Hi fellas

I'm new to this group and would like your advice based on your broad
knowledge of radios. OK I have 5 radios.

1] JRC NRD-525 stock
2] Kenwood R-5000 YK-88a-1 and remote options
3] FROG-7 stock, mint
4] Ten Tec 320-D
5] FRG-7700 FRA-7700 and F5 low pass filter options
6] Degen 1103

Now, I've been looking to buy a Drake R8 or R8A since I've read so
many good things about them and many of you own one.
My question is, do I need it and will I *notice a big difference
owning one over my other 5 radios?

Now when I ask "do I need it", I hope you radio owners know what I
mean by that.

Thanks for your time
Lucky

Lucky wrote:

Hi fellas

I'm new to this group and would like your advice based on your broad
knowledge of radios. OK I have 5 radios.

1] JRC NRD-525 stock
2] Kenwood R-5000 YK-88a-1 and remote options
3] FROG-7 stock, mint
4] Ten Tec 320-D
5] FRG-7700 FRA-7700 and F5 low pass filter options
6] Degen 1103

Now, I've been looking to buy a Drake R8 or R8A since I've read so
many good things about them and many of you own one.
My question is, do I need it and will I *notice a big difference
owning one over my other 5 radios?

Now when I ask "do I need it", I hope you radio owners know what I
mean by that.

Thanks for your time
Lucky


Hi

It would be easier for people to give good advice if they knew what you were hoping to accomplish.

I had an original R8. It was a good radio, and it did everything pretty well.

As Dan has mentioned, the R8b has the better sync detector. Sideband selectable sync is nice - I use it all the time on my Harris.

The original one had the nicer tuning knob. Not a performance feature, but hey, you'll probably spend a lot of time using it.

The Drakes have nice audio - particularly if you use a good external speaker, so you'd probably enjoy one for program listening.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a Grundig Sat 800. While it's got a circuit designed by Drake, they're made in China, and the build quality doesn't impress me. They're also incredibly large. They remind me of the stereos they used to sell in Woolworths back
in the 70's. Speaker cabinets would be 5 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and weigh close to 10 pounds.

Hi

I'm pretty new to SW radio. Not even a year into the hobby. I'm getting more
and more into looking around for obscure SSB stations and weak muddy
stations. All in all I want to own the best within price constraints so I
know I'm working with good equipment and if I can't get a certain staion in
it's my own fault and/or my antenna.

I think the NRD-525 is pretty good as well as the r-5000 really. I just
wondered if I bought the Drake and if I were in dark, would I notice
anything different about the Drake.

But you guys have given me the main reasons so far.


"Mark S. Holden" wrote in message
...
Lucky wrote:

Hi fellas

I'm new to this group and would like your advice based on your broad
knowledge of radios. OK I have 5 radios.

1] JRC NRD-525 stock
2] Kenwood R-5000 YK-88a-1 and remote options
3] FROG-7 stock, mint
4] Ten Tec 320-D
5] FRG-7700 FRA-7700 and F5 low pass filter options
6] Degen 1103

Now, I've been looking to buy a Drake R8 or R8A since I've read so
many good things about them and many of you own one.
My question is, do I need it and will I *notice a big difference
owning one over my other 5 radios?

Now when I ask "do I need it", I hope you radio owners know what I
mean by that.

Thanks for your time
Lucky


Hi

It would be easier for people to give good advice if they knew what you
were hoping to accomplish.

I had an original R8. It was a good radio, and it did everything pretty
well.

As Dan has mentioned, the R8b has the better sync detector. Sideband
selectable sync is nice - I use it all the time on my Harris.

The original one had the nicer tuning knob. Not a performance feature,
but hey, you'll probably spend a lot of time using it.

The Drakes have nice audio - particularly if you use a good external
speaker, so you'd probably enjoy one for program listening.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a Grundig Sat 800. While it's got a circuit
designed by Drake, they're made in China, and the build quality doesn't
impress me. They're also incredibly large. They remind me of the stereos
they used to sell in Woolworths back
in the 70's. Speaker cabinets would be 5 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and
weigh close to 10 pounds.

Lucky wrote:

Hi

I'm pretty new to SW radio. Not even a year into the hobby. I'm getting more
and more into looking around for obscure SSB stations and weak muddy
stations. All in all I want to own the best within price constraints so I
know I'm working with good equipment and if I can't get a certain staion in
it's my own fault and/or my antenna.

I think the NRD-525 is pretty good as well as the r-5000 really. I just
wondered if I bought the Drake and if I were in dark, would I notice
anything different about the Drake.

But you guys have given me the main reasons so far.


Well, for what you're looking to do, I think I'd consider something other than the Drake.

Here's the radio I enjoy the most:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4673&item=57204600 58&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I know nothing about the seller, or the condition of his radio.

It's a lifestyle choice - it's probably a little larger than the Sat 800, and weighs about 50 pounds. It has no memories - it doesn't even use a tuning knob. But it's great at digging stuff out of the mud and making it sound good. I've owned newer and
more expensive military radios, but never a better performer, or one that was easier on the ears. It has sideband selectable sync detection, (They call it AFC) and a fancy AGC circuit that doesn't get easily confused.

My other suggestion is smaller, more expensive, has convenience features and if you put in the right filters can sound almost as good - the AOR AR7030+
You'll pay about $1000 for a used one. I have one I set up as a "transportable" for camping trips and vacations.

But for home use, if I could only have one, I'd go with a 550 - even if it was more expensive than the 7030. (and it shouldn't be)

You might also consider an Icom R75. I've never tried one. Folks say it's a great radio, but to get them to work the way they're supposed to, you need to modify them with a couple dollars worth of parts. The idea people who aren't engineers can greatly
improve a radio for pocket change is enough to keep me away. I'd revise my feelings if Icom incorporated the most common mods in the next batch they made.

If you're interested in radios, a good book to get is "Shortwave Receivers Past and Present" by Fred Osterman. Universal Radio sells it. It has basic information and specs for hundreds of radios. But it's overdue for an update - many of the current
model tabletops aren't in it.

Good luck with your hunt, and if you end up with a 550, feel free to email me for tips on how to use the AFC and coherent AGC. It's actually quite easy, but I can save you an hour or two of guessing.

Nice looking the 550. If it doesn't use a tuning knob, what is it scan only
or direct entry?

Are they quality made? Never heard of Harris sorry to say. I wish I could
buy them all.

I appreciate the offer Mark, thanks.

I switch around radios like every 2-3 weeks but this new remote for the
R-5000 really is nice. Hard to put it down!

I'm going to do some research on it.

"Mark S. Holden" wrote in message
...
Lucky wrote:

Hi

I'm pretty new to SW radio. Not even a year into the hobby. I'm getting
more
and more into looking around for obscure SSB stations and weak muddy
stations. All in all I want to own the best within price constraints so I
know I'm working with good equipment and if I can't get a certain staion
in
it's my own fault and/or my antenna.

I think the NRD-525 is pretty good as well as the r-5000 really. I just
wondered if I bought the Drake and if I were in dark, would I notice
anything different about the Drake.

But you guys have given me the main reasons so far.


Well, for what you're looking to do, I think I'd consider something other
than the Drake.

Here's the radio I enjoy the most:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4673&item=57204600 58&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I know nothing about the seller, or the condition of his radio.

It's a lifestyle choice - it's probably a little larger than the Sat 800,
and weighs about 50 pounds. It has no memories - it doesn't even use a
tuning knob. But it's great at digging stuff out of the mud and making it
sound good. I've owned newer and
more expensive military radios, but never a better performer, or one that
was easier on the ears. It has sideband selectable sync detection, (They
call it AFC) and a fancy AGC circuit that doesn't get easily confused.

My other suggestion is smaller, more expensive, has convenience features
and if you put in the right filters can sound almost as good - the AOR
AR7030+
You'll pay about $1000 for a used one. I have one I set up as a
"transportable" for camping trips and vacations.

But for home use, if I could only have one, I'd go with a 550 - even if it
was more expensive than the 7030. (and it shouldn't be)

You might also consider an Icom R75. I've never tried one. Folks say
it's a great radio, but to get them to work the way they're supposed to,
you need to modify them with a couple dollars worth of parts. The idea
people who aren't engineers can greatly
improve a radio for pocket change is enough to keep me away. I'd revise
my feelings if Icom incorporated the most common mods in the next batch
they made.

If you're interested in radios, a good book to get is "Shortwave Receivers
Past and Present" by Fred Osterman. Universal Radio sells it. It has
basic information and specs for hundreds of radios. But it's overdue for
an update - many of the current
model tabletops aren't in it.

Good luck with your hunt, and if you end up with a 550, feel free to email
me for tips on how to use the AFC and coherent AGC. It's actually quite
easy, but I can save you an hour or two of guessing.

Lucky wrote:

Nice looking the 550. If it doesn't use a tuning knob, what is it scan only
or direct entry?


That one has the RF-583 tuning option. It has six up/down paddle switches with a carry borrow feature. You push the paddle up to increase the digit it's under, and down to decrease it. For scanning, you'd hold the far right one (or the next to last
one) up or down as you listen.

It has a "fast" button so you can scan faster.

I can go from one frequency to another known frequency very quickly.

I don't like the ones without the 583 option. They use 10 position slide switches for tuning. Pretty clunky. Fortunately, most have the 583.

Are they quality made? Never heard of Harris sorry to say. I wish I could
buy them all.


Most Harris radios are built for the government.

They're built like tanks. The outer cabinet is roughly 1/8" aluminum, and most of the modules inside are individually shielded in aluminum that's about 1/16" thick. The car I'd compare it to would be an early 80's Rolls Royce.

They are very reliable.

I appreciate the offer Mark, thanks.

I switch around radios like every 2-3 weeks but this new remote for the
R-5000 really is nice. Hard to put it down!

I'm going to do some research on it.

"Mark S. Holden" wrote in message
...
Lucky wrote:

Hi

I'm pretty new to SW radio. Not even a year into the hobby. I'm getting
more
and more into looking around for obscure SSB stations and weak muddy
stations. All in all I want to own the best within price constraints so I
know I'm working with good equipment and if I can't get a certain staion
in
it's my own fault and/or my antenna.

I think the NRD-525 is pretty good as well as the r-5000 really. I just
wondered if I bought the Drake and if I were in dark, would I notice
anything different about the Drake.

But you guys have given me the main reasons so far.


Well, for what you're looking to do, I think I'd consider something other
than the Drake.

Here's the radio I enjoy the most:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4673&item=57204600 58&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I know nothing about the seller, or the condition of his radio.

It's a lifestyle choice - it's probably a little larger than the Sat 800,
and weighs about 50 pounds. It has no memories - it doesn't even use a
tuning knob. But it's great at digging stuff out of the mud and making it
sound good. I've owned newer and
more expensive military radios, but never a better performer, or one that
was easier on the ears. It has sideband selectable sync detection, (They
call it AFC) and a fancy AGC circuit that doesn't get easily confused.

My other suggestion is smaller, more expensive, has convenience features
and if you put in the right filters can sound almost as good - the AOR
AR7030+
You'll pay about $1000 for a used one. I have one I set up as a
"transportable" for camping trips and vacations.

But for home use, if I could only have one, I'd go with a 550 - even if it
was more expensive than the 7030. (and it shouldn't be)

You might also consider an Icom R75. I've never tried one. Folks say
it's a great radio, but to get them to work the way they're supposed to,
you need to modify them with a couple dollars worth of parts. The idea
people who aren't engineers can greatly
improve a radio for pocket change is enough to keep me away. I'd revise
my feelings if Icom incorporated the most common mods in the next batch
they made.

If you're interested in radios, a good book to get is "Shortwave Receivers
Past and Present" by Fred Osterman. Universal Radio sells it. It has
basic information and specs for hundreds of radios. But it's overdue for
an update - many of the current
model tabletops aren't in it.

Good luck with your hunt, and if you end up with a 550, feel free to email
me for tips on how to use the AFC and coherent AGC. It's actually quite
easy, but I can save you an hour or two of guessing.

If you are into SSB and utilities, the NRD-545 is an excellent option. I
notice you already own a Japan Radio Company rig, so maybe that does a
similar job. The 545 (as you probably know!) is a true DSP receiver (IF and
AF DSP). Like all radios, there are varying opinions on its performance. I
have one and I'm mightily impressed with it - the best radio I've ever had
the pleasure of operating, simply brilliant.

Mark.

"Lucky" wrote in message
...
Hi

I'm pretty new to SW radio. Not even a year into the hobby. I'm getting
more
and more into looking around for obscure SSB stations and weak muddy
stations. All in all I want to own the best within price constraints so I
know I'm working with good equipment and if I can't get a certain staion
in
it's my own fault and/or my antenna.

I think the NRD-525 is pretty good as well as the r-5000 really. I just
wondered if I bought the Drake and if I were in dark, would I notice
anything different about the Drake.

But you guys have given me the main reasons so far.


"Mark S. Holden" wrote in message
...
Lucky wrote:

Hi fellas

I'm new to this group and would like your advice based on your broad
knowledge of radios. OK I have 5 radios.

1] JRC NRD-525 stock
2] Kenwood R-5000 YK-88a-1 and remote options
3] FROG-7 stock, mint
4] Ten Tec 320-D
5] FRG-7700 FRA-7700 and F5 low pass filter options
6] Degen 1103

Now, I've been looking to buy a Drake R8 or R8A since I've read so
many good things about them and many of you own one.
My question is, do I need it and will I *notice a big difference
owning one over my other 5 radios?

Now when I ask "do I need it", I hope you radio owners know what I
mean by that.

Thanks for your time
Lucky


Hi

It would be easier for people to give good advice if they knew what you
were hoping to accomplish.

I had an original R8. It was a good radio, and it did everything pretty
well.

As Dan has mentioned, the R8b has the better sync detector. Sideband
selectable sync is nice - I use it all the time on my Harris.

The original one had the nicer tuning knob. Not a performance feature,
but hey, you'll probably spend a lot of time using it.

The Drakes have nice audio - particularly if you use a good external
speaker, so you'd probably enjoy one for program listening.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a Grundig Sat 800. While it's got a circuit
designed by Drake, they're made in China, and the build quality doesn't
impress me. They're also incredibly large. They remind me of the
stereos
they used to sell in Woolworths back
in the 70's. Speaker cabinets would be 5 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and
weigh close to 10 pounds.

I know Mark I used to eye them all the time but just couldn't convince
myself to drop that kind of bread on one.

I bought a Ten Tec 320D, which, is a DSP unit also, but of course you can't
even utter the two rigs names together. But, for 2 bills, I have a choice of
34 filters, easy DRM listening, computer control with lots of software to
choose from.

Plus, these guys from Italy make a hardware front end for the Tec with a
knob and all needed ports and lights plus s-meter.

But yes, the 545 is supposed to be very nice. I've been seeing many of them
on Ebay. I'm glad you like it. If I ever catch a real good deal on one, I'd
pick it up.

The truth is, I'm a tortured soul. I get bored so easily that I need all
these radios to keep me sane! When I get bored with the better tech models I
switch on over to the Frg-7 or 7700.

I'll tell you, both of those units require work at getting a good SSB signal
in. It's much harder and sometimes I like it a lot. You get a lot of
satisfaction after you lock that signal on perfectly. All you have to do is
look at the tuning knob and you'll lose that great signal.

I also listen with the built in speaker. I like the "antique" sound....

"Mark" wrote in message
news:1095400230.380404@ftpsrv1...
If you are into SSB and utilities, the NRD-545 is an excellent option. I
notice you already own a Japan Radio Company rig, so maybe that does a
similar job. The 545 (as you probably know!) is a true DSP receiver (IF
and
AF DSP). Like all radios, there are varying opinions on its performance. I
have one and I'm mightily impressed with it - the best radio I've ever had
the pleasure of operating, simply brilliant.

Mark.

"Lucky" wrote in message
...
Hi

I'm pretty new to SW radio. Not even a year into the hobby. I'm getting
more
and more into looking around for obscure SSB stations and weak muddy
stations. All in all I want to own the best within price constraints so I
know I'm working with good equipment and if I can't get a certain staion
in
it's my own fault and/or my antenna.

I think the NRD-525 is pretty good as well as the r-5000 really. I just
wondered if I bought the Drake and if I were in dark, would I notice
anything different about the Drake.

But you guys have given me the main reasons so far.


"Mark S. Holden" wrote in message
...
Lucky wrote:

Hi fellas

I'm new to this group and would like your advice based on your broad
knowledge of radios. OK I have 5 radios.

1] JRC NRD-525 stock
2] Kenwood R-5000 YK-88a-1 and remote options
3] FROG-7 stock, mint
4] Ten Tec 320-D
5] FRG-7700 FRA-7700 and F5 low pass filter options
6] Degen 1103

Now, I've been looking to buy a Drake R8 or R8A since I've read so
many good things about them and many of you own one.
My question is, do I need it and will I *notice a big difference
owning one over my other 5 radios?

Now when I ask "do I need it", I hope you radio owners know what I
mean by that.

Thanks for your time
Lucky


Hi

It would be easier for people to give good advice if they knew what you
were hoping to accomplish.

I had an original R8. It was a good radio, and it did everything
pretty
well.

As Dan has mentioned, the R8b has the better sync detector. Sideband
selectable sync is nice - I use it all the time on my Harris.

The original one had the nicer tuning knob. Not a performance feature,
but hey, you'll probably spend a lot of time using it.

The Drakes have nice audio - particularly if you use a good external
speaker, so you'd probably enjoy one for program listening.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a Grundig Sat 800. While it's got a circuit
designed by Drake, they're made in China, and the build quality doesn't
impress me. They're also incredibly large. They remind me of the
stereos
they used to sell in Woolworths back
in the 70's. Speaker cabinets would be 5 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and
weigh close to 10 pounds.

Yes, I know what you mean about using "less sophisticated" radios for DX.
I've done it for years, and not out of choice!

I put the audio of the 545 through my stereo - sounds great!

Mark.

"Lucky" wrote in message
...
I know Mark I used to eye them all the time but just couldn't convince
myself to drop that kind of bread on one.

I bought a Ten Tec 320D, which, is a DSP unit also, but of course you
can't
even utter the two rigs names together. But, for 2 bills, I have a choice
of
34 filters, easy DRM listening, computer control with lots of software to
choose from.

Plus, these guys from Italy make a hardware front end for the Tec with a
knob and all needed ports and lights plus s-meter.

But yes, the 545 is supposed to be very nice. I've been seeing many of
them
on Ebay. I'm glad you like it. If I ever catch a real good deal on one,
I'd
pick it up.

The truth is, I'm a tortured soul. I get bored so easily that I need all
these radios to keep me sane! When I get bored with the better tech models
I
switch on over to the Frg-7 or 7700.

I'll tell you, both of those units require work at getting a good SSB
signal
in. It's much harder and sometimes I like it a lot. You get a lot of
satisfaction after you lock that signal on perfectly. All you have to do
is
look at the tuning knob and you'll lose that great signal.

I also listen with the built in speaker. I like the "antique" sound....

"Mark" wrote in message
news:1095400230.380404@ftpsrv1...
If you are into SSB and utilities, the NRD-545 is an excellent option. I
notice you already own a Japan Radio Company rig, so maybe that does a
similar job. The 545 (as you probably know!) is a true DSP receiver (IF
and
AF DSP). Like all radios, there are varying opinions on its performance.
I
have one and I'm mightily impressed with it - the best radio I've ever
had
the pleasure of operating, simply brilliant.

Mark.

"Lucky" wrote in message
...
Hi

I'm pretty new to SW radio. Not even a year into the hobby. I'm getting
more
and more into looking around for obscure SSB stations and weak muddy
stations. All in all I want to own the best within price constraints so
I
know I'm working with good equipment and if I can't get a certain
staion
in
it's my own fault and/or my antenna.

I think the NRD-525 is pretty good as well as the r-5000 really. I just
wondered if I bought the Drake and if I were in dark, would I notice
anything different about the Drake.

But you guys have given me the main reasons so far.


"Mark S. Holden" wrote in message
...
Lucky wrote:

Hi fellas

I'm new to this group and would like your advice based on your broad
knowledge of radios. OK I have 5 radios.

1] JRC NRD-525 stock
2] Kenwood R-5000 YK-88a-1 and remote options
3] FROG-7 stock, mint
4] Ten Tec 320-D
5] FRG-7700 FRA-7700 and F5 low pass filter options
6] Degen 1103

Now, I've been looking to buy a Drake R8 or R8A since I've read so
many good things about them and many of you own one.
My question is, do I need it and will I *notice a big difference
owning one over my other 5 radios?

Now when I ask "do I need it", I hope you radio owners know what I
mean by that.

Thanks for your time
Lucky


Hi

It would be easier for people to give good advice if they knew what
you
were hoping to accomplish.

I had an original R8. It was a good radio, and it did everything
pretty
well.

As Dan has mentioned, the R8b has the better sync detector. Sideband
selectable sync is nice - I use it all the time on my Harris.

The original one had the nicer tuning knob. Not a performance
feature,
but hey, you'll probably spend a lot of time using it.

The Drakes have nice audio - particularly if you use a good external
speaker, so you'd probably enjoy one for program listening.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a Grundig Sat 800. While it's got a
circuit
designed by Drake, they're made in China, and the build quality
doesn't
impress me. They're also incredibly large. They remind me of the
stereos
they used to sell in Woolworths back
in the 70's. Speaker cabinets would be 5 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and
weigh close to 10 pounds.

Lucky wrote ...


Now when I ask "do I need it", I hope you radio owners know what I
mean by that.


It's radio .. no you don't need it.

Buy it.

Have it.

Enjoy it.

You can't have too many radios.