10 Mounting installation ...
IF SHIFT CONTROL [IF SHIFT] (p. 14) Shifts the center frequency of the receiver’s IF pass- band to reject interfering signals. • Cannot be used in FM, WFM and AM modes. SLEEP LOCK BANK AGC-F APF-N ICOM RECV 10-ATT-20 SSB/CW 10dB 20dB IF SHIFT SPCH LOCK ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 •...
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SEL-CH SKIP-CH MEMO PROG SCAN/ SCAN SET SKIP M-CH M-SET BANK M-CL !5 !6 Center frequency is shifted down. AUDIO PEAK FILTER CONTROL [APF] (p. 15) Adjusts the audio peak filter setting to pick up a de- sired audio frequency. Only valid when the [APF] switch is ON.
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1 3 5 7 9 + 20dB + 60dB POWER SLEEP LOCK SIGNAL iC- r8500 RECV SLEEP/ COMMUNICATION RECEIVER REMOTE MODE SSB/CW REC OUT NB/AFC 10dB 20dB AF GAIN SQUELCH PHONES ] switch setting. SCAN SET BANK AGC-F APF-N ICOM 10-ATT-20 IF SHIFT SPCH LOCK ” is...
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SEL-CH SKIP-CH IC-R8500 MEMO PROG SCAN/ SKIP M-SET BANK M-CL grammed scan. [SKIP] (p. 25) Push momentarily to toggle the skip function ON and OFF for any scan. • Automatic skip activation is available with the [MEMO] switch. Push for 1 sec. to set the memory channel as a skip channel.
Rear panel RS-232C CONNECTOR (p. 10) Connects an RS-232C cable. An RS-232C cable can be used to connect the IC-R8500 to a PC. In this way commands can be sent to the receiver via the CI-V REMOTE CONTROL JACK (p. 10) Allows connection to an Icom CI-V system trans- ceiver or another receiver for the transceive function.
Function display AMUSBLSBCW REMOTE SLEEP LOCK AGC-F APF-N 10-ATT-20 RECV REMOTE INDICATOR (p. 35) Appears when a level control command is received from a PC via CI-V data. • When this indicator appears, the control knob’s setting is ignored. • This indicator will disappear when the control knob is rotated. MODE INDICATORS (p.
Specifications are not guaranteed under such conditions. D Receiver stand The base of the IC-R8500 has an adjustable stand for desktop use. Set the stand to one of two angles de- pending on your operating conditions. D Optional bracket and carrying handle •...
Required connections IC-R8500 Computer control TV adapter or high (p. 10) speed data connection (pgs. 16, 40) VHF/UHF wide band antenna 30 MHz –2 GHz coverage The optional AH-7000 is available for 25 MHz to 1.3 GHz coverage. External speaker (p.
Connecting a poor quality antenna to the IC-R8500 will result in less than optimum perfor- mance. The IC-R8500 requires at least 2 antennas for full fre- quency coverage: one for 0.1 to 30 MHz and one for 30 to 2000 MHz.
• Be sure the “CIV TRAN” item is turned ON in initial set mode (p. 32). Connecting to a PC The IC-R8500 can connect directly to a personal computer providing control of multiple functions such as instant frequency/name programming using appropriate software.
FREQUENCY SETTING Read me first The IC-R8500 uses memory channels for storage of frequencies (as well as mode, tuning steps, etc.). When turning power OFF or changing memory chan- nels, the previously displayed frequency cannot be recalled unless it has been stored into a memory channel.
] for 1 sec. to toggle the lock func- SPCH tion ON and OFF. • “LOCK” appears in the function display while the lock LOCK *ICOM IC-R8500 [TSY] [TSZ] 100 kHz appears when the programmable tuning step is selected. function is activated.
Morse code communications. Use this mode to receive radio-tele- type, etc. by shifting the receive frequency. TV broadcasting, FM broadcasting, etc. TV and FM broadcasting cannot be accessed in FM mode because their signals are too wide. SCAN SET IC-R8500 DESCRIPTION...
Squelch function The IC-R8500 has 2 types of squelch, noise squelch and S-meter squelch. Noise squelch: Only acts on noise; has good sensi- tivity. It can be adjusted for reception of weak signals. Strong signals exceeding a certain level will always cause the squelch to open.
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D Audio peak filter The APF (audio peak filter) adjusts the peak fre- quency of the received audio. The APF can be used for adjusting the audio response. The IC-R8500 has two selectable width filters.* Use the appropriate filter width for optimum receiving.
Data communications D Connections • For high speed data (9600 bps) reception in FM mode Rear panel to [AGC] RCA plug • To use the [AGC] socket for AF output Change the internal jumper plug as illustrated at right. • The output is obtained for FM mode only. •...
MEMORY CHANNELS General The IC-R8500 has 1000 regular memory channels, plus 20 programmable scan edge channels and 1 pri- ority channel. 8-digit memory names are programmed into all 1000 channels and 5-digit bank names are programmed into 20 user banks for convenient recall and organisation of frequencies.
Channel selection D Using the [M-CH] selector Select the desired bank using [ • BANK ]. Rotate the [M-CH] selector to select the desired channel. • Bank limit function While rotating the [M-CH] selector, memory channels can be selected from within the current bank only; or from any bank.
MEMORY CHANNELS Programming This is the method most often used to program mem- ory channels. Select the desired memory channel. Set the desired frequency. • When the memory channel already contains information, change the frequency using the main dial or the keypad. •...
Channel/bank names Channel names of up to 8 characters and bank names of up to 5 characters can be programmed for conve- nience. Programmed names can be easily copied to other channels using the copy/paste function. D Channel name programming Select the desired memory channel.
MEMORY CHANNELS Assigning channel numbers The IC-R8500 has 20 banks in which memory chan- nels can be programmed and arranged. By default, each bank contains 40 memory channels, however, channels can be deleted from or added (inserted) to banks to suit your preferences and operating style.
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D Adding/inserting memory channels Select the bank you wish to add memory chan- nel(s) to. Push [BANK] for 1 sec. • One of “INS. 1CH,” “DEL. 1CH,” “ADD.10CH,” or “ADD. 1CH,”appears and flashes. • Push [BANK] momentarily to exit the condition and return to the previous display, if desired.
SCANS Operation D Memory scan All memory channels (except skip channels) in the selected bank are scanned at up to 40 ch/sec. Push [ • BANK ] or [ M-CH the desired bank. • Direct selection is also available as below. Set the [SQUELCH] control to the threshold point.
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D Programmed scan Programmed scan (and auto memory write scan) searches for signals within a specified frequency range, using the selected tuning step increments. The result is like an ‘automatic’ rotating of the main dial. Preparation—setting the scan range: Push and hold [PROG] to enter the ‘prog’ bank, then input the desired edge frequencies, mode and tuning steps.
[BANK] does not function during scan. The bank limit function is turned ON and BANK MANUAL OFF by [BANK] regardless of scan start. Unmodulated signal Scan edge 1 Scan Skip SCANS VSC appears ICOM- IC-R8500 Modulated signal Scan edge 2 Scan pauses or is cancelled.
SCANS Programming scan edge frequencies A set of scan edge frequencies must be programmed before starting the programmed or auto memory write scans. 10 pairs of scan edges are available: 0P1 to 9P2. Push [PROG] for 1 sec. • “*SET*” appears in the bank name area, then changes to a flashing “PROG.”...
D Assigning a function to the [DELAY/SPEED] control The function of the [DELAY/SPEED] control is selec- table, as shown below, to suit your operating style. Push [DLY ] for 1 sec. to enter the setting con- dition. Rotate the main dial to select the function for the [DELAY/SPEED] control.
SLEEP TIMER The IC-R8500 has a sleep timer function to automati- cally turn the power OFF after a specified period. D Operation Push [SLEEP/ ] momentarily, several times, to activate the sleep timer and set the power OFF period. • When the sleep timer is activated, “...
General Set mode is used for programming infrequently changed values or conditions of functions. The IC-R8500 has 2 separate set modes: quick set mode and initial set mode . D Selecting quick set mode Push [ ] for 1 sec.
SET MODE Quick set mode items DIMMER This item toggles the intensity of the display back- lighting between high or low. BEEP A beep sounds each time a switch is pushed for con- firmation. This function can be turned OFF for silent operation.
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Icom standard address in hexadecimal code. The IC-R8500’s address is 4AH. When 2 or more IC-R8500’s are connected to an optional CT-17 V LEVEL CONVERTER main dial to select a different address for each IC- CIV BAUD This item sets the data transfer rate.
CONNECTOR INFORMATION D RS-232C socket D Remote jack 3.5 mm (diam.) 2-conductor D IF OUT jack RCA (phono) jack D AGC OUT jack RCA (phono) jack D External speaker 3.5 mm (diam.) 2-conductor Port name 9–19 21–25 Port name Inner REMOTE Outer Outer...
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D DC 13.8 V and DC IN sockets DC 13.8 V Inner Outer [POWER] Internal switch regulator Receiver circuit circuit D REC REMOTE jack 3.5 mm (diam.) 2-conductor D REC OUT jack 3.5 mm (diam.) 2-conductor D PHONES jack 6 mm (diam.) 3-conductor •...
CONTROL COMMANDS The IC-R8500 can be connected to a PC via the PC’s RS-232C port. This allows you to control the receiver Command table Operation Reading freq. edges Reading operating freq. Reading operating mode Reading M-ch contents package Reading bank name...
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• ‘OK’ message from IC-R8500 to PC FE FE E0 4A FB FD • Memory channel contents set & write (1A 00) CH no. Bank FE FE 4A E0 1A 00 1 9 0 1 2 3 9 0 7 8 5 6 3 4 1 2 0 5 0 1 1 3 9 5 1 9 1 0 0 3 4 9 4 3 2 0 5 2 3 8 3 5 3 0 3 0 FD...
EEP- ROM. There is no internal lithium battery. CPU resetting If the IC-R8500 is behaving erratically, this may be an indication of a CPU malfunction. In such cases, reset MAIN unit Fuse the CPU.
Replace the top cover. FL-52A CW NARROW FILTER The IC-R8500 has a CW narrow mode which pro- vides better S/N (signal-to-noise) and also rejects nearby interference. The CW narrow filter is helpful when receiving CW and radio-teletype signals. Remove the top cover as shown opposite.
OPTIONAL INSTALLATIONS CR-293 HIGH STABILITY CRYSTAL UNIT A temperature-compensating crystal with a stability of ± 3 ppm is built-in to the receiver. For more demand- ing operation, the CR-293 is available. It has a stability of ± 0.5 ppm. UNIT Remove the bottom cover as shown on p.
TV or FM signals by the main dial or di- rect keypad entry. • The FM center indicator on the IC-R8500’s function dis- play is useful for tuning. • Pictures appear on your TV screen and sound is emitted.
The frequency is not announced when push- ing [SPCH]. solve it through the use of this chart, contact your nearest Icom Dealer or Service Center. POSSIBLE CAUSE • DC power cable is improperly con- nected. • A fuse is blown.
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PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE Memory channels in • The bank limit function is activated and another bank cannot be “BANK” is indicated. selected. Memory channels in the • Written memories condition is set as CL&START. ‘AUTO’ bank are cleared. Bank name is erased •...
SPECIFICATIONS General • Frequency coverage • Mode • Number of memory channels • Antenna connector • Usable temperature range • Frequency stability • Power supply requirement • Current drain (at 13.8 V DC) • Dimensions (projections not included) • Weight •...
Does not comply with EMC directive. MB-23 CARRYING HANDLE Carrying handle, convenient for portable operation. Use the screws supplied with the IC-R8500; DO NOT use the screws supplied with the MB-23. CT-17 CI-V LEVEL CONVERTER For remote control of up to 4 receivers from 1 PC. You can set memory contents, including names, as well as read data from the receivers.
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