On Feb 3, 8:43 am, wrote:
Hi

Thanks for your replies everyone. My main reason for asking is that I
also have a Yaesu FRG-100 with the Kiwa audio mod and and Kiwa filter
modules (3.7 and 6 KHz). Running the two receivers off the same
antenna, I find that the FRG-100 is slightly more sensitive to very
weak signals. I know that for SSB the R71 has the advantage of the
notch filter, but tuning AM signals either normally or using ECSS, I
can find almost no signals on which the R71 outperforms the FRoG. The
R71 does perhaps have a slight edge when dealing with nearby
interference but I'd definitely say the FRoG is quieter and more
sensitive.

Given the fact that the R71 is generally more highly rated, I find
this surprising. I've got the Passport White Papers for both receivers
and it is true that they found the FRG-100 to be more sensitive than
the R71. In fact it ranks as about the most sensitive receiver they've
tested but the R71 was a bit of a legend for DXing about 20 years ago
so I'm surprised that the FRoG can match it most of the time and beat
it some of the time. As I've realigned my receiver with the help of a
technician friend, do you think my R71 is faulty? Has anyone else had
these two receivers side-by-side?

Cheers

Andy

The FRG-100 is a hard receiver to beat sensitivity wise, probably due
to the excellent S/N ratio. Plus the KIWA audio and filter mods
definitely help. Keep in mind that the R71 design, although state of
the art in its time, is a bit dated now and quadruple conversion has
tradeoffs. Most of its problem is probably the horrible audio
characteristics. Your comparison of the two doesn't surprise me in the
least.

Frank

On Feb 4, 2:33 am, " wrote:
On Feb 3, 8:43 am, wrote:





Hi

Thanks for your replies everyone. My main reason for asking is that I
also have a Yaesu FRG-100 with the Kiwa audio mod and and Kiwa filter
modules (3.7 and 6 KHz). Running the two receivers off the same
antenna, I find that the FRG-100 is slightly more sensitive to very
weak signals. I know that for SSB the R71 has the advantage of the
notch filter, but tuning AM signals either normally or using ECSS, I
can find almost no signals on which the R71 outperforms the FRoG. The
R71 does perhaps have a slight edge when dealing with nearby
interference but I'd definitely say the FRoG is quieter and more
sensitive.

Given the fact that the R71 is generally more highly rated, I find
this surprising. I've got the Passport White Papers for both receivers
and it is true that they found the FRG-100 to be more sensitive than
the R71. In fact it ranks as about the most sensitive receiver they've
tested but the R71 was a bit of a legend for DXing about 20 years ago
so I'm surprised that the FRoG can match it most of the time and beat
it some of the time. As I've realigned my receiver with the help of a
technician friend, do you think my R71 is faulty? Has anyone else had
these two receivers side-by-side?

Cheers

Andy

The FRG-100 is a hard receiver to beat sensitivity wise, probably due
to the excellent S/N ratio. Plus the KIWA audio and filter mods
definitely help. Keep in mind that the R71 design, although state of
the art in its time, is a bit dated now and quadruple conversion has
tradeoffs. Most of its problem is probably the horrible audio
characteristics. Your comparison of the two doesn't surprise me in the
least.

Frank- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hi Frank

Good to hear from you again. The Yaesu is excellent but I was still a
bit worried about my R71's performance so with the service manual and
help from a tech friend, I went through the whole sensitivity setting
procedure again. I must have screwed up first time round. The R71 now
comes close to matching the FRG-100 for sensitivity, the difference
usually being negligible. You're right about the FR0G's audio being
better, though.

Cheers

Andy

Hi Frank

Good to hear from you again. The Yaesu is excellent but I was still a
bit worried about my R71's performance so with the service manual and
help from a tech friend, I went through the whole sensitivity setting
procedure again. I must have screwed up first time round. The R71 now
comes close to matching the FRG-100 for sensitivity, the difference
usually being negligible. You're right about the FR0G's audio being
better, though.

Cheers

Andy- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Andy - are you back in the US now? I had an Icom R70 for a while and
loved it despite the weird end of band tuning thing and the
ergonomics. All-in-all I would consider it one of the top "DX
machines". I sent it to a friend of mine in CO to use. My present
collection includes and R-5000, R72, and NRD-525.

I can't figure why my wife's name was in the header on the last two
posts of mine (???)

Frank
K3YAZ
Tucson

Andy - are you back in the US now? I had an Icom R70 for a while and
loved it despite the weird end of band tuning thing and the
ergonomics. All-in-all I would consider it one of the top "DX
machines". I sent it to a friend of mine in CO to use. My present
collection includes and R-5000, R72, and NRD-525.

I can't figure why my wife's name was in the header on the last two
posts of mine (???)

Frank
K3YAZ
Tucson

Hi Frank

I'm still living near Dubai working at a college. By the way, I'm from
the UK originally, not the US.

I must admit, I've been very tempted by both the R-5000 and the
NRD-525. I bought an R-5000 on eBay a few years back but it was
faulty. It had great audio, though. I really like the R71 and think I
may spring for an R75 some time soon. Mind you, I was telling you that
about 3 or 4 years ago. Still, I plan to buy one before the supplies
run out as I'd like to get one brand new.

If you had to choose between the 525 and the R-5000, which would you
keep?

Cheers

Andy

On Feb 4, 9:04 pm, wrote:
Andy - are you back in the US now? I had an Icom R70 for a while and
loved it despite the weird end of band tuning thing and the
ergonomics. All-in-all I would consider it one of the top "DX
machines". I sent it to a friend of mine in CO to use. My present
collection includes and R-5000, R72, and NRD-525.

I can't figure why my wife's name was in the header on the last two
posts of mine (???)

Frank
K3YAZ
Tucson

Hi Frank

I'm still living near Dubai working at a college. By the way, I'm from
the UK originally, not the US.

I must admit, I've been very tempted by both the R-5000 and the
NRD-525. I bought an R-5000 on eBay a few years back but it was
faulty. It had great audio, though. I really like the R71 and think I
may spring for an R75 some time soon. Mind you, I was telling you that
about 3 or 4 years ago. Still, I plan to buy one before the supplies
run out as I'd like to get one brand new.

If you had to choose between the 525 and the R-5000, which would you
keep?

Cheers

Andy

This is an extremely hard choice. They are comparable, however, I've
had three NRD-525's and two had the classic "JRC hiss" while the
present one is very quiet and clean audio wise. Despite being good
receivers the hiss was very annoying so I unloaded the first two. This
is my first R-5000 and it's a top notch receiver. It probably has the
best xtal filters of any radio I've had. I did upgrade the 6 kHz AM
filter (Inrad) and added the 500 Hz CW filter. I actually prefer it
over the R75 that I had only from a "feel" standpoint. The R75 was an
excellent performer but I tend to be a "knobulator!" The bottom line
is I think it would be a personal choice. Get both of them and let me
know which one you like best! I also like the R72 I have despite the
lack of advanced features. Very solid, simple receiver similar to the
FRG-100 but it doesn't have the local FM intermod problem that made my
FRG-100s rather useless in this location.

Frank

On Feb 5, 9:15 am, " wrote:
On Feb 4, 9:04 pm, wrote:





Andy - are you back in the US now? I had an Icom R70 for a while and
loved it despite the weird end of band tuning thing and the
ergonomics. All-in-all I would consider it one of the top "DX
machines". I sent it to a friend of mine in CO to use. My present
collection includes and R-5000, R72, and NRD-525.

I can't figure why my wife's name was in the header on the last two
posts of mine (???)

Frank
K3YAZ
Tucson

Hi Frank

I'm still living near Dubai working at a college. By the way, I'm from
the UK originally, not the US.

I must admit, I've been very tempted by both the R-5000 and the
NRD-525. I bought an R-5000 on eBay a few years back but it was
faulty. It had great audio, though. I really like the R71 and think I
may spring for an R75 some time soon. Mind you, I was telling you that
about 3 or 4 years ago. Still, I plan to buy one before the supplies
run out as I'd like to get one brand new.

If you had to choose between the 525 and the R-5000, which would you
keep?

Cheers

Andy

This is an extremely hard choice. They are comparable, however, I've
had three NRD-525's and two had the classic "JRC hiss" while the
present one is very quiet and clean audio wise. Despite being good
receivers the hiss was very annoying so I unloaded the first two. This
is my first R-5000 and it's a top notch receiver. It probably has the
best xtal filters of any radio I've had. I did upgrade the 6 kHz AM
filter (Inrad) and added the 500 Hz CW filter. I actually prefer it
over the R75 that I had only from a "feel" standpoint. The R75 was an
excellent performer but I tend to be a "knobulator!" The bottom line
is I think it would be a personal choice. Get both of them and let me
know which one you like best! I also like the R72 I have despite the
lack of advanced features. Very solid, simple receiver similar to the
FRG-100 but it doesn't have the local FM intermod problem that made my
FRG-100s rather useless in this location.

Frank- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've often thought about getting another R-5000. I only had mine for
about 3 or 4 days but it had a bad connection somewhere, which caused
the sensitivity to drop intermittently, and bad key-bounce. If I could
find a perfect one running off 240 V, I think I'd be sorely tempted.
The audio was the best I've heard and made for really pleasant
listening.

Cheers

Andy

wrote:
I've often thought about getting another R-5000. I only had mine for
about 3 or 4 days but it had a bad connection somewhere, which caused
the sensitivity to drop intermittently, and bad key-bounce. If I could
find a perfect one running off 240 V, I think I'd be sorely tempted.
The audio was the best I've heard and made for really pleasant
listening.

You need to be careful. There were two versions sold. One was 120 volt
ONLY, and the other was a multivoltage unit with a switch in the back.

My 1991 vintage U.S. purchased R5000 is 120 volt only. In my Universal
catalog from 1993, they were selling only the multivoltage unit. In 1996
when I started packing up to move here, I called Universal asking if
they could modify it to 220 volts and was asked "aren't all of them
multivoltage?".

They could not modify it, but it has lived happily here on 230 volts
connected to a 200 "watt" continuous duty transformer for the last
10 years.

The clock does not seem to be affected. I assume it is not dependent
upon the power line frequency.

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/

On Feb 5, 6:22 am, wrote:
On Feb 5, 9:15 am, " wrote:



On Feb 4, 9:04 pm, wrote:

Andy - are you back in the US now? I had an Icom R70 for a while and
loved it despite the weird end of band tuning thing and the
ergonomics. All-in-all I would consider it one of the top "DX
machines". I sent it to a friend of mine in CO to use. My present
collection includes and R-5000, R72, and NRD-525.

I can't figure why my wife's name was in the header on the last two
posts of mine (???)

Frank
K3YAZ
Tucson

Hi Frank

I'm still living near Dubai working at a college. By the way, I'm from
the UK originally, not the US.

I must admit, I've been very tempted by both the R-5000 and the
NRD-525. I bought an R-5000 on eBay a few years back but it was
faulty. It had great audio, though. I really like the R71 and think I
may spring for an R75 some time soon. Mind you, I was telling you that
about 3 or 4 years ago. Still, I plan to buy one before the supplies
run out as I'd like to get one brand new.

If you had to choose between the 525 and the R-5000, which would you
keep?

Cheers

Andy

This is an extremely hard choice. They are comparable, however, I've
had three NRD-525's and two had the classic "JRC hiss" while the
present one is very quiet and clean audio wise. Despite being good
receivers the hiss was very annoying so I unloaded the first two. This
is my first R-5000 and it's a top notch receiver. It probably has the
best xtal filters of any radio I've had. I did upgrade the 6 kHz AM
filter (Inrad) and added the 500 Hz CW filter. I actually prefer it
over the R75 that I had only from a "feel" standpoint. The R75 was an
excellent performer but I tend to be a "knobulator!" The bottom line
is I think it would be a personal choice. Get both of them and let me
know which one you like best! I also like the R72 I have despite the
lack of advanced features. Very solid, simple receiver similar to the
FRG-100 but it doesn't have the local FM intermod problem that made my
FRG-100s rather useless in this location.

Frank- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've often thought about getting another R-5000. I only had mine for
about 3 or 4 days but it had a bad connection somewhere, which caused
the sensitivity to drop intermittently, and bad key-bounce. If I could
find a perfect one running off 240 V, I think I'd be sorely tempted.
The audio was the best I've heard and made for really pleasant
listening.

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy,

The bad connection on the R5000 may be the 6khz filter not getting a
good connection. The one I have had that problem when I got it. Took
the top off & poked around some & was able to find it.

73, Ken KG4BIG

In article om,
wrote:

Andy - are you back in the US now? I had an Icom R70 for a while and
loved it despite the weird end of band tuning thing and the
ergonomics. All-in-all I would consider it one of the top "DX
machines". I sent it to a friend of mine in CO to use. My present
collection includes and R-5000, R72, and NRD-525.

I can't figure why my wife's name was in the header on the last two
posts of mine (???)

Frank
K3YAZ
Tucson

Hi Frank

I'm still living near Dubai working at a college. By the way, I'm from
the UK originally, not the US.

I must admit, I've been very tempted by both the R-5000 and the
NRD-525. I bought an R-5000 on eBay a few years back but it was
faulty. It had great audio, though.

Snip

The are radios with better audio.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California