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Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
On Feb 2, 2:50 am, wrote:
Hi I've been away from this group for a few years but I'm just getting back into SWLing again. Anyway, I have an Icom R71 with the Kiwa audio upgrade, a Kiwa LF-H4S 6KHz AM filter, an Icom FlL-33 6KHz filter and have performed the passband tuning mod from Don Moman's R71 performance manual. I also recently re-aligned it and fine-tuned its sensitivity so that its running sweetly. The R71 was a top performer in its day but I'm just wondering how it stacks up against newer receivers like the Icom R75, AOR7030, NRD 545 or the Drake R8B. I listen solely to Worldband broadcasts and am wondering if some of the newer receivers are any better at pulling weak stations out of the mud. I do fairly well by tuning AM stations in USB or LSB mode if strong interference is a problem. I know that sync detectors improve the audio quality but are any of these receivers significantly better than the R71 at making an AM signal intelligible in the face of strong interference or when dealing with very weak signals? I don't often listen to communications so I'm only really concerned with AM. Cheers Andy Dear Andy, Those other receivers you mention are all superior to the ICOM R71 in terms of features, usability, and, at least in the case of the R8 and, especially, the AR7030 Plus, sound quality. However, with regard to what you say you listen, I do not feel that you need to "upgrade" at all. As you say, the 'R71 was a top performer in its day and it should still perform comparably today, especially in view of the obvious care you have given to your unit. As far as pulling signals "out of the mud," virtually all good receivers, used with a proper antenna, will perform comparably. Actually, this is a good time to compare receivers as we are at the "bottom" of the sunspot cycle and it is difficult to get good long- distance reception at this time. (For example, my AR7030 Plus is now greatly outperforming my Grundig Satellit 800, both using their own Wellbrook ALA 330S antennas; when conditions are better, the sets perform comparably.) If warranted, an upgrade to your antenna system might be considered before buying another receiver. Should you still desire to buy another receiver, my own personal preference is for the AOR AR7030 Plus, suitably equipped and configured. This radio, especially with its audio output being sent to a good external speaker or a good audio system, is, in my opinion, superior to the other receivers you mention in terms of "listenability" over many hours at a time. Its circuitry is top-notch and virtually all parameters can be adjusted individually, regardless of the tuning mode. Some do not like a menu-driven system, as opposed to individual knobs and dials, but this operating scheme allows similar configuration, adjustments, features, and performance at a far lower price than, say, a radio such as the Ten-tec RX-340, to which it directly compares. The AR7030 Plus' sensitivity and selectivity are superb, and it offers one of the best synchronous detection circuits on the market. If ordered from a dealer in the UK in conjunction with AOR-UK, the radio can be factory-customized to your requirements. There is a price to be paid for all of this, of course. Any new communications receiver, comparable to your 'R71, is expensive. Only you can determine if it's worth it to you or if you would be better off saving your money and sticking with what you already own, which is, as stated, a superb receiver. Welcome back to the hobby! Best, Joe |
Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
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 |
Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
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 |
Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
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 |
Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
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 |
Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
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 |
Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
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 |
Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
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 |
Icom R71: How well does it stack up today?
On Feb 5, 3:41 pm, (Geoffrey S. Mendelson) wrote:
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 athttp://geoffstechno.livejournal.com/ Hi Geoff Good point. The one I bought from eBay was 120 volt only, so I was a bit unhappy that I spent good money on a transformer only to send the radio back within days. On a different note, how common is the key bounce? Do most units end up suffering in the long term? Cheers Andy |
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