PAULGBLUNDELL has given a very thorough review and I can only say that I agree with most of what he says and won't repeat it. Massive coverage, all the modes, extremely fast scanning, excellent band scope with the latest firmware and software, recording to the PC etc I installed the latest firmware into the receiver, and loaded the latest control software onto the PC, and wow.it is now wonderful to use with a PC - so many enhancements !!!! The latest firmware and software has made this receiver really functional and a joy to use with a PC.Īs far as receiver performance - it is excellent, it really can receive anything and everything that is out there. While looking at the Icom firmware download page, looking at IC-7300 updates, I noticed there had been several new firmware AND software updates for this receiver since I had bought it. It stayed there in the closet many years, maybe 8 years. After a few days use I put it back in its box and kept in storage in a closet. I then tried the Icom software, it worked okay but was full of bugs, and quite restricted in functionality. I thought it was me, but then I looked at the reviews for the Bonito software here on eHam, and everyone says the same thing. I tried for days to get the Bonito software to talk to the 1500 without success. I then tried the Bonito software - absolute trash. It worked extremely well with the remote control head.

I also bought the remote head, which was an option, and it came bundled with Bonito software in addition to the Icom software. I bought one of these from AES in Milwaukee on a vacation trip there several years ago.

Icom ic r8500 review