IC-R8600 Loading Frequencies From Squawker PC & Squawker Online

Summary: How to load frequencies into an IC-R8600 using Squawker Online’s IC-R8600 export and Icom’s CS-R8600 software, and how to connect the receiver to Squawker Connect.

At a Glance

• Squawker Online has an Icom IC-R8600 export: a comma-separated CSV with group support, up to 2,000 channels and 16-character names, made for Icom’s own programming software (CS-R8600).
• Squawker PC Connect supports the IC-R8600 for live monitoring and logging over CI-V (default address 96).
• Squawker PC’s Scanner Programmer does not program the IC-R8600. Its Icom programmer is for the IC-R15.
• The IC-R8600 manual doesn’t describe importing memory CSV files on the receiver itself. Its SD card holds settings (.icf), recordings and logs; the CSV route goes through the CS-R8600 software on a PC.

Squawker Online: The IC-R8600 Export

Squawker Online (search at ukafg.co.uk/squawker-online-search) has an Icom IC-R8600 export button. It writes a comma-delimited CSV with a header row and columns including Group No, Group Name, CH No, Name, Frequency, Dup, Offset, Mode, Filter, TS Function, TS, Programmable TS, ANT, P.AMP, ATT, IP+, SEL, SKIP, TONE, TSQL Frequency, DTCS Code, DTCS Polarity and the digital squelch settings (39 columns in all). Channels are numbered from 001; names are cut to 16 characters; there is no UTF-8 byte-order mark, since Icom’s software rejects one.

• The channel details in the export are basic: frequency, mode and name are filled from the data; the other columns carry defaults (for example Filter 2, TS 25 kHz, ANT1, ATT 10dB and tone squelch off), so check antenna, attenuator, filter and tuning step on the channels after import, especially airband.
• Groups: a group holds up to 100 channels, and the receiver has 100 groups (2,000 channels).

To use the file:

1. Export the Icom IC-R8600 CSV from Squawker Online.
2. Open it in Icom’s CS-R8600 software (optional, from Icom) and check the channels.
3. Send it to the receiver from the CS-R8600, which connects over USB (the receiver also has a Clone Mode, under Others, Clone).
4. Back up first: save the receiver’s settings to the SD card (SET, SD Card, Save Setting) before loading anything. See IC-R8600 SD Card, Settings & Screen Capture.

I haven’t seen the CS-R8600’s own instructions here, so check its manual for the exact import steps. More on Icom exports: Exporting to Icom Radios and Exporting to Scanner Software.

Squawker PC: Connect (Live Logging)

Squawker PC is UKAFG’s Windows app. In Connect Settings create a profile with Scanner System ICOM CI-V and Scanner Type IC-R8600, choose the COM port, enter the CI-V address (96, the receiver’s default) and use Test Connection. Squawker PC then follows the frequency the receiver is on and matches it against UKAFG’s data so you can see and log who you’re hearing.

On the receiver, in SET, Connectors, CI-V, the defaults are CI-V Address 96h, CI-V Transceive ON and Echo Back OFF on both USB ports, with Baud Rate Auto. The rear USB port defaults to “Unlink from [REMOTE]”. Install Icom’s USB driver first and check the COM port in Device Manager. Squawker’s guide for the IC-R15 recommends CI-V Transceive OFF; I haven’t seen guidance for the IC-R8600, so if the connection behaves oddly, try turning it OFF. The connection guides are Supported Radios & Scanner Systems, Creating a Connection Profile, Connecting Your Radio: Drivers, Ports & Menu Settings and Launching a Profile. See also IC-R8600 USB, LAN, CI-V & Remote Control.

Other Ways to Load Frequencies

• Type them in using IC-R8600 Memory Channels: Groups, Writing & Editing, from lookups in Squawker Online or Common Scanner Frequencies.
• Use the Auto Memory Write scan to capture what’s active (see IC-R8600 Scanning).
• Squawker Online’s CSV and Excel exports are good for reading and editing a list first: see Exporting to Scanner Software.

Tips

• Coverage: UK receivers cover 0.010-3000 MHz. Choose the right mode: airband is AM, most UK voice services are FM or NFM, and the R8600 filters are chosen per mode (FIL1 wide, FIL2 mid, FIL3 narrow).
• Save your settings first and keep a copy of the SD card’s IC-R8600 folder.