WJ-8711A and Chinese Sellers on eBay

[pjxii]

There are currently 10 Watkins Johnson WJ-8711A receivers listed on eBay stated New-Open Box by different(?!) Chinese sellers, prices range from around $4800 to $5800+. The pictures are of course the same. I've seen Japanese sellers do this with the same radio being sold for different prices but not to this extent.

https://ebay.io/m/buIozA

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

There are tons of Rohde & Schwarz Miniport receivers on e-bay for sale. Many of them in China. It makes one wonder.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/407107571570?mkpid=0&emsid=e11021.m164380.l178264&ch=osgood&euid=e3d53a9c72614b909f2401a279b2695a&bu=43188551855&ut=RU&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20260730055240&segname=11021&recoId=407107571570&recoPos=2

 

[merlin]

I can only think these were confiscated DHL shipments at Chinese customs. The photos of the front panel looks legit, the rest are fakes or not part of the WJ systems.
Also, nothing makes these receivers worth their asking price. They are old, made the last of Afghanistan war.
Maybe like the Harris Falcon IIIs, some cloned to LOOK like the real thing.
The 8711s I got were racke mounted with preselectors and remote panels, including WJ-8626 and 8628s
Bought from Navy auction in San Fransisco, circa 1980. 7 tons worth for $2100.

 

[dxace1]

There are currently 10 Watkins Johnson WJ-8711A receivers listed on eBay stated New-Open Box by different(?!) Chinese sellers, prices range from around $4800 to $5800+. The pictures are of course the same. I've seen Japanese sellers do this with the same radio being sold for different prices but not to this extent.

https://ebay.io/m/buIozA

Buyer beware. A few China sellers are reliable and respond to requests for additional info and photos but the prices being asked for these latest ones are suspicious

 

[pjxii]

Literally overnight a slew of these Chinese sellers offering a WJ-8711A popped up with prices from $4000 to $6999, all using the same three photos.

Frauds.

 

[dxace1]

Yes, these are highly suspicious. As I said, a couple or few China sellers are legitimate or were and had a number of NOS 8711As, one of which I got here. The price was nowhere near $6k. That was during the pandemic and before tariff impact. Here's my YouTube video showing unboxing of the one I got here:

 

[pjxii]

Can you share the name of that legitimate seller? I have no faith in the others

 

[dxace1]

Can you share the name of that legitimate seller? I have no faith in the others

Unfortunately, just checked to see if he is still active and he is not.

 

[merlin]

The WJ-8711A is possibly one of the best HF receivers ever made, along with a 'few' others.
IMHO if you are paying more than $2K for the radio with preselector, you are getting into "just not worth it" region.
At a little over 20 pounds, it beats the others like the Collins, Harris, RaCal, AOR, Anritsu.
A lot of neat features though for plug and play decoding of most digital modes.
The shipping from foreign countries is not cheap. Israel, was $100, now a lot more. China, $200 and up.

 

[merlin]

Literally overnight a slew of these Chinese sellers offering a WJ-8711A popped up with prices from $4000 to $6999, all using the same three photos.

Frauds.

I think at the root is the same seller, just multiple accounts to move what they are way over pricing.