ICOM IC-R9500

Wideband Dual DSP Receiver

ICOM IC-R9500

Dual DSP.

The IC-R9500 incorporates two independent, 32-bit floating point DSP units, one for receiver and the other for the spectrum scope. By having two independent DSP units, the radio will respond to operator changes in an instant, as each DSP unit has a dedicated function.

7-inch wide color TFT LCD.

The large 7-inch wide (800 × 480 pixels) active matrix display delivers quick response time, high resolution and wide viewing angle. The multi-function spectrum scope is displayed in vivid color. In addition, the IC-R9500 has a VGA connector allowing you to connect an external monitor.

+40dBm IP3 and 110dB wide dynamic range.

Only Icom’s wideband receiver technology can achieve this high specification with 0.005–3335MHz coverage. In HF bands, it has 110dB wide dynamic range and +40dBm IP3. Even in 144/430(440) MHz and above 2GHz band, it has +5dBm IP3 capability. This high specification means the IC-R9500 allows you to listen to weak
signals between strong adjacent signals.

“Measuring” class accuracy.

The IC-R9500 uses an OCXO (Oven Control Crystal Oscillator) unit which is stable to within ±0.05ppm at 0°C to 50°C. A 10MHz reference frequency can be input and output allowing you to connect with external equipment. Signal strength indication can be selectable from “dBµ” and “dBm” unit.

Superior BPF unit.

For the BPF (Band pass filter) unit, the IC-R9500 uses stable mechanical relays and large inductors instead of switching diodes and small coils which can cause distortion. This combination reduces distortions at the primary stage of signal
processing.

High resolution spectrum scope.

The IC-R9500 will have normal and wide spectrum scope functions. The normal spectrum scope covers a range from ±2.5kHz to ±5MHz, while the wide spectrum scope* will cover a wider frequency range still to be decided. When using the normal spectrum scope, the digital scope filter width is selectable from 200Hz to 20kHz allowing you to find a weak signal right next to strong ones. The sweep speed is also selectable. Also, there is a setting to allow for specific scope edges or center the span on the receiving frequency. The peak search function automatically moves the marker to the peak point on the scope screen. In addition to these features, the scope has 3 levels of attenuator (10dB, 20dB, 30dB).
* While using the wide spectrum scope function, AF output is muted.

Two channel noise blanker.

The DSP controlled noise blanker significantly reduces pulse type noise. The IC-R9500 has two noise blanker memories; you can set attenuation width, depth and blank time parameters by each channel and allows switching between channels depending on the operating mode.

Digital IF filter

The digital IF filter allows the operator to adjust the filter shaping (sharp or soft), filter bandwidth, and center frequency characteristics, without missing the received sound. The digital twin PBT narrows and shifts the IF passband, and efficiently eliminates interfering signals.

Five roofing filters

Before the 1st amplifier, the IC-R9500 has five roofing filters. You can select the filter widths from 240kHz/50kHz/15kHz/6kHz/3kHz, depending on operating mode. The 50kHz roofing filter allows you to receive NOAA weather satellite APT pictures in FM mode.

Two-point manual notch filter

The digital manual notch filter reduces more than 70dB at two points with adjustable filter width (wide, middle, narrow). It means two strong beat signals can be eliminated at once even while using the auto notch filter.

Synchronous AM detection

The synchronous AM (S-AM) detection provides less distorted audio than normal diode detection and it is useful when fading occurs or signal level is low. The R9500 can create exactly the same frequency as the carrier signal by using the DSP unit. In addition, upper or lower side for S-AM demodulationis selectable for eliminating interference from adjacent strong signals.

10 VFOs

The IC-R9500 has 10 VFO channels; you can tune and store operating frequency, mode, filter width and other settings. For example, in VFO-1 memories the 7MHz band, VFO-2 for VHF marine band, VFO-3 for 1200MHz band, etc, you can quickly change the operating bands by pushing the 10-keypad. When you change the VFO channel, the last setting is automatically stored to the channel used before.

Digital voice recorder

The IC-R9500 has an internal digital recorder capable of storing received communications.

1000 memory channels

1000 memory channels store frequencies, modes, filter width and tuning steps. Memory channels are grouped into memory banks. Independent
memory and bank knobs are on the front panel. By connecting to a USB keyboard, you can directly edit channel names, etc.

Multi-scan functions

Numerous scanning functions searching desired stations are available to make operation easier than ever before.
The IC-R9500 scans 40 channels per second in memory scan mode.
• Memory scan
• Program scan
• Priority scan
• Selected mode memory scan
• Selected memory scan
• Auto memory write scan

Additional outstanding features

• 4 antenna connectors: an SO-239 type and a phone (RCA) connector for below 30MHz, two type-N connector for above 30MHz
• Reverse power protection (HF band only)
• AFC function compensates for frequency shifts (FM mode only)
• CW/AM modes auto tuning function
• Optional P25 digital mode reception
• Optional CI-V interface and RS-232C for PC remote control
• VSC (Voice Squelch Control)
• S/PDIF out jack
• Analog TV reception (NTSC/PAL)
• Video input/output