This sale is for an AOR AR8600 Mk2 wideband receiver that has virtual DC to daylight coverage.  This units coverage extends from 500 KHz AM band (mediumwave) to the microwave at 3 GHz (3000 MHz) with only the cell bands blocked per government requirements (cell bands are digital and can no longer be heard on the blocked bands anyway).  

This receiver would be great for prepping as it can be utilized at home as a base station or used in a vehicle, RV, or boat for mobile listening.  If you are a prepper, this receiver is a great value as it offers an amazing receiving range across multiple listening modes (provided that you have the correct antenna attached for the reception of the signals).

The Mark 2 version is an improvement over the original AR8600 unit in the following ways:

1. Increase in frequency range with the upper end extending to 3000 MHz (analog).  Formerly the range ended at 2040 MHz

2. Improved RF front end

3. Dimmer on/off function

4. Better audio response

As you can see from our pictures at the top of this listing that this receiver is used and has a lot of cosmetic marks.  We assume that this unit may have been used in a mobile application.  The AR8600 receiver was tested and worked beautifully with good sensitivity.  However, we noticed during testing that there is a missing line of segments on the digital display.  This does not affect reception, but does affect the appearance of the display.  The selling price reflects cosmetic condition and the fact that a line of the display is missing. 

Included with the AR8600 Mark 2 receiver are:

• low noise AC adapter
• copy of the user manual
• copy of the service manual
• AOR MK II advertising flyer
• catalog page copy Universal Radio 2011
• AOR catalog page 2000
• AOR equipment ad (AR8600 Mk2 & AR5000A+3)
• AOR AR8600 Mk II brochure copy
• copy of eHam reviews
• Radio Setup Review 2008 - T.J. Nelson
• CD of a variety of the above files plus more.  This CD is not sold separately and is given free only with the sale of the receiver

We have tested this receiver and it operates beautifully up and down the bands with excellent sensitivity and with no operational issues.  It has been reported by a couple of users in past years that the AR8600 is easily overloaded.  This is likely due to design of the unit and also the fact that it can be operated off of a short telescopic antenna....thus a lot of gain without the need to connect to a larger high-gain antenna.  We did not have any overloading issues, but if you operate this receiver in a high signal area, this is something that you may encounter.  The advantage of gain in this receiver allows it to be installed in a vehicle for portable use using a short mag mount style antenna.

We are not as familiar with this AOR 8600 model as we are some of their other products under the AOR badge, but have used a wideband receiver regularly and we take one with us whenever we leave our home.  There have been many times such a receiver has come in handy when stopped in heavy road traffic enabling us to hear the CB traffic or other emergency road personnel to know what is going on up the road out of sight.  And though it is not dedicated to any one receiving band, it does well with a wide range of signals.  Imagine a radio that can pick up the local AM talk station, tune to Radio Havana Cuba on shortwave while driving, allow you to hear Amateur radio operators, tune into NOAA weather radio, and still allow you to hear all the emergency traffic in your area.  That would be quite a receiver.....that would be one like this AOR AR8600.

The AR8600 Mark 2 is able to accomplish this task with good sensitivity across its frequency range, but also because it has 50 channels in each of its 20 banks of memories allowing you to have a total of 1,000 channels organized by receiving band, receiver use, geographic location or scanner function.  As for us, we can receive analog signals on the public bands in a 3 county area.  Thus, we place each county's frequencies in a different bank and scan that particular county as the necessity arises.  Other people may place shortwave stations in another bank, air, weather, or ham channels in yet other banks.  Yet other users divide and place all their police channels in one bank, fire channels in another, and rescue in yet another.  You get the idea....there are a lot of options with this many channels and banks.

Surprisingly, this unit is only about the size of a typical car radio, but its features far surpass anything you can expect from such a radio including dual VFOs, several receiving modes, and even a bandscope.  And not only is the AR8600 Mark 2 a receiver, it is also a scanner with many of the functions like lockout, priority or search functions found on your regular scanner.  As you can imagine, all of these features do add to the complexity of operating the unit and it comes with a 143 page manual to help you understand installation, operation, programming, computer control, and specifications.

According to information found online regarding this receiver:

The AOR AR8600 Mark II is an extremely versatile receiver which can be used virtually anywhere, mobile, base or trans-portable ... powered from an external 12 VDC power supply.  The AR8600 Mk 2 features a strong twin metal case with diecast front panel characterizes the multi-purpose role.  All mode receive capability is provided including Single Side Band with programmable tuning steps down to a resolution of 50 Hz with the frequency established by a highly accurate Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO).  An RS232 port further extends the capabilities with supporting control software available from different suppliers.

Center stage is a custom multi-section back-lit LCD, numeric keypad, navigation keys, rotary tuning control and separate controls for volume and squelch control, the LCD can also display alpha-numeric text comments. The chassis is manufactured from two metal compartments, effectively a metal chassis inside a metal cabinet this provides excellent screening characteristics and great robustness highlighting its multi application role.  The front panel is also manufactured from die-cast aluminum.

Step may be programmed by the operator in any receive mode using multiples of 50 Hz in any mode (i.e. 5 kHz, 12.5 kHz or even 1.25 kHz).  Extensive step-adjust and frequency offset facilities are also provided to ensure tracking of the most obscure band plans, AFC (Automatic Frequency Control) is included for spot on tuning ensuring that nothing is missed.  A wide frequency coverage is available from 530 kHz to 3000 MHz with actual minimum acceptable frequency of 100 kHz.  All mode receive: WFM, NFM, SFM (Super Narrow FM), WAM, AM, NAM (Wide, standard, Narrow AM), USB, LSB & CW.  Please note that a 3.0 kHz SSB filter is employed with true carrier re-insertion resulting in non-offset frequency readout for easy tuning of SSB transmissions.  An attenuator and noise limiter are also featured.  A supplied AM BCB antenna may be plugged into the rear panel.  Additionally, this radio has an adjustable sleep timer with a range of 1 to 120 minutes (in 1 second increments).

Computer control is available via a standard 9-pin RS232 D-type connector on the rear chassis, just a standard RS232 cable is required for connection to a PC, the extensive RS232 command set is printed in the operating manual along with many pages of explanatory notes.

This receiver is comprehensive and can receive the following analog signals if using a decent antenna and within receiving range (we recommend a discone antenna, if possible):

• AM radio broadcasts
• aircraft and ground control
• fire
• police and other emergency personnel
• security (campus, hotel, stadium, auditorium, etc)
• wireless microphones
• railroads
• road crews
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Service weather broadcasts
• FM commercial radio
• all Ham radio bands
• TV audio channels 1 thru 69
• CB radio
• air to ground telephone
• marine radio broadcasts
• US Coast Guard
• MRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
• FRS or family handheld units
• military emergency guard and strategic air command
• search and rescue
• helicopters and unicom
• business frequencies
• drive thru fast food
• Border Patrol
• news media
• US Customs
• ATF frequencies
• FBI

Operationally, we had fun toying with the AR8600 Mark 2 and getting to be familiar with its feel and its operation.  Everything works fine and as described in the manual (with the exception of the missing display line).  It was a joy to jump from band to band to test out the receiver and put it through its paces, but we only scratched the surface of what this receiver can do if we would take the time to know all of the functions.  Many of the buttons have 2 or 3 functions so the simple looking front panel disguises a variety of operational features.  Here is some additional information if you would like to do some research:  (please copy and paste these links into your internet browser)

https://web.archive.org/web/20090131130407/http://www.strongsignals.net/access/content/rr_ar8600.html 

https://web.archive.org/web/20101122083546/http://www.javiation.co.uk/ar8600.pdf

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Those buyers living outside the USA are also welcome to purchase from us.  We have shipped to 112 countries during the past 24 years on Ebay and we are happy to ship virtually anywhere in the world.  You may use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost.

We ask that you remember that this cost may not include any import, customs, or VAT fees.  If you are uncertain of these costs, we ask you to check with your local post office prior to making a purchase from us.  Thank you!

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