Kenwood R-5000 Shortwave Recievers - Any Good?
Von Fourche
I'm thinking of going after a Kenwood shortwave receiver on e-bay. Back
when I got into
shortwave radio during the mid 1990's I always wanted a Kenwood R-5000.
Well, after buying two great portables, a Grundig Yacht Boy 400 and the
famous Sony ICF-2010, I never went after a Kenwood.
Anyway, I stopped listening to shortwave four or five years ago. Now I
noticed that Kenwood radios are discontinued and are popping up on e-bay.
So, are Kenwood radios worth going after for shortwave? And will they
let me pick up the small stations in Africa that I could never get with my
portables?
Thanks!
RHF
= = = <Khonak...@hotmail.com> wrote:
- I'm thinking of going after a Kenwood shortwave receiver on e-bay.
-
- Back when I got into shortwave radio during the mid 1990's
- I always wanted a Kenwood R-5000.
-
- Well, after buying two great portables, a Grundig Yacht Boy 400
- and the famous Sony ICF-2010, I never went after a Kenwood.
-
- Anyway, I stopped listening to shortwave four or five years ago.
- Now I noticed that Kenwood radios are discontinued and are
- popping up on e-bay.
-
- So, are Kenwood radios worth going after for shortwave?
- And will they let me pick up the small stations in Africa
- that I could never get with my portables?
-
- Thanks!
Von Fourche -IF- You Get A Good One - I Think So ~ RHF
.
Check-Out the Kenwood R-5000 Communications Receiver
Owner's and User's Groups on YAHOO !
KENWOOD => http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/
.
The Kenwood R-5000 Receiver is the last and the best
of the Full Coverage Communications Receivers made
by Kenwood and was produced from 1987 to 1996.
R-5000 => http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/
.
This User's Group is for Kenwood R-5000 Receiver Owners
and Want-to-be-Owners plus Kenwood Radio Collectors.
R-5000 => http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/
.
This is your place on the WEB to use as a "Resource"
for Kenwood R-5000 General and Technical Information;
Identifying Common Problems and Practical Solutions.
R-5000 => http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/
.
Find Out About - Kenwood R-5000 Receiver Modifications
and Changes; plus Accessory and Optional Components.
R-5000 => http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/
.
IMHO - To get those Hard-to-Get Shortwave Radio Stations
the real difference comes down to the Antenna(s) that you
will be using along with what ever Shortwave Radio you have.
.
REMEMBER - That 55.5% of the Shortwave Radio Reception
is using an Antenna designed for High Frequency {Shortwave}
reception. For most Shortwave Listeners (SWL) an Inverted
"L" Antenna that uses "Low Noise" Antenna design concepts
that were popularized by John Doty will greatly improve their
Shortwave Radio Listening experience.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/message/5178
* Low Noise Antenna Connection - by John Doty
http://www.anarc.org/naswa/badx/antennas/low-noise_antenna.html
* Shortwave Listener (SWL) Longwire Antenna - by John Doty
? WHY Use a Fixed Matching Transformer ?
http://www.anarc.org/naswa/badx/antennas/SWL_longwire.html
* Grounding is the Key to Good Reception - by John Doty
http://www.anarc.org/naswa/badx/antennas/grounding.html
* Read More About - The "Low Noise" Antenna design concepts
that were popularized by John Doty
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/message/5178
Read "Receive Only" Shortwave Listening (SWL) Antenna
- - - Then Think 9:1 Matching Transformer
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.radio.shortwave/msg/e24cd5e4a449fb60
.
DON'T FORGET - That 55.5% of the AM/MW Radio Reception
is using an Antenna designed for AM Medium Wave reception.
For most AM/MW DXers a Two to Four Foot {Home Made}
Loop Antenna will greatly improve their AM/MW DXing
Listening experience.
Read - Consider these AM/MW Antenna choices
for better AM Medium Wave Radio Reception
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.radio.shortwave/msg/cd30fc6a512330be
Also Read - Seven Ways to Improve AM {Medium Wave}
Radio Broadcast Band Reception
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.radio.shortwave/msg/a214420bd2aa34de
.
.
REFERENCE - What About The Kenwood R-5000 Shortwave Recievers
- Are They Any Good ?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/message/2092
.
.
. .
Ron Baker, Pluralitas!
"Von Fourche" <Khon...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ANWTh.39$Ut...@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
I imagine your antenna and location would make more
of a difference than the radio in receiving QRP DX (small
African stations).
I have a TS-440 which is related to the R-5000.
I haven't compared the ts-440 to the decent protables
available these days but from the way people rave about them
their sensitivity and selectivity are probably all one
would need, especially for AM shorwave broadcasts.
With the Kenwood you would get some other good
features. To me what is quite valuable is the computer
interface. I have PC software to control the receiver.
With that I have a database of several thousand
frequencies where I have found signals of interest.
It's nice to have a windows interface to point and click
to tune them in.
I also like the IF shift, independently controllable selectivity,
and notch filter of the Kenwood.
One thing about the Kenwood, the keyboard tends to
develop bounce with time. Generally that is a small
annoyance. When punching a mode button (AM, USB,
etc.) it doesn't matter if it bounces. But it could be quite
annoying if one were directly punching in frequencies alot.
I don't know anyone who does that, though.
The R-5000 appears to have some free space available in the
cabinet. In my book that is a plus for repairs, modifications,
and reliability.
You can find the user and service manuals for
the R-5000 at:
http://www.rigpix.com/schematicsnstuff.htm
--
rb
willismat
Yes, its a very good receiver but be aware of key bounce which was
already mentioned here. Indeed, it may not be an issue for you if you
don't direct-entry frequencies much. Also, one of the R-5000s that I
had owned developed a hum which was caused by a board inside the rig
becoming loose, another possible headache but it is fixable.
It does have many things going for it despite these potential
problems, particularly for weak Africans which are mainly in the
tropical bands.
Portables are sensitive but generally have poor dynamic range compared
to radios in the R-5000 class, and have enough internal noise to hide
weak signals. The R-5000 is quite good in this regard; if the antenna
picks it up you will hear the signal, and it also has some of the best
audio you'll find for a HF receiver, which is a plus for understanding
what you're hearing.
Make sure that the wide AM filter is the upgraded 6 kHz filter. If
its not then you'll really need to get one at an additional expense of
$50-100 on eBay. You can add (or have a technician add) a 4 kHz
filter for it which is available from Inrad, but because the IF of the
R-5000 is not 455 kHz, this is the only extra AM filter you can add.
It is a very good and useful filter, BTW, and I believe Inrad still
also has a 1.8 kHz filter for it which may help in really tight spots
using ECSS. An R-5000 with all four filters is a super rig!
The IF Shift is quite useful but doesn't work in AM; however using
ECSS will allow you to use this feature to clear up adjacent channel
interference with any filter selected. The notch filter is a big
plus, no portable that I know has one.
Get a good antenna whether you get the R-5000 or something else.
It'll make the Kenwood really shine, but also help lesser radios, too.
Wimpie
Hello,
The R5000 is a nice receiver (I own one), but is no guarantee for
hearing a station. At this moment I frequently use a wide band
receiver (AOR 8200, with good continuous tunable preselector and a
sangean ATS 909, all with external antennas), because they are
portable.
Before you buy something else, try to figure out what does hinder you
from receiving another station. Some issues:
Do you have problems with adjacent strong stations? A receiver with
better selectivity might help (but when stronger adjacent station
emits out of band, a better selectivity may not be sufficient).
Sometimes, you can use an antenna with nulls in the radiation pattern
(for example a small tuned loop antenna). You can orient the antenna
in such a way that reception from the desired station is emphasized
with respect to the undesired station.
Do you have blocking or overload from non-adjacent, but very strong
stations? A better receiver might work. As a test you may construct a
resonating circuit to make your own preselector. For example, my AOR
8200 receiver cannot be used with external antenna without
preselector. When you buy a R5000, check what filters have been
installed.
Do you have local interference (from domestic equipment)? In that case
it is very unlikely that a better receiver will work better. When the
interference is pulse like, a good functioning Noise limiter/blanking
system will give some improvement. The R5000 has a good one. Trying to
reorient the antenna or find the source of interference may help you.
Is It just noise that hinders reception?. Whether a better receiver
will perform better or not, depends on whether the receiver's noise or
external noise is dominant. Try to add some attenuation between the
antenna and the receiver (provided you are using an external antenna).
If the reception becomes worse, the sensitivity of the receiver is
causing the noise. When it becomes better, then your receiver suffers
from overload, a preselector might help. When it doesn't change,
external noise is dominant, a better receiver will not help.
In general, in many cases the receiver is not the problem, but the
antenna and propagation is.
If you want another receiver bear in mind that many of the R5000 are
in service for over ten years. That is a time that electronic
components may suffer from wear-out. It would be sad when you spend
500 dollars for a receiver in bad shape.
I hope this will help you to make the right decisions to receive the
stations you want to hear.
Best Regards,
Wim
PA3DJS
Von Fourche
"Wimpie" <wim...@tetech.nl> wrote in message
news:1176566539.3...@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
I'm also seeing another Kenwood shortwave radio on ebay: R-2000. Any
good?
BDK
Khon...@hotmail.com says...
Not a horrible radio, but the R1000 is better. Has nice audio. The 5000
is light years better.
BDK
Roadie
Yes, Kenwood made it's last shortwave radio the best ever made by that
company. The R5000 is a compact package with four mode selectable
filters (two standard), tuning down to 10hz, an excellent notch
filter, IF shift, 99 memories, computer control port, etc. And it
delivers excellent quality audio. Kenwood has unfortunately been out
of the shortwave receiver business for several years now.
The R2000 and R1000 are a couple of steps down but competent
receivers. They are about equal in performance.
m II
> I'm also seeing another Kenwood shortwave radio on ebay: R-2000. Any
> good?
As with most radios of this type, the antenna is the deciding factor.
Local noise will be also of importance. Tuning is very accurate.
I have the radio and have found it to be great. A built in timer and
record output jack let you tape shows you can't be around for.
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/467?ehamsid=621f3d5a0537c26999555fbeddbf140d
or:
mike
Geoffrey S. Mendelson
> I have the radio and have found it to be great. A built in timer and
> record output jack let you tape shows you can't be around for.
Important note: The record out jack is LINE LEVEL not microphone level,
and is mono. One early reviewer panned the R-5000 because the record
output was severely distorted. It turned out he had not read the manual
and tried to put a line level output (0.707 volts) into a microphone
input ( a few milivolts).
Geoff.
--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel g...@mendelson.com N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 Fax ONLY: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838
Visit my 'blog at http://geoffstechno.livejournal.com/
RHF
> On Apr 13, 10:13 pm, "Von Fourche" <Khonak...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I'm thinking of going after a Kenwood shortwave receiver on e-bay. Back
> > when I got into
> > shortwave radio during the mid 1990's I always wanted a Kenwood R-5000.
> > Well, after buying two great portables, a Grundig Yacht Boy 400 and the
> > famous Sony ICF-2010, I never went after a Kenwood.
>
> > Anyway, I stopped listening to shortwave four or five years ago. Now I
> > noticed that Kenwood radios are discontinued and are popping up on e-bay.
>
> > So, are Kenwood radios worth going after for shortwave? And will they
> > let me pick up the small stations in Africa that I could never get with my
> > portables?
>
> > Thanks!
>
> Yes, Kenwood made it's last shortwave radio the best ever made by that
> company.
- The R5000 is a compact package
The Kenwood R-5000 Receiver has Two Potential 'Problems' as it Ages
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/message/2105
1 - Key Bounce
* oops let me try that again ,
* * Oops Let Me Try That Again . .
* * * OOPS LET ME TRY THAT AGAIN ! ! !
TIP - Using the 'optional' Kenwood R-5000 Receiver Computer
Control is one way around the Key Bounce 'problem' using
the 'optional' IF-232C Interface Adapter with a Computer's
RS-232C Port and connecting Cable.
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/UJIiRgknzEzbXSfjUfs3pepAnDV6dLopsfncxYXAY
SA0G27ZbHlLwCUCC0a1tgouojkKqWNSkmJLVTcmRw9b/IF-232C.pdf
Simple and Safe RS232 Interface Cable for the
Kenwood R-5000 Receiver -by- 1K2BCP
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/UJIiRuWxTuXbXSfjgRo8bcCtzGfIPc8VCBrxjn7R9
qDsiwYNuLXOypK27-I1ssD91qri-5WSMXCzp78xcFMX/Kenwood%20IF232%
20Interface%20by%20IK2BCP.gif
2 - Heat Aged Components because it Runs Hot due to the
Internal AC-toDC Power Supply which generates a good deal
of Heat inside the Box. The Kenwood R-5000 Receiver gets
and stays very Very VERY Warm All the Time when it is On.}
TIP - Some Kenwood R-5000 Receiver Owner/Users like to
use an External 12 VDC Power Supply via the DCK-2 Plug
on the back of the Receiver and then the Radio runs as
cool as most other Solid State Electronics.
ABOUT - The 'optional' DCK-2 12 Volt Kit
Take a look at the DCK-2 Install.PDF File
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/UJIiRi8Pe-rbXSfjIhnyG7Lv6-
_i01RAAMTw_E_7iNPywqHM_0l6YcrCfx2GY_uxVquVlNcrJJThq8R4WqEb/DCK-2%
20install.pdf
This file contains the instructions for installing the
'optional' Kenwood R-5000 DCK-2 12 Volt Kit.
NOTE - If you can not make the above Links / URLs work
then go to the Files Section of the Kenwood R-5000
Receiver Owner/Users Group and Click-On them there.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/files/
just my two cents worth of problems ~ RHF
.
.
Check-Out the Kenwood R-5000 Communications Receiver
Owner's and User's Groups on YAHOO !
KENWOOD => http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/
.
.
. .
Roadie
> On Apr 15, 9:53 am, "Roadie" <hjs...@cs.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Apr 13, 10:13 pm, "Von Fourche" <Khonak...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > I'm thinking of going after a Kenwood shortwave receiver on e-bay. Back
> > > when I got into
> > > shortwave radio during the mid 1990's I always wanted a Kenwood R-5000.
> > > Well, after buying two great portables, a Grundig Yacht Boy 400 and the
> > > famous Sony ICF-2010, I never went after a Kenwood.
>
> > > Anyway, I stopped listening to shortwave four or five years ago. Now I
> > > noticed that Kenwood radios are discontinued and are popping up on e-bay.
>
> > > So, are Kenwood radios worth going after for shortwave? And will they
> > > let me pick up the small stations in Africa that I could never get with my
> > > portables?
>
> > > Thanks!
>
> > Yes, Kenwood made it's last shortwave radio the best ever made by that
> > company.
>
> - The R5000 is a compact package
>
>
> 1 - Key Bounce
> * oops let me try that again ,
> * * Oops Let Me Try That Again . .
> * * * OOPS LET ME TRY THAT AGAIN ! ! !
> TIP - Using the 'optional' Kenwood R-5000 Receiver Computer
> Control is one way around the Key Bounce 'problem' using
> the 'optional' IF-232C Interface Adapter with a Computer's
> SA0G27ZbHlLwCUCC0a1tgouojkKqWNSkmJLVTcmRw9b/IF-232C.pdf
> Simple and Safe RS232 Interface Cable for the
> qDsiwYNuLXOypK27-I1ssD91qri-5WSMXCzp78xcFMX/Kenwood%20IF232%
> 20Interface%20by%20IK2BCP.gif
>
> 2 - Heat Aged Components because it Runs Hot due to the
> Internal AC-toDC Power Supply which generates a good deal
> of Heat inside the Box. The Kenwood R-5000 Receiver gets
> and stays very Very VERY Warm All the Time when it is On.}
>
> TIP - Some Kenwood R-5000 Receiver Owner/Users like to
> use an External 12 VDC Power Supply via the DCK-2 Plug
> on the back of the Receiver and then the Radio runs as
> cool as most other Solid State Electronics.
>
> ABOUT - The 'optional' DCK-2 12 Volt Kit
> _i01RAAMTw_E_7iNPywqHM_0l6YcrCfx2GY_uxVquVlNcrJJThq8R4WqEb/DCK-2%
> 20install.pdf
> This file contains the instructions for installing the
> 'optional' Kenwood R-5000 DCK-2 12 Volt Kit.
>
> NOTE - If you can not make the above Links / URLs work
> then go to the Files Section of the Kenwood R-5000
>
> just my two cents worth of problems ~ RHF
> .
> .
> Check-Out the Kenwood R-5000 Communications Receiver
> Owner's and User's Groups on YAHOO !
> KENWOOD =>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/
> .
> .
> . .
>
>
>
> > with four mode selectable
> > filters (two standard), tuning down to 10hz, an excellent notch
> > filter, IF shift, 99 memories, computer control port, etc. And it
> > delivers excellent quality audio. Kenwood has unfortunately been out
> > of the shortwave receiver business for several years now.
>
> > The R2000 and R1000 are a couple of steps down but competent
>
> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Good advice on the DC kit and they are a snap to install. A couple of
other ways to reduce the heat buildup are to mount part of the power
supply on the rear of the radio or sit a small muffin fan over the
rear heat vent on the radio.
I found that if enough room was left around the radio that convection
would remove quite a bit of heat. Unfortunately stuff just seems to
accumulate and the shack got crowded so the muffin fan trick worked
like a champ until I got a good DC power supply for the radio.
Although I'm not aware of any heat related failures, it is better to
be safe.
And yes the R5000 group on Yahoo is a fine source of information. I
believe some guys have corrected the key bounce problem.
Von Fourche
"Von Fourche" <Khon...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ANWTh.39$Ut...@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
>
>
> Back when I got into
> shortwave radio during the mid 1990's I always wanted a Kenwood R-5000.
> Well, after buying two great portables, a Grundig Yacht Boy 400 and the
> famous Sony ICF-2010, I never went after a Kenwood.
What about some other discontinued table top shortwave receivers that
pop up on e-bay?
How about his list from universal radio:
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commdisc.html
Any of these radios worth going after that might pop up on ebay really
cheap? I would like to get a decent radio at a low cost. I just saw one
Kenwood R-5000 go for around $500.00 I was hoping to find an R-5000 for
around $250, not $500! lol
Roadie
> "Von Fourche" <Khonak...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
That is a broad brush sampling of discontinued shortwave receivers.
It runs the gamut from tube to electronic, analog to digi/analog to
digital. For two more comprehensive lists from the same good people
at Universal see: http://www.dxing.com/
Just select Modern Shortwave Receiver Survey or Favorite Tube Type
Shortwave Receivers.
And here is the granddaddy of all websites with reviews of receivers.
It's in german but a google or babelfish translation will get you a
lot of good information and an occaisional humorous mis-translation.
Lots of good reading about receivers that are discontinued but many of
them still come on the used market.
http://www.dr-boesch.ch/radio/radio-index.htm
To be perfectly honest, you can get a "decent" portable radio that
will perform very well for well under $200.00 But if you want to go
up a few notches to the better performance of a tabletop you are going
to have to pay a little more...
The question for you is how much performance do you need? Did the
2010 meet your needs?
Paul Zak
"Von Fourche" <Khon...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:G5UUh.22294$PL....@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
Von Fourche
"Roadie" <hjs...@cs.com> wrote in message
news:1176770783....@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
For the most part it met my needs but I have always wanted a desk top
receiver. With short wave radio's popularity fading away I was hoping to
find a top notch 1990's table top receiver for a very low price.
D Peter Maus
> "Von Fourche" <Khon...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ANWTh.39$Ut...@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>
>>
>> I'm thinking of going after a Kenwood shortwave receiver on e-bay.
>> Back when I got into
>> shortwave radio during the mid 1990's I always wanted a Kenwood R-5000.
>> Well, after buying two great portables, a Grundig Yacht Boy 400 and the
>> famous Sony ICF-2010, I never went after a Kenwood.
>
>
>
For a while, there, Icom's R71 and Kenwood's R-5000 were the Bobsey
Twins of shortwave radio. Each had his/her proponents, but for the most
part, they were pretty much the same performance with minor differences
in ergonomics, and complimentary strengths and weaknesses, although the
differences in each direction are of no practical concern. Truth is, if
you set them side by side, they'll hear the same things, and dig out the
same signals.
The Kenwood has more ear pleasing audio. Icom is notorious for
pretty crapular sound.
Together, they were the benchmarks of top flight SW receivers.
That was then. Today, you're up against diminishing supplies of
proprietary, model exclusive parts. And should you need a repair, you
may be in deep kimchee. Kenwood no longer has access to the display for
R-5000. Some keyboard items, and circuit boards are getting scarce.
If you find one that's working, you'll probably get some good
mileage out of it before you need to move on. But service and support
are things you shouldn't count on. That's not to say they don't exist.
There just aren't that many people who will take on on, anymore.
That said...if you're of the mind that this is a radio you can't
live without, by all means, move on it. No one should be limited to
'practicality' in a purchase. Practicality is only one of many criteria.
You should be able to find a decent rig for $400 and below. The
closer to pristine you get, the more stiffly loaded the price. I've seen
them go in the mid $300's for a presentable example.
Good luck.
p
JeroenK
> Any of these radios worth going after that might pop up on ebay really
> cheap? I would like to get a decent radio at a low cost. I just saw one
> Kenwood R-5000 go for around $500.00 I was hoping to find an R-5000 for
> around $250, not $500! lol
Be aware that r5000's can vary in price due to optionals added into the
radio. They can be a VHF convertor unit, and a range of optional
filters. They can greatly affect the price of second hand r5000's.
--
JeroenK
Geoffrey S. Mendelson
> Be aware that r5000's can vary in price due to optionals added into the
> radio. They can be a VHF convertor unit, and a range of optional
> filters. They can greatly affect the price of second hand r5000's.
The options that are available are:
1. Replacment AM filter. Kenwood's was also 6kHz, but much more selective.
Other companies also had direct replacements and International Crystal
had/has a 4kHz filter.
2. Narrow SSB filter 1.8kHz.
3. Narrow CW filter 600/500/250 kHz, I think Kenwood's were 500 and 250.
4. Computer control. 2 chips added under front panel, TTL to RS232 converter
in the cable. Real old units need a ROM upgrade too. Chips and cables
can be obtained from third parties.
5. Voice sythesiser. Very rare,
6. VHF converter. Rare and expensive.
7. Car Kit. Adds a 12 volt power socket in the back, came with a detachable
cable.
Other issues:
PLL unlock aka the dreaded dots problem. Due to poor choice of manufacturing
materials, the main PLL unlocks, the display shows only dots.
Memory battery. A 3 volt RECHARGEABLE lithium battery under the front cover.
eventualy needs replacing.
The keyboard bounce problem others have noted.
Note that early units sold in the U.S. were 120 volt only. Mine purchased
in 1990 was, by 1993 they were replaced with a multivoltage (manualy
switched) unit.
In plain English a unit with no additional filters (6kHz AM wide, 2.4kHz SSB),
and no other add ons, that has never had the battery replaced or the PPL
unlock fixed is worth around $200-$250 dollars. It is very likely both
will have to be done.
A unit with ALL accesories (narrow AM replacement, add on narrow SSB and CW
filters), recent battery replacment and PLL fix, computer interface,
voice sythesiser and VHF converter could easily go for close to $1000.
(and be worth it IMHO).
Figure the VHF convertor is worth $150-$200 if you want one, the
filters are worth $50 each. There were never enough voice sythesisers
to set a price. The 12v car kit is not worth much, and the computer
interface is not a high demand item.
Note that with today's prices, it's cheaper to buy a used R-5000 with a
VHF converter, keep the better of the two and sell the other than to buy
one on it's own and put it in the radio you have.
JeroenK
> The options that are available are:
Ah yes, thats what you get when typing a post right after you woke up
(and before your first coffee), you forget to mention the whole list ;)
--
JeroenK
Geoffrey S. Mendelson
> JeroenK wrote:
>
>> Be aware that r5000's can vary in price due to optionals added into the
>> radio. They can be a VHF convertor unit, and a range of optional
>> filters. They can greatly affect the price of second hand r5000's.
>
> The options that are available are:
Below is what I posted. What am I missing?
JeroenK
> Below is what I posted. What am I missing?
None! I did missed a whole list though as I only mentioned the VHF
converter and the filters ;)
--
JeroenK
Roadie
> JeroenK wrote:
> > Be aware that r5000's can vary in price due to optionals added into the
> > radio. They can be a VHF convertor unit, and a range of optional
> > filters. They can greatly affect the price of second hand r5000's.
>
> The options that are available are:
>
> 1. Replacment AM filter. Kenwood's was also 6kHz, but much more selective.
> Other companies also had direct replacements and International Crystal
> had/has a 4kHz filter.
>
> 2. Narrow SSB filter 1.8kHz.
>
> 3. Narrow CW filter 600/500/250 kHz, I think Kenwood's were 500 and 250.
>
> 4. Computer control. 2 chips added under front panel, TTL to RS232 converter
> in the cable. Real old units need a ROM upgrade too. Chips and cables
> can be obtained from third parties.
>
> 5. Voice sythesiser. Very rare,
>
> 6. VHF converter. Rare and expensive.
>
> 7. Car Kit. Adds a 12 volt power socket in the back, came with a detachable
> cable.
Good list of the options. The optional filters are certainly worth
looking for. The VHF converter has become a collectible and the price
seems excessive in light of its limited coverage. The computer
control board is worth looking for IF remote control is wanted. The
other options don't seem to command much of a premium in price.
Nice list of the R5000 issues.
Roadie
I had an interesting conversation with Bob Grove regarding the R5000
and it's competition. The R5000, R71a and NRD525 were the hot radios
to have and as you mentioned each had it's proponents. Bob lined them
up on a bench and tested them on a wide variety of stations and
listening conditions. His conclusion was that they were essentially
equal in their ability to catch and separate signals. Audio quality
was quite different and in his opinion the R5000 came out first, then
the R71a and last the NRD525 with it's well known wooly audio.
Ergonomics was also different and each radio had its plusses and
minuses. After listening to Bob and spinning the dials on all three
at the local radio store I went with the R5000 mostly because of size,
layout and audio quality.
JeroenK
> The computer
> control board is worth looking for IF remote control is wanted. The
> other options don't seem to command much of a premium in price.
The second hand r5000 that I got last week suffers a bit from the key
problem. So to bypass that problem, and preventing more unnecessary
aggravation of that problem by using the number keys more I decided to
get me the necessary IC's and interface.
Luckily both the IC's and the interface is not that expensive.
--
JeroenK
BDK
hjs...@cs.com says...
Another R5000 design issue that's overlooked is the extremely hot
running 110V PS in it. Running the radio on 12V is a very smart move.
BDK
Drifter
> <snip>
Well put, Peter. I have all these fine radios in my private collection.
and, i find the R-5K the more pleasing of the mentioned receivers. $3K
seems a bit high to
me, but i was offered, by a fellow collector, $2.5K,
for my R-5K, R-2K, and the R-1K. i turned down the offer. i hate to put
a money value on my collection. my 5000 was new- old stock from EEB. got
it by accident, just be for they had to close. it has less than 10 hours
use/ plugged in, etc. and, i must say, the 5K does run hot. i'm not
saying it's the better of the offering of that era. but, it is a beauty.
GOOD DX!
Drifter...
dxAce
BDK wrote:
I operated an R5000 for several years and never noted it running extremely hot.
dxAce
Michigan
USA
Geoffrey S. Mendelson
> problem. So to bypass that problem, and preventing more unnecessary
> aggravation of that problem by using the number keys more I decided to
> get me the necessary IC's and interface.
Funny, I use the big round thing on the front to change stations,
The only time I use the keys is to change mode.
Geoffrey S. Mendelson
> use/ plugged in, etc. and, i must say, the 5K does run hot. i'm not
> saying it's the better of the offering of that era. but, it is a beauty.
Is it a 120 volt only or a switched version? Mine never gets hot, only
slightly warm to the touch and it is the 120 volt only version.
Now I run it on a transformer because house voltage here is 230 volts,
50Hz.
Geoffrey S. Mendelson
> the R71a and last the NRD525 with it's well known wooly audio.
> Ergonomics was also different and each radio had its plusses and
> minuses. After listening to Bob and spinning the dials on all three
> at the local radio store I went with the R5000 mostly because of size,
> layout and audio quality.
I sold my R-5000 when I bought an NRD-535D. Just before I moved here,
I sold the NRD to the person who bought the R-5000 for the R-5000 and
cash. I never liked the audio of the NRD even with the expensive matching
external speaker.
Jeroen
> Funny, I use the big round thing on the front to change stations,
>
> The only time I use the keys is to change mode.
Going over a list of frequencies in a considerable short time will be
quite slow with the tuning knob and 1MHz step buttons alone. But
anyway, don't see a need for a discussion on what way is the best for
tuning? If you prefer the 'big round thing' on the front and find
everyone else funny if they use other methods that OK with me :)
JeroenK
BDK
says...
> Drifter wrote:
>
> > use/ plugged in, etc. and, i must say, the 5K does run hot. i'm not
> > saying it's the better of the offering of that era. but, it is a beauty.
>
> Is it a 120 volt only or a switched version? Mine never gets hot, only
> slightly warm to the touch and it is the 120 volt only version.
>
> Now I run it on a transformer because house voltage here is 230 volts,
> 50Hz.
>
> Geoff.
>
>
I'm not sure, but there are two regulators in the US version that get
way, way too hot to touch. There was a very crude looking mod out at one
time to move them to the outside on the heat sink. I think a tiny fan on
the outside of the case blowing on the regs might have been a better
solution.
I had two R5000's, and one had issues with the regulator failing, and it
cost a lot of cash to fix all the other stuff that failed because of the
regs blowing. When I got the second one, I ran it on 12V without any
issues.
I sold it for almost as much as I paid for it after two years. The guy
who bought it put it on 120V and it died a few months later.
BDK
BDK
says...
The two regs that got insanely hot were inside the radio, when/if they
failed, it was a 250 buck repair. I know, I paid to have a tech fix it.
The outside only gets moderately warm, to slightly hot. The slightest
amount of air blowing on the outside cooled it down nicely. On the
outside. Touching those regs when it was running would get your fingers
burned.
I had an Icom R-7100 that was another one that ran insanely hot. It made
a great space heater on 120V. On 12V, it was nice and cool.
BDK
D Peter Maus
True of R70, R71, and R7000 as well.
>
BDK
says...
> Roadie wrote:
> > the R71a and last the NRD525 with it's well known wooly audio.
> > Ergonomics was also different and each radio had its plusses and
> > minuses. After listening to Bob and spinning the dials on all three
> > at the local radio store I went with the R5000 mostly because of size,
> > layout and audio quality.
>
> I sold my R-5000 when I bought an NRD-535D. Just before I moved here,
> I sold the NRD to the person who bought the R-5000 for the R-5000 and
> cash. I never liked the audio of the NRD even with the expensive matching
> external speaker.
>
> Geoff.
>
>
The JRC speakers, like almost all the optional external speakers sold
for ham and SW radios, are pretty worthless. A fifty cent speaker in a
hundred+ buck case. I don't have a 535, but my 525 sounds really great
on an old speaker I found in the basement after we moved into this
house. No, it didn't sound as good as the R5000, but it was a lot better
than it sounded with the 3 different JRC speakers I had. I bought them
all used, and they are all gone now. I presently use a couple of the RS
Minimus speakers, the old basement speaker (6" full range), a 4" high
buck midrange I got from a friend who sold the speaker it went into,
shoved into an old steel Motorola under dash case.
Even my NRD-515 sounds pretty good on the old basement speaker.
The R5000 sounded awesome on the old regutted Moto. Seems like most
Kenwood stuff likes that speaker a lot. I've had almost all the 40 and
50 series HF radios on it, and they all sound great.
BDK
HFguy
What causes the key bounce problem? Is it mechanical or electronic?
JeroenK
> What causes the key bounce problem? Is it mechanical or electronic?
How can I find out?
Probably by opening the whole thing up I guess :) I opened it up for the
entry to the IC10 ICs, but unsure whether I want to take that much
further, as I'm not *that* experienced with electronics. Certainly dont
want to risk damaging the rx.
I can live with it as it is now, and soon I will control the rx from my
PC anyway.
--
JeroenK
Geoffrey S. Mendelson
> What causes the key bounce problem? Is it mechanical or electronic?
From what the people on the R-5000 Yahoo group have said it's mechanical.
The similar to the problems that cheap remote controls get.
HFguy
I wouldn't take it apart if you don't have too. I've had success with
modifying the keys on a Drake-SW8 to make them more reliable. The SW8
keys can be erratic if you don't push them exactly in the center. I had
to add some thin silicone shims under each key to reduce the amount of
wobbling. That's what causes the keys to sometimes not accept an entry
when they're pushed. I would imagine the keys on the R5000 are a
different design.
RHF
> In Message-ID:<MPG.208ed0092f14265d98a...@news.buckeye-express.com>
> posted on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:38:11 -0400, BDK wrote: Begin
> >The JRC speakers, like almost all the optional external speakers sold
> >for ham and SW radios, are pretty worthless. A fifty cent speaker in a
> >hundred+ buck case.
>
> speakers, due to first tests typically done on easily available strong
> stations. But when you really try to dig out something weak and scrape
> some of the noise off it is when the audio characteristics of those
> communications speakers is really appreciated.
> In my case I have a couple HAM rigs that can double for SWLing and the
> one with the bigger acoustic suspension bookshelf speaker sounds much
> easier to listen to for extended periods on strong SW and AMBCB talk
> shows etc. whereas the one with the communications grade speaker is far
> easier to use for pulling enough syllables out of the hash to confirm a
> contact.
>
> I have a Kenwood TS-2000 that has a KLH speaker on it and it sounds
> great on V/UHF-FM repeaters or just some Mariachi from a Tijuana AMBCB
> station, but the Icom 756-Pro3 fitted to an SP-23 is the much better
> setup for digging out a 17m contact thats plagued with QRN & QSB.
> Of course for the sheer convenience and performance on routine
> reception, the E1 gets top honors. Not so many knobs to adjust yet
> excellent sound, at least when the ambient noise level is low.
> --
>
> 73 de KM6RF
BB [KM6RF],
DX - When You Need Head-Phones To Hear It . . .
What's On Your Head ? ? ? and In-Your-Ears ! ! !
Yes one of the Speakers from a set of Stereo "Book Shielf"
Speakers can be used for good for Easy Listening with
many Radio/Receivers -but- Ffor Digging-Out the those
Hard-to-Hear Sounds of DX Audio Dirt Diving it comes down
to one compound words : "Head-Phones" {Headphones}
Yes "Headphones" - They 'focus' your hearing on the Sounds
coming out of a Radio/Receiver and Block most of the Exterior
Sounds in your Audio Environment.
Not just any Headphones -but- Good Communications 'Quality'
Headphones that are designed to reproduce the Frequency
Natural Range of the Human Voice and attinuate the other
Sounds and Noises that you are not interested in hearing.
Please don't used common Music Stereo Listening Headphones
for DXing in the Dirt on your Radio/Receiver : There are about as
good as the Stereo Speakers and will let you HEAR every Sound
and Noise coming out of the Radio/Receiver.
Here is a Sample of some 'good' Radio/Receiver Listening
Headphones and my 'opinion' of them for Radio DXing :
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/head.html
* Heil QUIET PHONES
http://www.grove-ent.com/HEILHDP.html
Nice and Feature Noise Cancelling
* ICOM HP-4 Mono
Basic but Effective
* Japan Radio ST-3 Mono
Nice Comfort and Fit but a bit to bright.
* * Kenwood HS-5 Mono
My 'choice' for Sound, Comfort and Fit
* Kenwood HS-6 Mono
Light Weight and will do for a Travel Radio
set of Headphones.
* Pyramid HP-30 Stereo
More for Music than DXing
* Sony MDR Stereo
Great for Walkman 'type' FM Stereo Listening
* Vanco HF-24RS Mono
Value and Priced
* Yaesu YH-77STA Stereo
Light Weight and will do for an all around
Travel Radio set of Headphones.
# # Noise-Reducing Headphones at RadioShack
-IF- Your only "Source" for Radio Gear and
Accessories is RadioShack then take a look
at these Headphones that RadioShack offers.
RS Headphones => http://tinyurl.com/25ljfe
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kw=noise+canceling+headphones&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032057&categoryId=2032057&kwCatId=2032057
Yes - "Head-Phones" the One Word that Covers Both Ears :o)
yes - we're talking about headphones
now be quiet and just listen . . . ~ RHF
.
.
. .
RHF
For One and All,
Here are My Three Reasons to Own a Kenwood R-5000 Receiver :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/message/2110
* "The Sound"
* The "Feel-and-Beauty" of it's Tuning
* Plus Solid Performance and Reliability
Yes the Kenwood R-5000 Receiver's Tuning Knob has
'that-feel' to it that makes it enjoyable to Tune
within the Band. Plus there are the 1-MHz-Up and
1-MHz-Down Buttons just to the bottom right of the
Tuning Knob that makes Changing-Bands real easy
and fast. Also using the Memories as the Starting
Points of the Amateur or Shortwave Bands can be
a big help in going Up-and-Down the Bands with the
Buttons and then using the Tuning Knob to Seek-Out
what Out-There on that Band.
I guess I am a Tuning Knob 'person' cause using it
allows me to "Find-What's-Out-There" {DISCOVERY}
vice relying on a pre-programmed Memory or Keying-In
a Specific Frequency to go to a 'known' Station.
About - 80% Tuning Knob -vice- 20% Keys-and-Memory.
This is 'Why' I have kept the Kenwood R-5000 Receiver
over the Years is "The Sound" and the "Feel-and-Beauty"
of it's Tuning; plus Solid Perfromance and Reliability.
My Kenwood R-5000 Receivers have the 'optional'
IF Filters :
* 6 kHz AM Filter
* 2.4 kHz Wide-SSB Filter
* 1.8 kHz Narrow-SSB Filter
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/photos/view/b4af?b=9
FWIW - The INRAD 6kHz AM Filter is an 'alternative'
to the 'optional' Kenwood 6 kHz AM Filter that many
Kenwood R-5000 Receiver Owner's like to use.
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/photos/view/b4af?b=11
IIRC - There is another Kenwood IF Filter that is design
for one of their Transcevers that is Listed as a YK-88S-1
and is a Drop-In for the Kenwood R-5000 Receiver however
it is rated as 2.8 or 3.2 kHz Wide-SSB Filter.
- - - I would like to find one and try it.
? Any One Know {Info Please} about this 'other' YK-88S-1 ?
some say - i would if i could . . .
i simply say 'kenwood' ~ RHF
.
The Kenwood R-5000 Receiver Owners & User's Group
KENWOOD R-5000 RECEIVER => http://tinyurl.com/2o4z8k
Is your place on the WEB to use as a "Resource" for
General and Technical Information about the Kenwood
R-5000 Receiver and to Identifying Common Problems
and Simple Practical Solutions. http://tinyurl.com/2o4z8k
KWR5K => http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenwood-r5000/
Antennas "The Other" 55.5% of SWL => http://tinyurl.com/ogvcf
- = 2O4Z8K = -
.
.
. .
cuh...@webtv.net
alt.gossip.celebrities are squawikin aboot now.M*A*S*H is on Radio tb
now.
cuhulin
BDK
DPete...@worldnet.att.net says...
I didn't have the R70 here long enough to notice, but the two R71's I
had didn't run nearly as hot as the 7100 did. I had the one R71 apart
for several days trying to find the cold/cracked solder joint that made
the signal strength go up and down, and I touched about everything
inside it. I finally found it, and like almost always, it was where a
plug was soldered into a PC board. I found another one on the same plug.
BDK
BDK
newsg...@pacbell.net says...
I'm not a Dx'er, I'm mostly into Utes, but I can only take headphones
for about an hour or so, and I'm done.
I have the JRC ST-3 and both the Kenwood phones, along with the Yaesu
ones and all of them sit in the boxes. I should just ebay them.
BDK
JeroenK
> what software are you planning on using?
In first instance Ham Radio Deluxe. Heard many good things about it, and
you cant beat the price!
--
JeroenK
RHF
> In Message-ID:<1176852520.250748.48...@b58g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>
> posted on 17 Apr 2007 16:28:40 -0700, RHF wrote: Begin
> >Yes one of the Speakers from a set of Stereo "Book Shielf"
> >Speakers can be used for good for Easy Listening with
> >many Radio/Receivers -but- Ffor Digging-Out the those
> >Hard-to-Hear Sounds of DX Audio Dirt Diving it comes down
> >to one compound words : "Head-Phones" {Headphones}
>
> >Yes "Headphones" - They 'focus' your hearing on the Sounds
> >coming out of a Radio/Receiver and Block most of the Exterior
> >Sounds in your Audio Environment.
>
>
> >Not just any Headphones -but- Good Communications 'Quality'
> >Headphones that are designed to reproduce the Frequency
> >Natural Range of the Human Voice and attinuate the other
> >Sounds and Noises that you are not interested in hearing.
>
> >Please don't used common Music Stereo Listening Headphones
> >for DXing in the Dirt on your Radio/Receiver : There are about as
> >good as the Stereo Speakers and will let you HEAR every Sound
> >and Noise coming out of the Radio/Receiver.
>
> the jack on an SP-23 which provides enough customizable audio filtration
> to whack off the ultra highs and lows.http://tinyurl.com/ymqo78
> I've tried the RS noise canceling ones as well as Heil Quiet Phones,
> neither of which had as pleasant sound as when the canceling was
> switched off, but behind the SP-23 almost any cans do well.
>
> --
>
> Bart
BB,
.
At times {when I need a little extra help} I use the simple small
and 'passive' Lake Electronics "NRF2" Noise Reduction Filter
in-between the Radio/Receiver and the Headphones
?WHY? -It-Really-Works-!
.
Lake Electronics "NRF-2" Noise Reduction Filter
http://wsplc.com/acatalog/Kits_Lake_Electronics.html
* Bandwidth - 2200Hz
* 3.5mm input / output
* 3.5mm - 1/4in converter
* 1/4in - 3.5mm converter
* Case 70 x 25 x 48mm
The NRF is a passive audio filter intended for enhancing
the selectivity of a receiver by limiting, i.e. sharpening the
audio response at the headphone (or loudspeaker) stage.
It has a 6dB bandwidth of about 2200Hz and proves very
effective in reducing noise. Designed for 8 Ohms, it can
be used with almost any value.
.
The Lake Electronics "NRF-2" Audio Exhancement Filter
http://www.wsplc.com/acatalog/Audio_filters.html
* Simple to Operate (On / Off Switch) [Filter is In -or- Out]
* Passive = No Power Required (No Added Noise)
* Low Cost (Cheap) about $40 +S&H from the UK
- "a true "bandpass" filter
- a 6-Pole Chebyshev Filter Arrangement
- with a very steep roll-off at around 300 Hz and 2.6 kHz
- Selectivity is about 2.2 kHz at 6dB"
.
.
when you need a litlle extra help - it sounds good to me ~ RHF
.
.
. .
Brian O
"helmsman" <helm...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:0b3d23diku89vejbn...@4ax.com...
I'm using MDR-V6 headphones. I've always had good luck with them, but then
I use a dsp audio filter along with them.
B
RHF
> In Message-ID:<1176949208.085557.210...@o5g2000hsb.googlegroups.com>
> posted on 18 Apr 2007 19:20:08 -0700, RHF wrote: Begin
> >At times {when I need a little extra help} I use the simple small
> >and 'passive' Lake Electronics "NRF2" Noise Reduction Filter
> >in-between the Radio/Receiver and the Headphones
> >?WHY? -It-Really-Works-!
>
> Universal Radio's blurb is herehttp://tinyurl.com/2n3lwr
> I've considered giving this thing a try, but it's pricey enough that I'd
> like more actual user feedback versus company sales pitch.
> eHam gives it a good reviewhttp://tinyurl.com/2t2ke9
>
> --
>
> Bart
BB - No I have never used the MFJ616
and as you say it is a little pricey. ~ RHF
.
.
. .