Drake or AOR?
Bill Baka
use it in either my car, at home (no computer hookups planned), or maybe
on one of my long bicycle trips.
I have found the Drake R-8 and SW-8 and also a mention of the AOR but
none found yet.
Anybody got any opinions on this?
Remember, home, car, bicycle, random antennas and that kind of thing.
I have plenty of boatanchors (Vacuum state FETs) and one marine RDF that
peaks at just over 4.0 MHz. I have a new Super CB Royce but a CB on a
bicycle might get too many laughs.
I'm open to any suggestions as long as they are cheap. I'm $$$ limited.
Thanks,
Bill Baka
D. Peter Maus
R-8(x) is not exactly a portable. Exceptional receiver but
you'll need some antenna, and a power supply. Intuitive controls. A
bit heavy for bike trips. Superb audio.
SW-8 is portable, and performs very well. Internal batteries, if
you'd like. But not terribly sensitive on the internal whip. That
can be improved, somewhat, by a trip to Drake. But still requires
some antenna. FM and Air band included. Superb audio, as well. Fits
well in a car. Easy to read display. Intuitive controls. Also a bit
heavy for bike trips.
AOR AR7030+...pricey. Can run you a kilobuck on the used market.
Compact. Stands toe to toe with the R8(x) in performance. Excellent
audio. The nested menu o/s not really for driving.
Now, one you've not mentioned, that's VERY portable, smaller and
lighter than the AOR, HIGHLY sensitive, works off battery power, and
a whip antenna, excellent audio....you can toss it into a backpack
for a bicycle trip and not feel it....Lowe HF-150. When you can find
one, it will be less expensive and a better general fit than your
other options. No lighted dial without modification.
Another small, and very nice performer, though not the best S/N
is AOR's AR3030. Sensitivity is good, but headroom is not on par
with the others. Small, lightweight, can run on batteries, sensitive
enough for a whip antenna. Intuitive controls, nice audio. Looks good.
For desktop operation, any of the 5. In order of performance:
R8(x), AR7030, HF-150, SW-8, AR3030.
In the car, in order of performance: HF-150, SW-8, AR3030.
For bike trips: HF-150, SW-8, AR3030.
For general purpose/all applications: SW-8, HF-150.
D. Peter Maus
One caveat about SW-8. The audio stage is unique. The finals
output is not referenced to ground. That is to say it's floating and
balanced. If you should accidently take one leg to ground, say in an
attempt to run the audio through the car's system, you blow the
audio stage. So, auto applications will require some care. Transform
the output and you're fine.
Not an issue if you use the receiver's internal speaker exclusively.
>
Bill Baka
> On 12/26/09 04:50 , D. Peter Maus wrote:
>>
>> R-8(x) is not exactly a portable. Exceptional receiver but you'll need
>> some antenna, and a power supply. Intuitive controls. A bit heavy for
>> bike trips. Superb audio.
My conclusion too.
>>
>> SW-8 is portable, and performs very well. Internal batteries, if you'd
>> like. But not terribly sensitive on the internal whip. That can be
>> improved, somewhat, by a trip to Drake. But still requires some antenna.
>> FM and Air band included. Superb audio, as well. Fits well in a car.
>> Easy to read display. Intuitive controls. Also a bit heavy for bike
>> trips.
It is one of 3 finalists. SW-8, AOR AR7030, and one of the Lowes, either
an AOR3030 or AOR7030. Beyond that I can go down to the general purpose
portables, nice for *old* people to take on a cruise ship but not for
me, the eternal teenager and user/abuser of equipment. The Mountain bike
weighs about 48 pounds, I weigh 40 pounds over my athletic peak, and a
heavy radio would be the least of my problems.
>>
>> AOR AR7030+...pricey. Can run you a kilobuck on the used market.
>> Compact. Stands toe to toe with the R8(x) in performance. Excellent
>> audio. The nested menu o/s not really for driving.
I don't even try to tune the radio when I am moving. CD's, cassettes and
other accident causers are not in my car or in use when I drive. If I
can find a good station before I start then I don't have to tune around.
Since I learned to listen for mechanical noise and fix my own car I have
been a DIY'er ever since I was 15 on cars, 7 or 8 on radios.
t5rwss've not mentioned, that's VERY portable, smaller and
lighter
>> than the AOR, HIGHLY sensitive, works off battery power, and a whip
>> antenna, excellent audio....you can toss it into a backpack for a
>> bicycle trip and not feel it....Lowe HF-150. When you can find one, it
>> will be less expensive and a better general fit than your other options.
>> No lighted dial without modification.
>>
>> Another small, and very nice performer, though not the best S/N is AOR's
>> AR3030. Sensitivity is good, but headroom is not on par with the others.
>> Small, lightweight, can run on batteries, sensitive enough for a whip
>> antenna. Intuitive controls, nice audio. Looks good.
>>
>> For desktop operation, any of the 5. In order of performance: R8(x),
>> AR7030, HF-150, SW-8, AR3030.
>>
>> In the car, in order of performance: HF-150, SW-8, AR3030.
>>
>> For bike trips: HF-150, SW-8, AR3030.
>>
>> For general purpose/all applications: SW-8, HF-150.
>>
Pretty much the short list I came up with.
>
> someone
> One caveat about SW-8. The audio stage is unique. The finals output is
> not referenced to ground. That is to say it's floating and balanced. If
> you should accidently take one leg to ground, say in an attempt to run
> the audio through the car's system, you blow the audio stage. So, auto
> applications will require some care. Transform the output and you're fine.
>
> Not an issue if you use the receiver's internal speaker exclusively.
>
>
In the car yes. I want to hear sirens and stuff happening around me when
I am driving. There are dozens of speaker sets around here from dead
receivers made (you know where, China), that gave up the ghost as soon
as possible when the warranty (full) expired. I could strap one under
the steering wheel since it is mono anyway and be isolated from the
car's 12 volt positive system. I have only seen positive ground on a few
European brands from the 1950's and very early 60's.
The Lowe, Drake, and AOR each have some unique features that would be
killer in one radio. I would like to see a custom comb filter in all of
them that could be set to blank the totally repetitive 50 and 60 Hertz
noise from lamps and such. If the are two or three SCR's all switching
at the same point per sine but different degrees they could be tuned out
manually.
Not to go overboard, but maybe someone else coming up, could offer a
radio with upgradeable modules until you got to the $30,000 super spy
radio that gets everything from literally D.C. to daylight.
Choices are still nice to have and I would still want to have the radio
in my hand before I buy it, but those days appear to be just memories now.
Bill Baka
mi...@sushi.com
The AR7030+ has many memory slots (300 I think) and a wireless IR
remote. I think it is too big for mounting in a car. Using the 7030 in
bright light may require the rear IR sensor to be covered over. The
7030+MB has a noise blanker, though I never really needed it. The auto
tracking notch filer is very good.
Bill Baka
<Snipped>
>
> The AR7030+ has many memory slots (300 I think) and a wireless IR
> remote. I think it is too big for mounting in a car. Using the 7030 in
> bright light may require the rear IR sensor to be covered over. The
> 7030+MB has a noise blanker, though I never really needed it. The auto
> tracking notch filer is very good.
This could be a two radio situation, like one for the car, one for home,
and maybe one for the bicycle. Depends on $$$ and how much pedaling I
want to do.
Thanks,
Bill Baka
Douche BAG
I find that wearing my tin foil hat and facing northwest works fine
for me both in my car and at home. Make sure the shiny side is facing
out!
Good luck.
Douche
cuh...@webtv.net
your two wheeler.
www.devilfinder.com
Watkins Johnson Radios
cuhulin
mi...@sushi.com
The AOR7030 is way too heavy for the bicycle. Besides, your antenna
would have to be a vertical whip. They are noisy, plus you are close
to automobiles. Then there is the theft issue. Why not a Sony portable
for the bicycle.
jbm32
Check out the Palstar R30A here ... http://www.palstar.com/r30.php
Universal has it at a slight discount. It has received some great
reviews, and I'm thinking of getting one myself.
-Jim
--
jbm32
D. Peter Maus
I looked very seriously at buying the R30C. Solid radio. Very
nice performance. Few frills, but very potent receiver.
About that time, there was a guy on this newsgroup who was
selling them at a substantial discount, AND he was offering a full
factory warranty.
Now a factory warranty isn't something that can be offered by
just anyone. Most manufacturers only offer warranty service on
products sold through authorized dealers. This seller was not on the
authorized dealer's list. So, I contacted Palstar, and exchanged
e-mails with Paul.
I explained the circumstances, and expressed my interest in
buying the radio. My question was simple: Is this an authorized
seller, and can I count on a valid factory warranty?
The response was surprising. "I don't know where he's getting his
radios and what the hell business is it of YOURS?"
If that's how Palstar answers an inquiry, do I really need to be
dropping serious money on one of their radios, regardless of the
seller.
So I bought a Ten-Tec, instead.
Drifter
would fit the bill nicely. got an older one here, and it's a super
receiver. you might check out the yahoo group. we fixed up a guy in
a motorized wheelchair a few years ago. and i know 2 guys in my rider
group that use the Palstar on their Harleys. all 3 of these set-ups
use a CB type antenna, and it will work to a point. i was thinking of
mounting one on my bagger over the winter. for an antenna, a guy on
one of the Harley groups uses a miracle whip. so, i'm going to check
that out. Paul at Palstar has a bunch of ideas, and he has made a few
cables for the guys. and last, the Palstar will take AA batteries in
side. last about 6 to 8 hours. could be your 2 wheel radio. good
luck, and let us how you make out.
Drifter...
Drifter
Peter. WOW. that sure don't sound like Paul. i have known Paul, from the
time he still worked at Drake. most of the Palstars and antennas, on
ebay, are sold by his son, who runs a kind of Palstar store on ebay. at
least he used too. i have the R30CC here. super little bare bones
receiver. when the weather is nice i take it, my Ed-loop, a jumpstart,
and a large coffee to my favorite park. makes a nice morning. and some
good back round for the days paper.
Drifter...
D. Peter Maus
That's what I'd heard. Which is why it was such a surprise.
> most of the Palstars and antennas, on
> ebay, are sold by his son, who runs a kind of Palstar store on ebay. at
> least he used too.
This wasn't an e-Bay seller. He was an individual known for his
sales and trades of used radios in the newsgroup, and he was
offering the Palstars directly in the newsgroup. He was specific
about making the point these were new radios, and he was offering
full factory warranty. The discount was nearly 30%, and Palstar
wasn't known for that kind of price cut. Which is what triggered the
red flag for me. So, I went to Palstar for direct information.
> i have the R30CC here. super little bare bones
> receiver. when the weather is nice i take it, my Ed-loop, a jumpstart,
> and a large coffee to my favorite park. makes a nice morning. and some
> good back round for the days paper.
That's a cool start to the day. There was a member of the
newsgroup who used to drive between Denver and Jackson Hole,
Wyoming, who took his SW-2 with him. He'd stop along the road and
hook it up to the guardrail and do some serious pseudo-Beverage work
before breakfast in Jackson Hole.
Good times.
cuh...@webtv.net
my sisters lived in Bozeman,Montana, we spent the night in Jackson
Hole,Wyoming.I remember Frenchy's in Jackson Hole.I wonder if Frenchy's
is still there?
Sure is nice Territory in Wyoming,,, Montana too.
cuhulin
cuh...@webtv.net
remember? Fifty three years since 1956 was quite a few years ago.
cuhulin
cuh...@webtv.net
celebrities used to go to Frenchy's, a Western retreat.George
Montgomery, (he was from Montana, Big Sky Country) Dinah Shore, and
others.
Last Chance Gulch in Helena got it's name from two or three guys from
Georgia, seeking Gold.
http://www.helenahistory.org/north_of_helena.htm
cuhulin
Drifter
Peter. that is so cool. i love the sw-2, and the 8. just read in MT-Jan.
issue, about using anything metal around the house for an antenna.
"back-in-the-day", 60's, locals use to brag about the
famous bed-spring antenna. i knew a guy who talked all around the
world on a barb wire fence. a guardrail, that's just so cool.
Best of the New Year to you.
Drifter...
>
D. Peter Maus
And you.
p
mi...@sushi.com
It looks a bit different today. Bring money. Brings lots of money.