I checked Icom's (America) web site...no mention of it being discontinued.
But Bob Grove is a reliable source for this type of information.

Bill Crocker


"Eric F. Richards" wrote in message
...
"Bill Crocker" wrote:

Grove Enterprises, Radio Rumors, indicates that the Icom IC-R8500-02
(blocked version), has been discontinued by Icom.

Bill Crocker


I hope it's not true -- what a sorry end for such a good radio that
never got its due.

--
Eric F. Richards,
"Nature abhors a vacuum tube." -- Myron Glass,
often attributed to J. R. Pierce, Bell Labs, c. 1940