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write your own review of the JRC JST-245.
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W3ULS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 16, 2009 12:17
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Iain's not dreaming!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I just had to comment on Iain's preceding excellent review of the JRC JST-245. I can assure him (and you) that he's not dreaming about the "magical" results obtained with SSB with the JST-245. And that's running barefoot with wire antennas, as the man says. How it breaks pileups, I don't know. But it does.
When I was active, I used a Heil HM-10 mike with the HC-5 component. Nothing fancy,in other words. I think there are two principal reasons why the JST does so well on SSB. First, the output power is rated at 150 watts, and it delivers every bit of that to the antenna port. Second, the signal is very clean (-38dB transmit IMD3).
This is an unheard of figure in comparison to current ham transceivers. For example, I believe the QST lab report on the latest from Icom found transmit IMD3 was -26 dB or thereabouts. That is a truly mediocre number and is typical of what's out there today. (The ARRL uses a proprietary IMD3 standard which no else follows. It needs to be reduced by about 6 dB for comparisons. Another example: the K-3's transmit IMD3 number was found to be so poor in the lab that ARRL queried Elecraft about it, and the company produced a fix on later models.)
I know of only one ham who did not consider the JST-245 to be the very best analog rig, and you can find his review on this thread. As for me, on SSB the JST-245 still has no peers.
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MM0TFU
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 16, 2009 02:47
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Fantastic Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned my JST-245 for over 3 years, and I still love it. It is in daily use on HF and on 6m. When I bought the radio as part of a SK estate sale, it had a fault with the PSU. I sent it off to Geoff at Castle Electronics in Wales (excellent service), who repaired the PSU and serviced the radio. Since then it hasn't missed a beat.
This is quite an old radio now, production having stopped around 1995 (might be a year or two out!) but it can still hold its own amongst todays models.
JRC only ever built top quality equipment, and this rig is commercial/military grade without a doubt.
There is no "menu" button and the word "menu" does not feature anywhere on the front panel. This may be a concern to some, but will be a definate plus to others, who, like me prefer a button or a knob for each function.
The front panel is very well laid out, and using the radio is an enjoyable experience. The main tuning control is very smooth and all the buttons and knobs have a solid and quality feel to them. There are no cheap plastics used here!
The frequency display is large and clear and it remains bright and readable in all lighting conditions.
This radio has a great receiver and combined with the full compliment of filters, I can pick out the weakest of signals in noisy band conditions. The built-in speaker is adequate, but I also have the external speaker NVA-319 which is an excellent match.
The transmitter produces in excess of the quoted 150w and the built-in fans run quiet. The 245 uses standard 8-pin Yaesu type microphone connections and I generally use a Heil headset with the HC-4 DX insert. This generates many unsolicited favourable comments about the audio quality.
There seems to be something magical about the 245's ability to be heard. I have made many contacts on the HF bands, always running barefoot power, breaking pile-ups with only wire antennas, when in the past using other radios I would not have been able to make the contact. I really don't think that I am imagining this. :-)
The JST-245 is relatively rare on the used market, and recent examples have sold for top dollar prices. Having said that, mine will not be for sale any time soon. If you see one advertised, don't hesitate, buy it. You will not be disappointed.
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G7NKS
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 20, 2008 10:08
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Marvellous perfection
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had my 245 now for just over 1 week, having eventually found one on a web auction site. It is excellent and has broken several pile ups barefoot with 150W. My TL922 is having a rest! Lovely quiet RX and very effective ATU with my inverted L, tuning easily from 160M to 10M with only a fight on 80M.
If you see one, buy it! you will not be disappointed
Jim G7NKS
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WA6JGM
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 4, 2007 18:54
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Excellent Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned my JST-245 for 11 years now and I have not been disappointed in its performance. What sold me on purchasing the rig was:
1. +20 third order intercept point
2. > 104 DB dynamic range
3. pre-scaling front end
4. Dual filtering in the 9.455 and .455 I.F., very little white noise in the receiver audio.
5. Very good I.M.D. in the transmitter
6. 100% duty cycle on transmit, 150 watts
7. Easy to use
8. It's pretty
These were the published specs. 11 years ago.
The receive audio is pleasing to the ear, hardly any ear fatigue after hours of operation. The front end does not wilt when in a multiple transmitter setting ie. Field Day. The transmit audio is very very good sounding, the rig here works just as good as the day I bought it new. These radios don't come up for sale very often but if you do run across one up for grabs get it if you can, you won't be disappointed.
I have an S-Line, a set of Drake 4C Twins and a 75A4 and love them all but the JRC 245 sits in a class all by itself and not many rigs of "the day" can touch it.
73
Pat
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KD5SRW
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 14, 2007 16:40
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ABSOLUTELY SUPERB TRANSCEIVER
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had my fully loaded out JST-245 for two years now and I absolutely love it. Accurate and easly to use, the controls make one a better DX'er. I think the on board Pre-Amp,notch control, noise blanker and Pass Band tuning features are among the finest available on any production radio. I also use the NVA-12 JRC optional audio filter/speaker in conjunction with the 245 and am happy to have it as well, great audio and a vast improvement on the less than stellar small factory speaker installed in the 245.That speaker would be the ONLY thing I would improve in the orginal 245, but the NVA-12 takes care of that "problem" to my satisfaction. I also use an orginial JRC Desk Mic which works like a charm...(I will admit that I recently aquired a Heil PR-40 to use with the 245 and look for great things with it as well.)
I do wish that Japan Radio Corp would listen to its legion of happy owners and produce a "second generation" version of the 245, I would have my order in for it the day it's announced. No menus on the 245, but it's military tough and user friendly, to borrow a phrase, "we don't need no stinkin' menus!
Yes, I am a believer! I have owned a number of other rigs and have sold or traded all of them, nothing yet holds a candle to the 245.
If you find one in nice shape, buy it.
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N2OGK
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 18, 2006 08:57
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Best Rig Ever Made!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I had been searching for a fully filtered JST-245 for years. I had a FT-990, TS-480SAT and used an NRD-535 in the shack because of the great eargonomics and audio quality. I finially found one on ebay and although it was not cheep it was fairly priced. Words can't describe the difference in audio reports and the ability to be heard using this rig. It is just amazing. It is the difference between night and day. Everyone wants to talk to you. I have a Heil BM-10 /5 which I use with the comp on. It smashes through pile ups with ease. The quality of the recieve is as wonderfull as the TX and the ease of use makes it a pleasure to opperate. I wish they would continue to make radios like this. Too bad JRC doesnt make a DSP JST 345. I would pay anything to get it.
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SP5MAD
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 18, 2006 07:58
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Professional grade TRX
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Almost 3 year ago I start to play with my own JST245. Thru this years on my shack desk was also IC-730, FT-1000MP, FT1000D and IC-775DSP - and after many comparison - guess which stay till now? - of course JST245.
There is someting magical in RX to hear weak signals in the noise. Powerfull, clean and with outstanding modulation TX - running in class A to about 25 watts (clean details).
Profesional grade radio!
JST245 become my only and trusty TRX.
All the best with compare - which transceiver is the best !
VY73!
Wlodek, SP5MAD
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KF9Z
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 12, 2006 16:57
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About as good as it gets...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own both a JRC JST-145 and JST-245 and find these radio to be among the best analog transceivers I have owned and used. The ARRL review provides all the empirical data you would need to verify the RX is outstanding and the TX is with in the margin of error for rigs that run class A output. I have owned several nice HF radios as a ham and the JRC radios are still in my shack. I have a JST-135DX with most of the options and while a good radio and better than most the JST-245 is in a class by itself. The radio is at the same level of a Yaesu FT-1000D and on a short list as one of the best analog radios ever made. I use mine just about every day and it is the first radio I reach for when I want to work a station.
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KE4AMQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 31, 2006 18:17
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jrc
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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i purchased this radio a few days ago, but seen it at a friends house for years. this o/m used the transciever as a reciever so he never got the full effect of its potential.
this has got to be the best transciever on the market..i have owner evcery radio know to man and this is the best i've owned. no theres not many out there because of their hefty price tag.
but to say nomore the radio is the best..
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EB5AGV
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 22, 2004 06:03
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Sweet receiver!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Some days ago I bought a badly butchered JST-245 (in few days I will put its sad story on my WEB: http://jvgavila.com/jst245.htm ). Among other things, it had an unworking main power supply, damaged speaker, missing screws, unworking power amp, unworking tuner (tested in another rig), ... But despite that horrendous start, having got with it a Service Manual, I have the receiver working almost 100%. I am impressed by the high sensitivity and very low backgroung noise it generates. I have done several A/B comparisons and, by now, it is the best receiver in the shack (and there are about 30+ other!)
I have also used a pristine JST-145 so I know this is not an isolate case!
I like also how the rig looks. Hope to be able to fix the (still lot) remaining things and, someday, have a fully operative JST-245.
A great transceiver!
73 JOSE - EB5AGV/EC5AAU
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