IC-R8600 Troubleshooting

Summary: Fixes for common IC-R8600 problems.

• Power doesn’t come on – the power cable isn’t properly connected; the external supply is off; a DC cable fuse or the circuitry fuse is blown (find the cause, then replace it); with the optional AD-55NS or SP-39AD, the supplied short connector isn’t in [DC 13.8 V].
• No sound from the speaker – audio level is 0 or too low; the squelch is too tight; a tone/DTCS or digital squelch is on; headphones are connected to [EXT-SP] or [PHONES]; the external speaker cable is disconnected.
• Sensitivity is low and only strong signals are heard – the attenuator is on; RF gain is reduced (“RFG” shows; set it to 100%); the antenna is faulty or its coax shorted or disconnected; the antenna isn’t suited to the band; the wrong antenna connector is selected (below 30 MHz); the squelch is too tight.
• SSB audio is unclear or distorted – the wrong sideband (toggle USB and LSB); the Twin PBT is active (touch PBT1 or PBT2 for 1 second to clear).
• The frequency doesn’t change with the MAIN DIAL – Dial Lock is on (hold SPEECH/LOCK for 1 second).
• The backlight is off – Panel Lock is on (push the PANEL LOCK key).
• The touch panel doesn’t work correctly – calibrate the touch screen (see IC-R8600 Maintenance, Reset, Firmware & Calibration).
• A Programmed scan doesn’t start – the same frequency is in both scan edges of the channel pair.
• A Memory scan doesn’t start – fewer than two channels are entered; in Memory mode “BLANK” shows (write a frequency).
• A Select Memory scan doesn’t start – none or only one channel is assigned as a select channel.
• No speech after pushing SPEECH – the speech level is too low.
• The frequency readout blinks – no valid external reference signal is present: check REF IN/OUT and the source.
• “OVF” is displayed – a very strong signal: lower the RF gain, turn the preamp off, or turn the attenuator on.
• The spectrum scope is insensitive and shows only strong signals – the reference level is too low: raise it.
• Firmware selection shows “- No File -“ – see the firmware article.
• FSK isn’t demodulated – wrong mark or space frequency. FSK is received but not decoded – the shift is reversed: select FSK-R.

Some noise from the DSP while adjusting the Twin PBT or notch is normal. The receiver may also receive its own oscillator on some frequencies (no reception or only noise, including on the scope). If a problem persists, contact your Icom dealer or service centre.