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INSTRUCTION MANUAL COMMUNICATION RECEIVER iR2500 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is sub- ject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference...
We want to take a couple of moments of your time to thank you for making the IC-R2500 your radio of choice, and hope you agree with Icom’s philosophy of “technology first.” Many hours of research and development went into the design of your IC-R2500.
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES q Antenna …………………………………………………… 1 w AC adapter* ……………………………………………… 1 e USB cable ………………………………………………… 1 r CD ………………………………………………………… 1 t Foot pad sheet……………………………………………… 1 y Cable hanger ……………………………………………… 1 *Not supplied with some versions. SPECIFICATIONS Specifications are provided in the IC-PCR1500/IC-PCR2500’s Instruction manual.
For U.S.A. only CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device, not ex- pressly approved by Icom Inc., could void your authority to operate this device under FCC regulations.
ABOUT APCO PROJECT 25 This device made under license under one or more of the fol- lowing US patents: #4,590,473, #4,636,791, #5,148,482, #5,185,796, #5,271,017, #5,377,229. The IMBE™ voice coding technology embodied in this product is protected by intellectual property rights including patent rights, copyrights and trade secrets of Digital Voice Systems, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD ... i IMPORTANT ... i EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ... i SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES ... ii SPECIFICATIONS ... ii OPTIONS ... ii PRECAUTIONS ... iii ABOUT APCO PROJECT 25 ... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ... v 1 CONNECTION ... 1–2 ■...
CONNECTION ■ Rear panel connection The antenna holder is backed with double-sided tape. Remove the protective paper when the antenna is fixed to any place. The dualwatch operation or diversity operation requires antennas connected to both [ANT1] and [ANT2]. Supplied antenna To ground To AC adapter Fuse (4 A)
D D OPC-1156 connection q Connect the controller plug to the OPC-1156 jack. w Detach the ferrite core from the controller cable, then at- tach it to the OPC-1156 as shown below. • Make sure to wind the cable on the ferrite core. e Connect the OPC-1156 plug to the [CONTROLLER] con- nector of the receiver.
PANEL DESCRIPTION ■ Front panel—controller The keys w to t are for the main band only. MAIN VFO/MR S.MW DIAL Function display (pgs. 7, 8) iR2500 COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER MONI MODE SCAN PRIO T/T-SCAN MAIN SKIP VFO/MR S.MW DIAL...
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q POWER KEY [PWR• ➥ Push and hold for 1 sec. to turn the controller power ON and OFF. (p. 11) ➥ Continue to hold this key down for 2 sec. after power ON to turn the lock function ON and OFF. (p. 15) w SET•SKIP KEY [SET•SKIP] ➥...
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PANEL DESCRIPTION The same controls for both the left and right bands are arranged symmetrically. Left band MAIN VFO/MR S.MW DIAL iR2500 COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER MONI MODE SCAN PRIO T/T-SCAN Right band MAIN SKIP VFO/MR S.MW DIAL...
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ya MAIN•AGC KEY [MAIN•AGC] ➥ Push to select the left band as main band. (p. 11) ➥ Push and hold for 1 sec. to turn the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) function ON and OFF. (p. 16) yb MAIN•NB KEY [MAIN•NB] ➥...
PANEL DESCRIPTION ■ Function display Left band *Display indicators are arranged identically for both the left and right bands. q MAIN INDICATOR (p. 11) Indicates the main band for function control. w RECEIVE MODE INDICATORS FOR ANALOG Shows the selected receive mode. •...
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u SKIP INDICATORS (p. 36) ➥ “~” appears when the displayed memory channel is specified as a skip channel. ➥ “ ~” appears when the displayed frequency is speci- fied as a program skip frequency. i MEMORY INDICATOR (pgs. 11, 23) Appears when memory mode is selected.
PANEL DESCRIPTION ■ Rear panel—main unit Left band DC IN PACKET 1 ANT 1 DATA PACKET jack connection 2-conductor 3.5 (d) mm ( Rear Right band PACKET 2 ANT 2 EXT SP EXT SP jack connection AUDIO AUDIO 2-conductor 3.5 (d) mm ( ⁄...
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Connects to a PC via a supplied USB cable. This connec- tor is only used for control software operation. • No connection is necessary when the IC-R2500’s controller is in use. CAUTION: NEVER insert any other object than a USB cable, such as a metallic object, otherwise the Main unit may be damaged.
[PWR• ➥ Push [PWR• ] for 1 sec. to turn power ON and OFF. D MAIN band The IC-R2500 can receive signals on both the left and right bands simultaneously. [MAIN•AGC] [MAIN•NB] ➥ Push the desired band’s [MAIN•AGC] or [MAIN•NB] to se- lect the main band.
■ Tuning step selection When using the tuning dial to change the frequency, or when a scan function is activated, the frequency changes in incre- ments determined by the set tuning step. This can be changed if desired. The following tuning step are available. •...
LSB, CW, AM, WFM and FM modes. The mode selection is stored independently in each memory channel. Additionally, IC-R2500 has a DV or P25 mode when the op- tional UT-118 or UT-122 units are installed, respectively. In DV or P25 mode, the right band can select AM, FM and WFM mode only.
■ Receiving q Set the audio level for the main band. ➥ Push the desired band’s [MAIN]. ➥ Push [MONI•T/T-SCAN] to open the squelch. ➥ Rotate the main band’s [VOL] to adjust the audio level. ➥ Push [MONI•T/T-SCAN] to close the squelch. w Set the squelch level.
BASIC OPERATION ■ Lock function To prevent accidental frequency changes and unintentional function access, use the lock function. ➥ Continue to hold [PWR• ] down for 2 sec. after power ON to turn the lock function ON and OFF. • [MONI•T/T-SCAN] (monitor function only), [VOL], [SQL], [MAIN•AGC] (main band selection only) and [MAIN•NB] (main band selection only) can be used while the lock function is in use.
■ NB function The NB (noise blanker) function removes pulse-type noise when SSB, CW or AM mode is selected. ➥ After pushing [MAIN] to select the desired band (left or right) as the main band, push and hold [MAIN•NB] for 1 sec.
BASIC OPERATION ■ AFC function The AFC (Automatic Frequency Control) function tunes the displayed frequency automatically when an off-center fre- quency is received. It activates in FM mode and only when the selected IF filter is 6 kHz or 15 kHz. q Push the desired band’s [MAIN] to select the main band.
■ IF filter selection The receiver has 2 to 4 IF passband filter widths for each mode. Selectable passband widths are 3, 6, 15, 50 and 230 (depending on the selected mode). • Selectable passband width for each mode. SSB mode : 3 (2.8 kHz) or 6 kHz CW mode : 3 (2.8 kHz) or 6 kHz AM mode : 3 (2.8 kHz), 6 kHz, 15 kHz or 50 kHz WFM mode: 50 kHz or 230 kHz...
BASIC OPERATION ■ Duplex operation Duplex communication uses two different frequencies for transmitting and receiving. Generally, duplex is used in com- munication through a repeater, some utility communications, etc. During duplex operation, the transmit station frequency is shifted from the receive station frequency by the offset fre- quency.
D D Operation q Set the receive station frequency (repeater output frequency) wPush [MONI•T/T-SCAN] to monitor the transmit station fre- quency directly. (repeater input frequency) [MONI•T/T-SCAN] Frequency shifts the offset frequency BASIC OPERATION ■ Weather channel operation (USA/CANADA versions only) D D Weather channel selection q Push [VFO/MR•S.MW] to select memory mode in the de- sired band (left or right).
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BASIC OPERATION D D Weather alert function NOAA broadcast stations transmit weather alert tones before important weather announcements. When the weather alert function is turned ON, the selected weather channel is moni- tored each 5 sec. for the announcement. When the alert sig- nal is detected, the “ALt”...
[MAIN•AGC] [DIAL] t Push any key for main band to exit set mode. When the dualwatch operation is in use, IC-R2500 must be connected to two antennas. ([ANT1] and [ANT2]) D D Diversity operation The diversity receiving compares the receiving signal strength from two different antennas, ANT1 and ANT2, and automati- cally selects the strongest signal.
MEMORY OPERATION ■ General description The receiver has 1100 memory channels including 100 scan edge memory channels (50 pairs) for storage of often-used frequencies. And a total of 21 memory banks, A to H, J to R, T, U, W and Y are available for storing groups of frequencies, etc.
■ Programming a memory channel VFO settings, including the set mode contents such as sub- audible tone frequency, offset and scan skip information can be programmed into a memory channel. qSet the desired frequency in the desired band (left or right). ➥...
MEMORY OPERATION ■ Programming channel names Each memory channel can be programmed with an alphanu- meric channel name for easy recognition and can be indicated independently by channel. Names can be a maximum of 6 characters— see the table on next page for available charac- ters.
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• Available characters (space) (–) D D To indicate the channel name The channel name indication can be set independently for each memory channel. q Select the desired memory channel in the main band. ➥ Push [VFO/MR•S.MW] once or twice to select memory mode, then rotate the same band’s [DIAL] to select the desired memory channel.
MEMORY OPERATION ■ Copying memory contents This function transfers a memory channel’s contents to VFO (or another memory channel). This is useful when searching for signals near a memory channel frequency and for recalling the subaudible tone frequency, etc. [EXAMPLE]: Transferring the contents of memory channel 30 to VFO. D Memory➪VFO qSelect the desired band’s (left or right) memory channel to be transferred.
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D Memory➪memory qSelect the desired band’s (left or right) memory channel to be transferred. ➥ Push the desired band’s [VFO/MR•S.MW] several times to select memory mode, then rotate the same band’s [DIAL] to select the desired memory channel. • “!” and memory channel number appear. w Push and hold the same band’s [VFO/MR•S.MW] for 1 sec.
MEMORY OPERATION ■ Memory clearing Contents of programmed memories can be cleared (erased), if desired. q Push [VFO/MR•S.MW] to select VFO mode in the main band. w Push the same band’s [VFO/MR•S.MW] for 1 sec. to enter select memory write mode. •...
■ Memory bank setting The IC-R2500 has a total of 21 banks (A to H, J to R, T, U, W, Y). Regular memory channels, 0 to 999, may assigned into the desired bank for easy memory management. q Select the desired memory channel.
MEMORY OPERATION ■ Memory bank selection q Push [VFO/MR•S.MW] to select memory mode in the de- sired band (left or right). w Push [MHz•TS] to enter memory type selection mode. [VFO/MR•S.MW] [MHz•TS] [DIAL] e Rotate the same band’s [DIAL] to select the desired bank (A to H, J to R, T, U, W or Y).
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w Push [VFO/MR•S.MW] for 1 sec. to enter select memory write mode. • “!” indicator and the memory channel number blink. Memory channel blinks e Push [SET•SKIP] once to select “bAnk.” After [SET•SKIP] released MEMORY OPERATION r Rotate the same band’s [DIAL] to select the desired bank indicator to transfer or erase.
SCAN OPERATION ■ Scan types Scanning searches for signals automatically and makes it easier to locate new stations. FULL SCAN (p. 34) 3299.9999 Scan Jump MEMORY (SKIP) SCAN (p. 34) SKIP SKIP M 199 FREQUENCY/MEMORY SKIP FUNCTION (p. 36) Band Band edge edge...
■ Scan start/stop D Preparation Scan resume condition (p. 37); program scan edges (p. 35); program two or more memory channels (p. 24); set skip set- tings (p. 36), if desired. D Operation qPush [VFO/MR•S.MW] once or twice to select VFO mode for full/programmed scan;...
SCAN OPERATION ■ Scan edges programming Scan edges can be programmed in the same manner as memory channels. Scan edges are programmed into scan edges, 0A/0B to 49A/49B, in memory channels. q Push the desired band’s [VFO/MR•S.MW] once or twice to select VFO mode.
■ Skip scan D Skip channel/frequency setting You can set the selected memory channel as a skip channel which is skipped during memory skip scan. In addition, it can be set as a skip channel for both memory skip scan and fre- quency skip scan.
SCAN OPERATION ■ Scan resume condition The scan resume condition can be selected a timed timer or pause scan. The selected resume condition is also used for priority watch. (p. 38) The display shows that the scan will resume 15 sec. after it stops.
■ Priority watch types Priority watch checks for signals on the frequency every 5 sec. while operating on a VFO frequency or scanning. The receiver has two priority watch types to suit your needs. The watch resumes according to the selected scan resume condition.
POCKET BEEP AND TONE SQUELCH ■ Pocket beep operation This function uses subaudible tones for calling and can be used as a “common pager” to inform you that someone has called while you were away from the receiver. D Waiting for a call from a specific station q Set the operating frequency in FM mode.
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i Push any key for the main band or any of the shared keys below the display to exit tone squelch selection mode. Appears when the pocket beep Appears when the pocket beep with tone squelch is activated. with DTCS squelch is activated. o When a signal with a matching tone is received, the re- ceiver emits beep tones and blinks “S.”...
POCKET BEEP AND TONE SQUELCH ■ Tone/DTCS squelch operation The tone or DTCS squelch opens only when receiving a sig- nal with the same pre-programmed subaudible tone or DTCS code. You can silently wait for a signal using the same tone. q Set the operating frequency in FM mode.
■ Tone scan By monitoring a signal using with pocket beep, tone or DTCS squelch, you can determine the tone frequency or DTCS code necessary to open the squelch. q Set the desired operating frequency or memory channel to be checked for a tone frequency or code. •...
DIGITAL MODE OPERATION UT-118 or UT-122’s installation is described in the IC-PCR2500’s Instruction manual. See the installation details. ■ Digital mode operation The IC-R2500 can operate in DV* when the optional UT-118 or UT-122 is installed. : The optional UT-118 is required.
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r Rotate the left band’s [DIAL] to select the desired call sign or code. • Push [MODE•SCAN] (or [MONI•T/T-SCAN]) to move the cursor. [MONI•T/T-SCAN] [DIAL] [MODE•SCAN] t Push any key for the main band to exit set mode. y Push and hold [MONI•T/T-SCAN] for 1 sec. to enter tone squelch selection mode, then rotate left band’s [DIAL] until “...
DIGITAL MODE OPERATION u Push any key for the main band or any of the shared keys below the display to exit tone squelch selection mode. Appears when the pocket beep is activated. DV: with digital call sign squelch P25: with digital selective squelch i When a signal with a matching code/call sign is received, the receiver emits beep tones and blinks “S”.
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r Rotate the left band’s [DIAL] to select the desired call sign or code. • Push [MODE•SCAN] (or [MONI•T/T-SCAN]) to move the cursor. [MONI•T/T-SCAN] [DIAL] [MODE•SCAN] t Push any key for the main band to exit set mode. y Push and hold [MONI•T/T-SCAN] for 1 sec. to enter tone squelch selection mode, then rotate left band’s [DIAL] until “...
DIGITAL MODE OPERATION ■ Call sign programming (for DV mode) Sets your own call sign for digital call sign squelch operation. Up to 8 characters are programmable. q Push [SET•SKIP] to enter set mode. w Push [SET•SKIP] or [ATT•PRIO] several times until “OPt” appears, then rotate main band’s [DIAL] to select “On.”...
■ ID code programming (for P25 mode) Sets the desired NAC code for P25 digital (NAC) squelch or TGID/Unit ID for P25 digital (Selective) squelch operation. q Push [SET•SKIP] to enter set mode. w Push [SET•SKIP] or [ATT•PRIO] several times until “OPt” appears, then rotate main band’s [DIAL] to select “On.”...
SET MODE ■ General • Set mode operation q Push the desired band’s [MAIN] to select the main band. w Push [SET•SKIP] to enter set mode. e Push [SET•SKIP] or [ATT•PRIO] to select the desired item. ■ Set mode items •...
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• TSQL frequency • DTCS code • Offset frequency Bank link-On • Duplex direction When the UT-106 is installed • Optional items setting • NR function • DTCS polarity • VSC function FM/AM/SSB/CW mode only • Bank link function FM mode only •...
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SET MODE D D Set mode items for DV mode • DV unit power setting • Call sign setting These items appear when the UT-118 is installed, and Optional items setting is ON. Return to set mode ((p. 49)) • GPS message •...
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D D Key-touch beep The key-touch beep can be turned OFF for silent operation. Even when this item is set to OFF, the power-on beep and pocket beep function still sound. The power-on beep can not be set to OFF. D D Beep output level Adust the beep level from 1 to 9 for key-touch beep, power-on beep and pocket beep function.
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SET MODE D D Display color The display color can be set to amber (default) or green. Amber setting D D Display contrast The LCD contrast can be adjusted through 9 levels. D D Duplex direction Sets the duplex direction. The displayed frequency shifts by the programmed offset frequency (see next item) when mon- itor function is in use (pushing [MONI•T/T-SCAN]).
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D D Tone frequency Sets subaudible tone frequency for tone squelch operation. Total of 51 tone frequencies (67.0–254.1 Hz) are available. • Available tone frequency list 67.0 79.7 097.4 118.8 146.2 167.9 69.3 82.5 100.0 123.0 151.4 171.3 71.0 85.4 103.5 127.3 156.7...
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SET MODE D D VSC setting Turns VSC (Voice Squelch Control) ON and OFF. D D Scan resume timer Selects scan resume timer from SCT-15 (default), SCT-10, SCT-5 and SCP-2. Scan resumes after the specified period when the received signal disappears. •...
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D D Memory name setting Sets memory name appearance ON (appear) and OFF (does not appear; default). This item appears when set mode is accessed from memory mode only. D D Memory bank link function Sets the memory bank link function ON and OFF (default). The link function provides continuous banks scan, that scans all contents in the selected banks during bank scan.
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SET MODE D D AFC setting Turns AFC (Automatic Frequency Control) function ON and OFF. D D Filter setting Select the IF filter passband width from 3, 6, 15, 50 and 230 kHz (depending on the selected mode.) D D Weather alert function U.S.A./CANADA versions only Turns weather alert function ON and OFF.
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D D Squelch delay Selects squelch delay to short or long to prevent repeated opening and closing of the squelch during reception of the same signal. • S : Short squelch delay. • L : Long squelch delay. Short setting Long setting D D ANF setting Turns ANF (Automatic Notch Filter) function ON and OFF.
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SET MODE D D DV unit power setting Selects the DV unit (UT-118) power setting from Auto and ☞This item appears when optional UT-118 is installed and Optional items setting (p. 58) is ON. • At : DV unit is turned ON automatically when digital mode is selected.
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D D Standby beep setting Sets beep emission to ON or OFF when the receiving station finishes transmission or the receiving signal disappears. ☞This item appears when optional UT-118 is installed and Optional items setting (p. 58) is ON. D D Digital monitor This function is used to listen to an analog signal (FM mode signal) without changing the receiving mode during DV mode operation.
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SET MODE D D RX call sign indication This item stores and indicates the newest received call sign. The received call sign is cleared once the receiver is turned OFF. ☞This item appears when optional UT-118 is installed and Optional items setting (p. 58) is ON. (AAAAAA: Call sign example) •...
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D D RX call sign with message indication This item stores and indicates the newest received call sign with message. The received call sign is cleared once the re- ceiver is turned OFF. ☞This item appears when optional UT-118 is installed and Optional items setting (p.
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SET MODE D D P25 unit power setting Selects the P25 unit (UT-122) power setting from Auto and ☞This item appears when optional UT-122 is installed and Optional items setting (p. 58) is ON. • At : P25 unit is turned ON automatically when digital mode is selected.
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D D Auto RX ID display When this setting is ON, transmitter’s ID is displayed auto- matically. ☞This item appears when optional UT-122 is installed and Optional items setting (p. 58) is ON. D D RX Unit ID indication This item stores and indicates the newest received Unit ID. The received ID is cleared once the receiver is turned OFF.
OTHER FUNCTIONS UT-106 installation is described in the IC-PCR2500’s Instruction manual. See the installation details. ■ DSP operation D D ANF function The ANF (Automatic Notch Filter) function automatically at- tenuates beat tones, tuning signals, etc., even if they’re fre- quency changes.
■ DATA cloning (IC-PCR2500 control software must be installed) Cloning allows you to quickly and easily transfer the pro- grammed contents from a personal computer to a receiver using the IC-PCR2500 control software. D Cloning using a personal computer Data can be cloned to and from a personal computer (Mi- crosoft ®...
OTHER FUNCTIONS ■ Partial reset If you want to initialize the operating conditions (VFO fre- quency, VFO settings, set mode contents) without clearing the memory contents, a partial reset function is available. ➥ While pushing either band’s [VFO/MR•S.MW], turn the power ON to partially reset the both bands at same time.
■ Internal audio switch The internal switch must be set properly to use an external speaker, headphones or earphone. CAUTION: DISCONNECT the AC adaptor or DC power cable from the receiver Main unit before performing any work on the receiver. qTurn the receiver Main unit power OFF, then disconnect the AC adaptor or DC power cable.
TROUBLESHOOTING If your receiver seems to be malfunctioning, please check the following points before sending it to a service center. PROBLEM Does not turn on. • The AC adapter is not fully seated in the power jack on the rear panel. No sound comes from the •...
We Icom Inc. Japan 1-1-32, Kamiminami, Hirano-ku Osaka 547-0003, Japan Declare on our sole responsibility that this equipment complies with the essential requirements of the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive, 1999/5/EC, and that any applicable Essential Test Suite measurements have been performed.
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