Want to buy a Receiver, any suggestions? (Update)

[ecarfar]

I want to thank Mike for his info and suggestions, especially for the website he recommended http://www.radiointel.com/reviews.htm , it's a goldmine of information.

I'm leaning towards the following setup, please offer any recommendations:

Receiver - JRC NRD-545 with the CHE-199 converter. I wanted a receiver with wideband capability (CHE-199 provides this) and this was really the only one (new) still on the market. I won't buy anything used. I have read good and bad things about this radio but, overall, it seems to fit the bill for my purposes.

ERGO 4 Software - Seems to be the best for this model (and others).

Speaker - JRC NVA-319. Don't know much about speakers but figured I'd match the speaker with the receiver. Any other sugestions here would be appreciated.

Antenna - Antenna Supermarket Eavesdropper. Simple here, my wife would throw a fit if I wanted to string wire through the backyard. This one claims to work well in an attic.

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi there,

JRC makes some pretty good receivers, a nice choice. I'm not one for store bought antennas so if the XYL won't allow (no comment, biting tongue) a wire in the yard just put one in the attic, any old wire will do. For listening to shortwave only a random length wire antenna and ground are needed, no coax, no baluns, no frills, KISS. Keep it simple stupid isn't an insult, it's good advice. As for the ground, the screw holding the cover plate to the wall outlet is as good as any. Just use an eye type terminal there, stranded wire splays. Ordinary "hook-up" wire will do for it and the antenna, a 100' spool is cheap enough.

 

[ka3jjz]

Yes, JRC has quite a reputation in the radio business - they actually started out, and I think are still heavily involved, with the Maritime radio business. I remember the NRD505s and 515s - boat anchors in their day, but boy everyone wanted one.

I even heard a story - not sure how true it is - that a NRD515 set up on a remote listening post in Peru took a near-strike; the cabinet was singed pretty good, but the radio still worked. Try THAT with any cheaper model...

As to speakers, et al - make sure you join the NRD545 Yahoo group. No better place to find out about accessories than a group like that one.

I'm very jealous....73s and GL with the new toy....Mike

 

[ecarfar]

Thanks Mike, that is quite a story! I just hope the newer JRC's hold up as well. I was also thinking about the AOR, but the price is a little high. I've already joined the Yahoo NRD-545 group. Tomorrow I will pour over the past posts and see what I come up with. I did notice that it hasn't been too active lately.

Yes, JRC has quite a reputation in the radio business - they actually started out, and I think are still heavily involved, with the Maritime radio business. I remember the NRD505s and 515s - boat anchors in their day, but boy everyone wanted one.

I even heard a story - not sure how true it is - that a NRD515 set up on a remote listening post in Peru took a near-strike; the cabinet was singed pretty good, but the radio still worked. Try THAT with any cheaper model...

As to speakers, et al - make sure you join the NRD545 Yahoo group. No better place to find out about accessories than a group like that one.

I'm very jealous....73s and GL with the new toy....Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

Yeah, be sure to use the search tool that Yahoo provides; and don't be shy about posting a question. You might start something....73s and GL...Mike