Drake R8B or Japanese Radio NRD-545?
 

OK, has anyone owned both thwe Drake R8B and the NRD-545?
I am trying to decide on which model is better. I will be using it mostly for
the utility bands (GOV. aircraft, etc.) I owned a Drake R8 before and liked it
as a receiver but was very dissapointed in the cheap (thin) case and the cheap
plastic tuning knob.
the NRD-545 looks like it has a more solid case but then Passport gave the
Drake R8B a little bit better rating then the NRDS-545. So which one?
Also, can I asume that either of the above radios will give me better
performance then my Icom R-75 that is, as we speak, having the Mods. done by
Kiwa?
Thank you so much for any input anyone has.
Jake

JJacob6879 wrote:

OK, has anyone owned both thwe Drake R8B and the NRD-545?
I am trying to decide on which model is better. I will be using it mostly for
the utility bands (GOV. aircraft, etc.) I owned a Drake R8 before and liked it
as a receiver but was very dissapointed in the cheap (thin) case and the cheap
plastic tuning knob.

The R8 has a metal knob.


the NRD-545 looks like it has a more solid case but then Passport gave the
Drake R8B a little bit better rating then the NRDS-545. So which one?
Also, can I asume that either of the above radios will give me better
performance then my Icom R-75 that is, as we speak, having the Mods. done by
Kiwa?
Thank you so much for any input anyone has.
Jake

I think that you'd be happier with a Icom 756PRO, used ones going now for
about 1100-1500 bucks.


"JJacob6879" wrote in message
...
OK, has anyone owned both thwe Drake R8B and the NRD-545?
I am trying to decide on which model is better. I will be using it mostly
for
the utility bands (GOV. aircraft, etc.) I owned a Drake R8 before and
liked it
as a receiver but was very dissapointed in the cheap (thin) case and the
cheap
plastic tuning knob.
the NRD-545 looks like it has a more solid case but then Passport gave
the
Drake R8B a little bit better rating then the NRDS-545. So which one?
Also, can I asume that either of the above radios will give me better
performance then my Icom R-75 that is, as we speak, having the Mods. done
by
Kiwa?
Thank you so much for any input anyone has.
Jake

not a bad recommendation; good receiver and a very cool display, but I find
a transceiver a bit awkward to use if one is never going to transmit on it.
It keeps wanting to go to ham bands and switch sidebands accordingly,
requires extra keystrokes to directly enter frequencies, etc.

Both the R8B and the NRD545 are fabulous receivers. If broadcast listening
is second to utility listening in preference, I would go with the 545. The
Drake might have better audio quality for broadcasts, but I think that's it.
The 545 is built better, has more tweeks for reception improvement, tunes to
0khz, is prettier and more ergonomic.

I haven't had an R8B, but I have had an R8A, and a 545 at the same time.

John


"patgkz" wrote in message
...
I think that you'd be happier with a Icom 756PRO, used ones going now for
about 1100-1500 bucks.


"JJacob6879" wrote in message
...
OK, has anyone owned both thwe Drake R8B and the NRD-545?
I am trying to decide on which model is better. I will be using it
mostly
for
the utility bands (GOV. aircraft, etc.) I owned a Drake R8 before and
liked it
as a receiver but was very dissapointed in the cheap (thin) case and
the
cheap
plastic tuning knob.
the NRD-545 looks like it has a more solid case but then Passport
gave
the
Drake R8B a little bit better rating then the NRDS-545. So which one?
Also, can I asume that either of the above radios will give me better
performance then my Icom R-75 that is, as we speak, having the Mods.
done
by
Kiwa?
Thank you so much for any input anyone has.
Jake

JJ,

Why make a move until you are ready and have built up some
personal knowledge about all four radios.

First you had an Icom IC-R75 and have used it for a while.

You have this Icom IC-R75 in for the Kiwa Mods. When the Icom IC-R75
comes back try it out for a while to build your personal knowledge base.

I the mean time Network around and 'find' a Drake R8B Owner and a
NRD-545 in your area and let them show you their radios for a couple
of hours so that you know for yourself what they feel like and how
they receive and sound for your type of listening preferences.


OMT (One-More-Thing): The Antenna and Ground are 55.5% of . . .
the Radio/Receiver and the Antenna & Ground Reception Equation.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWL-AM...na/message/288


TBL: Whatever you finally spend on your new Pride & Joy (radio/receiver).
$=INVEST=$ Twenty-Five-Percent (25%) or more in a quality Antenna
and Ground System to maximize the potential of these high tech
radios/receivers.


iane ~ RHF
..
..
All are WELCOME at the "Antenna Ashram"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWL-AM...na/message/502
..
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= = = (JJacob6879)
= = = wrote in message ...

OK, has anyone owned both thwe Drake R8B and the NRD-545?

I am trying to decide on which model is better. I will be using
it mostly for the utility bands (GOV. aircraft, etc.)

I owned a Drake R8 before and liked it as a receiver but was
very dissapointed in the cheap (thin) case and the cheap
plastic tuning knob.

The NRD-545 looks like it has a more solid case but then Passport
gave the Drake R8B a little bit better rating then the NRDS-545.
So which one?

Also, can I asume that either of the above radios will give me
better performance then my Icom R-75 that is, as we speak, having
the Mods. done by Kiwa?

Thank you so much for any input anyone has.

Jake

..