Hi Mark,
I did note that Universal Radio had what looks like the best price on a
545 @ $1700, but they tend to ship via the most expensive couriers, so get
them to give you competitive shipping quotes if you use them. I make them
use U.S. post office airmail, it is much the cheapest but takes a few days
longer than FedEx or UPS

--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 540 s, East 20 d 07 m 541 s.
RX Drake R8B, SW8
BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A.
Hallicrafters SX-100, Eddystone 940
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop
"Mark" wrote in message
...
Thanks very much for the advice.
Good to know other people have imported their own radios with no major
hassles!

Mark.

"John Plimmer" wrote in message
...
All serious radio's here in S.A. have to be shipped in from an overseas
supplier by yourself. I have imported several with no problems, except
that
shipping is horrendously expensive and often costs more than the radio
itself.

For this reason radio's cannot be shipped back for repairs whilst under
guarantee. What I do is buy the full workshop service manual and a local
qualified repairman usually has no trouble fixing it if necessary. My
Drakes
have been repaired this way with superb advice and spares backup from
the
RL
Drake Coy.

I have bought direct from Drake and many radio's and items from
Universal
Radio in the USA all without problems. Other friends have used the
British
Walters and Stanton with success. Those of us who bought AOR7030's also
had
good spares and technical advice backup from AOR in UK. A friend bought
his
NRD 545 from Walters and Stanton without problems, except of course the
high
shipping costs already mentioned.

All the above mentioned companies have detailed websites that a Google
search will pull up
--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 540 s, East 20 d 07 m 541 s.
RX Drake R8B, SW8
BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A.
Hallicrafters SX-100, Eddystone 940
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop

"Joe Analssandrini" wrote in message
om...
Hello,

Would you consider any other radio? I have an AOR AR7030 Plus which
was made up specially for me by AOR UK and purchased from THE
SHORTWAVE SHOP in the UK (I live in the USA). The radio was fully
checked out prior to shipment, both by AOR UK and THE SHORTWAVE SHOP,
and was in perfect working order when it arrived. The entire service
manual is available on line and virtually all adjustments cen be
effected by the owner. The build-quality of this radio is such that I
believe I shall not need any warranty service.

This may be a way to go. For me, the exchange rate was unfavorable,
but I found the US dealers somewhat less than helpful regarding
ordering this radio. THE SHORTWAVE SHOP was very informative, helpful,
and competent. So exchange rate or not, I bought from them and I would
recommend that store. They might be able to help you with an NRD-545.
Their telephone number is: 44 1202 490099

Best of luck,

Joe

"Mark McCarthy" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I'm contemplating importing an NRD-545 into New Zealand.

Anybody ever done anything like this before? JRC have offered to do
this
via
a Tokyo-based distributor. Any warranty issues mean I have to ship
the
unit
to Tokyo, at their expense.

Can't see any other options as US-based retailers either won't ship
to
NZ or
attach a premium. And there's no guarantee they can do any better
with
regard to warranty coverage either.

Any thoughts, experiences?

Mark.