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Author Topic: In the market for desktop SW rig  (Read 764 times)

W9RAC

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In the market for desktop SW rig
« on: March 30, 2022, 04:03:25 PM »

I have had many shortwave radios, 2 or 3 R-5000, a couple of AOR AR5000+3s. I always end up selling them. I have had those set up in the living room area separate from my shack. They were hooked up to a 40 meter dipole outside up around 50'. I think Im looking for something again DC to daylight or close but not sure why. I keep hoping I'll run across a set that I really enjoy. I was considering the JRC 545 or the like although its a bit older. Any ideas on a nice desktop rig? tnx, Rich 
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GRUMPY2021

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2022, 05:15:14 PM »

Icom IC-R8600.    Want to stay with something older.... Icom IC-R8500.   
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W9RAC

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2022, 04:23:17 AM »

Icom IC-R8600.    Want to stay with something older.... Icom IC-R8500.   
I did look at those, looks pretty nice, R8600. I do not understand what the big deal is over the blocked or unblocked since everything is digital anyway and not receivable. 73 Rich
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W1VT

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2022, 06:01:15 AM »

The blocking law was passed by Congress and is difficult to change.

Same thing with the reciprocal agreement between the USA and Canada.
It says I should sign W1VT/VE3 even though current practice is now different.
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N8YX

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2022, 08:45:07 AM »

R-8600 or AR-Alpha is what I'd look at.
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W9RAC

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2022, 03:52:03 PM »

I'm not exactly a cheap-O type guy but I can not see spending that kind of money for a receiver. The AR seem kinda expensive. I have had a couple of AOR AR5000+3s and was not overly impressed. I am a novice I will admit regarding SWL above 30 MHz. Do not really care for the R-8600 SDR, I'm more of an old school guy that needs some guts inside the thing. I like the NRD 545 but I understand it needs a converter to do much UHF/VHF and from what I seen those are pretty scarce also. That rig is also getting some age on it so I might just be out of business. 73 Rich
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G4AON

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2022, 12:03:03 AM »

Is there a reason not to consider an SDR? I have an RSPDX that covers 1 KHz to 2 GHz (without gaps) and is relatively cheap. OK, it’s not a self contained table top radio, but it works as well as, if not better than one.

73 Dave
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W9RAC

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2022, 04:08:44 AM »

Best I can tell Dave is my brain stopped working sometime in the late 60's. Considering this I prefer a complete radio if you will, not the SDR. I am the same way with my HF rigs. Always been a big radio type guy, unable to progress.  :-\
73 Rich

P.S. I keep seeing everyone mention "unblocked" and back in the day of the Radio Shack Pro 2006 I get that but now days what's the big deal? Everything is encrypted or the like so what advantage is their?
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KD7RDZI2

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2022, 11:59:01 AM »

The JRC545 according to the reviews I read 25 years ago were not that positive. I would stick to non DSP receivers such as AOR7030 or Drake R7 or R8.
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KA3JJZ

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Re: In the market for desktop SW rig
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2022, 04:08:12 AM »

As I understand it, JRC receivers are beginning to show numerous component failures for which it's nearly impossible to get replacements.

Most all HF ham transceivers these days have terrific general coverage receivers as well. Sadly the days of the desktop HF (JRC, Drake, etc.) are long gone

Mike
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