rjr@mgweed.UUCP (Bob Roehrig) (06/06/84)
Since others are posting their opinions on receivers here, I'll throw in my vote. I had a chance to try out a ICR70 a few weeks ago for about an hour and it is truely a fine rcvr. If bucks were no problem I would go for one without doubt. My main "auxilliary" receiver is a Kenwood R-1000. For the money it also is a fine rcvr. In this area there are more hams with that rcvr than any other. All I have encountered have excellent stability and minimum drift (about the same as my 820S transceiver). When using a random wire for an antenna, it is a good idea to use a small antenna tuner for best results, as one really should with any rcvr. A tuner is a must when using it below the broadcast band to prevent bdcst stations from creeping in. I am about 20 miles from several 50kw stations. As I pointed out in my article in "73" magazine a year or so ago, The AGC time constant is reversed from what it should be (unless Kenwood has corrected it by now). On SSB/CW it has the fast AGC and on AM it has slow release AGC, which is backwards. My R-1000 is used mainly for rtty work and is quite adequate for this. Rtty probably requires a more stable rcvr than any other mode. I have transmitted on nearby frequencies (working splits on the same band) with a separate antenna on the R-1000 and have not blown the front end out as has happened to other rcvrs and transceivers. ___________________________________________________________ I would stay away from the R-600 and the R-2000..... The only R-600 I have had access to had a mechanical problem in the VFO dial mechanism -- backlash! The R-2000 steps in 50 Hz jumps when tuning. This is especially bad for RTTY use. Beyond that, I can't comment as I have not actually used one. ___________________________________________________________ Another fairly decent rcvr is the Yeasu FRG-7. This is an older rcvr of theirs but is synthesized and very stable. They can be had for less than $200 used. I use one for a backup rcvr and for semi-continuous monitoring of a particular frequency, while tuning around with the other rcvr. The FRG-7 does not have digital readout, although there are some available as add-ons. The Analog dial can be read out to within a couple of kHz with care. The IF filter is a little wide but can be replaced. The product detector is quite good. This rcvr is more forgiving on what you use for an antenna since it has a tunable preselector. It also can be powered from internal D cells or external 12 volts, making it ideal to haul around on vacation. ___________________________________________________________ Stay away from the Radio Shack jobs. Bad dial mechanisms and lotsa drift are their main problems..... Bob K9EUI