On 1 Nov, 05:44, wrote:
I've narrowed my search down to a short list of three receivers:

Icom 756 Pro III
JRC NRD-545
AOR 7030+

My primary interests are MW DXing, utilities, and general SW
listening, in that order, with SW listening a distant third.

There are no general SW dealers in my area, so I haven't seen the JRC
or the AOL, but there's a Ham Radio Outlet where I had a chance to
listen to the 756.

I've owned an NRD-525 in the past, so I know something of the
ergonomics and build quality of the NRD series, which I like, but I'm
concerned about the less than stellar reviews I've read. Most of them
complain about the audio (monkey chatter) and dynamic range issues
associated with the 18-bit A/D.

I've never seen a 7030+, but the menu-oriented operating system seems
to be a love it or hate it proposition. I've also heard of issues with
the encoders used for the main tuning knob and rotary selector wearing
out or becoming flaky with use. I've also heard that the 7030+ has
been discontinued, production stopped earlier this year, and dealers
are selling off remaining stock.

The 756 has 32-bit DSP and a 24-bit A/D, but it also has a
transmitter, which adds to the cost, making this the most expensive of
the three ($900 more than the 545 and $1200 more than the 7030+). The
sensitivity below 1500kHz is crippled, requiring a mod to disable the
attenuator and enable the pre-amp in this range. The spectrum scope is
cool, enabling you to "see" signals in a section of the band changing
in real-time.

Any advice would be appreciated.

If you're willing to pay as much as a 756Pro III costs, maybe you
should consider the Icom IC-7000 as well. No crippled MW sensitivity,
excellent selectivity and a small radio. See my review he
http://www.kongsfjord.no/bm/ic-7000%20review.pdf.

BM

On 1 Nov, 05:44, wrote:
I've narrowed my search down to a short list of three receivers:

Icom 756 Pro III
JRC NRD-545
AOR 7030+

My primary interests are MW DXing, utilities, and general SW
listening, in that order, with SW listening a distant third.

There are no general SW dealers in my area, so I haven't seen the JRC
or the AOL, but there's a Ham Radio Outlet where I had a chance to
listen to the 756.

I've owned an NRD-525 in the past, so I know something of the
ergonomics and build quality of the NRD series, which I like, but I'm
concerned about the less than stellar reviews I've read. Most of them
complain about the audio (monkey chatter) and dynamic range issues
associated with the 18-bit A/D.

I've never seen a 7030+, but the menu-oriented operating system seems
to be a love it or hate it proposition. I've also heard of issues with
the encoders used for the main tuning knob and rotary selector wearing
out or becoming flaky with use. I've also heard that the 7030+ has
been discontinued, production stopped earlier this year, and dealers
are selling off remaining stock.

The 756 has 32-bit DSP and a 24-bit A/D, but it also has a
transmitter, which adds to the cost, making this the most expensive of
the three ($900 more than the 545 and $1200 more than the 7030+). The
sensitivity below 1500kHz is crippled, requiring a mod to disable the
attenuator and enable the pre-amp in this range. The spectrum scope is
cool, enabling you to "see" signals in a section of the band changing
in real-time.

Any advice would be appreciated.




AR7030+ is still current, and in production. It was withdrawn from
the North American market for awhile, but demand brought it back through
a few of the larger outlets. Universal has them for a decent price.

The rotary encoders on early 7030 models were not so hot. These were
replaced, and the failure rate is quite low. Better than the encoders on
Drake's SW-2.

The menu trees are quite logically laid out, and become second
nature after about the first hour. You won't notice it.

Filters are a matter of personal taste and application, but they're
upgradable as desired. Self-aligned in operation. Audio is quite good,
synch is stable and self aligning in operation, and passband shift
tuning is a breeze to operate.

You'll be hard pressed to find more receiver.

I'd recommend the noise blanker and autonotch option. Not cheap, well
worth it.