Joe Analssandrini wrote:
Dear John,

Thank you for your very thoughtful and intelligent discussion of
current shortwave receivers. I should like to mention two points:

1. Software-defined radios are "iffy" at best, in my opinion, as when
operating systems change (Windows XP to Windows Vista to Windows XXX,
etc.) these radios may or may not work properly with these new OSs.
Therefore, the purchaser of a fairly expensive SDR may be forced to
operate it with an older computer and, if that computer "dies," he/she
may have a very expensive paperweight. Even though Microsoft has taken
some pains to ensure that "most" older programs still work with the
newer OSs, this may or may not continue to be the case. The situation
is even worse with Apple as they have, in the past, "abandoned"
compatibility with older programs in newer OSs.

2. In my opinion, the "difficulties" with the AOR AR7030 (Plus)'s OS
are VERY blown out of proportion. In reality, it's no more difficult to
operate than a VCR or a digital camera. (And remember - this is an "old
geezer" talking!) Yes, the radio takes some getting used to - but what
piece of good equipment does not? (It took me about a half-hour.) Read
the manual (which you can do online even before you purchase the
radio*) and you can see for yourself just how easy to operate it
actually is. Most of the menu selections are, in fact, rarely used.
Tuning in a station, adjusting the radio for best reception of that
station, and sitting back and listening are no "harder" than on any
other good shortwave radio. Yes, it's very different, but that doesn't
make it inordinately difficult per se as some have indicated. Some
people have been heavily influenced by "negative" reviews or postings
about the AOR's OS and were thus prejudiced when they obtained the
receiver. Others may have been unwilling to engage in the learning
process necessary for this sophisticated piece of machinery. ("When in
doubt, read the instructions!") Personally I feel that this radio is
the finest piece of shortwave equipment designed in the past fifteen
years. (AND - for those who do not wish to have to think about "menu"
selections, there is Jan Arkesteijn's superb and FREE "RxWINGS"
computer-control program which allows me to operate the radio from
across the room while sitting in my easy chair. With it, I don't even
have to look at the AOR's display! Everything is shown on my notebook
computer's screen and just about everything has its own "button" or
"adjustment" right in front of me! You are quite correct about the
disappointing remote control. I have put mine away, no longer having
any need for it, as I operate the receiver exclusively with "RxWINGS.")

In any event, we are all entitled to our opinions, our likes, and our
dislikes but I do strongly recommend that any serious shortwave
listener consider purchasing a new AR7030 Plus, assuming he/she has the
financial ability to do so, and also assuming he/she is willing to take
the relatively small amount of time necessary to properly learn the
operating procedures of the radio. I do not believe any such person
will regret the purchase.

Thanks again very much for your excellent article. Your posts here are
always of great interest.

Best,

Joe

I never use the remote on my 7030+NB. Once you understand the menus,
operation is very simple.


*You can even print out the manual should you desire to do so - that's
what I did! Remember - I'm an "old geezer" - I still prefer to read
something printed on paper rather than on a computer screen!

John Plimmer wrote:
Passport does some nice reviews of serious radio's, better than I read in
most mags that seem too keen not to upset their advertisers who supply them
with loan radio's.

I had some e-mails from Larry Magne and he explained that market research
had shown that the main interest for readers was in the $50 to $150 portable
radio range, and that there was only a handful of those like myself
interested in the more expensive tabletops.

With only a few top end radio's now available now that Drake has gone off
the scene, here's my comment on what's left:

Eton E1 - a couple of my DX pals own this new offering and rave about it's
abilities to do serious DX, even connected to a big antenna which will not
overload it.

Icom RC-75 - for the price really good value for money. Many of my serious
DX contacts use this radio with excellent results.

AOR 7030+ is probably the top analogue DX machine, but not everyone can get
used to it's difficult and quirky operating system, small limited display
and tiny cramped remote keypad. Those who got used to it's limitations love
it.

JRC NRD545 - every serious DXer I know had one sold it on. It's early 16 bit
digital processor limits it's performance. Here's what one serious DXer says
about the one he sold: "I will never advise anyone to buy a 545".

Ten Tec RX340 and WJ 1000 - these expensive radio's have only 16 bit
processors which limits them. However owners in this newsgroup defend them
to the hilt. Two of my DX friends had RX340's and sold them for better
options.

SDR computer radio's - some of my pals have moved onto these radio's and
love them. I don't like computer radio's at all though - prefer to have a
large radio in front of me with full functions and a nice tuning knob.

So, that's not a very wide choice left anymore, but there is another set of
radio's that represent good value for money and offer the listener
outstanding performance, and that is the ham transceivers. I asked Larry
Magne why he doesn't include some selected ones in Passport like WRTH
sometimes do, and he replied again that the interest was too limited to a
very few diehard DXer's and he could not therefore devote the limited space
and resources of Passport to this small market.

Here's my take on a few ham transceivers that I think you could have a look
at:

Icom IC-7000 has a 32 bit processor and every bell and whistle you could
want, plus FM up to 450 Mhz. See Bjarne Mjelde's review at:
http://www.kongsfjord.no/bm/ic-7000%20review.pdf
Very small and highly portable, also does not need to have the MW band
enhanced. $1500

Also at $1500 is the more heavy weight Icom 746Pro with a 32 bit processor.
See the Dallas Lankford review:
http://www.kongsfjord.no/dl/Icom/IC-...20&%20Mods.pdf
It's only drawback is like most Icom's, the MW band has been attenuated and
you are going to have to get a skilled techie to remove that. Otherwise
great value for money and a great DX machine. Friends who own them rave
about their performance

Finally, if you want to spend big bucks on the ultimate with every bell and
whistle you could hope for, then take a look at the:
Icom 756 PRO III and the
Yaesu FT2000.
At a price of $3000 they will outperform the 16 bit processor's in the TT
RX340 & WJ1000 with their 32 bit processors.
See my review of the 756 at
http://www.dxing.info/equipment/

The ham transceivers do not have a sideband selectable sync detector in AM,
except for the Icom 746Pro. If you just like listening comfortably to AM
broadcasts then a ham transceiver will not suit you. Rather look on eBay for
a good used Drake R8B with it's superb sync detector. And if you are
squeamish about having a transmitter around, just get a techie to disable
the transmit function, a simple and inexpensive mod that can be reversed
later if you want to again sell the radio.

good DX and don't forget to have fun..............
--
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
RX Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods
Drake SW8 & ERGO software
Sony 7600D, GE SRIII, Redsun RP2100
BW XCR 30, Sangean 803A.
GE circa 50's radiogram
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop, PAORDT Roelof mini-whip
http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx