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Reviews For: ICOM R-9000

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

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Review Summary For : ICOM R-9000
Reviews: 21MSRP: 8000
Description:
All-band receiver for FCC-authorized users only.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomreceivers.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00214.6
NC0B Rating: 2001-05-11
If you can justify the price, you should own it. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have tested over 70 radios over the past 20 years, and this is one I will always own. The 20 kHz dynamic range averages 96 dB. The 5 kHz dynamic ranges averages 74 dB. Its real-time spectrum display makes the radio. You cannot overemphasize how valuable the you will find this display for everyday operation. After buying the R-9000, I purchased the transceiver IC-781 twin for amateur (ham radio) use. The features are too numerous to list, and I likely use less than 10% of them. Tuning rates can be set to anything you could ever want, and the ergonomics are wonderful. The choice of AM bandwidths are very poor, but this can be fixed with aftermarket filters. It lacks a sync detector, but again this can be added aftermarket. It covers DC to light, but since it is not blocked, it is now only available on the used market in the USA. Sensitivity is in the 0.2 uV range on SSB, more than adequate for all but the quietest rural locations. Some have measured down in the 0.13 uV range. Be careful and do not plug a PL-259 into the UHF N connector input. It runs hot, but an aftermarket cool kit solves this problem, too. It is so complicated that almost every sample I have tested has one small problem or another, and factory service for subtile issues has been less than satisfactory. The display in the R-9000L (LCD) export model is a total disappointment, so save your $8500 and buy a used CRT version for under $4000, when you can find one on eBay!