Opinion: Icom R9000 for $2500
 

One of the early ones (c. 1992) but supposedly works fine and looks
very good and has a bright CRT. I've read many reviews and understand
that it's a terrific receiver, but that's a lot of bucks for a 16-year-
old radio.

What do those familiar with the receiver think?

Thanks for your input.

Opinion: Icom R9000 for $2500
 

Avery W3AVE wrote:

One of the early ones (c. 1992) but supposedly works fine and looks
very good and has a bright CRT. I've read many reviews and understand
that it's a terrific receiver, but that's a lot of bucks for a 16-year-
old radio.

What do those familiar with the receiver think?

I've seen one, operated one. As I recall, they ran very hot. For the money, you
can find some other nice receiver(s) and populate your shack.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

Opinion: Icom R9000 for $2500
 

On Jun 13, 8:48*pm, dxAce wrote:
I've seen one, operated one. As I recall, they ran very hot. For the money, *you
can find some other nice receiver(s) and populate your shack.
dxAce

Yes, Sherwood has a (very expensive) cooling mod, apparently a
temperature-controlled muffin fan.

Da nada...the radio was sold.

Opinion: Icom R9000 for $2500
 

On Jun 14, 4:39*am, Avery W3AVE wrote:
On Jun 13, 8:48*pm, dxAce wrote:

I've seen one, operated one. As I recall, they ran very hot. For the money, *you
can find some other nice receiver(s) and populate your shack.
dxAce

Yes, Sherwood has a (very expensive) cooling mod, apparently a
temperature-controlled muffin fan.

Da nada...the radio was sold.

Okay, so it's gone, but if you still have two and a half grand burning
a hole in your pocket you might consider the Icom IC-756PROIII - it
makes a dam fine receiver at the price.

See my review at:
http://www.dxing.info/equipment/icom_ic756_plimmer.dx
Three and a half years later I am still as happy as a pig in **** with
this superb RX.

Also see what 180 happy owners say at the eHam reviews:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4635
At the price it's an exceptional buy and a great performer

John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
Icom IC-7700, Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods
Drake SW8. ERGO software
Sony 7600D, GE SRIII, Redsun RP2100
BW XCR 30, Sangean 803A.
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro Mk II, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop.
http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx

Opinion: Icom R9000 for $2500
 

On Jun 14, 5:59*am, wrote:
Okay, so it's gone, but if you still have two and a half grand burning a hole in your pocket you might consider the Icom IC-756PROIII - it makes a dam fine receiver at the price....See my review at: http://www.dxing.info/equipment/icom_ic756_plimmer.dx. Three and a half years later I am still as happy as a pig in **** with this superb RX....Also see what 180 happy owners say at the eHam reviews:http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4635. At the price it's an exceptional buy and a great performer.
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa


John, thanks for this suggestion. I read a few of the reviews. I also
read yours, and suspect that you not only have saved me from myself
but gave me relief that I did not go for the R9000. I refer to this
excerpt from your review:

What I don't like and that irritates me:
# The cramped controls, some of the most used ones like the VFO swap/
change, and VFO to Mem are so small that you need to operate the radio
in bright light in order not to push the wrong button, and then you
often do anyway.
# During the day when DX is not present, I listen to my favourite AM
BCB and BBC stations, but I miss the Drakes lovely sound and rock
solid synchronous detector. On the Icom I have to listen in SSB to
avoid fading, but the sound, despite eighteen months of fiddling and
trying to optimise it, is not very good.

#2 isn't a huge deal, although I think a synchronous detector is
desirable. But #1 was a useful reminder of my acute distaste for
panels stuffed with lots of small knobs and switches. My true love is
at the other extreme--big old boatanchors, Hammarlunds and Nationals
and such. Part of their appeal is simply that I grew up with tube
gear, love the glow and dusty smell, and appreciate that there is
usually enough room under the chassis for me to grub around replacing
parts and such.

But the other part is that playing with even relatively control-happy
receivers--say a Hammarlund HQ-180--was easy. The radios were much
larger, of course, with much more front-panel acreage, and the
smallest knobs and switches were probably twice the size of those on
most of the packed panels of the modern era. Add the problematic
labeling you mention, and throw in that on many receivers nowadays,
multiple-function controls are typical.

I've done hands-on reviews of several new receivers for Passport, not
technical by any means--more about ergonomics: how friendly a radio is
or isn't to operate. Do your hands fall in the right places
automatically; is tuning rubbery or too fast or slow, or smooth and
reasonably paced; do you have to hunt up the manual if you haven't
used the radio for a week and have forgotton how to do something or
other--these kinds of considerations.

If you look at the first Passport review of the AOR 7030 and read how
those who checked out the radio fell into one of two camps, you'll
quickly see language that reflects my report to Larry. Conversely,
when the Satellit 800 appeared, my report lauded the large,
intuitively located knobs and big display (although the tuning felt
rubbery and loose on the first release).

All of which should have told me, what the hell am I doing even
thinking about a receiver like the R9000? I think it's because I've
always had the hots for spectrum displays. Whatever, it shouldn't have
been, and receivers like it shouldn't be, on my wanted list. My Sony
GR7600 is as close as I should get, and that's not very close.

As I said, thanks for helping to maintain my savings and future
sanity.

Opinion: Icom R9000 for $2500
 

And keep in mind, on the VHF/UHF frequencies, It's does NOT DO DIGITAL
TRUNKING. Has anybody even mentioned that?

Frank

"Avery W3AVE" wrote in message
...
On Jun 14, 5:59 am, wrote:
Okay, so it's gone, but if you still have two and a half grand burning a
hole in your pocket you might consider the Icom IC-756PROIII - it makes a
dam fine receiver at the price....See my review at:
http://www.dxing.info/equipment/icom_ic756_plimmer.dx. Three and a half
years later I am still as happy as a pig in **** with this superb
RX....Also see what 180 happy owners say at the eHam
reviews:http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4635. At the price it's an
exceptional buy and a great performer.
John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa


John, thanks for this suggestion. I read a few of the reviews. I also
read yours, and suspect that you not only have saved me from myself
but gave me relief that I did not go for the R9000. I refer to this
excerpt from your review:

What I don't like and that irritates me:
# The cramped controls, some of the most used ones like the VFO swap/
change, and VFO to Mem are so small that you need to operate the radio
in bright light in order not to push the wrong button, and then you
often do anyway.
# During the day when DX is not present, I listen to my favourite AM
BCB and BBC stations, but I miss the Drakes lovely sound and rock
solid synchronous detector. On the Icom I have to listen in SSB to
avoid fading, but the sound, despite eighteen months of fiddling and
trying to optimise it, is not very good.

#2 isn't a huge deal, although I think a synchronous detector is
desirable. But #1 was a useful reminder of my acute distaste for
panels stuffed with lots of small knobs and switches. My true love is
at the other extreme--big old boatanchors, Hammarlunds and Nationals
and such. Part of their appeal is simply that I grew up with tube
gear, love the glow and dusty smell, and appreciate that there is
usually enough room under the chassis for me to grub around replacing
parts and such.

But the other part is that playing with even relatively control-happy
receivers--say a Hammarlund HQ-180--was easy. The radios were much
larger, of course, with much more front-panel acreage, and the
smallest knobs and switches were probably twice the size of those on
most of the packed panels of the modern era. Add the problematic
labeling you mention, and throw in that on many receivers nowadays,
multiple-function controls are typical.

I've done hands-on reviews of several new receivers for Passport, not
technical by any means--more about ergonomics: how friendly a radio is
or isn't to operate. Do your hands fall in the right places
automatically; is tuning rubbery or too fast or slow, or smooth and
reasonably paced; do you have to hunt up the manual if you haven't
used the radio for a week and have forgotton how to do something or
other--these kinds of considerations.

If you look at the first Passport review of the AOR 7030 and read how
those who checked out the radio fell into one of two camps, you'll
quickly see language that reflects my report to Larry. Conversely,
when the Satellit 800 appeared, my report lauded the large,
intuitively located knobs and big display (although the tuning felt
rubbery and loose on the first release).

All of which should have told me, what the hell am I doing even
thinking about a receiver like the R9000? I think it's because I've
always had the hots for spectrum displays. Whatever, it shouldn't have
been, and receivers like it shouldn't be, on my wanted list. My Sony
GR7600 is as close as I should get, and that's not very close.

As I said, thanks for helping to maintain my savings and future
sanity.

Opinion: Icom R9000 for $2500
 

Hi Avery - nice post = thanks for that.
Like you I loved my boatanchors and was weaned on them, but sadly i
had to give them away (no aftermarket for boatanchors here in South
Africa) to a friend after I retired to Montagu.

I agree with you that good ergonomics is one of the most important
factors in choosing and enjoying a radio. My Drake R8A and later the B
were superb if it was not for the cheap rubbery buttons and overall
cheap finish. The Icom radio's OTOH are superbly engineered, but
sometimes I suspect the engineers who desigh them are not radio
enthusiasts and leave us hobbyist's with some qustionable ergonomics.

I too love the spectrum displays and my new 7700's is just superb,
although not a patch on the SDR's like the latest Perseus.

JP

On Jun 14, 2:51*pm, Avery W3AVE wrote:
John, thanks for this suggestion. I read a few of the reviews. I also
read yours, and suspect that you not only have saved me from myself
but gave me relief that I did not go for the R9000. I refer to this
excerpt from your review:

What I don't like and that irritates me:
# The cramped controls, some of the most used ones like the VFO swap/
change, and VFO to Mem are so small that you need to operate the radio
in bright light in order not to push the wrong button, and then you
often do anyway.
# During the day when DX is not present, I listen to my favourite AM
BCB and BBC stations, but I miss the Drakes lovely sound and rock
solid synchronous detector. On the Icom I have to listen in SSB to
avoid fading, but the sound, despite eighteen months of fiddling and
trying to optimise it, is not very good.

#2 isn't a huge deal, although I think a synchronous detector is
desirable. But #1 was a useful reminder of my acute distaste for
panels stuffed with lots of small knobs and switches. My true love is
at the other extreme--big old boatanchors, Hammarlunds and Nationals
and such. Part of their appeal is simply that I grew up with tube
gear, love the glow and dusty smell, and appreciate that there is
usually enough room under the chassis for me to grub around replacing
parts and such.

But the other part is that playing with even relatively control-happy
receivers--say a Hammarlund HQ-180--was easy. The radios were much
larger, of course, with much more front-panel acreage, and the
smallest knobs and switches were probably twice the size of those on
most of the packed panels of the modern era. Add the problematic
labeling you mention, and throw in that on many receivers nowadays,
multiple-function controls are typical.

I've done hands-on reviews of several new receivers for Passport, not
technical by any means--more about ergonomics: how friendly a radio is
or isn't to operate. Do your hands fall in the right places
automatically; is tuning rubbery or too fast or slow, or smooth and
reasonably paced; do you have to hunt up the manual if you haven't
used the radio for a week and have forgotton how to do something or
other--these kinds of considerations.

If you look at the first Passport review of the AOR 7030 and read how
those who checked out the radio fell into one of two camps, you'll
quickly see language that reflects my report to Larry. Conversely,
when the Satellit 800 appeared, my report lauded the large,
intuitively located knobs and big display (although the tuning felt
rubbery and loose on the first release).

All of which should have told me, what the hell am I doing even
thinking about a receiver like the R9000? I think it's because I've
always had the hots for spectrum displays. Whatever, it shouldn't have
been, and receivers like it shouldn't be, on my wanted list. My Sony
GR7600 is as close as I should get, and that's not very close.

As I said, thanks for helping to maintain my savings and future
sanity.

Opinion: Icom R9000 for $2500
 

Well said Bart, my good DX mate Gary Deacon
http://www.capedx.blogspot.com/
has just made a major upgrade from a Yaesu FRG-7 to an Icom R71E. He
is just as thrilled with his upgrade as I am to my 7700. = different
tricks for different dicks!

Whew! lugging around a 50 lb 7800 is no joke - he must be a VERY good
friend!
Ya! there is often no rationale behind our hobby choices. It is
interesting to read the many eHam reviews and see guys justify their
very expensive new gear. It needs a professional reviewer to bring
balance into these new offerings.

Take the "NR" noise reduction function on the Icom IC-7700 for example
- various fella's have lauded this as the best thing since bubblegum,
but in my several weeks of comparison with my 756PROIII side by side I
find it just as good.

So you are dead right, the law of diminishing returns very much
applies, as in he toughest of DX situations the 7700 is only
marginally ahead of the 756PROIII, but the difference IS there as are
very many more convenient bells and whistles.

Enjoy your radio's and have fun and good DX.

John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
Icom IC-7700, Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods
Drake SW8. ERGO software
Sony 7600D, GE SRIII, Redsun RP2100
BW XCR 30, Sangean 803A.
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro Mk II, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop.
http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx

On Jun 14, 6:43*pm, Bart Bailey wrote:
In

posted on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:59:49 -0700 (PDT),
wrote: Begin *

you might consider the Icom IC-756PROIII - it
makes a dam fine receiver at the price.

Yes it is.
Here in my noise infested inner-city QTH, I was curious just how close
to the state of the art I would actually be able to experience, so I had
a friend bring his IC-7800 over and put it on my antenna. The amount of
reduction, even with the ANC-4, didn't leave any more useful signal than
my P3, so I figure I'm already at or beyond the point of diminishing
return. I imagine the 7700 (which I'd love to have) wouldn't justify
itself. But then again, not all hobby related expenses do. g