Dx-r8
This is a stand-alone desktop receiver (not a transceive-capable communications receiver though) with IQ and discriminator output port.Hardware specifications can be "guessed" by reading values and numbers on its Japanese site.
Very frankly the basic RX hardware specs are the same as the transceiver version DX-SR8, however, the interface has been shaped up to suite receiver-use, such as the functions of operational keys (i.e., you can enter the frequency digit directly on R8, while simple numeric key operation changes the ham-radio bands on SR8).
The most attractive feature of R8 is its IQ output mode. By simply choosing the "IQ" in the mode selection function, it outputs the IQ signal from the designated 3.5mm stereo jack located at the back of the radio. Alinco offers a Japanese-made third-party SDR software called KG-SDR for free to use with DX-R8 and DJ-X11 handheld receiver also capable of IQ output. Of course KG-SDR supports the frequency control through the mouse and keyboards of your PC when an optional ERW-7 PC-cable is used.
A very credible source of information says this radio will be made available to export-market users toward the end 2010/beg 2011 period. Current Japanese street price goes around $522 (47000yen/$1=Y85, but to us Japanese, 47000yen is like $470 to consumers' feeling), but thanks to the glowing interests in SWL in Japan, all lots are sold out and you have to wait until mid Sept for next supply.
I personally own one, using it with a simple balcony whip antenna of 1.8m long set at 5th floor of a condo in central Japan. This setup allows me to decode RNZI and BBC/DW DRM using DREAM without adding any external inverter (all you need is a simple 3.5mm stereo plug audio cable you can buy at a local electronics store and a PC with a good sound-card ).You have to shift the VFO tuning by +12 to 14KHz from the actual receiving signal to decode DRM, but R8 offers an "IQ shift" preset function so you don't have to add the shift every time you tune to the DRM signal. I have tested with popular SDR software such as WINRAD, SDRadio, ROCKY, G8JCF etc and all worked even though the frequency-control weren't available. FAX, NAVTEX, HFDL decode software worked fine, too.
Mechanical construction is fair compare to the price; large, clearly visible LCD display, rugged full dye cast chassis, and straight-forward layouts of keys. In addition, R8's ceramic filters can be replaced with Collins' mechanical filters (soldering required) without complicated modification. Just replace them, solder-bridge a designated terminal on the board and you are ready to go. Another highlight of the mechanical design is a front-panel separation. Not only for mobile, you can set the front-unit only on your operating disk keeping the massive main unit under the desk to save some space.
Electronics performance is not bad either. NO DSP features (of course, with this price...), but comes with analog IF shift and Noise blanker, narrow filters (1KHz SSB ceramic, and 500Hz CW audio), and 4-level RF preamp/attenuator. Alinco's memory-utility freeware manages its 3 banks x 200ch =600ch memories , 2 sets of programmed-search pairs and up-to-7 digits alphanumeric tags easily. Various scanning modes including timed-scan that works by predetermined time eliminating the use of squelch (scans according to the time regardless of squelch status, not by the opening of squelch when it detects the signal), good for SSB and data-mode reception.
In short, DX-R8 is an excellent alternative for the SDR-beginner SWLs, as well as a general public who are interested in monitoring short-wave utility communications such as aviation, navigation and data like FAX and teletype.
Ah, be aware, the radio does not come with AC-adapter but comes only with a DC cable, so you need an external stabilized power supply of 12Vdc output (the cheapest is more than enough, it consumes less than 1A).
