Wide Frequency Coverage
The IC-R8500 covers a wide frequency range from 0.1 to 2000MHz, with 10Hz resolution, while maintaining 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. Numerous tuning steps are available for operating a wide variety of stations.
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
The IC-R85000's all mode capability allows you to receive signals in many different modes. SSB (USB, LSB), CW, AM, FM and WFM are included. Several speciality modes such as CW narrow, AM wide, AM narrow and FM narrow are available to receive a variety of signals that require a matched passband width.

Superior receive characteristics
The IC-R8500 has superb high receive sensitivity over its entire range, and built in high quality crystal (TCXO) provides excellent frequency stability of less than +/- 10Hz below 30MHz; less than +/- 3ppm above 30MHz.

Convenient features for receive
IF shift and APF (audio peak filter) functions are built in. IF shift is used to reduce interference from nearby signals. It does so by adjusting the centre frequency of the IF filter.
APF is used to reduce interference from signals superimposed over a desired signal by adjusting the centre frequency of the audio filter. The APF is especially useful when receiving CW. It 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. Each memory channel can store a frequency, mode (including passband width) and tuning step etc.

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. VSC (voice scan control) provides efficient scanning by skipping unmodulated signals so that you can customise the scan behaviour 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 PC. 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.

• 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 analogue S Meter and centre frequency indicator
• Optional Voice synthesiser (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).