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Reviews For: Kenwood R1000

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

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Review Summary For : Kenwood R1000
Reviews: 39MSRP: Kenwood R1000
Description:
manual & connectors
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/r1000.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00394.6
IW2NZR Rating: 2020-09-05
A classic receiver Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Good general coverage receiver, I have one with the modified AM selectivity 6/2,7 kHz, good for BCL listening and dxing. However, I prefer my humble FLL receivers FRG-7 and XCR-30 or my insuperable Collins R_392/URR (all with less background noise - I found all PLL receiver "hissy", maybe because I was accustomed to use my Collins receiver from more than 30 years!). If you are a novice, you can find this receiver an excellent dx-machine, but if you have used some "silent" receiver you can find the PLL phase noise annoying especially when you are listening for hours. See also my Kenwood R-600 review for comparison.
W4MDZ Rating: 2020-07-24
Great Gateway Radio to an Enjoyable Hobby Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my mine around 1990. It has been a very solid performer over 30 years.
I do miss listening to Radio: Deutsch Welle, Nederlands, Habana Cuba, Taiwan and so many more. The Kenwood R-1000 is like an old friend, with which I will never part.
After transitioning from listening to powerhouse short wave stations to listening in on amateur radio stations for a DX challenge, I ultimately had to get my own license so that I could join the conversation. The R-1000 was my gateway to a very enjoyable hobby.
If you are interested in SWL and would like to move up from a small portable, I would recommend looking for this receiver on eBay and other sites.
MBOTT Rating: 2017-09-16
Impressive Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I found my R-1000 on Ebay. I've dealt with the seller before so I was pretty sure the description was accurate. Anyway, I am just impressed with this receiver and really appreciate just how simple it is to operate. Minimal buttons and knobs yet it is good in the bands during these less than perfect times for radio. Great sound, too. Couple years ago when I was looking for a R-1000 and could not find one, I picked up a R-5000. Happy I did not give up on finding the R-1000. This receiver rocks!
VK2JEM Rating: 2017-07-25
Great budget radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Got this at a deceased estate auction for chump change, didnt expect much. Was pleasantly surprised.

Its a basic no frills am/ssb .5- 30Mhz receiver with wide/narrow bandwidth and digital frequency display, clock timer functions.

Its a step up from older FRG7 type analogue receivers. Like all barlow wadleys receivers it tunes in 30 1Mhz segments so when you reach x.999MHz you have to turn the mhz knob and go back the way you came.

Easier to use, more stable and more accurate, with two well chosen bandwidths and good shape factor, makes it much better to use than FRG7 or similar.

It has good audio, is sensitive and stable enough and has no fancy features, and no vices. Not the prettiest one to look at, but its for listening to, not admiring.

Well recommended for a beginner or backup, rig if you just wand fun easy general listening to broadcasts and some hams or utes. Mines been through the wars and in all those years or neglect, just the meter lamp has failed.

If you see one cheap grab it.
N2MDV Rating: 2017-01-11
Funnest shortwave rig I've ever had, and simple. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
A very no thrills rig for seasoned DX'ers, but still a great rig for beginners, and just a fun rig to tune. Yeah, not the most sensitive, not the most selective, but very, very, easy to operate. Definitely add-on an EXT speaker to take advantage of its audio quality. This rig may drift almost 500Hz, but rock solid after a 30min warm-up. Only a big deal with SSB and CW. The power supply built-in does add to the heat of this rig, and if you can run it with EXT +12VDC, it would be best to do so. (This is probably one of the biggest 1980's Kenwood gripes is their power supplies.) Kicking myself for getting rid of this rig 20 years ago. Still, if you're looking for the perfect shortwave starter rig for yourself, a friend, and even your kids, this is the rig to get. Biggest gripe? No FM, but you can still do slope detection for that.
KE6TDT Rating: 2016-08-20
Built like a tank with limo audio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my Kenwood R-1000 receiver for about 18 years now and I bought it used. I replaced the display bulbs myself about 5 years ago. If I ever do it again, I will use LEDs. But for now, I leave the dimmer on and no issues so far.

About a 5 months ago it finally started with the 39.545 fixed display issue. It was in the power supply as most have reported and nearly fixed it myself, (I'm no technician). while going over solder joints I replaced the bad large PS capacitor with a new 12v 10000uf 105c capacitor as was bulging and slightly leaking. But it still had the intermittent display 39.545 syndrome and I did not want to push it.

So I took it to John Klewer N6AX in Placentia, CA. John had the work completed in just a couple days when I did not expect it for at least a week or two longer. And he did a wonderful job on this top shelf great sounding receiver. Btw John also does Kenwood, Yaesu, and Icom for those needing help.

Bottom line, if you're looking for a great receiver and find a R1000 in good condition, I would buy it. I highly recommended this great communications receiver.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KE6TDT on 2005-06-04

I've owned this receiver for about 10 years now. It's well built, looks good, and overall reception of this radio is great. Just running a wire antenna. And the sound/audio is excellent in my opinion. Over 10 years, and I've had no problems with this rig.

If you can find an R-1000 communications receiver, in good condition, buy it. I don't think you'll have any regrets.
NA5XX Rating: 2015-02-28
Great audio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was given this radio buy a friend. He found it in a thrift store for $10. The audio on this radio is absolutely great and receiver is very sensitive. This is an excellent addition to my radio gear. I am partial to Kenwood. I also have a TS-430 and a TS-870. If you see one for sale (good luck) grab it. You will not be disappointed.
N1TKM Rating: 2013-12-02
Going Strong At 32 Years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my R-1000 new early in 1982. With the exception of a power supply solder joint that had to be repaired and numerous bulbs that burned out, this has worked great for almost 32 years. I never imagined that any electronics would work as well after that length of time as this radio.
KC7NYI Rating: 2013-07-17
good old radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
got mine yesterday off e bay. in great shape. seens to operate ok. going to change antenna from hf vertical to a long wire. my antenna man had surgery today,waiting on him. i cant walk or climb towers, disabled and too old. has great speaker and receives well.
WA9LAE Rating: 2013-03-07
Unbeatable! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
OK, I know I'm nuts but I now own 7 of these receivers! 3 need a little work but all are functional. This rig cannot be beaten for ease of use, sensitivity, audio fidelity, etc. at the price it can be purchased used. Also, it's extremely rugged; one of the toughest out there with it's metal case. I forgot to mention stability. After a minute or so the receiver remains within a few Hz one way or the other for hours. If you have the opportunity to purchase one, do so! I would say a decent one can be had for $150-$250 on eBay. You will not be sorry!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WA9LAE on 2012-03-03

OK, I'm a bit of a nut for the R-1000 as I now own five! Originally
I had only a R-5000 which is fantastic by itself. I thought, what the heck,
and bid on a R-1000 and won it.
Well, I'm hooked! Granted, it doesn't have the "bells and whistles"
of the 5000 but it's sensitivity is right up there.
Selectivity isn't bad even though there are no extra choices in filters.
Audio is very pleasant for either AM or SSB. There is no learning curve
since there are so few controls to play with! Something I really find
great is these are so easy to diagnose and repair if you have a problem.
The documentation is out there especially on the Yahoo Group. If you want a
solid, comfortable, general coverage receiver that just keeps humming along,
get a R-1000. You won't regret it!