****** NO EQUIPMENT IS FOR SALE ON THIS WEBSITE ******

• Universal Radio is now stocking the "Microtelecom Perseus" Software Defined Receiver. A pricey little critter, but this VLF thru HF SDR black box has real front filtering unlike most of the RF Space devices. More information can be found here. Made in Italy. (Updated : May 20)
  
  
• Icom announced the new triple conversion IC-RX7 wideband receiver at the 2008 Dayton Hamvention. See the Universal Radio web page here for more information and a picture. A updated IC-R5 with a more fancy display, full keypad and lithium battery use ?? No SSB modes (of course not). Pre-Production brochure can be downloaded here (2 pages, 544 kb, pdf format). You have to purchase a optional case in order to use 3 standard AA's batteries with this receiver. If one compares the paper specs of the older IC-R5 to this new IC-RX7, the R5 beats it out easy.
  
  They also showed the new IC-7200 in operation as well. It's indeed a DSP based HF transceiver with some water seals but is not waterproof.
  
  Vertex Standard announced the VX-8R handheld "quad-bander", but (...sigh) it looks too much like the VX-3R and you know my view on this one. (Updated : May 24)
  
  
  Icom IC-7200
  Prototype photo taken by T.K. at the Tokyo Ham Fair 2007 (behind a plastic panel)
  
  
• It appears by years end that the Italian firm "Finmeccania" will be purchasing DRS Technologies. Yet ANOTHER owner of the old Watkins Johnson division that manufactures the WJ8711A DSP receiver. Quite a list of owners since 1999 and getting longer. (May 14)
  
  
• The AOR AR-ALPHA DSP receiver was finally FCC approved on May 9th (800 Mhz blocked and non-blocked versions). You can download the pre-production owners manual and some neat pictures on the FCC OET web site here.
  
  On another sad AOR note, the AOR AR5000 (all versions) have been discontinued. So it's now limited to what stock is left wherever , just like the AR7030 status is. (May 10)
  
  
• RFspace has a new software defined receiver in the works. Marked as the SDR-IP. Check out the "Universal Radio" web page for limited information. Appears that this "black box" receiver is not going to happen anytime soon ? (Updated May 14)
  
  
• The new Grundig G4 and G6 SW portables are now for sale at USA dealers.
  
  The G4 was very lightly sold in China as the Degen DE1122 (very few around). A larger storage built in MP3 player/recorder over the Degen DE1121 with 1 or 2 GB of built in memory along with a SD / MM socket for more, but elsewhere it says that up to 2 GB is with a external card ? The biggest difference from the elder Degen DE1121 or DE1102 is that there is no SSB mode. Good SW coverage, 1000 memories (no sync detection of course). FM ATS, 3 timers just like on the DE1121. Of course it looks much like the Degen DE1102/Kaito KA1102. But the major downer that I can see right off other than the lack of SSB is, "where is the tuning knob" ??
  
  The G6 has aircraft band included, a front mounted tuning "knob-wheel" and is Dual Up-Conversion on SW. Both of these models are made for eton-Grundig by Degen of course.
  
  
  
  The thrid new set from Grundig will be the Satellit 750 and it now looks like a launch date of perhaps late June or July ??? Of course Tecsun making this model. Where is the sync detection ? It covers the aircraft band just like the old 800 did. (May 10)
  
  
  
  
• " The JRC NRD-545 HF Receiver is history " : Universal Radio in Ohio , USA and Grove Enterprises have both sold out of the JRC NRD-545. This is the end of an era as no new JRC receiver model is in the works as far as we know. Was a good 10 year run.
  
  The AOR AR-7030 will be gone in the weeks to come as well. If you desire a brand new AR7030, better do it NOW !! If you live in the USA, Universal Radio is the ONLY dealer where it can be purchased (Plus version) (Updated : Apr 28)
  
  
• Internal picture of the Degen DE1121 (Kaito KA1121 ) "MP3 Unit" added on the " Dave's Miscellaneous Stuff " page. It's still the only "portable" receiver on the market that features a built in "off the air" MP3 audio recorder AND includes SSB mode plus a tuning knob. The Icom IC-R20 works less well overall on SW , has less record quality and is in some weird format. Don't forget we also have a great "Broadcast Log" and a couple of "Recording Scratch Sheets" available for download on this page. Also a custom "Setting Log" for the MFJ-1025 / MFJ-1026 noise cancelling device. Our thanks to KD9JK for the photo. (Apr 20)
  
  
• "Another Sony Product Bites The Dust" : The Sony MDS-JE480 "Mini Disc - home deck" recorder has been discontinued (USA), and it appears that most dealers are already sold out. It's been gone for years in Europe and elsewhere. So Sony's last Mini Disc DECK has come to an end and no replacement is planned that I know of. There is a very similar MDS-JE580 model that is sold in Japan only. Looks identical to the MDS-JE480 but is in a silver case.
  
  However it's not all doom and gloom for "Mini Disc" decks. Tascam (Teac) sells at least one quazi-professional model, the rack mountable MD-350. Another "deck" that comes to mind is the smaller Onkyo MD-133 that also includes the "Hi-MD" format. Note: The MD-133 model is a Japanese domestic product but can be purchased via Minidisco in the USA. However, these are not low cost decks as the MDS-JE480 was. (Updated : Apr 04)
  
  
  The now discontinued Sony MDS-JE480 "mini-disc" deck.
  
  
• "Two More Sony SW Receiver's Discontinued" : I was looking at the pdf version of the Spring/Summer 2008 "Amateur Electronic Supply" catalog (scroll down on this page, this section is 2.4 Meg's large) , and on page 130.....I see they have the Sony ICF-SW35 and ICF-SW11 both marked as a "Closeout". These are marked as "Discontinued by the Manufacture" within the Sony price listings near the front end of the actual printed catalog (not shown in the above linked PDF version).
  
  On the US "Sony Style" webpage the ICF-SW7600GR is the ONLY SW set still listed for sale now. I'm actually surprised that the ICF-SW7600GR has hung in there as long as it has. How much longer will Sony be selling even this model in the coming year is a very good question ? (Updated : Mar 20)
  
  
• The AOR AR7030 to be discontinued soon (both versions). We seen this posted on the AOR JAPAN web site They are indicating the AR7030 Plus as "Production End" and the AR7030 as "Sale End" ? We now have solid word that AOR UK has about 50 new samples left to be manufactured (the very last production run), and that will be it (no more) ! Who knows how long those last new samples will last in the marketplace ? A DSP replacement is "quazi-planned" in the next year or so ? Cross your fingers. Another great long run with a fantasic HF receiver , but not without a few "pot holes" in the road along the way. (Updated : Mar 12)
  
  
• Universal Radio in Ohio USA has the JRC NRD-630 "on sale" for $ 7999.95. Special order with a 3 to 4 week waiting time. 32 bit DSP based set. You can download a brochure (PDF) here. (Feb 08)
  
  
  
  
• Alternative to the now very old Realistic Minimus-7 speaker for HF receiver use? If you wish for a GOOD external speaker for your SW/HF receiver, here is one that deserves attention.
  
   “The Source” (which is Circuit City - InterTAN - Canada , who bought out all of RadioShack stores in Canada a few years ago) has a close "clone" speaker. It is sold as the “Centrios - 7”, part number : 4012000 for Black , 4012001 for Silver. This is 2-way speaker that uses a 4-inch woofer and in a heavy die cast metal cabinet (not plastic). I like using a 2- way speaker for much improved audio articulation (yes, even with use on a HF receiver with broadcast stations).
  
  The major downside is that it appears to be only sold in Canada by the "The Source" ? They will NOT ship or export outside Canada.
  
  We have been very fortunate to be able to test out a "Centrios - 7" , and the sound quality is very good for this use to my ears. It takes little audio power to drive properly too. I will admit on a receiver with a hissy output (example: Icom IC-R70), this is not the one go with. However, a near perfect speaker for use with the AOR AR7030's bass and treble controls or even with the JRC NRD-545. 8 ohms impedance and is made in China. Our thanks again to Dan Gillet. (Feb 08)
  
  
  
  

• Motorola has now slurped up most of Vertex-Standard-Yaesu. Will this be the start of the end of V-S-Y amateur transceivers / receivers ?? CNN link for more information. , also see this "eham" link. However this makes the news above makes one wonder what's up : "Motorola may spin off or sell phone unit" (yahoo) , via Bloomberg. (Feb 02)
  
  

• A price has now been announced for the new Kneisner & Doering KWZ-50 DSP receiver. At least 3620. euro's (ouch) not including the spectrum display option. That is over the $ 5000. USD ball park area just for the receiver alone.
  
  See this link for more information and a picture (drawing ?) of the set : http://kd-elektronik.com/kwz50_e/index.html (Jan 22)
  
  

• A "Black Box" DSP HF receiver from DRS (the old Watkins Johnson folks). The model is the XK-3050. Features 4 independently tuned channels. HF coverage is marked between .5 and 30 Mhz. Modes : AM, FM, USB, LSB and CW (no sync was indicated in the pre-production brochure). 74 DSP IF bandwidth filters, ranging from 56 hz to 32 Khz. Power is from a external 5 VDC @ 3 watts supply. SMA antenna connectors. Multi screen spectrum scope , also wav. recording selection on windows based GUI screen. Weight is only 1.6 lbs. Uses SMA connectors. Optional preselector. Requires USB 2.0 port on a 1.6 Ghz or better host computer (windows 2K or XP). Price and status are both unknown, but reports are indicating between $ 5000. to $ 6000. ?? This is all of the information that I have. It has been in the works since 2006. Our thanks to Dan Gillet for this news. (Updated: Feb 08)
  
  
  

• Vertex-Standard-Yaesu VX-3R review page has now had a major and final rewrite. After using it for awhile, I have now concluded that it is not as good overall vs. the older VX-2R for my uses and desires (even with the CTCSS/DCS decode bug fixed). I have since gone back using my "new sample" VX-2R full time and have already let the 3 go. Be sure and read the totally updated page for more information why I feel this way. But the VX-3R is still way better over the Icom IC-P7A to my eyes and ears. UPDATE : My latest VX-2R sample made in 2007 has the "power on" bug afterall. So this gremlin must have been with the set until the end ? But at least the LCD display bug was fixed. Working good other than this. (Sep 28)
  
  

• News via a Japanese blog, a very interesting DSP receiver from China. As you can see it looks very much like a WJ8711 / HF1000. This DS-400 receiver is made by "Haihua Electronics Enterprise Corporation" in Guangzhou, China. T.K. found out that the pricing appears to be at $ 11,000. (USD). Of course we have to throw in the usual question, "Does this receiver actually exist on the planet", or is it just vaporware ? A brochure in Chinese here . This RAR brochure is mixed with other products. Very few specifications, and any real detailed information or better pictures is simply not available. I do not have additional information on this (sorry). (Updated: Apr 12)