R75 vs DX-R8T Opinions needed

[gcopter1]

I used to own BOTH, but, that was a while ago.
I didn't like the Alinco's ergonomics, but, being a more modern receiver, I might give it another chance.

On the other hand...
the R75 enjoys quite a reputation. Currently, there are models on eBay for sale, that seem to have all or, most options installed.

If money wasn't a consideration, which one would you get?

I'm mostly interested in getting it for listening to the HF aero bands, anything else is gravy. I'm more familiar with the R75 than the DX-R8T, I've owned the Icom twice, and had to sell it for personal reasons.

Aesthetically speaking, I like the Alinco's blue display. But, I'm not to sure about filter selection?
I've seen the RIT button, but, how does that compare to the Icom's PBT button?

Planning on using a W6LVP loop with whatever I end up choosing.
Currently, a brand new Alinco, is about two to three hundred dollars less than the Icom.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

 

[majoco]

Never owned the Alinco or the R75 but I do own a few HF receivers of the same vintage including an R7000 VHF/UHF receiver and it's built like a tank - along with a well respected NRD 515. RIT and PBT are two different animals, RIT not often found on receivers, more on transceivers. What it does on a transceiver is to move the receiver frequency without shifting the transmit frequency - handy if you're on a net with your mates who keep turning the main knob to get the next guy back on SSB intelligability and so they all drift off somewhere else! PBT actually moves the shape of the receiver passband to get it away from that interfering heterodyne without changing the front end passband - it effectively narrows the passband on the side of the offending signal with losing the other side.
Plenty of people with R75's will hopefully giver their 10c worth!

 

[ke4emq]

Hello i have had an R75 and sold it as you did. I am moving into a condo and now have to sell my ham radio so i wanted something to listen to, looked for an R75 but no luck so i went with the Alinco DXR8T. It is now running alongside an Icom 7300 using the same ant with a switch and i hear everything the same on both. When i have to use a long wire it will be different ,but for now i am very happy with the Alinco that i paid less for then a used R75. Good Luck hope this helps.

 

[TailGator911]

The Icom R75 is a great radio and a solid performer, you can't go wrong there. I've never owned Alinco so no help there from me. The R75 would definitely get my vote over any other shortwave receiver out there in that price range.

 

[iMONITOR]

If money wasn't a consideration, which one would you get?

I'd buy neither out of the two choices. The Icom IC-R75 is no longer made. It's not near as robust as the IC-R7000 vintage. The Icom vintage HF equivalent was the IC-R71/IC-R71A, followed much later by the IC-R72, then the IC-R75 came later. Most of the older Icom HF receivers either had work done on them or will require work done due to their age. Capacitors and power supplies would be the first to go. I know I'll catch Hell for saying this but Personally I think the IC-R75 was a little overrated. Icom sold various add-ons to bring it up to being a better receiver than it was out of the box. Collectively these add-ons added several hundred dollars to the original cost of the radio.

I did own a couple an Icom R71a, R72 and R75's over the years, but never had any of the Alinco's. Note, the Alinco is an SDR.

I found a couple old threads here on RR that shed some light:

Icom R75 Vs Alinco DX R8

Icom R75 Vs Alinco DX R8

Anybody have an opinion which radio is better the R75 or the "New" DX R8? Im in the market for a new receiver and stuck between the two. The only thing that appears to be a negative for the DX-R8 is that it requires a power supply to operate. Is this equipped with the radio or is it an added...

forums.radioreference.com

Icom R71a or a Icom R75?

Icom R71a or a Icom R75?

Hello all, I began shortwave listening late last year. I started out with a portable Shortwave radio (Tecsun Pl-600) added a long wire, and enjoyed what I could pick up. I've decided to upgrade to a tabletop. I've been wanting a R75 for awhile now, but don't really want to spend so much. On the...

forums.radioreference.com

Today "if money wasn't a consideration" there are much better HF receivers available. Don't rule out buying a transceiver to find a better receiver.

 

[WA8ZTZ]

If you want a brand new traditional tabletop SW communications receiver, then the Alinco is the only game in town.

Anyway, not really sure why the Alinco receiver has an RIT control as it is not really needed on a receive only radio. It is
probably just a carryover from the DX-SR8T transceiver version. Also, RIT and PBT are not the same animal. RIT shifts the
received frequency while PBT shifts the passband. The Alinco does, however, have IF SHIFT.

 

[WA8ZTZ]

Doing a little more research on this, it appears that the Icom has an edge over the Alinco in the dynamic range department.
However, this is a concern in crowded band conditions and not a big concern in HF aero monitoring.

 

[gcopter1]

I'd buy neither out of the two choices. The Icom IC-R75 is no longer made. It's not near as robust as the IC-R7000 vintage. The Icom vintage HF equivalent was the IC-R71/IC-R71A, followed much later by the IC-R72, then the IC-R75 came later. Most of the older Icom HF receivers either had work done on them or will require work done due to their age. Capacitors and power supplies would be the first to go. I know I'll catch Hell for saying this but Personally I think the IC-R75 was a little overrated. Icom sold various add-ons to bring it up to being a better receiver than it was out of the box. Collectively these add-ons added several hundred dollars to the original cost of the radio.

I did own a couple an Icom R71a, R72 and R75's over the years, but never had any of the Alinco's. Note, the Alinco is an SDR.

I found a couple old threads here on RR that shed some light:

Icom R75 Vs Alinco DX R8

Icom R75 Vs Alinco DX R8

Anybody have an opinion which radio is better the R75 or the "New" DX R8? Im in the market for a new receiver and stuck between the two. The only thing that appears to be a negative for the DX-R8 is that it requires a power supply to operate. Is this equipped with the radio or is it an added...

forums.radioreference.com

Icom R71a or a Icom R75?

Icom R71a or a Icom R75?

Hello all, I began shortwave listening late last year. I started out with a portable Shortwave radio (Tecsun Pl-600) added a long wire, and enjoyed what I could pick up. I've decided to upgrade to a tabletop. I've been wanting a R75 for awhile now, but don't really want to spend so much. On the...

forums.radioreference.com

Today "if money wasn't a consideration" there are much better HF receivers available. Don't rule out buying a transceiver to find a better receiver.

Thank you for the link. May have overlooked it while searching all over.

 

[gcopter1]

Well...it's settled for me now.
I ended up getting the Alinco along with, GASP!, an AOR LA400 loop.

I already have a W6LVP loop I bought a little over a year ago. I can't remember wether I tested the loop with a formerly owned R75 or an SDR dongle I have laying around. At the time tested, wasn't impressed with the loop. Not saying it was useless but to be honest, I really didn't really worked it enough to be conclusive. I previously owned a Wellbrook, but that was back when I had the room to place it outside properly.

From what I've seen in YouTube videos, the AOR seems to work very well.

I like the size of the AOR loop, I can leave it near me and not have to drag it outside to the balcony, where I would have to use a Comet feed-thru, coax jumper. Not really too crazy about having to use that in addition to different adapters before finally connecting to the radio.

The W6LVP loop can be permanently placed in my balcony (I live in an apartment building on the third floor) I have access to the attic but I will cross that bridge when the radio and loop gets here, they're on back order at Ham Radio Outlet.

Push comes to shove, I can always return the AOR and stick to the W6LVP loop.

Yes, the AOR is expensive, more so than the Alinco itself! But, I have the money and I just have to see for myself if it lives up to the hype.

There were a couple of Icom's R75 on eBay, well equipped with DSP's, UTC106 and filters, but more expensive than I was willing to pay for an older model receiver.

 

[pb_lonny]

I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

[gcopter1]

The radio? The antenna? Both?
Not sure I stated it before but I did previously owned the Alinco a couple of years ago.

I wasn't happy with the ergonomics, the close proximity of the tuning knob to the buttons. I kept accidentally rubbing against the tuning knob whenever I used the buttons. I "discovered" I could push the 'lock" button to keep the knob from changing frequencies. But, it meant that I would need to push it again to change frequencies. Just something I would have to learn to live with.

The SDR feature is appealing, even though it is not as useful as a regular SDR where the bandwidth is greater than what the Alinco offers, but then again, I tend to stay away from SDR's and needing to use a PC, I like firing up my radio and start listening right away and skip the steps with an SDR and PC.

 

[ka3jjz]

There are lots more loops than that LA400 (and the LVP, of course) and cost a lot less. Heck that AOR must be made out of gold or platinum to cost so much! Our loops wiki is here....homebrew designs, tech and lots more

Loops - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[gcopter1]

Ah yes. Believe me, I have. It might be made out of gold...or not. Nevertheless, the results impress me. I have more money than time(did I really say that? Ouch!) I feel more inclined now for the instant gratification, as I have not a lot of free time to homebrew.

Last time, and the only time I did it, was to build an ADSB antenna made out of an SO-239 connector and a bit of copper wire.
Worked pretty well though.

 

[Scan125]

Well...it's settled for me now.
I ended up getting the Alinco along with, GASP!, an AOR LA400 loop.

I already have a W6LVP loop I bought a little over a year ago. I can't remember wether I tested the loop with a formerly owned R75 or an SDR dongle I have laying around. At the time tested, wasn't impressed with the loop. Not saying it was useless but to be honest, I really didn't really worked it enough to be conclusive. I previously owned a Wellbrook, but that was back when I had the room to place it outside properly.

From what I've seen in YouTube videos, the AOR seems to work very well.

I like the size of the AOR loop, I can leave it near me and not have to drag it outside to the balcony, where I would have to use a Comet feed-thru, coax jumper. Not really too crazy about having to use that in addition to different adapters before finally connecting to the radio.

The W6LVP loop can be permanently placed in my balcony (I live in an apartment building on the third floor) I have access to the attic but I will cross that bridge when the radio and loop gets here, they're on back order at Ham Radio Outlet.

Push comes to shove, I can always return the AOR and stick to the W6LVP loop.

Yes, the AOR is expensive, more so than the Alinco itself! But, I have the money and I just have to see for myself if it lives up to the hype.

There were a couple of Icom's R75 on eBay, well equipped with DSP's, UTC106 and filters, but more expensive than I was willing to pay for an older model receiver.

Well I hope you enjoy your choice. I have a DX-R8

You may wish (once you have settle in and in harmony with your rig) to take a look at my free/Charity Ware DriveR8 program.

See: DriveR8 Control Program

It offers some great features (besides just memory programming) such as scheduled tuning and recording.

One problem with Short Wave listening is being at the required frequency at the required time. DriveR8 can help with this even when you are asleep

 

[trentbob]

The Icom R75 is a great radio and a solid performer, you can't go wrong there. I've never owned Alinco so no help there from me. The R75 would definitely get my vote over any other shortwave receiver out there in that price range.

I agree with you on that JD. For the price range. I've had my R 75 since it was introduced. I cracked it open and added optional DSP which was later included in the radio.

It's still by my bedside with all my scanners and I enjoy the AM radio reception. It's getting long in the tooth now but still working fine.

 

[trentbob]

Well...it's settled for me now.
I ended up getting the Alinco along with, GASP!, an AOR LA400 loop.

I already have a W6LVP loop I bought a little over a year ago. I can't remember wether I tested the loop with a formerly owned R75 or an SDR dongle I have laying around. At the time tested, wasn't impressed with the loop. Not saying it was useless but to be honest, I really didn't really worked it enough to be conclusive. I previously owned a Wellbrook, but that was back when I had the room to place it outside properly.

From what I've seen in YouTube videos, the AOR seems to work very well.

I like the size of the AOR loop, I can leave it near me and not have to drag it outside to the balcony, where I would have to use a Comet feed-thru, coax jumper. Not really too crazy about having to use that in addition to different adapters before finally connecting to the radio.

The W6LVP loop can be permanently placed in my balcony (I live in an apartment building on the third floor) I have access to the attic but I will cross that bridge when the radio and loop gets here, they're on back order at Ham Radio Outlet.

Push comes to shove, I can always return the AOR and stick to the W6LVP loop.

Yes, the AOR is expensive, more so than the Alinco itself! But, I have the money and I just have to see for myself if it lives up to the hype.

There were a couple of Icom's R75 on eBay, well equipped with DSP's, UTC106 and filters, but more expensive than I was willing to pay for an older model receiver.

Good luck with your choice it sounds cool.

 

[riverrat373]

I have both radios and although I feel that they are both comparable in performance, I find the Alinco not very intuitive in operation like the Icom is.

 

[GB46]

PBT actually moves the shape of the receiver passband to get it away from that interfering heterodyne without changing the front end passband - it effectively narrows the passband on the side of the offending signal with losing the other side.
Plenty of people with R75's will hopefully giver their 10c worth!

Here's my ten cents worth (in Canadian funds): What I find the most useful feature on the R75, aside from its great tuning dial and wide selection of tuning steps, is the PBT. I don't often get enough QRM here to need it for nulling out adjacent signals, but adjusting the passband does help me bring signals out over a high noise floor, where the noise reduction feature doesn't help much. This works exceptionally well on sideband.

Another use I put PBT to is as a tone control on SSB to make the audio on stations with too much treble more pleasant to listen to. I can adjust the tone on AM signals too. PBT isn't effective on AM with the wide or normal filter, so I have to use a narrow filter in AM mode, but that tends to muddy the audio. Most broadcast stations on shortwave are muddy enough to begin with.

 

[WA8ZTZ]

Anyway, not really sure why the Alinco receiver has an RIT control as it is not really needed on a receive only radio. It is
probably just a carryover from the DX-SR8T transceiver version. Also, RIT and PBT are not the same animal. RIT shifts the
received frequency while PBT shifts the passband. The Alinco does, however, have IF SHIFT.

Just to elaborate a bit further on my previous post regarding the RIT control on the DX-R8T receiver. On a transceiver, the RIT function is used to shift the receive frequency without affecting the transmit frequency. However, on a receiver, the RIT can be used as
a fine tuning control if necessary as it does have the capability of shifting the received frequency slightly either side of the displayed frequency.

So, how do you like the receiver and have you done any HF aero monitoring with it ?

 

[gcopter1]

For the money, I can't complain. Trying to save my pennies for that Icom R8600, though...

Yes, I've been monitoring HF Aero together with either a W6LVP loop or a Wellbrook.