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Reviews For: JRC NRD-535

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

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Review Summary For : JRC NRD-535
Reviews: 16MSRP: 1600.00
Description:
General Coverage Receiver
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rigpix.com/jrc/jrc_nrd535.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00164.6
N8YX Rating: 2021-10-12
Very solid, quiet receiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This review is one part of a tale of three rigs - two receiver models and a transceiver, all JRC.

My 10-12M operating (and general SWLing) spot consists of a JST-135, a completely accessorized NRD-525 and an NRD-535D. The models share common DNA in many places (e.g., the BWC and ECSS options offered for the -135 are standard in the -535D and are in fact the same boards). The focus here is more on ergonomics and usability.

My -535D came to me "for parts and not working" and about one hour's worth of bench time spent troubleshooting the Ref/DDS Board got it up and running. Some of the lettering on the numeric keypad is faded and the "3" key won't push all the way in but it still works. Otherwise, the set is in perfect condition. I'll scrounge a replacement keypad at some point.

Each of the three radios in my lineup plays a specific role. I'd thought about robbing the ECSS Board from the -535D and using it in the -135 (alongside two NRD-525s) but I ended up swapping the -535D into the lineup in place of a second -525 I had been using there.

If I had to pick one negative about the -535 it's the way the bandwidth and tuning step functions are implemented, especially where the Up/Down buttons are concerned. I miss the ability to jump in 10KHz steps as the -525 can do. The benefits of this receiver in its chosen application outweigh those minor annoyances. There are several computer control programs available for the -535; one day I may move the RTTY Demodulator board from a -525 into the -535 and use it to monitor the various ARS RTTY contests.

The -535's ECSS feature seems to work about as well as the Edvis PLAM unit that's present in yet another of my -525s (the subject of another review). With both, deep fades still increase audio volume but neither board loses lock of the received signal.

All three of these rigs have very quiet and sensitive receiver sections. Moreso than a lot of gear I've had in and out of the lineup. This is the main reason why they're staying put.

I put a start or end frequency for all the SWBC and AMBCB segments in memory channels, starting with 199 for the 11M (25.6-26.1) range and progressing downwards all the way through 120M and then 1710KHz. Band edges for other services such as amateur, Mil, maritime and so forth can similarly be memorized. Individual frequencies of interest are stored in channels 0 through ~150 - I do this with all my JRC gear.

The NRD-535D is a great piece of equipment which complements its siblings very well. It would also make a fine stand-alone receiver for the dedicated SWL or HF Ute monitor.

On edit:

I wrote up a review of the NRD-525 and what I did with spare CFH-36 (IF Unit) assemblies. These are the same part as used in the -535 so I have a pool of filter boards from which to choose. The receivers can be "configured" accordingly.

In a similar manner, the CDC-493 (Computer Unit) interchanges between the JST-135 and the NRD-535 with a PROM swap. I recently managed to get hold of another -535 and a few spare -493s. What you can do with these is to program one with all your favorite AMBCB/SWBC stations, another with Utes, another with amateur/CB/"freeband" frequencies of interest, etc. and swap them at will. When I can obtain one of these from a JST-135 (or the PROM itself) I'll do same for that rig.
W2DDG Rating: 2021-07-17
The Best Modern Communication Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Excellent radio
K5YY Rating: 2021-03-11
slightly more review comments; NV88 speaker Time Owned: more than 12 months.

In the past I have had all the NRD 500 series of receivers up thru the 545, at one time had 4 on the listening table. Sold most of my "collection" of these and Collins and Drakes over a 5-7 year period as I got older and listened less. Recently I got a wild hair to have a receiver at the computer's side to 'listen' to and chose a 535D for sale on QTH.com. Excellent/mint condition on arrival and worked perfectly. Took 2 hours to play with it, to critique things and get familiar again with the 535D setup. If you want a wonderful, resilient and modern looking receiver, search for a JRC 535D, even though it is out of production and was made several years ago. Expect to pay $600-700 used, a little less than the 545 receiver. The NV88 speaker that many use is not the exact same color as the 535D cabinet. Would strongly suggest one consider this well designed digital receiver with many specific knobs for different functions and especially with the "D" modifications. San K5YY
VE4NSA Rating: 2017-05-20
Beautiful and superb receiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just purchased another NRD-535DG,

Excellent performer, high quality built and a pleasure to operate. Prices are coming down for these classic receivers, so pick one up if you can. Unless you are GM1FLQ (prior review) you will actually like it.
GM1FLQ Rating: 2017-05-20
Not great. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Mechanical quality less than good - the NRD-515 was built like a quality receiver should be and in relation this feels flimsy and cheap.

Usually way overpriced on s/h market.
RAHOBIT Rating: 2016-11-17
A really wonderful SW radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well thanks for your opinion Bill KB9IV. I wonder why you "picked on" the NRD-535 but anyway let me inform the internet that I, for one, (and I am sure there are SO MANY others) have one in perfect working order. Yes in 2016 the keys are still working perfectly! Amazing - eh Bill. In fact SO much better than for instance my Drake R8B which, by the way, I still adore for its unique characteristics. But to award the NRD-535 a score of 1 on the basis of your prediction of a perceived problem which I for one have not experienced (nor have most others) is rather unfair - don't you think?.
In summary, don't be put off by Bill's rating. This is one amazingly sophisticated (technically) receiver which is easy to operate and you can learn some additional nuances that will really enhance your SWL. Is SWL dead - NO. Quite a few stations have left the bands but that makes it more interesting and somewhat easier to hear the ones who remain!
All the best folks. 73's and good DX.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by RAHOBIT on 2016-10-04

I have the 535D and the extra features are very useful to my location and experience of SWL. The ECSS works a treat to reduce splatter from an adjacent strong station. The PBT and Notch can be handy. The Bandwidth is very useful on 4Khz. I would prefer an option for 5Khz on the up and down arrows but we get by.

The keypad is robust, reliable and a pleasure to use for direct frequency entry and memories. The MHz key is handy for 5, 6, 10, 12, 15 and other entries. The separate clear key is great.

I mostly run the RF gain the minimum I can (about half way) to reduce fading and distortion but there's plenty of gain if you need more. A reasonable antenna still pulls in plenty of stations.

The display is gorgeous and shows all options selected with the nice digital S meter too.

I do have a Drake R8B which is equally good or sometimes gets a station better, but the 535D is amongst the best and easiest to operate.
KA2SHU Rating: 2012-12-01
This dog can hunt! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This review is for the JRC 535D version which has several options over the stock 535. They are as follows:

CFL-243, CMF-78 and CFL-233 factory installed, CFL-243 Bandwidth Control Option, CMF-78 Exalted Carrier Selectable Sideband (ECSS) circuit. The D model also includes the CFL-233 1000 Hz Filter,needed for RTTY.

What all of these features ultimately amount to is the ability of the SW or MW listener to slice and dice that clouded signal you're trying to capture into readability. This receiver easily does it better than my R-5000 (full filters), Drake R8B, NRD-525, Icom R-75. For all or the MW DX'ers out there, the ECSS locks on the selected sideband as well as or better than the R8B. With the passband function, fantastic notch, variable bandwidth control, you have the ultimate tool to yank that elusive catch out of the mud. With a decent external speaker and a wide bandwidth selection, the AM or SW audio is just fine. In fact, it's excellent.

With great ergonomics, an improved display over the NRD 525, and the usual JRC quality construction, the 525D, represents great value even considering the price premium it will usually command.
WA3YUR Rating: 2010-12-05
One of the Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My NRD-535D was given to me in return for a favor I did for a fellow ham. I had no idea of the quality of the gear; until I started using it and researched the rig.
After using it heavily for over 5 years, I am totally satisfied with its construction and operation. It has some very advanced features for its time, and has outstanding receive characteristics and very effective filters.
An earlier review spoke of inferior build quality, which I can't quite understand (perhaps his rig had been subjected to a cleaning solution which affected the integrity of the plastics), as I have been inside and outside the NRD-535D extensively, and it is very well constructed.
I recommend this receiver very highly.
DDSRADIO Rating: 2009-11-11
Very good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My 535D is 16 years old and is in perfect mechanical shape. No problems with the push buttons, or anything else.

The AM-mode audio on narrower bandwidths is a little muddy but I find that's a minor drawback. I have the 535D side-by-side with an FT-950 and I find weak signals are more readable on the 535D than the Yaesu (and I think the FT-950 is a great rig).

Just so you know my set-up: I have the 535D going through a Timewave 599zx and into a Yaesu SP2000. The results are not unpleasant to my ears and if the audio is still a little muddy, a slight tweak of the passband does the trick. I should note, audio is much brighter if you use the LINE OUT and not EXT Speaker.

Sensitivity is good and SSB audio is very pleasant. Ergonomics are intuitive, and about the best I have seen on any receiver (and I have used many others over the years). The bandwidth control, which works not just in SSB but also AM mode, is my favorite feature. (As a sidebar: the FT-950 would be much better for DX if the variable bandwidth also worked in AM mode, sadly, it doesn't.)

I have owned two 535D's and one 545 DSP and found them all to be reliable.

Only drawback: it's getting hard to find accessories etc for the radio but I have found the JRC staff in New York to be very helpful in sourcing parts if needed.

KB9IV Rating: 2009-11-08
Watch Out!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The NRD 535D is a Great receiver......no complaints,even better with a Sherwood SE5.

However the 535D and 535Db models mechanically are Terrible. It's living on borrowed time for the plastics on the front panel (namely the kepad)to fail. Why the Keypad? The Cheap plastic that holds the Keytpad bracket will crack
making it useless....it won't glue....only melts the Black Brittle surfaces making things worse.

Be very careful with the right front panel and keypad..........if the Keypad keys move all the way in it's junked.

I do not know about the NRD 545 mechanics but bad habits are hard to BREAK.....pun intended.

Good Luck

Bill KB9IV