In the market for SW rig

[RichardW9RAC]

I have had many shortwave radios, 2 or 3 R-5000, a couple of AOR AR5000+3s. I always end up selling them. I have had those set up in the living room area separate from my shack. They were hooked up to a 40 meter dipole outside up around 50'. I think Im looking for something again DC to daylight or close but not sure why. I keep hoping I'll run across a set that I really enjoy. I was considering the JRC 545 or the like although its a bit older. Any ideas on a nice desktop rig? tnx, Rich

 

[Omega-TI]

I drooled over the NRD 545 for a while about a decade ago, a month or so ago that radio was in my crosshairs, but like the Icom R75, factory repairs are no longer available. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[MDScanFan]

What is your price range?

If you want something "DC to daylight" then consider the Icom R8600 or R8500. To take full advantage of the capabilities you would ideally pair them with an antenna for <30 MHz (like your dipole or a loop) and one for >30 MHz (like a discone).

If you mainly just want an HF rig then consider an Icom 705 (HF + VHF + some UHF) or 7300 (HF+6m).

 

[safetypro79]

Most the radios you are considering are no longer supported either by repairs nor parts. Palstar R-30R is a currently produced SW receiver. Amateur HF radios have excellent receivers and are readily available

 

[Omega-TI]

I think Im looking for something again DC to daylight or close but not sure why. I keep hoping I'll run across a set that I really enjoy. I was considering the JRC 545 or the like although its a bit older. Any ideas on a nice desktop rig? tnx, Rich

What is your price range?

If you want something "DC to daylight" then consider the Icom R8600 or R8500.

@MDScanFan asks a very good question about the price range! Personally, if I had the money to burn, and I don't, I'd scarf up the R8600 in a heartbeat.

Check out the manual << HERE >> to see if it's really what you envision, need or want. If you have the money, and you think it'll fit your needs and wants, then << CLICK HERE >>. I do have to say, a waterfall display is VERY helpful when digging for signals as I've learned from my el-cheapo RTL-SDR dongle.

Good luck in your quest @RichardW9RAC !

 

[W8WCA]

The 8600 may be the only Desktop Receiver made now. (Well excluding 4000$ Plus Commercial ones)

You could look at HF RIgs (Ham Transcievers)
Some at not too bad prices my Icom IC-7100 does a great job for HF SW Listening

Look at Yaesu - Icom and maybe even Kenwood

You might also look into SRD's they do a great job and being able to "see" what is around a frequency is very handy
But you need a computer for them

 

[ka3jjz]

I understand that some of the QRP transceivers from China (yes I know....) also have a very good general coverage rx. SWLing.com has mentioned these in the past, and I think Spectrum Monitor had a couple of reviews.

Mike

 

[jaspence]

The G90 HF rig is a good value. It is not DC to daylight, but works well with a long wire antenna.

 

[majoco]

Have you considered an up-market SDR - the Winradio G33 series for a start.

WiNRADiO Products

 

[bearcatrp]

Just because Icom or other manufacturers won't repair older radio's doesn't mean you can't get them fixed. Good repair shops already stocked up on repair parts. Icom seems to stop doing much on even newer radios as they killed the R30 fairly early for hard to find parts.

 

[RichardW9RAC]

@MDScanFan asks a very good question about the price range! Personally, if I had the money to burn, and I don't, I'd scarf up the R8600 in a heartbeat.

Check out the manual << HERE >> to see if it's really what you envision, need or want. If you have the money, and you think it'll fit your needs and wants, then << CLICK HERE >>. I do have to say, a waterfall display is VERY helpful when digging for signals as I've learned from my el-cheapo RTL-SDR dongle.

Good luck in your quest @RichardW9RAC !

Yes the R8600 looks like a decent receiver. I have currently a Kenwood TS990s and Yaesu 101d in the shack. As I mentioned earlier in the post I have had several receivers, as Kenwood R-5000 with converter and a few AOR ARs also. The waterfall is certainly an attraction regarding the listening. This receiver would be in the living room. I do listen to some CW also when not doing it, that's a plus. I do not see an advantage to getting those which are labeled "unblocked" for the reason I mentioned earlier. The Icom just may be it! 73 Rich

 

[MDScanFan]

What frequencies >30 MHz do you think you will want listen to?

In addition to the R8600 I strongly suggest taking a look at the Icom 705. For casual listening the 705 covers most of my needs, which is VHF high and below. It is my go to couch, kitchen, park, etc receiver.

In general its ergonomics are better that the R8600, especially for HF listening. One example is the 705 has Icom's latest scope scroll function where the scope moves with you as you tune across the band in its "fixed scope mode". The R8600 does not have this. Another example is the 705 remembers the mode you used on a band. So if you are listening to LSB on 80m and then listen to USB on 20m, the 705 will switch back to LSB when you go back to 80m. It's not a critical feature but it's a nice to have. There are probably half dozen ergonomic features that give the 705 a leg up.

From my perspective the main pros of the R8600 over the 705 are primarily its wider scope display (5 MHz vs 1 MHz), multiple antenna inputs, and broader frequency coverage.

Yes the R8600 looks like a decent receiver. I have currently a Kenwood TS990s and Yaesu 101d in the shack. As I mentioned earlier in the post I have had several receivers, as Kenwood R-5000 with converter and a few AOR ARs also. The waterfall is certainly an attraction regarding the listening. This receiver would be in the living room. I do listen to some CW also when not doing it, that's a plus. I do not see an advantage to getting those which are labeled "unblocked" for the reason I mentioned earlier. The Icom just may be it! 73 Rich

 

[W8WCA]

Wow ! That Kenwood TS990s Looks great!

 

[RichardW9RAC]

In general its ergonomics are better that the R8600, especially for HF listening.

At this point I believe the R8600 might be a better choice for me. Most of the HF work I do is in the shack and look for something with a bit more coverage. Not really interested in the upper ham bans have never been a VHF or UHF guy. I can agree the 705 is nice however for just general listening I'm leaning toward the 8600, thanks for the input, 73 Rich

 

[W2SOX]

The Alinco DX-R8T comes to mind, I am not sure if they are still being produced. Nice little no frills receiver with the Desktop Transceiver feel we all love.

 

[N4DJC]

The 8600 should be a nice receiver, far more than I would ever utilize though. I’m a fan of the 705 for casual listening too.

Back in the day, I longed for a Drake SPR-4, nothing comes close to the warmth of tube audio. I miss those days….

 

[RichardW9RAC]

What frequencies >30 MHz do you think you will want listen to?

In addition to the R8600 I strongly suggest taking a look at the Icom 705. For casual listening the 705 covers most of my needs, which is VHF high and below. It is my go to couch, kitchen, park, etc receiver.

In general its ergonomics are better that the R8600, especially for HF listening. One example is the 705 has Icom's latest scope scroll function where the scope moves with you as you tune across the band in its "fixed scope mode". The R8600 does not have this. Another example is the 705 remembers the mode you used on a band. So if you are listening to LSB on 80m and then listen to USB on 20m, the 705 will switch back to LSB when you go back to 80m. It's not a critical feature but it's a nice to have. There are probably half dozen ergonomic features that give the 705 a leg up.

From my perspective the main pros of the R8600 over the 705 are primarily its wider scope display (5 MHz vs 1 MHz), multiple antenna inputs, and broader frequency coverage.

I did a bit deeper thinking and realized that although I do have considerable HF experience when it comes to 30mhz> as shortwave listening I'm out of my pay grade. As I mentioned before I have had several receivers with some having complete coverage above HF I always end up selling them. Why, because I get bored from not finding anything to listen to. I keep hoping to regain SWL so I keep trying. I believe I should ask for ideas and suggestions about listening from the experts here before deciding on a rig. I am familiar with stations like WBCQ and others but what else interesting might folks suggest one would listen to with a radio such as the Icom R8600? I really appreciate your input. 73 Rich

 

[MUTNAV]

I did a bit deeper thinking and realized that although I do have considerable HF experience when it comes to 30mhz> as shortwave listening I'm out of my pay grade. As I mentioned before I have had several receivers with some having complete coverage above HF I always end up selling them. Why, because I get bored from not finding anything to listen to. I keep hoping to regain SWL so I keep trying. I believe I should ask for ideas and suggestions about listening from the experts here before deciding on a rig. I am familiar with stations like WBCQ and others but what else interesting might folks suggest one would listen to with a radio such as the Icom R8600? I really appreciate your input. 73 Rich

This is actually kind of interesting.... In that some of us have multiple receivers because there is so much to listen to... If you were of this mindset, then a dedicated HF rig as a receiver (or several) would be in order, and then a wide-band receiver ( or receivers ! ) for everything else. I guess it depends on interest.

Intense monitoring of military aircraft warrant several receivers by themselves, HF air communications AND listening to EAMs could warrant even more radios (to me at least) .

Good luck on whatever you decide on...

As a side note, I've recently heard good things about "BHI" audio filters, I'm not sure how accurate it is though.

Thanks, and good luck
Joel

 

[Omega-TI]

I believe I should ask for ideas and suggestions about listening from the experts here before deciding on a rig. I am familiar with stations like WBCQ and others but what else interesting might folks suggest one would listen to with a radio such as the Icom R8600? I really appreciate your input.

I'm no expert, far from it in fact, but if you want ideas, on HF you could decode digital signals like the amateur radio ones listed <<HERE>>.
If that is not enough, there is also WEFAX (weather facsimile or maps). On VHF there is probably local Packet/APRS, even the ability to track airplanes (with the proper software). I'm probably missing a lot too. But yeah, regular AM SW has turned into a great wasteland since the 70's and 80's, unless you want to listen to preachers or WWV.

 

[RichardW9RAC]

I'm no expert, far from it in fact, but if you want ideas, on HF you could decode digital signals like the amateur radio ones listed <<HERE>>.
If that is not enough, there is also WEFAX (weather facsimile or maps). On VHF there is probably local Packet/APRS, even the ability to track airplanes (with the proper software). I'm probably missing a lot too. But yeah, regular AM SW has turned into a great wasteland since the 70's and 80's, unless you want to listen to preachers or WWV.

I have two HF capable rig in the shack now (Kenwood 990s/Yaesu 101d) and am active HF SSB/CW daily. In the past when I had purchased SW rigs I wanted to listen above 30 mhz for that reason and always got bored not being able to find much of interest (to me) so ended up selling them. On occasion I would tune into the ham bands and listen but spending $2200 for a radio to do what I already do just in a different room made even less sense. I could do that with a Kenwood TS 50
I realize lots of the world wide broadcasters have closed up shop and many of the others have went digital or encrypted. The more I thought about it the more I did realize they are still selling these higher priced receivers so either I am missing something big time (I'm sure) or ? What weak stations 30mhz> are they seeking out that can still be heard? Are they just listening to 2 meter repeaters or whatever analog fire and police stations that are left or something? Maybe I am hoping for something out of the past that does not even exist today. Perhaps I did make the correct discussion by selling the last receiver which was an AOR R50003+ ?? I figured what better place to verify it that on a site which is only SWL's.
Not trying to be a jerk here and just looking for some SWL guidance from folks who do this alot. 73 Rich