User Comments on AOR 5000 Wanted

[Fast1eddie]

Hello,

After many years, I was finally able to order a used AOR 5000 (Not the plus 3).
I would be interested in hearing your coments on this receiver.

Thanks,

Ed

 

[Declared_Hostile]

I've got the AR-5000+3. Fantastic radio. Maddeningly complex and convoluted to program but I suppose if it wasn't, it wouldn't be an AOR. I printed up the PDF version of the manual, put all the pages in plastic sheet protectors and then assembled it all in a big three ring binder. Saves wear and tear on the paper manual. Maybe it is because I don't have to mess with the settings much but I almost always have to refer back to the manual for anything except the most simple operations.

The performance is great. Nothing else in my shack comes close except for the Icom R-8500. I have the SDU-5500 connected to it which is somewhat useful but I'm not sure it would be worth the money of a new unit.

I find the radio very sensitive and able to pick up transmissions my other radios simply miss. It is also very versatile with more settings and adjustments that you will probably ever use.

Probably my favorite radio in the shack next to the R-8500. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

 

[Fast1eddie]

AOR 5000 User Comments

Hey thanks!! I'm with you on the manual, have owned AOR models since the early 80's...now have a 8000 and 8200....neat radios, but tough to program and maintain proficiency on if you don't use them much.

How is it on HF??

Ed

 

[Declared_Hostile]

I haven't used it all that much on HF. From my limited side by side comparison I would say it is pretty good but not outstanding. My R-8500 seems to be a bit better on the HF side of things.

 

[KC1UA]

I've found that for "casual" SWL'ing it does an adequate job. However, the lack of notch filtering and DSP capabilities diminishes its effectiveness. On VHF/UHF and above it is absolutely top notch, the best receiver I've ever owned. I found mine, also an original, on eBay for just under $1000 about a year ago. Outstanding radio.

 

[Declared_Hostile]

I've found that for "casual" SWL'ing it does an adequate job. However, the lack of notch filtering and DSP capabilities diminishes its effectiveness. On VHF/UHF and above it is absolutely top notch, the best receiver I've ever owned. I found mine, also an original, on eBay for just under $1000 about a year ago. Outstanding radio.

I've noticed that the speaker just doesn't sound right on HF either. The tone just doesn't seem right. Wearing headphones or piping it to an external speaker seems to help some. Of course there are a bunch of settings for the audio output that would probably help that if one were to dial through them all but I've yet to find the magic setting.

Like you said though it just isn't the performer on HF that others are. I've monitored the standard military HF freqs with it and it did ok at but on the crowded ham bands my R-8500 and R-71A seemed to do better. For the most part mine gets used above HF and for that it does extremely well. Mil-air especially.

 

[Fast1eddie]

AOR 5000 USer Comments

All, many thanks for your thoughts. Mine arrived today, and after spending some tiime with it, I was able to master (elementary) it's operation. Got my wings, but there is no way I will be able to program all 2000 memories (with text!) here at my Pittsburgh location. I'm still using several J.I.L SX 200's....

Love the 80's!!

For HF I am temporarily using a limited space end fed wire....not to shabby. Above HF, a Antenna MON 31 is doing the job. I'll be installing a decent windom over the weekend. I am looking forward to cooler weather for HF.

I've never been big into HF, can see where the notch filter would be of help. The user adjustable filtering is neat, but one must be willing to put in the chair time.

Fast Eddie likes his new radio, only been lusting after it for several years now...I've been away from radio, just career changed from two way radio tech into law enforcement. Time to get back into things...

Many thanks, happy listening.

If anyone is in the Pittsburgh area, I can be heard on 460.500 as 735....stay tuned!

Thanks,

Ed

 

[Schnoor1648]

Aor5000

I, too, had a used AOR AR5000 that I bought from Ebay. Great receiver. Get the CTCSS Decoder and get the Butel software.

 

[KC1UA]

I, too, had a used AOR AR5000 that I bought from Ebay. Great receiver. Get the CTCSS Decoder and get the Butel software.

I don't have the CTCSS decoder in mine. I guess it depends on how you use the radio. Instead, I use the discriminator tap in conjunction with an outboard decoder. I use the Optoelectronics DC440 (no longer manufactured) which displays CTCSS, DCS, and DTMF. This of course does not allow you to program a tone for a particular memory channel, but I use the radio for DX purposes and with that in mind it works great. Occasionally you can find a DC440, DC442, or Optotrakker on eBay for a reasonable price. I found both of my DC440's at hamfests. Connect Systems also makes a tone reader, the CD-2, which I understand is a very reliable unit as well. It's about a $250 item.

I agree on the Butel software. It's pricey, but worth it. I often use it over Windows remote desktop to control my 5000 from a laptop elsewhere in the house. Fun stuff.

 

[Declared_Hostile]

That was most useful info on the Butel software.

I've been looking for some type of software for at least loading and managing freqs for the AR-5000 but there just isn't much out there. Looks like Butel is about the only game in town. After manually entering a couple of hundred freqs into a radio your eyes tend to cross, your fingers cramp and your mind gets really fuzzy. Plus with the 5000 you have so many parameters you can load it isn't just as simple as AM or FM and step size.