Problems With Drake R8B
Al
wife), I got money together for a new Drake R8B. I have read all the reviews
and followed this group for advice, and it appears the Drake is a great
receiver.
My questions:
What do you not like about the R8B?
Are there any hidden problems you have found?
Have you ever dealt with Drake for technical support? How are they?
This receiver isn't perfect, is it?
$1,200-US is quite a bit of money. So before investing it, I would like to
hear any negative comments about this receiver.
Thanks a lot.
Al
Donald Frazier
Sorry Al... you need to do some more searches on this newsgroup. About
a year or so ago there was quite a bit of controversy regarding the R8B
that went in to great detail (more than anything I've seen in the four
or five years I've been here) regarding the technical shortcomings of
the receiver from hobbyists and professional types. Unfortunately, many
of those folks have left the newsgroup. Personally, for the price that
is being asked I would stay away from it and go for something used or
just save up a little more and wait for something better to come along
(it won't be from Drake). Whether people like what I say or not---I
could care less---the R8B is a dinosaur and a has been. Drake is out of
the running in this market---don't expect any innovation from
them---just sales of remaining stock. It would be a waste to buy from
them when technically advanced equipment (besides newer models that are
sure to be offerred) is available from financially stable and
technically superior manufacturers. Anyway, you seem to have your heart
set on getting one so probably nothing that is said will change your
mind. If you REALLY got to have a Drake buy one used and pocket the
savings---then join us when you upgrade to a better receiver with those
savings. Based upon my experiences in communications military and
commercial---the R8B is not worth it!
Steve Walker
>
no real future upgrade path or tradeup to a newer model.
This has the trade off that it will make R8B's a collectors
if Drake drop SWR's from the product lists.
The R8x series gets better as they improve on a basic design
as this is now a DITW model you may not get anything extra
or any major problems fixed in a newer model.
> Are there any hidden problems you have found?
>
I used a R8A for ages and if you do any UTE work the 10hz steps
will get to you on some signals, but for BCB and so on its meant
to have a better sync in the B but the A did the job fine.
Mine keep loosing some settings (mem's) and the first units build quality
was poor - later uints seem to be better. = Examples like th PBT(PBS) knob
needed to be at 1oclock to be centered etc. Just poor things like that.
> Have you ever dealt with Drake for technical support? How are they?
>
Nope sold it before it went wrong!
> This receiver isn't perfect, is it?
>
Compared too? People like the R8B and others hate it.
> $1,200-US is quite a bit of money. So before investing it, I would like to
> hear any negative comments about this receiver.
>
$1.200 compared too a ???? What SWR's are thier left? The AOR7030 and the
NRD545
(TEN TEC and the WJ again is too expensive for most peoples baskets) so you
have the 7030 - Some say its great but has a nasty menu to work it and not
many knobs for the $$$ to play with!!!! The 545 is a good for a (user) DSP
unit - but not everyone likes its harsh AM audio but for SSB and UTE's its
good. (Oh and loads of knobs to tweak!)
... or get a RACAL 6970/GM they have good AM and look big too :-) They are
cheaper
and a little less "pretty" but a good dammed radio.
I would have a second R8B for "tuning about" but with RACAL's here cheaper
than a
R8B and we can now get 545's for nearly the same cost in UKP its a hard
choice to make
- but others seem happy and I bet a few people who hate it - But try and get
one to play with from a dealer or Drake - have a 14 day appro and see what
you think at your house with your antenna and your ears !
Steve
bpio...@yahoo.com
I don't like heat when radio is off.
I don't like some internal interference from LCD display.
However, none of tha above is a real problem and I like
my R8B for its performance and ergonomics :-)))
Piotr
In article <strk0kg...@corp.supernews.com>,
"Al" <ABurz...@swri.edu> wrote:
> After a lot of penny pinching and money hoarding (and hiding it from
the
> wife), I got money together for a new Drake R8B. I have read all the
reviews
> and followed this group for advice, and it appears the Drake is a
great
> receiver.
>
> My questions:
>
> What do you not like about the R8B?
>
> Are there any hidden problems you have found?
>
> Have you ever dealt with Drake for technical support? How are they?
>
> This receiver isn't perfect, is it?
>
> $1,200-US is quite a bit of money. So before investing it, I would
like to
> hear any negative comments about this receiver.
>
> Thanks a lot.
> Al
>
>
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Al Patrick
> After a lot of penny pinching and money hoarding (and hiding it from the
> wife), I got money together for a new Drake R8B. I have read all the reviews
> and followed this group for advice, and it appears the Drake is a great
> receiver.
>
> My questions:
>
> What do you not like about the R8B?
>
> Are there any hidden problems you have found?
>
> Have you ever dealt with Drake for technical support? How are they?
>
> This receiver isn't perfect, is it?
>
> $1,200-US is quite a bit of money. So before investing it, I would like to
> hear any negative comments about this receiver.
>
> Thanks a lot.
> Al
What complaints? What negative comments? Most folks only complaint is that
they can't afford two of them so the wife can tune in her own station!
73,
Al
Walt Novinger
confidently say that it is one of the finest receivers I have used. Examples
of receivers to which I have compared it in head-to-head listening include
[solidstate] WJ HF-1000, NRD-505, -515, -525, -535, Lowe HF-150, Kenwood
R-5000, [hollow-state] Racal RA-17 with ISB adapter, SP-600 with SPC-10 SSB
adapter, Collins 51-J3/4, military R-388, Hallicrafters SX-88, various
Eddystone models, and many others. The R8B has the best synchronous detector
of any receiver I've used, as well as the lowest internal noise floor of all
solidstate receivers (the WJ HF-1000 is particularly bad in this regard, as
are the early NRDs).
Drake's support has been exemplary. I upfraged the ROMs in my receiver
shortly after I got it and they were courteous and fast in dealing with me.
Considering that it was only a couple of years ago that they dropped support
for some of their earliest valve receivers, I expect they'll be supporting
the R8B for a considerable time, yet.
If you're into computer use with your SWL hobby, I recommend ERGO from
VE6MBA (http://swldx.com/). It works superbly with the R8B and makes an
already-excellent receiver even better.
Hope this helps you decide.
Walt
--
Walt Novinger
Collector and restorer of valve communications receivers,
test equipment, and audio gear
"Let me explain what I do here. I don't want to confuse you
any more than absolutely necessary." Eugene Ormandy
Raleigh, NC USA
wnov...@nc.rr.com
"Al" <ABurz...@swri.edu> wrote in message
news:strk0kg...@corp.supernews.com...
Dave
problems.
I just got the service manual for entertainment purposes; this is a
well designed little radio, hardly obsolete technology.
Walt Novinger
warm. I run mine from a homebrew 12VDC regulated supply that also powers a
bunch of accessories in the shack. Using the external PS completely bypasses
any potential noise issues with the internal PS (though, in the case of the
R8B, there is no noise I have ever experienced) and it runs _very_ cool.
The buttons are a bit funky, but I use my rx almost exculsively under PC
control with ERGO, so don't really notice them.
Have never noticed any birdies or other interference from the display.
Walt
--
Walt Novinger
Collector and restorer of valve communications receivers,
test equipment, and audio gear
"Let me explain what I do here. I don't want to confuse you
any more than absolutely necessary." Eugene Ormandy
Raleigh, NC USA
wnov...@nc.rr.com
<bpio...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:8rkqca$ca0$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> I don't like cheap rubber, rocking a little, buttons.
> I don't like heat when radio is off.
> I don't like some internal interference from LCD display.
>
> However, none of tha above is a real problem and I like
> my R8B for its performance and ergonomics :-)))
>
> Piotr
>
> In article <strk0kg...@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Al" <ABurz...@swri.edu> wrote:
> > After a lot of penny pinching and money hoarding (and hiding it from
> the
> > wife), I got money together for a new Drake R8B. I have read all the
> reviews
> > and followed this group for advice, and it appears the Drake is a
> great
> > receiver.
> >
> > My questions:
> >
> > What do you not like about the R8B?
> >
> > Are there any hidden problems you have found?
> >
> > Have you ever dealt with Drake for technical support? How are they?
> >
> > This receiver isn't perfect, is it?
> >
> > $1,200-US is quite a bit of money. So before investing it, I would
> like to
> > hear any negative comments about this receiver.
> >
> > Thanks a lot.
> > Al
> >
> >
>
>
Al
why I'm still inquiring. Could you please point me to how I can reference
archives for this group. I am very much interested in the other opinions.
Thanks.
Al
"Donald Frazier" <ra...@man.com> wrote in message
news:39DDDF...@man.com...
Donald Frazier
>
> Have never noticed any birdies or other interference from the display.
>
> Walt
Very interesting... the problem with birdies is recognized as one of the
R8B's biggest design flaws! This problem resulted from putting way too
much electonics on the boards coupled with very poor shielding practices
between stages in an effort to curb costs. Some technical advanced
folks actually modified the layout of the boards by removing them and
adding shielding to minimize the problem with birdies! My receiver, in
one segment (there are others), has birdies spaced approximately every 1
khz from 13333 to 13397 khz and they are NOT inaudible---some are as
strong as S3! In other words, that's 64 peeps as I tune through that
particular segment! I'm listening to one right this moment. The
receiver was checked by Drake and they confirmed that is normal for this
receiver and that I should not worry about it since the birdies were not
in a band segment used for amateur or international broadcast!
Regardless, this is completely unacceptable for a $1300 receiver!
Drake's answer to this problem---that was carried from the R8 to R8A and
R8B, was to place a small piece of double sided PC board on an angle
bracket between the display and boards and re-locate the wiring---the
fix doesn't work! In early instances, the owner had to complain about
the problem then Drake would add the mod at no cost. I suggest to any
R8x owner to disconnect the antenna and slowly tune through the
receiver's range in CW or LSB/USB to find their own birdies.
I noticed them right off when I first got the receiver---they stood out
like the proverbial... I thought it just can't be---I never had a
receiver in this class with so many suprious signals. I thought that
mine was at fault so the next day I went back to the dealer and checked
it against two other brand-new units straight out of the shipping
carton---they had the exact same problem. Yet, while talking with other
owners of the R8B, some don't have as extensive a problem with birdies
as I while others have problems with birdies in other portions of the
receivers coverage. Furthermore, the presence of birdies varies from
model to model. This leads me to believe that the design of the R8B is
not stable and not proven.
The R8B... $500 on the used market is a good buy.
GrtPmpkin32
surprised, believe me, since I had read that the problematic design almost
guaranteed the noise. Oh well!
Linus
Eddie Bryant N4UMJ
I just did not like the way the LCD appeared. It was washed out looking.
Whether that is adjustable or not I don't know.
This display has been improved in the R8B version ,Drake says, but I haven't
seen this personally.
I do like the fact that the Drake is made in America though.
On the Drake pricing I think the $239 for the VHF convertor for the R8B is
a little high too.
Although the optional speaker price seems more in line $49.
When you buy all this with the radio it brings the grand total to just shy
of $1500( W H E W ! )
If you are considering the ICOM R-75 there is an individual on E-groups
,Radostin Danev ra...@nips.ac.jp,
http://www.egroups.com/group/icomr75
He has ongoing information on the fix he is developing for the Sychronous AM
problem.
At this point it sounds promising.
Why ICOM won't address this remains to be seen.
If the fix is proven ,I will be getting one of these R75's with the DSP.
The pricing seems to be more in line on this radio.
Of course you have the various choices of filter installs on this ICOM that
could run
up the price.
Good Luck,
Eddie Bryant
Al <ABurz...@swri.edu> wrote in message
news:strk0kg...@corp.supernews.com...
King Pineapple
I've had an R8B for a year now, never had that problem with birdies.
King Pineapple
white from oil from my fingers. Cause?
Dan Robinson
birdie problem with the R8 series. I complained about
this in a letter to Drake back in 1993 and received a
letter acknowledging the problem as a design flaw and
recommending a workaround of redressing the wiring inside...
I never had the chance to do this. My birdies were noticed
in the 5900-6100 khz range, which was a real bummer since
there were many great stations I wanted to hear in that range
from my location at the time. I still have the receiver, and
the Drake letter and one of these days intend to walk it into
Drake and ask for some kind of a fix. Other than that, I have
found the R8 (despite its ergonomics) to be a wonderful receiver.
Fcathell
white from oil from my fingers. Cause?>>
Stop washing your hands in Clorox ;-)
Frank
Donald Frazier
>
> After one year, only one complaint: the volume knob seems to have turned
> white from oil from my fingers. Cause?
After my first year I had a case of VERY noisy volume control---odd I
thought that this should happen so soon. I avoided large scale
disassembly of the receiver to 'get at' the pot by removing a mounting
screw so as to allow the passage of a long needle to place a drop of
DeoxIT directly into the control---problem was immediately solved and
hasn't re-occurred---it's been two years.
Knob turning white---odd. What's happening, the paint wearing off, base
material showing, corrosion? Mine are three years old and I use the
receiver nearly everyday---still ok---sharp and clean like the day I got
it.
Larry Naumann
never noticed them before but there they were. About an S3 on some of them.
I found by rearranging some of the wires I could get it down so as the s
meter would not move. The main culprit is a tiny gray coax from the silver
box in the center of the top circiut board. It goes to the back then down
under the chassis and all the way to the other side. I pulled as much up to
the top as I could then found that by getting it close to the board and
tucking it in next to the DB9 intrface connector the signal dropped from S3
to Zero on the S meter. I suggest if these bother you to experiment a little
and find the best spot.
By the way I really like my R8B. I had a R75 and sold it to get this. The
R75 is a great utility rig but the audio of the R8B with an external speaker
is hard to beat. Seeing as I use my radio mainly for am reception I feel
this is a better radio for me. Plus the synch actually works.
Larry N0SA
Brian Denley
knob. The R8 (and R8A?) and older SW8 had nice metal knobs. For what Drake
charges, a metal knob doesn't seem too much to ask.
Brian Denley
--
"There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a
miracle. The other is as if everything is." - Albert Einstein
Al <ABurz...@swri.edu> wrote in message
news:strk0kg...@corp.supernews.com...
> After a lot of penny pinching and money hoarding (and hiding it from the
> wife), I got money together for a new Drake R8B. I have read all the
reviews
red_...@my-deja.com
the corrections you listed here.....Regards, RP
In article <cftD5.9487$cV2.2...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net>,
"Larry Naumann" <n0...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I just checked out my R8B for birdies. It is only a couple months
old. I
> never noticed them before but there they were. About an S3 on some of
them.
> I found by rearranging some of the wires I could get it down so as
the s
> meter would not move. The main culprit is a tiny gray coax from the
silver
> box in the center of the top circiut board. It goes to the back then
down
> under the chassis and all the way to the other side. I pulled as much
up to
> the top as I could then found that by getting it close to the board
and
Larry Naumann
of a radio. There ain't a radio out there that can't be faulted to one
extent or another. Jeeze, you try to post a reply to maybe help others and
you get slammed.
Larry N0SA
<red_...@my-deja.com> wrote in message news:8rlu5s$8h7$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
William W. Joslin
the list! :)
"Larry Naumann" <n0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:ghvD5.13705$cV2.2...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
red_...@my-deja.com
which "slammed" you personally. If you can produce one sentence which
did, let's see it. We're talking about a radio here, man, not life &
death issues. Your message demonstrated good, critical thinking. All
I am saying, is that I don't think the R8-B is worth $1200 bucks
riddled with the problems it has on many of its units. And yes, with
all due respect is what I simply meant. If you can't accept a
gentleman's disagreement over a product, then I am truly sorry for
you. Please correct me if I misread your reply. Regards, RP
In article <ghvD5.13705$cV2.2...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net>,
"Larry Naumann" <n0...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> What are your due respects and I don't get the point. It is still one
heck
> of a radio. There ain't a radio out there that can't be faulted to one
> extent or another. Jeeze, you try to post a reply to maybe help
others and
> you get slammed.
> Larry N0SA
>
> <red_...@my-deja.com> wrote in message news:8rlu5s$8h7
$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> > With a due respects, Larry. If I had to pay nearly $1200 & then
make
> > the corrections you listed here.....Regards, RP
red_...@my-deja.com
certainly don't, nor do I expect one to ever show up on the market.
Obviously, you're happy with & willing to spend the money for a Drake
R8-B. I'm happy for you. And many agree with you. But some of us
wouldn't shell out that amount of cash for it. And we've stated our
reasons. So, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. That's
all I'm saying. It goes no further than that. RP
In article <uzvD5.11170$bI6.5...@news1.giganews.com>,
"William W. Joslin" <wjo...@vvm.com> wrote:
> I haven't heard of a PERFECT radio yet. But, IMO, the R8B is at the
top of
> the list! :)
Bruce Jensen
"Larry Naumann" <n0...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> What are your due respects and I don't get the point. It is still one
heck of a radio. There ain't a radio out there that can't be faulted to
one extent or another. Jeeze, you try to post a reply to maybe help
others and you get slammed.<
If it helps, you've just convinced me that the birdies are not a
serious problem... :-)
--
Best regards,
Bruce Jensen
King Pineapple
ONLY on the volume control knob...
bpio...@yahoo.com
"problems" (maybe another...) cost at least twice as much.
I understand that those who can spend over $2500 on retired
MIL-standard radio can laugh at R8B. But I don't think that
the diference in performance is so huge - just better shielding
(less internal noise/hum, and less birdies) and more rugged
construction (that can almost withstand 9mm bullet ;-)) - I'm
not quite sure that I would need these features at home (for
twice the price of R8B).
For me R8B is a very nice receiver. But the question regarding
"coolness" of a receiver is sometimes a bit "religious" (based
on one's faith :-)). I wouldn't buy R8B if I wasn't convinced
that it was the best consumer radio available :-)))
So far I have no problem with my R8B. :-)
(My 2 cents.)
73! Piotr
In article <8rmd6t$j9t$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
Donald Frazier
>
> Unfortunately, better receivers that don't exhibit R8B's
> "problems" (maybe another...) cost at least twice as much.
> I understand that those who can spend over $2500 on retired
> MIL-standard radio can laugh at R8B. But I don't think that
> the diference in performance is so huge - just better shielding
> (less internal noise/hum, and less birdies) and more rugged
> construction (that can almost withstand 9mm bullet ;-)) - I'm
> not quite sure that I would need these features at home (for
> twice the price of R8B).
I sometimes wonder about the R-71A... If Icom made a few changes to
clean up a couple of nagging problems, improved the audio, added a syncD
might it not blow away the R8x series? In my opinion, in it's present
form, the R-71A is a far better communications/UTE receiver (not SWL)
than the R8x and obviously far better constructed, shielded and laid
out. What birdies and spurious signals I can hear on the R-71A are well
within what can be expected in nearly any properly constructed receiver.
In side by side listening tests, in the field and at home, my R-71A has
consistently won out over my R8B. However, not to be too one-sided in
this regard, I will say the R8B is a very definite, hands-down winner,
undisputed all-time champ, compared to my Star Roamer.
Dave
enough to deflect S-meter and way below the noise from my passive
random wire.
On Sun, 08 Oct 2000 10:28:24 -0400, Donald Frazier <ra...@man.com>
wrote:
Donald Frazier
I presume you are referring to your R8B? What can I say Dave... In my
R8B I have birdies every kHz from 13333 to 13397 kHz running S-3 and
there are other parts of the receiver coverage that have similar
problems. I sent it back to Drake, they heard them, they confirmed that
is NORMAL for this receiver and didn't do anything about it! In all I
sent the receiver back three times for dial encoder (rotary switch)
replacement, inoperative sync detector and some crazy noise generated in
the receiver (and each time it was sent back to me I got some added
dings and nicks to an otherwise brand-new unit only a few weeks old).
Shortly afterward I now have a dead line output---I believe it was the
source of the noise that wasn't located as the noise stopped when one
channel of the line output died. Some of the fellows on this newsgroup
suggested the in view of all the problems that I was having Drake ought
to exchange the receiver with another. I mentioned it to the service
tech and he didn't agree.
So it appears, based on so many reports of exemplary perfomance of the
R8x series that I got a down and out lemon a real junker---and Drake
wasn't even interested in trying to resolve the issue to preserve their
good name. One thing for sure! Like I said in my previous post, I
tested it against two other units, brand-new and pulled out of shipping
carton right on the counter in front of me and they had the same
problems---so there are at least two more individuals in a similar
situation as I.
Maybe it would be nice for a Drake representative to offer an
exchange---let that individual post a reply to this thread.
Dave
service calls). Drake has a good reputation to protect...
On Sun, 08 Oct 2000 15:50:11 -0400, Donald Frazier <ra...@man.com>
wrote:
>Dave wrote:
>>
>> I just checked between 5800 and 6200; 2 (ea) birdies, neither loud
>> enough to deflect S-meter and way below the noise from my passive
>> random wire.
>>
>> On Sun, 08 Oct 2000 10:28:24 -0400, Donald Frazier <ra...@man.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > However, not to be too one-sided in
>> >this regard, I will say the R8B is a very definite, hands-down winner,
>> >undisputed all-time champ, compared to my Star Roamer.
>> >
>
>
Joe Olig
There was a post from a Ham in Green Bay, WI (can't remember his name)
last year that said to check for birdies on the R8B with out any Ant.
connected and the pre-amp on and slowly tune through the SW bands. I
did this after bringing the radio home from AES and found NO birdies.
Joe Olig
South Central WI USA
R8B, 2010, 8000, 245XLT, MFJ 1020,
"Wires"
Walt Novinger
There was a very annoying digital whine in the speaker amplifier circuit.
Interestingly, there was absolutely no noise in the headphone circuit! This
anomaly has been verified with several HF-1000 owners as well as with the
factory (when they would still answer questions about the rx). In addition,
the overall noise floor is a bit lower in the R8B than on the HF-1000. So,
all mega-buck ex-mil receivers are not better than the R8B...just more
expensive.
--
Walt Novinger
Collector and restorer of valve communications receivers,
test equipment, and audio gear
"Let me explain what I do here. I don't want to confuse you
any more than absolutely necessary." Eugene Ormandy
Raleigh, NC USA
wnov...@nc.rr.com
<bpio...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:8rprjf$v9h$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> Unfortunately, better receivers that don't exhibit R8B's
> "problems" (maybe another...) cost at least twice as much.
> I understand that those who can spend over $2500 on retired
> MIL-standard radio can laugh at R8B. But I don't think that
> the diference in performance is so huge - just better shielding
> (less internal noise/hum, and less birdies) and more rugged
> construction (that can almost withstand 9mm bullet ;-)) - I'm
> not quite sure that I would need these features at home (for
> twice the price of R8B).
>
> For me R8B is a very nice receiver. But the question regarding
> "coolness" of a receiver is sometimes a bit "religious" (based
> on one's faith :-)). I wouldn't buy R8B if I wasn't convinced
> that it was the best consumer radio available :-)))
> So far I have no problem with my R8B. :-)
>
> (My 2 cents.)
>
> 73! Piotr
>
> In article <8rmd6t$j9t$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
> red_...@my-deja.com wrote:
bpio...@yahoo.com
receivers ever produced for semi-consumer market...
I can only compare R8B to Collins R388 (old tube military radio).
I wonder if R8B will be still working in 2050. My R388 is 50
years old and is less sensitive than R8B, less selective, more
prone to strong signals, doesn't have synchronous detector. But...
it is almost the same efficient in pulling out weak signals out of
the mud... How is it possible? - I simply don't know!
Maybe if I used bigger antenna the R388 would stay behind R8B
(R388 was designed for short whips)?
That's why I'm thinking that (ex-)military radios are good.
I wonder if somebody tried to compare R8B with Harris RF590
or Racal 6790 (or something like that)?
By the way, yesterday I heard "DXers Unlimited" by Arnie Coro.
He talked about humidity and modern receivers - problems
with smd components, LCDs, and so on... My R388 is not only
very good shielded (electrically) and built like a tank, but
also all components are painted with some special anticorrosion
substance...
Best regards,
Piotr
In article <bJ8E5.8831$QB1.1...@typhoon.southeast.rr.com>,
Donald Frazier
>
> I just checked out my R8B for birdies. It is only a couple months old. I
> never noticed them before but there they were. About an S3 on some of them.
> I found by rearranging some of the wires I could get it down so as the s
> meter would not move. The main culprit is a tiny gray coax from the silver
> box in the center of the top circiut board. It goes to the back then down
> under the chassis and all the way to the other side. I pulled as much up to
> the top as I could then found that by getting it close to the board and
> tucking it in next to the DB9 intrface connector the signal dropped from S3
> to Zero on the S meter. I suggest if these bother you to experiment a little
> and find the best spot.
Thank you for your suggestions.
This receiver has all sorts of internally generated noise---I just don't
feel like characterizing them all---anyway, these are the result of my
poking around inside.
I spent three hours playing around with wire re-arrangement in all parts
of the receiver (besides that coax) with absolutely no success on the
birdies on every kHz from 13333 to 13397 kHz---their signal strengths
remained rock steady at S-3. I reckon its like what Drake said---those
birdies are normal for the receiver. BTW, that coax going into that
shielded box is LO injection into the front end board. Odd that it
should affect the receiver operation as it does---quite possibly you are
resolving a problem distinct from the one I have. It's hard for me to
understand why moving that coax line has the effect that is does---maybe
something to look into.
I was able to change the signal strengths on signals around 6900 kHz by
moving the three ribbon cables on the synthesizer/microprocessor board
on the bottom of the receiver. When the ribbon cables are spaced apart
and away from the shielded box the signals drop markedly. Movement of
the ribbon cables have absolutely no affect on the birdies 13333 to
13397 kHz.
Hash that is associated with tuning I can live with so I didn't bother
chasing those. Those 'tuning' noises peak at various parts of the
receiver's coverage and can ONLY be heard while actively tuning. They
are segments roughly about 5 to 10 kHz wide of scratchy, hash type
noise. In normal use, terrestial noise covers them up so it is no
biggie.
William W. Joslin
"Donald Frazier" <ra...@man.com> wrote in message
news:39E212...@man.com...
Larry Naumann
them dissappear in the AM mode or are barely audible. Just a note.
Larry
William W. Joslin <wjo...@vvm.com> wrote in message
news:yJoE5.22405$Ly1.2...@news5.giganews.com...
William W. Joslin
aren't birdies elsewhere... just not in that range. :)
"Larry Naumann" <n0...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:%OqE5.7032$D81.2...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
ManKind
>there aren't birdies elsewhere... just not in that range. :)
Check in the springtime. Birdies tend to fly south for the winter :o)
William W. Joslin
"ManKind" <man...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:8FC8C1DD9ma...@24.23.26.113...
Richard Hoskins
> With a due respects, Larry. If I had to pay nearly $1200 & then make
> the corrections you listed here.....Regards, RP
[...] (62 lines of quote, plus sig)
"Larry Naumann" <n0...@earthlink.net> writes:
> What are your due respects and I don't get the point. It is still one heck
> of a radio. There ain't a radio out there that can't be faulted to one
> extent or another. Jeeze, you try to post a reply to maybe help others and
> you get slammed.
> Larry N0SA
[...] (105 lines of quote, plus sig)
"William W. Joslin" <wjo...@vvm.com> writes:
> I haven't heard of a PERFECT radio yet. But, IMO, the R8B is at the top of
> the list! :)
>
[...] (144 lines of quote, plus sig)
311 lines of quoted material for nine lines of new text, in three
consecutive articles, of the same thread, in a technical newsgroup.
Please take five minutes to learn how to use an editor.
Please.
--
party naked
William W. Joslin
> consecutive articles, of the same thread, in a technical newsgroup.
>
> Please take five minutes to learn how to use an editor.
> Please.
Please take 2 minutes and learn how to use a killfile.
Please. Sometimes, when we post, as we wade through hundreds of off-topic
messages, we just don't have time to be PC each and everytime. AT LEAST the
post was ON-TOPIC which is more than I can say for about 80% of what comes
through this newsgroup.
Brian Denley
Any chance your R-388 is really an R-388A? That receiver has three filter
positions on the outside of the BFO pitch knob. Those filters are the
famous Collins mechanical filters and added superior selectivity.
Brian Denley
--
"There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a
miracle. The other is as if everything is." - Albert Einstein
<bpio...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:8rr8fd$vng$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
bpio...@yahoo.com
my R388 is the same as Collins '53' version. It has 0+3
position filter bandwidth switch but it has only one
500kHz (ceramic?) filter - the selectivity is being
changed by changing phasing capacitors.
However selectivity is good enough for SSB reception.
Piotr
In article <MNNH5.46163$pu4.5...@typhoon.ne.mediaone.net>,
Jose Sifontes
best of the best from Drake, ICOM, etc. Can someone quote an example of a
mil grade radio to die for? I have a Drake R8A and would like to have as a
goal to someday get something significantly better - sounds like one of
these made for the military radios is it. Please share your wisdom on this
matter.
Many thanks,
Jose
bpio...@yahoo.com wrote:
> Unfortunately, better receivers that don't exhibit R8B's
> "problems" (maybe another...) cost at least twice as much.
> I understand that those who can spend over $2500 on retired
> MIL-standard radio can laugh at R8B. But I don't think that
> the diference in performance is so huge - just better shielding
> (less internal noise/hum, and less birdies) and more rugged
> construction (that can almost withstand 9mm bullet ;-)) - I'm
> not quite sure that I would need these features at home (for
> twice the price of R8B).
>
> For me R8B is a very nice receiver. But the question regarding
> "coolness" of a receiver is sometimes a bit "religious" (based
> on one's faith :-)). I wouldn't buy R8B if I wasn't convinced
> that it was the best consumer radio available :-)))
> So far I have no problem with my R8B. :-)
>
> (My 2 cents.)
>
> 73! Piotr
>
> In article <8rmd6t$j9t$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
> red_...@my-deja.com wrote:
Dave
on features. The Ten-Tec RX340 looks promising, once it gets shook
down a little more.
BTW; I bought the R8B service manual. $1190 is a very fair price for
that receiver. I don't see a huge markup; seems more like a labor of
love.
On Thu, 23 Nov 2000 11:06:10 -0400, Jose Sifontes <sifo...@coqui.net>
wrote:
bpio...@yahoo.com
Jose Sifontes <sifo...@coqui.net> wrote:
> I keep hearing about mythical military grade radios that are better
than the
> best of the best from Drake, ICOM, etc. Can someone quote an example
of a
> mil grade radio to die for? I have a Drake R8A and would like to
have as a
> goal to someday get something significantly better - sounds like one
of
> these made for the military radios is it. Please share your wisdom
on this
> matter.
>
> Many thanks,
>
No radio is worth dying - even military ;-)
(On the other hand, it is illogicall to spend
$$$$ on dream-receiver and then die... ;-))))
I don't think that $$$$ receiver could receive
much more that R8(A/B).
The limit is always atmospheric noise level -
modern medium and high grade consumer receivers
have sensitivity well below that level.
(Only good antenna system can make the real
difference.)
But military radios are more robustly built. They
have high quality construction and they can survive
a lot of abuses.
The other things are better shielding, lighting/
static protection and ergonomics (one button =
one function).
I think that nowadays you can expect slightly
better performance but probably not significantly
better (R8A is very good receiver). But you can
also expect that mil-grade receiver will still be
working in year 2050 :-)))
The only advantage could be DSP. But you can
add DSP to your R8A too...
73! Piotr
Mark S. Holden
Mark
Jose Sifontes wrote:
> I keep hearing about mythical military grade radios that are better than the
> best of the best from Drake, ICOM, etc. Can someone quote an example of a
> mil grade radio to die for? I have a Drake R8A and would like to have as a
> goal to someday get something significantly better - sounds like one of
> these made for the military radios is it. Please share your wisdom on this
> matter.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Jose
>
> bpio...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> > Unfortunately, better receivers that don't exhibit R8B's
> > "problems" (maybe another...) cost at least twice as much.
> > I understand that those who can spend over $2500 on retired
> > MIL-standard radio can laugh at R8B. But I don't think that
> > the diference in performance is so huge - just better shielding
> > (less internal noise/hum, and less birdies) and more rugged
> > construction (that can almost withstand 9mm bullet ;-)) - I'm
> > not quite sure that I would need these features at home (for
> > twice the price of R8B).
> >
> > For me R8B is a very nice receiver. But the question regarding
> > "coolness" of a receiver is sometimes a bit "religious" (based
> > on one's faith :-)). I wouldn't buy R8B if I wasn't convinced
> > that it was the best consumer radio available :-)))
> > So far I have no problem with my R8B. :-)
> >
> > (My 2 cents.)
> >
> > 73! Piotr
> >
> > In article <8rmd6t$j9t$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
> > red_...@my-deja.com wrote:
J Plimmer
stop fooling around and looking for hardly existent "birdies", you will find
the Drake R8A and R8B superb radio's, capable of digging out the faintest
and remotest DX catches.
The "law of diminishing returns" applies, and I can assure you if you buy a
Rhode and Schwartz receiver for US$10,000, you are still not going to get
anything much over what an experienced DXer can obtain on a Drake R8A or
R8B.
"birdies" exist on all the hobby radio's, but I have never experienced them
interfering with a good DX catch.
If you have so much dough, go on and buy a US$5000 plus radio and I will
challenge you to a competition. I will beat you hands down anytime, and so
will any other experienced DXer.
--
John Plimmer, MONTAGU. Western Cape Province, Republic of SOUTH AFRICA
Jose Sifontes <sifo...@coqui.net> wrote in message
news:3A1D3262...@coqui.net...
Brian Denley
Many of those stories are about the Collins R-390 and 390A. Their noise
floor (when properly tuned up) is at the galactic limit (no kidding!) so the
can't be beat as far as sensitivity in concerned. They also have the
Collins mechanical filters. They weigh about 100 lbs and can be had for
$300-800 used.
Brian Denley
--
"There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a
miracle. The other is as if everything is." - Albert Einstein
"Jose Sifontes" <sifo...@coqui.net> wrote in message
news:3A1D3262...@coqui.net...
> I keep hearing about mythical military grade radios that are better than
the
> best of the best from Drake, ICOM, etc. Can someone quote an example of a
> mil grade radio to die for? I have a Drake R8A and would like to have as
a
> goal to someday get something significantly better - sounds like one of
> these made for the military radios is it. Please share your wisdom on
this
> matter.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Jose
>
Dave
require frequent maintenance and are butt ugly in the parlor.
The AOR 7030 is just as quiet and has a much smaller footprint (nd
appetite for electricity.)