IC-R8600 Tone Squelch, Digital Squelch, Descrambler & Decryption

Summary: How to use the IC-R8600’s tone squelch, DTCS, digital codes, descrambler and decryption functions, and the tone scan.

Tone Squelch and DTCS (FM)

The tone squelch opens only when the signal includes a matching subaudible tone or DTCS code.

1. Touch TONE on the FUNCTION screen to cycle TSQL, DTCS and OFF.
2. Touch TONE for 1 second to open the TONE FREQUENCY screen, touch T-SQL TONE or DTCS CODE and rotate the dial. POL toggles the DTCS polarity.
3. The setting is stored in each memory channel.

Tone frequencies (Hz): 67.0, 69.3, 71.9, 74.4, 77.0, 79.7, 82.5, 85.4, 88.5, 91.5, 94.8, 97.4, 100.0, 103.5, 107.2, 110.9, 114.8, 118.8, 123.0, 127.3, 131.8, 136.5, 141.3, 146.2, 150.0, 151.4, 156.7, 159.8, 162.2, 165.5, 167.9, 171.3, 173.8, 177.3, 179.9, 183.5, 186.2, 189.9, 192.8, 196.6, 199.5, 203.5, 206.5, 210.7, 218.1, 225.7, 229.1, 233.6, 241.8, 250.3, 254.1.

DTCS codes: 023, 025, 026, 031, 032, 036, 043, 047, 051, 053, 054, 065, 071, 072, 073, 074, 114, 115, 116, 122, 125, 131, 132, 134, 143, 145, 152, 155, 156, 162, 165, 172, 174, 205, 212, 223, 225, 226, 243, 244, 245, 246, 251, 252, 255, 261, 263, 265, 266, 271, 274, 306, 311, 315, 325, 331, 332, 343, 346, 351, 356, 364, 365, 371, 411, 412, 413, 423, 431, 432, 445, 446, 452, 454, 455, 462, 464, 465, 466, 503, 506, 516, 523, 526, 532, 546, 565, 606, 612, 624, 627, 631, 632, 654, 662, 664, 703, 712, 723, 731, 732, 734, 743, 754.

Tone Scan

To find an unknown tone or code: TONE for 1 second, choose T-SQL TONE or DTCS CODE, and touch T-SCAN. The audio is muted, “SCAN” blinks, and the scan pauses on the detected tone or code, which is set automatically. Touch T-SCAN again to cancel.

Digital Squelch (D.SQL)

Touch D.SQL on the FUNCTION screen (touch for 1 second to set the code). The squelch opens only for a matching code; the code is stored in each memory channel, and data communication signals are restored regardless of the code:

• D-STAR CSQL: 00-99
• P25 NAC: 000-FFF (hexadecimal); [EDIT] lets you type it
• dPMR COM ID: 1-255, or CC: 0-63
• NXDN RAN (NXDN-vn and NXDN-n): 0-63
• DCR UC: 1-511

Descrambler and Decryption

For signals you’re entitled to receive and where you hold the key.

• Descrambler (SCRAM) – dPMR Tier 2: touch SCRAM, then touch it for 1 second and set the key 1-32767.
• Decryption (ENCRYP) – NXDN-vn, NXDN-n and DCR: touch ENCRYP and set the key 1-32767. Fast Unmute (NXDN) (default ON) releases the mute without checking the key so the start of the audio isn’t lost.

The settings are stored in each memory channel, and SCRM or ENCR shows on the display.

Voice Squelch Control (VSC)

FM, WFM, AM and SSB. Opens the squelch or stops a scan only when voice is detected: multi-dial, VSC. It isn’t suited to continuous audio (such as a broadcast), which can break up; turn it off then.