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AR-7030 or NRD-545
I'm in the business of buying a new receiver and have settled on
two options; The AOR AR-7030Plus or the Japan Radio NRD-545. Which one would have the highest dynamic range (IP3) and sensitivity? Is the AR-7030 receiver so clumsy to operate as many have stated? -- Gisle V. # rm /bin/laden /bin/laden: Not found |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Gisle Vanem wrote: I'm in the business of buying a new receiver and have settled on two options; The AOR AR-7030Plus or the Japan Radio NRD-545. Which one would have the highest dynamic range (IP3) and sensitivity? Is the AR-7030 receiver so clumsy to operate as many have stated? -- Gisle V. # rm /bin/laden /bin/laden: Not found I can't comment on the NRD-545, but I have a 7030+ and find it to be an excellent receiver. If you want to compare specs, just visit Universal Radio's website (www.rffun.com) and check 'em out. Mind you, if I were in your position, I would not buy either one of these receivers until the new Kneisner and Doering receiver is available and some reviews of it have surfaced. http://kd-elektronik.com/kwz32_e/index.html Steve |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
"Steve" wrote:
Mind you, if I were in your position, I would not buy either one of these receivers until the new Kneisner and Doering receiver is available and some reviews of it have surfaced. Hm. K&D rigs must be at least 2 times pricier than NRD-545 I should think. If had that amount of cash, I'd wait a bit longer for an ICOM R-9500. It looks awesome. --gv |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
I wouldn't touch a NRD545D - my top DXing pals all sold them off after
finding their filters were inadequate and their IP3 didn't keep out the close in interference. The AOR7030+ has the best specs of any receiver but not everyone can handle it's impossible ergonomics - I'm one of them and found I just couldn't handle the difficult operating system - others swear by it though once they get used to it. IMHO you could do no better than a used Drake R8B from eBay - a superb radio with great ergonomics. See my side by side test of a Drake R8A with a 7030 at: http://www.dxing.info/equipment/aor_...r8a_plimmer.dx for a list of specs see: http://www.sherweng.com/table.html -- 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, POARDT Roelof mini-whip http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx "Gisle Vanem" wrote in message ... I'm in the business of buying a new receiver and have settled on two options; The AOR AR-7030Plus or the Japan Radio NRD-545. Which one would have the highest dynamic range (IP3) and sensitivity? Is the AR-7030 receiver so clumsy to operate as many have stated? -- Gisle V. # rm /bin/laden /bin/laden: Not found |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Gisle Vanem wrote: "Steve" wrote: Mind you, if I were in your position, I would not buy either one of these receivers until the new Kneisner and Doering receiver is available and some reviews of it have surfaced. Hm. K&D rigs must be at least 2 times pricier than NRD-545 I should think. If had that amount of cash, I'd wait a bit longer for an ICOM R-9500. It looks awesome. --gv I don't know what K&D will charge for the KWZ-30/2. It will be expensive, no doubt, but a lot is going to hinge on the options you plunk for. If you decide you want the extended frequency range and the spectrum display, for example, that'll have a big impact on price. |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
|
AR-7030 or NRD-545
John Plimmer wrote:
IMHO you could do no better than a used Drake R8B from eBay - a superb radio with great ergonomics. That. as you say is your opionion, IMHO, it's a great radio with terrible ergonimics. Some people like dials, and knobs and buttons. Others prefer radios like the R8, which has the ergonomics of a satellite receiver, not a radio. I would buy a Kenwood R-5000. The later R8 has a useable sync detector for AM, the R-5000 works almost as well in ECSS. Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 Fax ONLY: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Visit my 'blog at http://geoffstechno.livejournal.com/ |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
In article , says... I'm in the business of buying a new receiver and have settled on two options; The AOR AR-7030Plus or the Japan Radio NRD-545. Which one would have the highest dynamic range (IP3) and sensitivity? Is the AR-7030 receiver so clumsy to operate as many have stated? Specs are a little better, the audio is much more pleasing to the ear for general listening than the JRC. Audio on the JRC is a bit harsh for program listening. Good for intelligibility, if you're into CW, SSB, and utes. But, for general listening it's fatiguing. As for the AOR O/S. I'll tell you from first hand experience....it's different. It takes some getting used to. That said, it becomes second nature pretty quickly if you use the radio every day. And with the remote at hand, many of the nested functions in the menu trees are brought out on their own buttons. The major objection is that the radio is small. Performance is top drawer, often rivalling commercial grade receivers. But like other John Thorpe designs, the radio has a small footprint on the desk, and if you have thick hands, it can be less satisfying to operate than a boatanchor with big controls and lots of space between them. For my own listening, I use mine every day. EVERY day. It sits on a shelf directly above the Ten-Tec and it's the one I reach for first. Mostly, because it's the one connected to the cabinet with the twin Stromberg Carlson 12 inchers, and Electovoice horns. |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
I wouldn't touch a NRD545D - my top DXing pals all sold them off after
finding their filters were inadequate and their IP3 didn't keep out the close in interference. The AOR7030+ has the best specs of any receiver but not everyone can handle it's impossible ergonomics - I'm one of them and found I just couldn't handle the difficult operating system - others swear by it though once they get used to it. IMHO you could do no better than a used Drake R8B from eBay - a superb radio with great ergonomics. See my side by side test of a Drake R8A with a 7030 at: http://www.dxing.info/equipment/aor_...r8a_plimmer.dx ================================================== ================================================== ========== Gisle. I have to go with John on this. the 7030+ has to be the most "loved" and "hated" radio ever made. some love it, a bunch hate it. check the post on yahoo groups on both. i have both here, and a bunch other desktops. the big turn off to me on the JRC is the sound. the 535 also has the famous mute trouble. the AOR is a fantastic receiver. it just does it all. i have no trouble with the OS. love the remote, it's makes operation easy. the killer ap is "wings". it's a fantastic control program, and it's free. for me it's no question the AOR is my favorite receiver. and, the service from AOR UK is second to none. run a google and read the test, and comments. if you can get one from a friend, all the better. you have to sit in front of one for a few hours to realize what this little radio can do. a lot of people miss the knobs, i don't. if i want to twiddle a few knobs i'll turn on one of my drakes. so, YMMV! Father Michael. by the way, JRC has a new receiver coming out first of the new year. you may want to wait for that be for putting down the large bucks... |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Father Mike wrote: I wouldn't touch a NRD545D - my top DXing pals all sold them off after finding their filters were inadequate and their IP3 didn't keep out the close in interference. The AOR7030+ has the best specs of any receiver but not everyone can handle it's impossible ergonomics - I'm one of them and found I just couldn't handle the difficult operating system - others swear by it though once they get used to it. IMHO you could do no better than a used Drake R8B from eBay - a superb radio with great ergonomics. See my side by side test of a Drake R8A with a 7030 at: http://www.dxing.info/equipment/aor_...r8a_plimmer.dx ================================================== ================================================== ========== Gisle. I have to go with John on this. the 7030+ has to be the most "loved" and "hated" radio ever made. some love it, a bunch hate it. check the post on yahoo groups on both. i have both here, and a bunch other desktops. the big turn off to me on the JRC is the sound. the 535 also has the famous mute trouble. the AOR is a fantastic receiver. it just does it all. i have no trouble with the OS. love the remote, it's makes operation easy. the killer ap is "wings". it's a fantastic control program, and it's free. for me it's no question the AOR is my favorite receiver. and, the service from AOR UK is second to none. run a google and read the test, and comments. if you can get one from a friend, all the better. you have to sit in front of one for a few hours to realize what this little radio can do. a lot of people miss the knobs, i don't. if i want to twiddle a few knobs i'll turn on one of my drakes. so, YMMV! Father Michael. by the way, JRC has a new receiver coming out first of the new year. you may want to wait for that be for putting down the large bucks... Will they most likely continue their long tradition of lousy audio with the new set? dxAce Michigan USA Drake R7, R8, R8A and R8B 70' and 200' wires |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Will they most likely continue their long tradition of lousy audio with
the new set? dxAce Michigan USA Drake R7, R8, R8A and R8B 70' and 200' wires ================================================== ===================================== Ace. You could be right. with less new radios being produced, it's a shame. for the money i paid for the 545, i expected a lot more than i got from it. it's more than lousy audio, you just get so much less than what you paid for. Father Michael... |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Boy this is a tough one. I have owned the 7030 & currently own a 545
Best IP3 goes to the 7030 by a bunch. Not sure which is best on the sensitivity but both have more than enough. I did not like the "tree " menu system on the 7030. I think it would be something you could get used to however. I question the reliability of the controls on the 7030. For digging out DX & splits on the AM broacast bands the 7030 would be much better. I live in Central part of Kentucky so that kind of DX...TA & TP is just a dream. For the pleasure of just setting down to the receiver & using it nothing will beat a JRC receiver IMHO . So smooth the controls... they are. And they are Pretty Pretty I wonder how many of us can really utilize the better IP3 & how often. I listen to the tropical bands quite often & hope to hear PNG & Indo's in the early mornings & for that does the better IP3 help??? Those bands are far from crowded now. Or does the ease of use matter more. For Utilites SSB or Digital listening I do not think the JRC's can be beat. Both are fine receivers but designed for different purposes IMHO Bottom line......where & what kind of listeing do you plan to use the receiver for. Buy the one that YOU like the best. I would also buy Used. I would also buy cheaper & more receivers. Heck how can a guy that monitors the Utes have less than 4 receivers going at the same time. 73, Ken KG4BIG Gisle Vanem wrote: I'm in the business of buying a new receiver and have settled on two options; The AOR AR-7030Plus or the Japan Radio NRD-545. Which one would have the highest dynamic range (IP3) and sensitivity? Is the AR-7030 receiver so clumsy to operate as many have stated? -- Gisle V. # rm /bin/laden /bin/laden: Not found |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Buy both and sell one.
"Gisle Vanem" wrote in message ... I'm in the business of buying a new receiver and have settled on two options; The AOR AR-7030Plus or the Japan Radio NRD-545. Which one would have the highest dynamic range (IP3) and sensitivity? Is the AR-7030 receiver so clumsy to operate as many have stated? -- Gisle V. # rm /bin/laden /bin/laden: Not found |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Seeing-I-dawg wrote: Buy both and sell one. That's a darn good idea! Then he can get personal hands on experience with both. Damn the money, full speed ahead! dxAce Michigan USA |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Dear Gisle,
I have no experience with the JRC NRD-545 so I cannot comment on it or compare it with the AOR AR7030 Plus I've owned for two and a half years now. In my opinion, the AR7030 Plus, properly fitted out, is definitely one of the finest performing receivers available, certainly far-and-away the best I have ever owned. Some people like its ergonomics and, obviously, some dislike them. Personally, I had no problem with it at all, the analogy being that if you can operate a menu-driven VCR or home-theater receiver, then operating the AR7030 is "a piece of cake." (I'm in my sixties in age.) There is, however, another option which no one so far has mentioned here (and it applies to the JRC NRD-545 as well): there is a FREE computer-control program called "RxWINGS" which allows you to control the receiver via your computer. You download the program, set it up on your computer, plug the computer into the AR7030, and off you go. I rarely use the controls on the radio itself - "RxWINGS" even turns the receiver on and off, and I never use the remote control any more. The only facilities of the radio that "RxWINGS" does not control is the Notch Filter/Noise Blanker. (The remote doesn't control them either.) Every other function can be computer-controlled and on the screen are discrete controls (the virtual equivalent of a receiver loaded with individual knobs and buttons). "RxWINGS" even allows functions that are not available such as scanning (just like your $100 portable!), instant muting and un-muting (should the telephone ring, for example), and quite a few others. It is rather an amazing program and, as I mentioned, it works with the NRD-545 as well as the AR7030. And it costs you nothing! This is something to carefully consider when choosing your receiver. In other words, don't let the possibility of your disliking the AR7030's ergonomics deter you from buying the receiver should you determine it is the better of your two choices. I researched communication receivers extensively for many years before I settled on and bought the AR7030 Plus. I dealt directly with the factory to customize my receiver to my requirements (after almost fifty years of SW listening, I know what I want and need!) and the radio was prepared to my specifications. I dealt with The Shortwave Shop in the UK, a dealer who was willing to work with me. There are other English dealers as well who will custom-order an AR7030 for you if you so desire, but, frankly, buying from Universal with several of the options they offer should result in a satisfactory receiver. This would also apply to a JRC NRD-545. For shortwave listening purposes, I do not see that the $8000 - 10000 receivers will afford the average DXer any advantages over the $1500 - 2500 radios, "bragging rights" excepted. That, of course, is my opinion. The AR7030 is able to offer its really superb performance at its relatively low price (compared to, say, the Ten-tec RX-340) due to the fact that it DOES use menu-driven controls just like the above-mentioned VCR, home-theater receiver, your cell-phone, and myriad other devices which have become so familiar to us these days. All of these products are priced much lower than one should have expected due to the fact that relatively costly discrete controls are eliminated. I think iI is just because the AR7030 is the only truly menu-driven SW receiver on the market that some users are "negative" about it, never having seen, owned. or operated such a set previously. But, of course, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I like mine and I think you would like it too. Best, Joe P.S. Don't forget the antenna. In order to derive maximum performance and pleasure, both of these receivers require the finest antenna you can get. Gisle Vanem wrote: I'm in the business of buying a new receiver and have settled on two options; The AOR AR-7030Plus or the Japan Radio NRD-545. Which one would have the highest dynamic range (IP3) and sensitivity? Is the AR-7030 receiver so clumsy to operate as many have stated? -- Gisle V. # rm /bin/laden /bin/laden: Not found |
AR-7030 or NRD-545
Dear Gisle,
I use an "ancient" (purchased in 2000!) Windows 98 laptop - a Toshiba Satellite 2180CDT - which is really no longer suitable for internet use. I "wiped" it, reinstalled Windows 98, and use it only for a few programs, one of which is "RxWings." The computer is next to my sofa within easy reach and the radio itself is across the rather small room, about eight feet away. The two are connected by a cable. Both are plugged into the same APC UPS and I have a C. Crane surge protector which also reduces EMI ahead of just the radio. (My Wellbrook ALA 330S is also plugged into that same APC UPS.) I just sit back in my sofa and control the radio from there. If you do not own a laptop, and you would prefer to use one with your radio, you could probably buy a used or refurbished one very cheap - I've seen them advertised sometimes for less than $150.00. You need nothing elaborate; I think even an old Windows 95 machine would work. Just make sure you totally wipe the drive first - with something like "Darik's Boot and Nuke" - and then reinstall the Windows OS. You'll have a "clean" computer which will work very well with 'RxWings" or any other computer-control program you care to try. (By the way, do NOT buy AOR's "DataMaster" program: it is grossly overpriced and obsolete. Take my word for it - I DID buy it. Live and learn.) I have never had any problem with any noise whatsoever caused by the computer. (The electrical noise caused by neighbors and transformers/streetlights, etc. on my property - I live in a small townhouse community - are something else, but the Wellbrook has taken care of that!) Of course I do not know what might happen were I to place the computer right next to the radio but, fortunately, I have no need to do so. All the best, Joe Gisle Vanem wrote: "Joe Analssandrini" wrote: There is, however, another option which no one so far has mentioned here (and it applies to the JRC NRD-545 as well): there is a FREE computer-control program called "RxWINGS" which allows you to control the receiver via your computer. I'm a bit suspicious to have a noise-source like a table-top PC powered on while DX-ing. Do you have a LCD-screen or a lap-top? --gv |
AR-7030 or NRD-545 or SDR-1000?
Have you considered the SDR-1000?
http://www.flex-radio.com/About.aspx LSB, USB, AM, FMN, Sync AM, CW, and DRM are supported. Receive 12KHz-60MHz (Requires external user supplied pre selector for best operation below 160M) see: http://sdr-1000.blogspot.com/2006/09...w1vlf-low.html http://sdr-1000.blogspot.com/2006/10...osure-for.html "This radio currently features receiver specs that out perform all three of the top "mega-priced" radios by Ten-Tec, Icom, and Yaseu." "3rd and 4th order harmonics are so much better than any other radio currently on the market." "+30 dBm IP3" "98 dB IMD DR3 @ 2 KHz" http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4108 Full Manufacturer Specifications He http://www.flex-radio.com/Products.aspx?topic=sdr1k __________________________________________________ __ "Gisle Vanem" wrote in message ... "Joe Analssandrini" wrote: In my opinion, the AR7030 Plus, properly fitted out, is definitely one of the finest performing receivers available, certainly far-and-away the best I have ever owned. Thanks Joe and all you other for your replies. I kinda settled on the AOR (mostly for the lower price). Your replies have confirmed that this would be the wiser. There is, however, another option which no one so far has mentioned here (and it applies to the JRC NRD-545 as well): there is a FREE computer-control program called "RxWINGS" which allows you to control the receiver via your computer. I'm a bit suspicious to have a noise-source like a table-top PC powered on while DX-ing. Do you have a LCD-screen or a lap-top? P.S. Don't forget the antenna. In order to derive maximum performance and pleasure, both of these receivers require the finest antenna you can get. I already have a (IMHO) top-notch antenna; the ARA-60 by Dressler. Since I don't have the space to erect a long-wire etc., this active antenna is the substitute. Very sensitive on MW. --gv |
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