IC-R8600 Spectrum Scope & Waterfall

Summary: How to use the IC-R8600’s real-time spectrum scope, waterfall and peak search, and every scope setting.

The Spectrum Scope

MENU, SCOPE (or hold M.SCOPE for 1 second) opens the SPECTRUM SCOPE. It shows activity across a frequency range and the relative strength of signals, with a waterfall below. There are two modes:

• Center mode – the operating frequency is always in the centre and the display moves.
• Fixed mode – a fixed range between two edge frequencies; a green RX marker shows the receive frequency (and a waterfall marker when you change frequency).

M.SCOPE toggles the Mini Scope, which can be shown at the same time as other screens such as FSK DECODE. Push EXIT to leave.

Function Menu Keys

Touch <1>/<2> to switch between Menu 1 and Menu 2.

• SPAN (Center mode): +/-2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 kHz, 1.0 and 2.5 MHz.
• EDGE (Fixed mode): lower and upper edge frequencies (0.010-3000.000 MHz). “<<” or “>>” blink when the frequency is outside an edge, and “Scope Out of Range” shows when it’s further away.
• HOLD: turns Peak Hold on or off (touch for 1 second to clear it).
• CENT/FIX: toggles Center and Fixed mode.
• EXPD/SET: touch for the Expanded or Normal screen; touch for 1 second for the SCOPE SET screen.
• REF: opens the Reference level window (-20.0 to +20.0 dB; touch DEF for 1 second to reset). It changes the display only, not the input level.
• SPEED: FAST, MID or SLOW refresh (also the waterfall speed).
• PEAK: peak search keys.

Touch Tuning

Touch the FFT scope or waterfall to zoom in on the area, then touch a signal in the zoomed area to tune to it. Touch outside the zoom window to close it.

Peak Search

Touch <1> then PEAK: the peak pointer appears on the strongest signal in range. SEARCH finds it again; HOLD freezes the spectrum; NEXT LEV rotates through the next peaks by level; NEXT L/R by position; touch ->RX for 1 second to tune to the peak.

SCOPE SET Screen

Touch the item or option for 1 second and choose Default to reset it.

• Max Hold (10s Hold): OFF, 10s Hold, ON. CENTER Type Display (Filter Center): Filter Center, Carrier Point Center, or Carrier Point Center (Abs. Freq.). Marker Position (Fix Type) (Carrier Point).
• VBW (Narrow): Narrow or Wide. Averaging (OFF): 2, 3 or 4 sweeps.
• Waveform Type (Fill): Fill or Fill + Line. Waveform Color (Current, Line, Max Hold), Marker Color (RX, Peak).
• Waterfall Display (ON; always shown on the expanded screen), Waterfall Speed (Mid), Waterfall Size (Expand Screen) (Mid): Small, Mid, Large; Waterfall Peak Color Level (Grid 8); Waterfall Marker Auto-hide (ON, hides after 2 seconds).
• Peak Excursion (6 dB, 0-60 dB) and Peak Threshold (-70 dB, -80 to 0 dB); Peak Search Target Type (Current or Max Hold).

If the scope only shows strong signals, raise the reference level (see IC-R8600 Troubleshooting).