"John Smith" wrote in message
...
People can purchase a whole computer, including monitor and keyboard for
less than darn glorified radio...
... obliviously, this is not working like it used to...
Buy a cheap degen, put up a good antenna and you are in business...
$500+ dollars more just for a bit of signal improvement is obviously not
worth it, only the brain dead still pursue that route...
John
"Alan Dye" wrote in message
news
wrote:
This is probably nothing, but I noticed that Universal has deleted the
message that once used to be on its R-75 ad, stating that the R-75 is
discontinued. I then went to the Icom America website, and noticed that
the R-75 is there, even though I seem to recall its having been removed
at one point. Is there more to this than I think?
Steve
I was in ham radio outlet in Sunnyvale, CA yesterday and asked about this
particular issue as there are not many SWL receivers now in the ~$500
range. I was told that they had talked to Icom about it (They move a LOT
of Icom out of this HRO location, very friendly with them.) and that Icom
had to discontinue it because one of the key component suppliers went out
of business and there weren't alternatives for that component. They said
they had spoken to Icom and that they were working on redesigning the R75
into a new radio without the component. If this is in fact true, they'll
likely release it as a new radio. (Anyone for an IC-R85?)
Icom, if you're reading this, please fix the SSB on the new one, and keep
all the stuff about the R75 we all love. Oh, and it would be really nice
if you continue to include the DSP option, in fact, just put it in as
standard at the factory. Widen out the AM just a tad to improve program
listening for those of us who don't always want to chase utility, improve
the speaker just a bit too. Oh, and try to keep the ~$500 price point, I
think that is the sweet spot for tabletop units. Should produce enough
sales volume for you to own this segment of the tabletop market. I'd
even pay ~$600 for all the improvements.
p.s. a nice option would be a daughter board like the JRC-545 for a few
hundred dollars that allows me to expand it into a wide-coverage
receiver. That way you won't have to put out a replacement for the
8500...
I don't think that is fair or nice statement.
While I like my DE 1103 a lot, I sure as hell can't DX on it like I can on
my R75.
And I'm insulted you group people in this hobby as "brain dead" cause they
want a better quality receiver.
You cannot compare the Degen to the Icom R75 with even the best of antennas.
Yes you'll pick up many of the signals but that's it. Not very enjoyable
listening for SSB but for outdoor use it suffices.
Lucky