Joe,
Thanks for the detailed reply. What type of antenna(s) do you use?

david
Joe Analssandrini wrote:
Hello,

I cannot comment on the Japan Radio NRD-545D, never having operated
one, only reading about it in PASSPORT TO WORLD BAND RADIO and WRTH.
(WRTH is much more positive about this radio than is PASSPORT.)

But I do own an AOR AR7030 Plus receiver which has the NB/Notch option
(the notch filter is excellent, the noise blanker less so), the
daughter board on which I have mounted a 2.4 kHz (nominal) crystal
filter (it's just great!) and the 6.5 kHz (nominal) filter which was
used in the original AR7030. (I am basically a program listener.)

I highly recommend this receiver as it is very sensitive, very
selective, very stable, VERY quiet, and VERY flexible in its operating
parameters. It is the finest receiver I have ever owned in well-over
forty years of shortwave listening. I like the fact that nothing is
"mode-dependent;" in other words any function is available with any
operating parameter. (For example, according to PASSPORT's review, the
AGC action CANNOT be adjusted on the NRD-545D when in AM or Sync mode.
This is certainly not the case with the AR7030 Plus.)

There is a "learning curve" for both radios; the AR7030 Plus' operating
manual can be downloaded (free) from http://www.aoruk.com/Default.htm
so you can see its operation for yourself. Unfortunately there is no
downloadable manual for the NRD-545D of which I am aware.

I personally found the AR7030 Plus quite easy to operate, "mastering"
its most common functions in about a half-hour.

Unlike PASSPORT, I like the fact that the AC power supply is external
on the AR7030 Plus; should it be necessary for you to perform any
internal adjustments, you can do so while the radio is powered - there
is only 15 Volts inside! (I had to adjust the Sync circuit for my
climate which is much different than that of England; the whole process
took about fifteen minutes.)

Note that the entire service manual and procedures are available online
and can, in fact, be downloaded and kept on your computer for
reference.

Should you have any specific questions about the radio that cannot be
answered by your dealer or AOR UK's website, feel free to ask me or you
can also telephone (or e-mail) Richard Hillier at AOR UK. His telephone
number is on the website. (Remember the time difference.)

By the way, there is a FREE computer control program available called
RxWings should you desire to go that route. It is superb. This program
can operate either of your two prospective radios. Thus there is no
need to buy the manufacturers' proprietary (and expensive) computer
programs. It is available at http://home.wxs.nl/~jarkest/swl/swl.html

Best of luck with whichever radio you purchase. I know you will derive
many, many hours of pleasure from either.

Joe