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Passport receiver reviews
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 |
Passport receiver reviews
John Plimmer wrote:
good DX and don't forget to have fun.............. Thank you for the excellent posting. I'm still saving for the E1.. mike |
Passport receiver reviews
My RX-340 was mediochre to say the least....Big waste of money!
RAYBURN "John Plimmer" wrote in message ... 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 |
Passport receiver reviews
John,
Thanks for the excellent assessment of current receivers available to DXers! The fact that we are not seeing new, traditional communications receivers come along once or twice a year as we used to is a sad commentary on the hobby decline. I believe that more and more, DXers will need to content themselves with quality used gear (in the traditional sense of radios with knobs), unless they go the route of transceivers as you mentioned. I used to own a Yaesu FT-900 and an ICOM IC-756Pro for receive-only use, and they are fine performers. I had various reasons for selling them, but now am resigned to operating computer-driven SDR radios for the foreseeable future if I want cutting-edge performance. The advances in communications equipment will be in the SDR devices, not labor- and parts-intensive analog receivers bristling with knobs. Like you and most others, I prefer knobs to tweak, but the unique features and hotrod performance of radios like my SDR-1000 make up for the lack of the tactile feel of quality knobs, buttons, etc. when operating a receiver. I do use a Contour Shuttle Pro and a Griffin Powermate knob when controlling the SDR-1000, but they are a token nod to traditional receiver controls. You mentioned the E1's usefulness with long antennas. I've been very impressed with this ability, too, but only when keeping the "DX" preamplifier turned OFF. My E1 is more prone to overload and spurious images with big antennas if the preamp is enabled. If extra gain is needed (usually it isn't), I found that a quality external preamp works better, something like a Wellbrook preamp or Kiwa, which use the very stout "negative-feedback" design. When I owned AR7030s, they had the same trouble with the stock, internal preamp. Performance was always better with a good external preamp, one that had better dynamic range & IP3. Bjarne Mjelde's review of the Eton E1 is very thorough in this regard. He describes his experiences hooking up long antennas to it, along with other comments and information about the E1. His review is he http://www.kongsfjord.no/bm/The%20Eton%20E1%20Story.pdf 73! Guy Atkins Puyallup, WA www.sdr-1000.blogspot.com "John Plimmer" wrote in message ... 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: SNIP |
Passport receiver reviews
Good post John!
-- Brian Denley http://home.comcast.net/~b.denley/index.html "John Plimmer" wrote in message ... 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. |
Passport receiver reviews
Thank you for the excellent post, John. On the small receiver front, there seems to be some use of new technology in the newer models; everything getting tinyier with more and more features. The Degen De1105 is now my favorite " Walking around" radio; but the Icom R75 is what I use when everything else is just picking up static. - Stay tuned ! 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 |
Passport receiver reviews
Excellent observations and comments John! I started in this hobby when I was in elementary school with a Hallicrafters S-38E. At that time tabletops were abundant beyond belief because they all used valves! It's sad to see the demise of good tabletop receivers, however, there's always a good supply in the used market for reasonable prices if you shop a bit. That's were I've shopped for the last 15 years. I have tried almost all of the solid state receivers and still use two of my favorites, an old Icom R70 and a Kenwood R-5000. I really liked the R75, but there just wasn't enough knobs to twiddle!! Frank K3YAZ Tucson, AZ |
Passport receiver reviews
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 *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 |
Passport receiver reviews
Never mind an operation system that is used by about a billion people with
applications being written by hundreds of thousands of programmers. The question becomes is there a demand or need? Knowing ham radio people, an OS has never been a hindrance to any valuable piece of radio hardware such as the SDR-1000. Now let us talk about what will make your analog radio like a AR7030 obsolete overnight without an outboard computer/OS: DRM and any present or future digital mode you can dream about. "Joe Analssandrini" wrote in message oups.com... 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 *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 |
Passport receiver reviews
all you seem to say is your friends do or don't like them. how can a person
make an informed decision about a receivers strengths and weaknesses without knowing any details ? can you post what aspects of these receivers were bad ? for example a lot of people like the RX-340 but you put it off with just a few words. these are 5 star receivers and there is a mail group devoted to receivers of this caliber. "John Plimmer" wrote in message ... 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 |
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