APCO-25 Reception Above 780 MHz

Overview

The Icom IC-R2500 and PCR2500 receivers offer excellent quality APCO-25 digital communications reception with the addition of the UT-122 plug in board. However, for an unknown reason Icom chose not to support reception above 780 MHz. However, thanks to Radio Reference member [bnravid[/b]] a relatively simple modification to restore reception above 780 MHz has been discovered. This modification will work with both the US (cellular blocked) and "Canadian" (unblocked) version of these receivers as well. It should also work with the model being sold from China by the eBay seller "palacemuseum".

Disclaimer

Radioreference and the persons involved in this modification will not be held liable for any damage done to your receiver if you perform this modification. Please proceed at your own risk with patience and caution. Thank you.

Required Tools

• Small (#1) phillips screwdriver
• If using soldering iron, one with low heat and VERY small head
• If not using soldering iron, tiny jeweler's screwdriver or dental pick.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the following individuals for their assistance with the discovery of this modification, the performance of this modification, and for providing the pictures used in this page:

• nravid - Discovered method of modification.
• John, W1PC - Performed modification and posted results, provided pictures.
• Inssomniak - Performed modification and posted results, provided pictures.
• Also, thanks to all others that have participated in the several long but informative threads regarding this and other 2500 issues.