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-   -   JRC NRD-535 - How good is this receiver? (https://www.radiobanter.com/shortwave/39500-jrc-nrd-535-how-good-receiver.html)

MGALUVR December 10th 03 05:45 PM

JRC NRD-535 - How good is this receiver?
 
I have the opportunity to own one of these radios and wondered how good this
model really is. Any opinions? And what is one in mint condition with original
packaging worth? Please advise via direct email.............Tnx

BDK December 10th 03 06:49 PM

In article ,
says...
I have the opportunity to own one of these radios and wondered how good this
model really is. Any opinions? And what is one in mint condition with original
packaging worth? Please advise via direct email.............Tnx


It's a great radio, especially if it's the D model with the extra
options. JRC stuff is built great, looks good, and has better ergonomics
than about anyone else making HF Receivers. Check at
www.dxing.com


BDK

Geoffrey S. Mendelson December 10th 03 08:22 PM

In article , MGALUVR wrote:
I have the opportunity to own one of these radios and wondered how good this
model really is. Any opinions? And what is one in mint condition with original
packaging worth? Please advise via direct email.............Tnx


I had a 535D (deluxe edition, complete with RTTY decoder), it's a nice radio.
The things I disliked we

1. It never sounded "right" to me. May be the 20db midrange loss in one ear.:-)

2. The memories memorized almost everything, except things that I would have
liked. (e.g. bandwidth)

3. Too many buttons, not enough knobs.

I ended up trading it to the guy that bought my r5000 5 years earlier for
the r5000 and cash.

Geoff.
--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson 972-54-608-069
Icq/AIM Uin: 2661079 MSN IM:
(Not for email)



Ken Maltz December 10th 03 09:23 PM

To correct the previous posting, the NRD 535D does memorize the bandwidth
setting for each freq. you have programed.

I have had one for about 8 years. It is my favorite amongst my collection.
Ken Maltz
Jericho, NY
NRD-535D, NRD-220 Collins R-388, Racal RA6790/GM,
ICOM R71A, ICOM R-7100(x2), AOR AR-8000
Panasonic RF-2200, Sony ICF-7600GR,
Hoka Code3 Gold-Pro, 60' long wire, MLB balun

RFCOMMSYS December 11th 03 01:34 AM

asked:



I have the opportunity to own one of these radios and wondered how good this
model really is. Any opinions?




It's an excellent radio, especially the D version with the continuously
variable bandwidth knob (BWC). Very well built. But the AM synchronous detector
(ECSS) is mediocre.


Brian Denley December 11th 03 04:22 AM

MGALUVR wrote:
I have the opportunity to own one of these radios and wondered how
good this model really is. Any opinions? And what is one in mint
condition with original packaging worth? Please advise via direct
email.............Tnx


My NRD-535Db is a terrific receiver and competes with anything I own. I
have not used the regular 535. Can you still get the options that the D
version comes with, particularly the bandwidth control and ECSS board?

--
Brian Denley
http://home.comcast.net/~b.denley/index.html



Geoffrey S. Mendelson December 13th 03 07:17 PM

In article , Ken Maltz wrote:
To correct the previous posting, the NRD 535D does memorize the bandwidth
setting for each freq. you have programed.


Using the variable bandwidth control? I thought it only memorized the
filter choice.

Geoff.

--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson 972-54-608-069
Icq/AIM Uin: 2661079 MSN IM:
(Not for email)



Ken Maltz December 14th 03 12:30 AM

The original posting indicated that the 535 did not memorize the bandwidth
setting. It made no reference to the bandwidth as applied by the variable
bandwidth control. Hence, my statement that the 535 did memorize bandwidth.
Additionally, the origianal question referred to the NRD-535, not the 535D. The
535, sans "D", does not contain a variable bandwidth control; thus all BW
settings are made by the choice of filter, which is memorized.

I hope that this will clear things up on this subject.
Ken Maltz
Jericho, NY
NRD-535D, NRD-220 Collins R-388, Racal RA6790/GM,
ICOM R71A, ICOM R-7100(x2), AOR AR-8000
Panasonic RF-2200, Sony ICF-7600GR,
Hoka Code3 Gold-Pro, 60' long wire, MLB balun

Andy Bown December 14th 03 08:59 AM

Hi Ken

I see that you have both a NRD535D and an Icom R71a. I also have an
R71a and have been tempted by a few NRD535's on eBay lately.

How does the performance of the 535D compare with that of the R71 for
SW broadcast DXing?

Thanks for any opinions

Andy

Jim Leder December 14th 03 01:33 PM

I had an NRD535d and a Drake R8A sitting side by side for a bit. The
535d was a real nice radio. I liked the appearance and many of the
features, however I got rid of it but still have the R8A. Of course,
it helps that Miamisburg is only 35 miles up I-75 from here.

N8KDV December 14th 03 01:38 PM



Jim Leder wrote:

I had an NRD535d and a Drake R8A sitting side by side for a bit. The
535d was a real nice radio. I liked the appearance and many of the
features, however I got rid of it but still have the R8A. Of course,
it helps that Miamisburg is only 35 miles up I-75 from here.


That's almost like living 35 miles from Mecca! One can make the
pilgrimage easily!

(Though I don't think their manufacturing facility is located in
Miamisburg any more)

I'm a proud descendant of the Miami Nation by the way. :-)

Steve
Holland, MI
Drake R7, R8 and R8B

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm



Ken Maltz December 14th 03 02:20 PM

Hi Andy-

I must tell you that I really enjoy both of these receivers- they are both
enjoyable to use. If I could only have one, I would choose the 535D because it
is ergonomically superior to everything else I have ever tried. With the
variable bandwidth, easy to use controls and built-in computer control
interface I find it to be very flexible.

Some folks have said that the AM audio leaves something to be desired...it's
not as good as my RACAL 6790 in this respect, but the audio on AM is superior
to that of the R71A. For SSB/CW/RTTY it is simply superb.

Since you have the R71 already, the decision to buy an NRD 535D for SW
broadcast DXing really comes down to this: they are both fine receivers and the
edge that you will enjoy with the 535D will really come down to the increased
ease of operation, slightly better audio on AM and more bandwidth options. The
differences are not great, but they are there nonetheless.

One other thing, the NRD is built beautifully. Under the hood, it is all
quality and laid out with ease of servicing in mind. The ICOM is rather cramped
inside and more difficult to service; however ICOM's factory service is, IMHO,
very accessable, reasonably priced and they do fine work.

Bottom line? If you want to sell the R71A to buy the JRC...you will see a small
but perceptable gain in reception and a larger increase in operating enjoyment.
If you want to add a second receiver...I would definitely say that the NRD is
what you want.

Hope this helps,

Ken Maltz
Jericho, NY
NRD-535D, NRD-220 Collins R-388, Racal RA6790/GM,
ICOM R71A, ICOM R-7100(x2), AOR AR-8000
Panasonic RF-2200, Sony ICF-7600GR,
Hoka Code3 Gold-Pro, 60' long wire, MLB balun

BDK December 14th 03 05:14 PM

In article , says...
Andy -- any of the big gun receivers, from the 515 all the
way up, and the 71A, will hear just about anything that is
still on the air these days....I have a 525, 71A and 515
along with some others. With a decent antenna, you should
have no problem..

From:
(Andy Bown)
Organization:
http://groups.google.com
Newsgroups: rec.radio.shortwave
Date: 14 Dec 2003 00:59:28 -0800
Subject: JRC NRD-535 - How good is this receiver?

Hi Ken

I see that you have both a NRD535D and an Icom R71a. I also have an
R71a and have been tempted by a few NRD535's on eBay lately.

How does the performance of the 535D compare with that of the R71 for
SW broadcast DXing?

Thanks for any opinions

Andy




I'm glad to see someone else has the same big 3, R71A, 515, and 525
that I have! I would love to fill in the set with a 505, 535 and of
course a 545.

My 515 was a pretty early one, with 1200 and 600hz filters and some
other component changes done before I got it. It's much quieter than a
stock 515, and slightly more sensitive. It had those mods when I got it,
I had Universal add the delta-tune multi turn pot. It needs alignment
and I've got to borrow a decent freq counter to do it one of these days.

My 525 has the 1.8K and 600hz filters, and the Kiwa Ultimate rejection
upgrade. It's my second 525, I traded the first for a satellite dish set
up.

The 71a has some audio mods, but I just got it, so I don't know what
else has been done to it. It needs a slight adjustment, LSB is off
slightly. It's getting it's first cleanup tonight.

I also have a totally modified Hammarlund HQ100 that I bought off Ebay
for 58 bucks that is amazingly good, if a little drifty on SSB till it
totally warms up. It blows away anything less than about 350 bucks used,
and sounds fantastic!

BDK

Dan Robinson December 15th 03 09:10 AM

Andy -- any of the big gun receivers, from the 515 all the
way up, and the 71A, will hear just about anything that is
still on the air these days....I have a 525, 71A and 515
along with some others. With a decent antenna, you should
have no problem..

From: (Andy Bown)
Organization:
http://groups.google.com
Newsgroups: rec.radio.shortwave
Date: 14 Dec 2003 00:59:28 -0800
Subject: JRC NRD-535 - How good is this receiver?

Hi Ken

I see that you have both a NRD535D and an Icom R71a. I also have an
R71a and have been tempted by a few NRD535's on eBay lately.

How does the performance of the 535D compare with that of the R71 for
SW broadcast DXing?

Thanks for any opinions

Andy




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