Yaesu FRG100B or Yaesu VR5000

[N8DRC]

Hello
I am looking at getting a new SW receiver, anyone have any input on either the Yaesu FRG100B or the Yaesu VR5000??

[AEMTKieran]

Are you limiting yourself only to those two radios? I own the FRG100, and it's a damned fine radio but...I also own an Icom R75. In my opinion, the R75 is a lot more flexible as far as weak signal work. You can upgrade the radio with narrow SSB filters, while your are limited to a CW filter for the FRG100. Also, the FM unit is an option on the 100. The Icom also has DSP noise limiting and noise reduction, RF gain as well as attenuators. There's really a long list as to why I recommend the Icom over the Yaesu.
Forget the VR5000...go to www.eham.net and check out the reviews on the 5000. Pretty mixed, but for the most part, not good.

You might ask why do I own an FRG100 as well? As I said, it's a damned fine radio, it fits nicely in the bedroom and sounds real nice for SW Broadcast.

Hope this helped you! If not, feel free to ask questions

[N8DRC]

Hi
Thanks for the info, I really am not limiting myself to the 2 I just like the prices on them..I plan on doing extensive research on SW radios before I buy so all the input is really appreciated..The only SW radio I have ever owned was the RS DX-394 few years back..

[MarkWestin]

Hello,

The VR-5000 was not ready for prime time. It has great potential, but failed to deliver for several reasons.

I owned one of these for about 7 or 8 months and here are my observations.

The good:

With the optional DSP, it could really pull weak stuff in.

The band Scope made it really easy to find things to listen to.

Compact size.

Relatively good audio.

"CAT" computer interface.

Two clocks (example GMT and local time).


The bad:

Very noisy. FCC Class A rated (business or office use only) Would cause so much noise that all other scanners, receivers etc had to be turned off. If used with an internal antenna, if would pick up its own noise.

The DSP is optional. Without the DSP the receiver wasn't that great.

The display is much too bright. On the lowest setting, it would light up the room at night.

Strange design: The CPU was easily knocked off line by noise on the DC input so they added a nicad battery in parallel with the CPU board. Since it is used as a filter, it never really discharges and rapidly becomes useless. It will only last about 1 year before needing replacement, which is a rather unpleasant task.

The "CAT" interface is crippled so the only thing you can do is transfer channel data to or from another radio (cloning) or to a computer, except that no one at the time made any software that would actually work.

The unit's internal clock stopped if the unit lost power (was unplugged) for a few hours.

If Yeasu (Vertex Standard) would make a version of the VR-5000 which addressed all these problems, I would buy another one, but I'm not holding my breath.

Mark

[N8DRC]

I see the Icom R75 is in the price range, I will check into that one as well..About $599 for the SW receiver is what I am looking at, Thats why I came up with the ones I mentioned..Looks like the Yaesu VR-5000 is out of the question so far..

[ka3jjz]

You have a great many resources at your fingertips, if you check out the links I've been building in the wiki area; specifically the utility and SW Broadcast pages.....

a. There are Yahoo groups devoted to both the R75 and FRG100 (all versions). You can find these on the RadioIntel website (the 2nd link in the wiki). There is at least 1 or 2 pages devoted just to the R75 as well
b. Eham has several user reviews on these receivers
c. On the SW Broadcast wiki, you'll see a link to Passport to World Band Radio - these folks also produce a VERY detailed technical white paper on the FRG100 - it's not at all expensive, and gives you a very detailed insight into the radio's operations. Be warned; I said it's technical, and it is; there's a good deal of info in there, tho, that you don't need to have a degree to read....

As you do your research, be sure to avail yourself of these and other links you will find there.

73s Mike

[n2pqq]

How about a winradio G303E much better specs and in the same price class.



http://www.grove-ent.com/303E.html





Fred