Specific VR-500 questions

[Haley]

Hoping I could get some opinions on the VR-500. I have done a search and got some good info, just had a few specific ones.


1. I have an ICOM IC-R2 great little radio, but AM and SW are not very good. How does the VR-500 do with these freq.? I realize its not a tabletop type reciever, but was hoping it would be as good as a portable AM radio at least.

2. USB/LSB reception? Good? Bad? From what I have read, ditch the stock antenna. I have a Maldol telescoping antenna that I would probably use with it. Any other suggestions? (use a Diamond RCH77 also).

3.As for the use, I would mostly like it to monitor MIL-AIR, RR, and would like it to be decent in the AM/SW/FM radio broadcast bands. (not expecting Sony 7600 performance, just better than my Icom).


I have enough scanners and radios---the ICOM R2,Pro51,92(2),and 96,Uniden 246t and 346xt, and a RS 398 and Sangean 818 for SW. I am just looking for a good jack of all trades, small and portable with LSB/USB.

Sorry to be so long winded, any help or opinions would be appreciated! Thanks , Mike

[DaveIN]

Originally Posted by Haley

1. I have an ICOM IC-R2 great little radio, but AM and SW are not very good. How does the VR-500 do with these freq.? I realize its not a tabletop type reciever, but was hoping it would be as good as a portable AM radio at least.

I thought the R2 was a little more sensitive, but my R5 is about the same as my 500. Both RX well with a better antenna, but at a wideband handheld performance. Shortwave is about par with a cheap multi-band portable. Mainly the powerhouse stations.

Originally Posted by Haley

2. USB/LSB reception? Good? Bad? From what I have read, ditch the stock antenna. I have a Maldol telescoping antenna that I would probably use with it. Any other suggestions? (use a Diamond RCH77 also).

For SSB you need a strong signal, the radio is not going to be much good for this mode, but I have picked up some aeronautical HF Metro.

Originally Posted by Haley

3.As for the use, I would mostly like it to monitor MIL-AIR, RR, and would like it to be decent in the AM/SW/FM radio broadcast bands. (not expecting Sony 7600 performance, just better than my Icom).

Mil-air, OK with a better antenna. RR good for trainspotting. OK on broadcast AM. Only powerhouse stations RCI, VOA, RHC, etc. Don't expect much more than the R5, except the keypad and bandscope features.

[Haley]

DaveIN ,Thanks you for help, that filled in a lot of the blanks! Any radios with the same type of specs. stand out more then the R5, or VR-500? I realize some of these small wideband handhelds have limitations, just looking for one that doesnt compromise to many bands. (i.e. the R2 AM BCB is non existant).

I thought about maybe just going for something like a Sangean DT-400 for AM/FM and portablilty. But I really like the "jack of all trades" (but , as it sounds "master of none") radio. I also use a YB550PE and love it, but its just a little too big to slip in the pocket ect. I guess I am looking for the perfect all band handheld! (arent we all!) Mike

[DaveIN]

If your a ham, or going to get your ticket, then I would recommend the Yaesu VX-7R. It is widebanded and the case is well suited for rejection of unwanted signals and it is fair on shortwave with the stock antenna. I hear the VX-8R is as well, but I have yet to test one out. The VX-7R with a Miracle Whip tuneable antenna is really good on shortwave, but again you won't have SSB.

[Haley]

Thanks, and will check out the suggestions! Mike

[DaveIN]

Well as a follow up to the VX-8R, I talked to someone who has one and apparently the short wave reception is not as good as it could be, but it appears to have more selectivity, most likely because of poor reception. This was compared with the VR-500 and the same antennas.

[eorange]

lol, I am the missing third man in this thread; been PMing both you guys. As Dave mentioned, I found the VX-8R to be more deaf but more selective than the VR-500 for SWL.

In contract, the VR-500 hears way too much of everything to the point of overload, which is a legit complaint. But this can be mitigated with the ATT and the narrow AM mode. I can see that if you're a hardcore SWLer, then this still may not be acceptable. I have a Sony 7600GR and some very good HF ham rigs, so I know what good receive is like.

But naturally I am biased because I have learned to love my VR-500 over the past 7 years. It's neat all-mode receiver with a keypad. So take that for what it's worth.

[Haley]

Thanks to both of you for the help!


After much internal debating with myself. I went ahead and decided on the VR-500. I figure it cant overload any worse than my R2 at times. I will say I looked at the VR-500, Icom RX-7,AOR Mini, VX-7r and the ICOM R5.


In the end it came down to the R5 and the VR-500. If the VR-500 doesnt do as well as I hoped, I wont hesitate to get the R5. I thought I should at least try the VR-500 for the SSB. I cant believe how many glowing, and how many less positive reviews are out there on the internet for this radio. The only way for me to know for sure is to try it. The only reason I didnt try the R5 first is that i really want to try the SSB, and the fact that my R2 is a lot like the R5 already (less of a learning curve). So again thanks for the help, and will let you know how it works out. Mike

[eorange]

Originally Posted by Haley

I cant believe how many glowing, and how many less positive reviews are out there on the internet for this radio.

I noticed that too about the VR-500. I think it comes down to individual expectations. The VR-500 just seems to click with some people, others not.