Synchronous Detection Opinions wanted

[Tiggerpaws]

Just as the title says,
is sync det always needed for fady stations
or do I just need a higher end receiver like
the Palstar R30A or a Kenwood???

Or other?

[fineshot1]

Synchronous detection works great on my Sony 2010 receiver and makes a significant difference,
however a high end receiver is also a great plus so the answer would be yes to both.

[kb2vxa]

A receiver with a synchronous AM detector is a high end receiver. Likewise one with SSB capability and also may be used to reduce the garbling effects of selective fading. Each has its distinct advantages aside from the obvious like selecting the sideband opposite a strong adjacent signal can reduce interference so basically you need to be familiar with the equipment for best listening enjoyment. In other words use the proper tool for the job, a really high end whiz-bang radio has everything you need, filters, noise reduction, the works... IF you're really serious and save your pennies you'll be happy as a pig in mud.

[ab3a]

Synchronous detection is one of those things that may have some utility in a portable, but really works best in a high end receiver.

A good synchronous detector will expose other receiver problems that would be masked by a conventional envelope detector. If your receiver has dynamic range problems, you'll hear it more acutely in a synchronous detector. If the the AGC is not so good, you'll hear it on your synchronous detector. If your filters aren't all that good you'll hear it on a synch detector.

This is why AM sync detection isn't a magical panacea. It can be a wonderful addition to a well designed receiver. However, if that receiver has any shortcomings, you'll hear it through the synchronous detector loud and clear.

[Tiggerpaws]

Thank you much for all the info.

Price aside for the moment, would anyone sugest some
brands of these high end receivers that include
the sync det feature?

[ka3jjz]

The Drake R8 series, the AOR 7030 series (sadly both have been since discontinued), The R75 has it, but it's largely been evaluated to be rather ineffective. The Eton E1 portatop has it as well. So did the Japan Radio Company's NRD545 (also discontinued)

The reviews in the Passport to World Band Radio guides often mention how good or poorly sync detection works.

73 Mike

[raisindot]

Originally Posted by ka3jjz

The Drake R8 series, the AOR 7030 series (sadly both have been since discontinued), The R75 has it, but it's largely been evaluated to be rather ineffective. The Eton E1 portatop has it as well. So did the Japan Radio Company's NRD545 (also discontinued)

The reviews in the Passport to World Band Radio guides often mention how good or poorly sync detection works.

73 Mike

I've had three of these radios and more am getting a new E1 (I've got very bad GAS; I usually try one and then sell it. Fortunately, in every case I've made back when I've paid for them). Here is my totally non-technical, subjective thoughts on the Sync AM for the radio's I've owned.

Drake R8: Good, but not exceptional Sync. Did get quite some fading, but on solid stations it kept the signal quite solid.

Sony ICF-2010: I never have liked the Sync on this. It makes the audio sound very tinny and heaven forbid you're a tiny bit off-frequency and its produces a loud whine. Great radio, lousy Sync.

Icom R-75: Mine had the added UT-106 and Kiwa Sync AM, mods so I can't speak to the non-enhanced version, but the Sync worked very well on this unit. Very steady signal, good audio, no off-freq whining.

JRC NRD-545: You'd expect a top of the line radio to have top of the line Sync, wouldn't you think? Well, I'm still trying to figure out whether it's the ECSS or the "AMS" functions that serve in this capacity "AMS" is supposed to be used with stereo AM stations but it acts a lot like Sync. On strong signals, it's beautiful--signals are rock steady, with beautiful sound. On weaker stations it just produces noise. ECSS seems to act similarly, but I haven't noticed a gigantic improvement in steadiness on AM signals.

Suzie

[MPSCS]

In my personal experience I think synchronous detection has been way overrated. If you're monitoring utilities and other SSB, you don't even need it.

Synchronous detection has been discontinued and is no longer available in the ICOM IC-R75.

[Star56]

When done correctly Sync Detection is invaluable for SW broadcast listening. The 2010 has a solid and very useful sync. The E1 even better. The Drake SW2 the best locking performance of any sync I have used.

The sync on my 535D is just "okay" The PBT has to be set to 2:00 to get decent lockng performance.

On a related note, the two R75's I have are the best ECSS recevers I have ever owned. The SSB combined with the 3.3 filter is a killer combination and sounds great.