asked:



In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?


I own both. Both are excellent.

As far as performance goes, they're pretty close. The 545 has more bells and
whistles. The R8B's noise blanker is a tad better than the 545's, but the 545's
manual notch filter is the best I've ever encountered on a radio. The 545 also
has an automatic notch filter (BC) that kills, or at least greatly reduces,
multiple hetrodynes and whistles. I love the 545's variable bandwidth control.
Both have good synchronous detection. The R8B has a stronger audio amp.

The 545's DSP noise reduction (NR) feature (not to be confused with it's noise
blanker (NB)), is virtually worthless in my opinion.

The 545 is a tad easier to operate, has a better "feel" to it. The 545's
construction quality is much better than the R8B.

If I was forced to keep only one of them, I would choose the 545 without
hesitation.


------------------------------------------------------------
Nations are like leaves; they change color before they fall.
------------------------------------------------------------

That's easy.

The Drake


"www.activesignals.com" wrote in message
...
In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?

Please explain why you think it is better. It is a tuff decission
deciding which to purchase.
--
Have a day, Keep your radio on

www.activesignals.com for all listeners

In article t,
says...
That's easy.

The Drake


"www.activesignals.com" wrote in message
...
In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?

Please explain why you think it is better. It is a tuff decission
deciding which to purchase.
--
Have a day, Keep your radio on

www.activesignals.com for all listeners




Why??

BDK

In article ,
says...
In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?

Please explain why you think it is better. It is a tuff decission
deciding which to purchase.


The 545.

The Drake isn't bad, but it's very cheap feeling, and looking too, IMO.

JRC has the best ergonomics of about any company out there, you will be
using the radio you buy many hours, and that's where JRC has a huge
edge, and the Drake loses here big time. The controls are badly (again,
my opinion) laid out, the display is "plain" at best, actually I think
it's really ugly. The case and front panel are very cheap looking, the
JRC is built like a tank, with excellent fit and finish. And once you
get the hang of it, it's a pleasure to use, even with all the extra
features. Is it perfect? No, but it's about as right, looks and layout
wise as you could ask for in a non Govt bought radio.

As far as performance goes, if you listen to AM programs, the Drake does
sound better. I dont listen to them much, I mostly listen to Ute's and
the 545 is the king. If only I could afford one. I have spent a lot of
hours playing with a friend's 545, and have spent a lot of time with
another friend's R8A and R8B. I was never tempted to buy either one. The
545 is something I want, and want badly.

For digital and SSB modes, the 545 is the way to go, especially the
later production ones.

You owe yourself a trip to Universal to play with both.

BDK

wrote:



The 545.

The Drake isn't bad, but it's very cheap feeling, and looking too, IMO.

JRC has the best ergonomics of about any company out there, you will be
using the radio you buy many hours, and that's where JRC has a huge
edge, and the Drake loses here big time. The controls are badly (again,
my opinion) laid out, the display is "plain" at best, actually I think
it's really ugly. The case and front panel are very cheap looking, the
JRC is built like a tank, with excellent fit and finish. And once you
get the hang of it, it's a pleasure to use, even with all the extra
features. Is it perfect? No, but it's about as right, looks and layout
wise as you could ask for in a non Govt bought radio.


I absolutely agree with you 100%. Compared to the JRC, the Drake looks and
feels like it was built in someone's garage one Saturday afternoon.


As far as performance goes, if you listen to AM programs, the Drake does
sound better. I dont listen to them much, I mostly listen to Ute's and
the 545 is the king. If only I could afford one. I have spent a lot of
hours playing with a friend's 545, and have spent a lot of time with
another friend's R8A and R8B. I was never tempted to buy either one. The
545 is something I want, and want badly.

For digital and SSB modes, the 545 is the way to go, especially the
later production ones.



Yes, the R8B's audio has more "oomph", whereas the 545's audio output is a bit
anemic (volume wise). One can get more beefy bass out ot the R8. However, the
R8's widest bandwidth is 6 khz, whereas the 545's widest bandwidth is 10 khz.
The 545's 10 khz bandwidth makes strong AM signals (or those without a lot of
adjacent frequency splatter), sound quite nice. Strong AM signals sound really
nice if you engage the 545's stereo AM mode, regardless of whether or not the
station is actually broadcasting in stereo. Of course, you wouldn't use the
stereo mode or wide bandwidth for hunting DX.


------------------------------------------------------------
Nations are like leaves; they change color before they fall.
------------------------------------------------------------

I remember the 545 as having ultimate rejection problems, and JRC not having
any intention to fix them. This was a few years back. Did they resolve that
issue?
My favorite JRC radio was the NRD515. Too bad the used price shot up so
high.

Pete

BDK wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?

Please explain why you think it is better. It is a tuff decission
deciding which to purchase.


The 545.

The Drake isn't bad, but it's very cheap feeling, and looking too, IMO.

JRC has the best ergonomics of about any company out there, you will be
using the radio you buy many hours, and that's where JRC has a huge
edge, and the Drake loses here big time. The controls are badly (again,
my opinion) laid out, the display is "plain" at best, actually I think
it's really ugly. The case and front panel are very cheap looking, the
JRC is built like a tank, with excellent fit and finish. And once you
get the hang of it, it's a pleasure to use, even with all the extra
features. Is it perfect? No, but it's about as right, looks and layout
wise as you could ask for in a non Govt bought radio.

As far as performance goes, if you listen to AM programs, the Drake does
sound better. I dont listen to them much, I mostly listen to Ute's and
the 545 is the king. If only I could afford one. I have spent a lot of
hours playing with a friend's 545, and have spent a lot of time with
another friend's R8A and R8B. I was never tempted to buy either one. The
545 is something I want, and want badly.

For digital and SSB modes, the 545 is the way to go, especially the
later production ones.

You owe yourself a trip to Universal to play with both.

BDK

In article FwtIb.261170$Ec1.9025498@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net, says...
I remember the 545 as having ultimate rejection problems, and JRC not having
any intention to fix them. This was a few years back. Did they resolve that
issue?
My favorite JRC radio was the NRD515. Too bad the used price shot up so
high.

Pete

BDK wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?

Please explain why you think it is better. It is a tuff decission
deciding which to purchase.


The 545.

The Drake isn't bad, but it's very cheap feeling, and looking too, IMO.

JRC has the best ergonomics of about any company out there, you will be
using the radio you buy many hours, and that's where JRC has a huge
edge, and the Drake loses here big time. The controls are badly (again,
my opinion) laid out, the display is "plain" at best, actually I think
it's really ugly. The case and front panel are very cheap looking, the
JRC is built like a tank, with excellent fit and finish. And once you
get the hang of it, it's a pleasure to use, even with all the extra
features. Is it perfect? No, but it's about as right, looks and layout
wise as you could ask for in a non Govt bought radio.

As far as performance goes, if you listen to AM programs, the Drake does
sound better. I dont listen to them much, I mostly listen to Ute's and
the 545 is the king. If only I could afford one. I have spent a lot of
hours playing with a friend's 545, and have spent a lot of time with
another friend's R8A and R8B. I was never tempted to buy either one. The
545 is something I want, and want badly.

For digital and SSB modes, the 545 is the way to go, especially the
later production ones.

You owe yourself a trip to Universal to play with both.

BDK




There's a nice one on ebay right now...

BDK

In article FwtIb.261170$Ec1.9025498@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net, says...
I remember the 545 as having ultimate rejection problems, and JRC not having
any intention to fix them. This was a few years back. Did they resolve that
issue?
My favorite JRC radio was the NRD515. Too bad the used price shot up so
high.

Pete

BDK wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?

Please explain why you think it is better. It is a tuff decission
deciding which to purchase.


The 545.

The Drake isn't bad, but it's very cheap feeling, and looking too, IMO.

JRC has the best ergonomics of about any company out there, you will be
using the radio you buy many hours, and that's where JRC has a huge
edge, and the Drake loses here big time. The controls are badly (again,
my opinion) laid out, the display is "plain" at best, actually I think
it's really ugly. The case and front panel are very cheap looking, the
JRC is built like a tank, with excellent fit and finish. And once you
get the hang of it, it's a pleasure to use, even with all the extra
features. Is it perfect? No, but it's about as right, looks and layout
wise as you could ask for in a non Govt bought radio.

As far as performance goes, if you listen to AM programs, the Drake does
sound better. I dont listen to them much, I mostly listen to Ute's and
the 545 is the king. If only I could afford one. I have spent a lot of
hours playing with a friend's 545, and have spent a lot of time with
another friend's R8A and R8B. I was never tempted to buy either one. The
545 is something I want, and want badly.

For digital and SSB modes, the 545 is the way to go, especially the
later production ones.

You owe yourself a trip to Universal to play with both.

BDK




I know there is is a mod to the 545 that minimizes the "Monkey Chatter",
I think that FL2 (A sugar cube sized "filter") is replaced, if I
remember right. It's supposed to help a lot. I dont really care what it
does on AM, I used it in the SSB/Rtty/Fax modes for a long time before I
ever noticed it. I love my 515, I will keep it till I die....

BDK

That's good that they fixed it...........from your description, it sounds
like something similar to a Murata CFU-455 4-element filter was originally
used. It looks like a pretty cool radio.

Pete

BDK wrote in message
...
In article FwtIb.261170$Ec1.9025498@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net, says...
I remember the 545 as having ultimate rejection problems, and JRC not
having
any intention to fix them. This was a few years back. Did they resolve
that
issue?
My favorite JRC radio was the NRD515. Too bad the used price shot up so
high.

Pete

BDK wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?

Please explain why you think it is better. It is a tuff decission
deciding which to purchase.


The 545.

The Drake isn't bad, but it's very cheap feeling, and looking too,
IMO.

JRC has the best ergonomics of about any company out there, you will
be
using the radio you buy many hours, and that's where JRC has a huge
edge, and the Drake loses here big time. The controls are badly
(again,
my opinion) laid out, the display is "plain" at best, actually I think
it's really ugly. The case and front panel are very cheap looking, the
JRC is built like a tank, with excellent fit and finish. And once you
get the hang of it, it's a pleasure to use, even with all the extra
features. Is it perfect? No, but it's about as right, looks and layout
wise as you could ask for in a non Govt bought radio.

As far as performance goes, if you listen to AM programs, the Drake
does
sound better. I dont listen to them much, I mostly listen to Ute's and
the 545 is the king. If only I could afford one. I have spent a lot of
hours playing with a friend's 545, and have spent a lot of time with
another friend's R8A and R8B. I was never tempted to buy either one.
The
545 is something I want, and want badly.

For digital and SSB modes, the 545 is the way to go, especially the
later production ones.

You owe yourself a trip to Universal to play with both.

BDK




I know there is is a mod to the 545 that minimizes the "Monkey Chatter",
I think that FL2 (A sugar cube sized "filter") is replaced, if I
remember right. It's supposed to help a lot. I dont really care what it
does on AM, I used it in the SSB/Rtty/Fax modes for a long time before I
ever noticed it. I love my 515, I will keep it till I die....

BDK

In article FfPJb.277967$Ec1.9549073@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net, says...
That's good that they fixed it...........from your description, it sounds
like something similar to a Murata CFU-455 4-element filter was originally
used. It looks like a pretty cool radio.

Pete

BDK wrote in message
...
In article FwtIb.261170$Ec1.9025498@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net, says...
I remember the 545 as having ultimate rejection problems, and JRC not
having
any intention to fix them. This was a few years back. Did they resolve
that
issue?
My favorite JRC radio was the NRD515. Too bad the used price shot up so
high.

Pete

BDK wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
In your opinion which radio is better?

The JRC NRD-545 or the Drake R8B?

Please explain why you think it is better. It is a tuff decission
deciding which to purchase.


The 545.

The Drake isn't bad, but it's very cheap feeling, and looking too,
IMO.

JRC has the best ergonomics of about any company out there, you will
be
using the radio you buy many hours, and that's where JRC has a huge
edge, and the Drake loses here big time. The controls are badly
(again,
my opinion) laid out, the display is "plain" at best, actually I think
it's really ugly. The case and front panel are very cheap looking, the
JRC is built like a tank, with excellent fit and finish. And once you
get the hang of it, it's a pleasure to use, even with all the extra
features. Is it perfect? No, but it's about as right, looks and layout
wise as you could ask for in a non Govt bought radio.

As far as performance goes, if you listen to AM programs, the Drake
does
sound better. I dont listen to them much, I mostly listen to Ute's and
the 545 is the king. If only I could afford one. I have spent a lot of
hours playing with a friend's 545, and have spent a lot of time with
another friend's R8A and R8B. I was never tempted to buy either one.
The
545 is something I want, and want badly.

For digital and SSB modes, the 545 is the way to go, especially the
later production ones.

You owe yourself a trip to Universal to play with both.

BDK




I know there is is a mod to the 545 that minimizes the "Monkey Chatter",
I think that FL2 (A sugar cube sized "filter") is replaced, if I
remember right. It's supposed to help a lot. I dont really care what it
does on AM, I used it in the SSB/Rtty/Fax modes for a long time before I
ever noticed it. I love my 515, I will keep it till I die....

BDK



I think, but I'm not positive that you are correct, the 525, 535, and
545 all used a tiny Murata 3/8" cube for the second filter. I know my
525 is a lot better when listening to something close to another freq
since I did the Kiwa upgrade. I didn't really like the doublestick tape
that came with it to mount the replacement, it seemed inferior to the
tape I had so I went and used it instead. I had always wondered if FL2
was worth replacing, and it was..

BDK