The AM Forum

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of what I should look for as a good general coverage receiver to be used with a transmitter? I'm looking for something with excellent AM fidelity and selectable filters that I can hopefully pick up for under $1000. I've heard a lot of great things about Drake R8B's but those seem to be hard to find since they don't make them anymore. Are there any receivers I can buy new that will have a good sound on AM?

A good working Racal RA6790, RA6793 holds a bunch of filters 7 I think and easy to find out to 16 KHz. The RA6830 is a half rack version that holds 5 filters of user choice. Cubic R3030 or R2411 are nice if you fix the AGC. Filters are hard coded in software so if you change them new BW's won't be displayed. Harris R590 or R590A or the mil version R2368 another nice unit. I think you can swap filters around in those units.
A good working R390A is still a very good receiver.

I couldn't hazard a guess as to 'new' production that would be termed good. ???

For you, I vote for the Hammarlund SP-600 with the outboard Sherwood detector.  You ought to be able get close on the $ with those.

Writing from 'Nothing Newer than an Octal-land.'  (Even though that RX hasn't a complete complement O' octals)


73DG

It's hard to beat an SDR!

I agree with Bud but it needs a pakuter to operate

The AOR AR5000A is a nice little general purpose and quite conventional receiver. It has a knob. It is modestly priced and we use them at work for some jobs.


Even though it feels lightweight and like there is nothing in it, I love tuning the old WJ8711(REV whatever). It is a first gen DSP IF receiver and it is actually stiil in production from DRS Signal Solutions.

Mike WU2D

But the price is do high Mike
Then there are the Cubic 3150, 3280 and all the DSP machines from WJ, Ten Tec etc.

What!  No mention of the Flex 1500 or 3000?  Either Rx section will do a very nice job in any application and does a great job on an AM signal

About the only tube radio Id recommend would be a 51J4 or a R-388/51J3 with the mechanical filter adaptor added. Bypass the CW filter for wide AM and the xtal filter notch can be real useful. Prices are reasonable, adding a nice external audio amp is easy. While the 390A is a great receiver its not a comfortable cruiser.

One other alternative would be a HRO-60 as the audio will blow your sox off but its not a radio for everyone, however it can cover 50KHz to 54MHz with the right coil sets. Not cheap any more and originals need a full recap, resistors replaced, etc.

A HRO-500 (completely SS) is already at or out of your price range and a full refurb isnt cheap but all done its an excellent cruiser.

The various R-8's have many happy owners, Ive never owned one long enough to really evaluate.

For modern stuff Id follow Franks input and also wait for JN to chime in.

Carl

Why only Flex?

There are dozens of new SDR's out there, some with many more features/capabilities than Flex.

Why my goodness there's even a few kits that perform as well and better than Flex, ( and some use the Flex software, or better),
in case anyone is actually inclined to build their own and have the experience, and save several hundred dollars.....

There's even some that do NOT need and external PC if that's what floats your boat.

Perseus or QSR1 for SDR are about the best. HPSDR more bucks and work but when my second RX arrives I will be able to beam rotate in software.
1/2 watt exciter has IMD3 <-55dBc

There is the Ten-Tec RX-340. I don't know anything about it other than the published specs, and none of those give a price.  I think it is supposed to be rated for military use.

http://swling.com/db/2011/01/ten-tec-rx-340/

$$: http://www.tentec.com/index.php?id=18

Not too expensive when compared to upper mid-line ham transceivers these days (not to even mention the top end stuff), but at that price I would still go ahead and fumble around with my "old junk".

I wonder if  they ever produced the RX400?

Thanks for all the input & info. Does anyone know the actual difference between the Drake R8B & R8A as far as how they sound listening on AM? I know the 2 main differences between those are number of memory channels & the synchronous detector but does that make a difference when it comes to how they sound on AM?

I have the straight R-8 and it's a great RXer.   Couple it with an external speaker and it sounds fine.  I'm not sure of the differences between all three, but the R-8 has a few irritating user interface issues (having to step thru the modes/bandwidths in a menu rather than selecting them directly) that was corrected with the later models.  The sync detector works fine and definitely improves the audio.

One of the best sounding RXers (with an envelope detector, rather than a sync detector) is the WJ 8716/8718.  You need an external audio amp, but with the AGC in slow mode it really sounds great.  The big downside of this RXer is it's not really set up to be used in conjunction with a transmitter.  There's no T/R standby (although you could easily enough modify the RF gain circuitry to do so) and more importantly the first mixer is really prone to being blown by high RF.  The M9E mixer is currently unobtanium, although with a bit of surgery the Minicircuits Level 17 mixers will work as a replacement.

I've never had any of the JRC receivers but several around here have, and from their comments I'd be staying away from them.  Icom R-71A and R-75, same - cheap construction, lots of phase noise, and raggedy audio (I had a R-71A and used a R-75, didn't like either one).

If you're beholden to a modern solid state RXer, in your price range, I'd be looking for a R-8 variant.  It does everything pretty well, and I've seen straight R-8s go on ebay for about 400 clams.  The R-8 uses top quality components and is easy to work on (mine blew a couple of PIN diodes in a lightning strike).

Like John I have the straight R-8 and having to step through the filters sequentially is annoying but only a very minor annoyance.  The original R-8 uses an optical, rather than mechanical, encoder which is very reliable and it has a heavier metal tuning knob rather than the plastic type used with the mechanical encoder on the more recent receivers.

I rarely use sync detect on mine, it works fine but every sync detector has a non-zero time to lock and I often find it annoying during roundtables and impossible to use as a net control station.  This is largely a personal preference just as I have never been a fan of VOX for transmit use. 

Although it often sells for over $1,000 depending upon what options (extra filters, NB) are installed the earlier Drake R-7 is a great performer with good quality crystal filters and electronic pass band tuning.  I found (based upon the small sample of the one of each that I own) that the R-7 outdoes the newer R-8 when conditions are really tough.  But to get full advantage of the R-7 you will probably want some of the optional filters and optional noise blanker.  It does NOT have sync detection (but does provide for exalted carrier AM detection) nor memories unless you opt for the pricey and expensive RV-75 remote VFO.  The R-8 uses L/C type filters like the earlier Drake 2 line and R-4 through R-4B series.

I really like my WJ-8716 also, very nice audio (which becomes rather "interesting" if you select the ISB option on AM).

I have an older JRC NRD-515 receiver I picked up recently.  It is mechanically very well built and the phase noise is not too bad and reportedly for better than some of their later models.  Memory is only available through an outboard accessory.

I have several of the JA built more modern GC receivers (Kenwood R-5000 and 2000, Yaesu FRG-8800, Icom R-71A) and they are OK but nothing special and definitely inferior to the choices mentioned previously.  If general coverage wasn't a requirement the ham band only Kenwood R-599 is a fine and compact performer with all accessories built in.  The more expensive and later R-820 (which could be paired with the TS-820S for transceive usage) covers a few of the shortwave bands.  It is also a very nice receiver but may not come with all of the filters and tends to be expensive when it shows up on ebay.  I bought mine for $150 from Universal because it didn't work, a replacement transistor cured that and all of the filter slots were filled so it was one of the better gambles I have taken on non-functional gear.

 The Drake R8A and R8 are great values . The higher priced (usually) R8B is still a good value but sells often at prices 2 to 3 times the R8/R8A. The R8 does make you step through all the filters and for just a few $$ more you can get the A model probably the best deal of the bunch. Good audio and a very effective passband tuning. The main advantage IMHO to the R8B is the improved synchronous detector .

  The older JRCs are probably a better bet than the later offerings from that company. Be aware also that JRC support is piss poor to not at all !
I have oned an NRD 535 and an NRD 545. The NRD 545 was a very noisy bugger when there was no real signal present , relied heavily on the DSP to clean things up. It is very "pretty" and the ergonomics are also about as good as you get on modern boxes. The passband tuning and continuously adjustable bandwidth controls made for SDR like tuning . The downside , along with the noise is the factory support. I bought mine just as the company was dropping consumer RXs from their offerings. About 45 days from new it just quit putting out audio. Sent it back to Universal and they got it "kinda" working. The mute function would not work properly upon return. It went back again . After a considerable wait for the repairs on the less than 2 month old $1800 box Universal said that JRC was not supplying parts as they had dropped the NRD 545 from their lineup ! At that point they offered a full refund and I took them up on the offer.
 Compare the JRC support to Drake ! The R8A is out of production for about 10 years now but Drake will still provide excellent service for most any service situation on that RX. The price of the Drake service and parts is also better than average.
  Among the later boatanchor receivers ,IMHO the R-725 is a very fine hybrid that uses the excellent LC filters from the older R-390 to replace the econo-mechanical filters in an R-390A . Somewhat hard to find but a real treasure when you land one ! The R-725 is my personal favorite for boatanchor SWLing . Add the on board push pull audio for a very nice handling package.

 Flex has no corner on SDR ! We have been very impressed with the PMSDR from Italy. Verboten from the hamshack, the SDR resides next to the XYL's computer in the big building .

I2PHD was giving away SDR software befor Flex could spell SDR
The Italians have some nice products like the Perseus

  I like that line !  ;D

Icom IC-R9500. Best modern receiver I've used. Vastly superior to the Ten Tec RX-340.

  What is the cost of the Icom 9500 ?

$$: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/widerxvr/0095.html

And then there is the AOR AR-Alpha wide range receiver for under $10K


(http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/widerxvr/1036.jpg)

 As I recall , the TenTec 340 is less than half that price and about 1/3 the cost of the Icom . You could buy about 25 Drake R8s for the cost of a single Icom  :o

I've used the AOR too. I didn't like it as much as the Icom. Just a little clunky. It does have some nice options for recording and better demodulation capabilities for VHF/UHF signals. My comparison was mostly at HF.

A bit more in line with the stated price range:http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/475 (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/475)

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1827 (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1827)

Here are the Drake R8 differences from another thread.

Okay if you want a relatively modern rx, here's yet another idea. beginning with some assumptions:  Firstly you want a traditional rx with knobs and a front panel.   You don't want to pay more or much more than $1K.  You therefore, are willing to accept something less than super hot professional spook grade gov't level performance.   Ergo, why limit yourself to a rx only box?  You can get a Kenwood TS870 and use it as a rx.  General coverage, AM, FM, CW, slopbucket.   Widely variable passbands.  On AM from 5 KHz out to 14 KHz.  It has been swept by many and its audio response is perfectly flat from zero to its high cutoff.  Because of that it is used for off air audio checks.   for my taste it is actually a little too um, "clinical" sounding; maybe lack of warmth is a better way of putting it.  But, before I made a narrow filter for my 75A3, it was my night time battle condx receiver.  You can always pull the audio out via an ext. speaker jack on the back and use that to drive a line level input to an external audio amp to get a big volume sound.  audio quality is praised due to its 24 bit processing.   

Drawbacks:  well, to me at least, it is all SMT inside so if it breaks, good luck fixing it.   The rx being earlier dsp, some claim it is no good for "competitive operating" i.e. chasing dx and contesting, but if you want a band cruiser for listening and ragchewing it's not bad but let's face it, tubes, and black wrinkle = nirvana. :D

Good point Rob and also dont overlook a TS-930/940 as those are around $400-600 and even less if the TX has blown finals or some other easy to fix problem; they are discrete component rigs. Lots of filters available for any BW, you could even change the 455 KHz Kiwa ceramic filter for a 8-12 KHz AM one and use it as the main AM only (or hi-fi SSB ???) TX as thats where the TX RF goes thru, not the one at 8.8.

That's an excellent idea about the TS940.   AM transmit mod here:

http://www.amwindow.org/tech/htm/ts940s.htm

Thats a rather different approach.

I would err on the side of "Don't own it if you can't fix it or get parts for it".
I owned a Collins 651S-1...hated it and a nightmare to work on. The WJ radios
seem very nice but you have to be a genius to repair them, not to mention owning
$1000's of dollars of test gear to work on them. At least with the Drake & Ten Tec stuff
you can send back to the factory for service...not sure about WJ.
So far in this discussion, there are some great choices and some very hard facts to
consider. Boat anchors: They weigh a lot but you can fix them and modify them to
suit your needs. Modern DDS or A>D>A types are fine unless you can't get parts
or have them properly serviced. If the above doesn't jive for you, then SDR's are the way to
go and here's why: Development continues 24/7/365 and support is usually generous.
In fact, much of the demands made by us users in the industry end up becoming the benchmark for improvements in development...the technology will only continue to grow.
There are tradeoffs as noted before, so I offer this: Tubes rule and sound best (to me) but
you have to lift heavy iron to service...not all of us are spring chickens anymore, and some parts
are becoming scarce. New age types are lightweight packed full of features and many times offer a lot of bang for your buck, but there is always that grey area of audio "artifacts" that seem to bother
us when we compare them to analog types. Not all of us dig the menu thing either and no knobs?
PERISH THE THOUGHT!
A well tuned and lubed 51J4/R-388 or SP-600 get my vote hands down for the BA class.
So far, my favorite SDR is the Flex 5K but for the money the little guy (1500) offers just about everything you need and the audio DSP sampling rate is 48K. Pretty impressive. And if you must have a knob, they offer a USB "Knob" controller. How cool is that? What's more, you can transmit with it. Read the specs here: http://www.flex-radio.com/Products.aspx?topic=F1.5k_features
Just my two cents for what it's worth.
I will now return to my National NC-183 project...twin half moon dials...I wonder if the Iphone has an app for that?

I forgot to mention, that using the SDR while you are on the road or on vacation is really attractive. I imagine using skype with your laptop via the internet to your home station would be a lot of fun but I get the feeling that this is beyond the scope of our group here.

Beg to differ on one point, Billy, WJ radios are pretty easy to work on and don't need special test equipment.  The documentation on some is a bit hard to get ahold of, though.

Common problems with WJ radios are shorted tantalum caps (easy to find), blown first mixers (easy to troubleshoot, but the exact mixer is unobtanium), nicad memory backup batteries that puke on the PC board (a PITA to fix, but easy to find), and worn optical encoders.  Most of the rest of the parts are standard off the shelf semiconductors.  All bets are off when you enter the 8711 era, though...

The 651S-1 is really, really easy to work on -- IF you have the extraordinarily rare set of extender cards  ::)  Finding replacements for those flat-pack DTL or RTL ICs, however....

Right, exactly my point regarding the 651S-1. It took me 6 months to find two replacement boards, one IF and one Synth as I recall. I gave up. These radios may be easy for you to work on, but not everybody has those skills, much less the patience. More importantly, I think it's easy for us to agree that enjoying using a radio is much more fun than repairing it. Having said that, I'll take the 51S-1 any day of the week. As to the SDR's, reinstall software, updates or swap a board.
My point of view may be flawed but it's the only one I have :)

A number of us here are running SDR-type rigs (Flex and whatevers). I haven't switched on a boatanchor rig in many months. The Flex 5000 is a breeze to use. As far as the USB "knob", Flex has offered the 3rd party Shuttle Pro and Griffin knob on their web site from almost day one. I used a Shuttle Pro 5 years ago with my SDR-1000. My Shuttle Pro now even has a programmed button to do stomp-to-talk.

Have you heard of anyone using an Ipad or other tablet to interface with the Flex systems?

  Exactly the opposite here. The fun part IS the old boatanchor receiver. The SDR is in the house on the wife's computer and rarely gets use. Pure radio without the TV.