DRS Technologies - Signia IDT - BAE Systems
Watkins Johnson
WJ-8711 / HF-1000 Series DSP HF Receiver

The WJ-8711 / HF1000 series DSP HF Receiver

Above is a picture of the HF-1000 "A", which is no longer sold new.

It can still be purchased "Brand New" under it's WJ-8711A version at about $ 5600.00 USD (look the same). The "PRE" preselector option adds another $ 1300.00 to the total.

(Note : Approx. prices given above are now several years old and more than likely have increased ??)

This old "Watkins Johnson Telecommunications Group" is now owned by "DRS Technologies". The actual company name of this division is "DRS Signal Solutions, Inc".

Previous owners (since 1999) include Watkins Johnson , Marconi , BAE Systems and Signia - IDT.

Either version has been proven for performance. See text below.

Dave N9EWO

N9EWO's review on the HF-1000A / WJ-8711A

What you read below are my own personal views.
"WJ8711 / HF1000 user notes" can be found here
One of the HF-1000A ,and Two of the WJ8711A's were tested for this report.

*** One Very Expensive Receiver ***

The first hurdle to overcome with any premium receiver like the WJ-8711A is the excessively high cost. We are not talking about a consumer product here.

** Very Light box and no proper feet included ***

The first observation that hits you about the WJ-8711A is it's weight. This is the lightest "Premium" tabletop receiver I have ever picked up , just a bit over 10 lbs. Both 8711A's tested did not have the internal speaker option, which would have added a couple of pounds.

The entire set is made of very thin sheet aluminum. It seems the top being a bit thinner than the bottom and sides. Overall we are talking about some very thin metal here. I would not set any other item on top of this receiver. Not a very robust case here.

The front panel is one very thick piece of aluminum. All is of a bear nature, no part is painted or anodized, except for the very front panel (front side only, rear is bear) which has a light gray painted surface. Watchout for the corners of this front panel. They have very sharp edges and one could very easy get injured.

Reports have indicated that the WJ-8711A's case and or front metal was of a anodized nature. If this was true, we have seen this go by the wayside, more than likely to save costs ?

Another small observance is if you shake the set a bit, you will hear the "loose" internal mounting nuts that are set up to use speed screws for a rack shelf mounting brackets. If you don't plan on mounting the set using these 6 screws and the "jiggly" loose speed nuts bug you (as they did me), just insert six 10-32 x 5/16 pan head screws to tighten these up. Of course another way would be to just open the case and remove these 6 nuts and the little mounting clips.

Tested these sets in a table top configuration. I did not prefer the included hard pop-on plastic feet. For one they were not high enough for my liking and second were the hard variety so the set would slide around in use.

One would NOT be advised to use any self tapping screws (or ANY screws for that matter) into it's raw cabinet, say using older style rubber feet. In one mounting hole especially, this could easily contact and or penetrate the PC board/wiring and damage the receiver, let alone the metal filings that could enter the set using self tapping screws.

Best way around this would be to purchase a "tabletop" style cabinet. "Hammond Mfg." makes very well made high quality "STEEL" tabletop cabinets that work great with these receivers and usually sell for around $ 150. USD. These normally come with rubber feet , but you will want to order the optional rack screws for mounting as none are included from Hammond in the box. These cabinets are made in Canada. I found other tabletop cabinets that can be purchased elsewhere are NOT made of steel and lack strength and are more expensive to boot. See the "WJ8711 / HF1000 user notes" page for additional information on this.

*** 2 Inch thick "Chubby Manual" for WJ 8711A *** Late 2002 Sample Included a CD-ROM Manual as Well ***

I must say this is one of the most comprehensive and well written manuals that I have ever seen. At around 2 inches thick (no kidding) it goes over every control, function, operation and option. The manual for the HF1000A was about 1/3 thinner.

Schematics for all circuits and options are shown with an exception for the SEU Speech Enhancement. It is missing as well as a "Real" parts list for it .

A downside is that it is hard to page through with it's old style "webbed" binding. One should be careful not to bend the pages in the plastic binding as you go through it as it could damage them in time. Also this manual lacks pictorials of the 3 main PC boards, in fact the only one that is shown is for the "PRE" option. One other major omission is ANY schematic for the power supply.

The late 2002 sample also included a copy of the same printed manual on a CD-ROM (PDF format).

*** Excellent - Cool Running Power Supply ***

Both the WJ-8711(A) and it's old very close cousin HF-1000(A) both use a INTERNAL switching power supply that provides voltage to all circuits. But do not confuse this supply with switching types that are used in consumer/computer or even amateur radio equipment. These are low cost and noisy supplies .

This excellent "custom" commercial supply is built for "DRS" by "Condor" in Mexico (model number SP1348A). It runs extremely clean and with very little heat. It has to be the coolest running supply I have ever run across. Overkill for sure but this is a place where you want to go overboard.

We see a small surge protection device (an MOV) mounted near the power switch, but one would be advised to use a additional plug in device (non-MOV) to protect the set even more from power surges and spikes. A "zero-surge" (http://www.zerosurge.com/) or a "Brick Wall" (http://www.brickwall.com) surge protection product would be a excellent idea here. Switching supplies are more subject to surge and spike damage.

But over the years I have only heard of one person with the power supply failure in these receivers (was a capacitor failure and being used at 220/240 volts).

*** S-Meter Markings ***

The "Signal Meter" is only calibrated in dBm. So you have to do a bit of conversion over to standard s-units. Beter yet just use my free conversion chart below. The later versions of the HF-1000 did indicate a few "S-Unit points" (along with dBm as well). It works very well with it's "true" readings and have yet to see it pin .

(chart via N9EWO)
WJ-8711 / HF-1000 Meter Conversion Chart (from dBm to S-Units).

*** Displays and Lights ***

Green "LED" displays and indicators are used throughout, and as anyone knows in this department, as long as they are properly fed with the right voltage, LED's will easily outlast any liquid or gas type display. I find LED displays to be easier on the eyes as well.

You do not need any type of "dimmer" with this display, it is good at any light level. In extreme bright locations they do get a bit washed out but I would say this is not a issue as it is not that bad.

We have only one light bulb to have to deal with, and that is of course behind the signal meter. This is in a socket and easy to change. Bulb number is a 86 (6 volt). It burns on the dimmer side so should not need replacing too often. But thank goodness for a socket here. Older versions of the Ten Tex RX-340 meter light is another story, good luck on a easy job here.

*** Memories and Tuning A Real Treat / Excellent 1 hz Tuning and Display ***

We have 100 memories. Some would say that this is a bit light and perhaps another 200 or so would be desirable ? I find the 100 works good for my uses. Having anymore would make it more of a chore of "going around the loop". The memories are used for hard to find channels and having too many would be bad.

Selecting , entering and scanning memories / frequencies is simply a first rate affair with this set. The separate display for memory channels are perfect to my operation. As you rotate this knob and select memory channels...you can have it activate as you rotate, or can just display them.

I like the tuning step arrangement. You can program any step you want. You may tune using this step, or select the digit of the display to tune (it flashes in this mode to indicate the selected digit). Excelllent indeed.

We have a super fine 1 hz min. tuning step with of course a digit to show this. It is "dead on" across the entire tuning range as well. Here is an area where most consumer receivers / amateur transceivers are left in the dust. This makes manual ECSS tuning is simply a dream. There is even a external reference adjustment to keep this dead on too (see text located below on this same web page).

*** SAM ***

SAM (Synchronous AM) operates in double sideband. It's is still very useful, reduces fading distortion by leaps and bounds.

SAM can also loose lock for split second if you are a bit off of the center of the signal. Or if you are using too wide of a filter selection and adjacent channel interference creeps in (even a slight amount can do it). But overall it does hold lock well (more times than not) and is very useful.

*** Passband Tuning in CW mode / Excellent Notch Filter ***

We have Pass Band Tuning in the CW mode with the either the HF1000 or 8711. But there is a "sometimes" useful trick that most owners may already know about to use this in other modes. If you wish to "try" PBT for say an AM signal (quazi-manual ECSS) , select CW mode. Set BFO window (offset) to 0000, and then select the PBT mode and tune.

Does not always do the trick, but worth a try.

The adjustable "DSP" Notch is a huge winner. Extremely deep and sharp. Works in the AM, FM, USB, LSB, ISB, SAM modes.

*** Audio Recovery simply the Best ever used but more noise too / Punchy Audio ***

In my view where the WJ-8711 receiver shines is in the "Audio Recovery" area. With the right external speaker, this set just can make sense out of the spoken word on a very weak and even muffled station where as on a lesser set is in the noise . While not being a miracle set either..if you cannot make it out with this set..forget it !!!

We do hear a bit more of a harsher sound overall with this set. Static, interference etc, can sound slightly painful to the ears. However this could be the reason why it does so well with audio recovery as well ?? SSB signals tend to have a slight amount of clipping distortion (even with the slowest AGC setting was used), but this was not detected at all with manual ECSS (brodadcast stations).

The audio amplifer from the speaker output has way above average punch and loudness. It works very well indeed. However, this may be questionable for any brand new samples ? See the WJ-8711 / HF-1000 user note page for more info on this.

*** No Local Antenna's / Some will detect Audio "Buzzies" / More noise as you grab the tuning knob / Top Sensitivity ***

The 8711/HF1000's must have a antenna always away from the set using GOOD shielded antenna cable. It emits a nasty amount of noise that WILL be picked up by itself if not done. Even with a remote external antenna, there is sometimes a bit left above 15 MHz.

In certain situations on higher frequencies, touching the tuning knob increases this background "buzz" a bit. I have noticed this on both WJ8711A's and the single HF-1000 that I used.

Weirdly this does not seem to take away from the DX side of receiving weak signals. Unless I grab the knob on higher frequencies (above 15 mhz). This could very well be a trait of my antenna's and at different locations may be much different ??

The speaker output can emit a weird digital noise. Almost sounds like a hive of disturbed bees. Turning the speaker volume control down to min (speaker on and connected) shows this. It does not emit from either rear line output. These are totally clean. Some users may not be able to detect this at all, so it depends on your hearing. For some reason my late 2002 sample (purchased in early 2003), has less of this issue here.

A on/off switch on the back of an external speaker to totally shut off it's output when saying using headphones would be a good idea. If you channel one of the "line" audio outputs to another external amplifer (don't use the speaker audio amplifer in the set), this should cure the speaker buzzies totally if it bothers you. Early versions that use the DB15 connector, well this still may not cure it.

Let me say once you do get you antenna PROPERLY made and placed , look out for some awesome sensitivity. It really struts it's stuff once the self-generated gremlins are taken care of with a GOOD antenna that is properly placed ! It will blow you away !!

*** Both Audio Line Outputs Have "Hot" Levels ***

Connection for the audio line outputs are found on the rear mounted barrier strip block, shown below (as it is for many of the receiver outputs). Eariler versions will course have the dreaded DB-15 connector. In either case the line outputs are a bit too "hot" (loud), and appear distorted when connected to any consumer tape deck, audio mixer, mini disc etc. Level adjustment on the external equipment not helping the cause.

The simple cure of course is to just add a bit of attenuation (one circuit for each if you use them both) in the line outputs. At first I used a 47K trim pot, mounted in a small metal box. And of course this control adjusted to proper level. I tried to use a couple of fixed resistors to replace this, but after some extensive testing it "cut" off the high end using the fixed resistors (values I choose may have been the gremlin here, not sure ??). Anyway, I have since gone back to using a 47K trimmer variable resistor. Actually using 2 (one for each output) and have these mounted inside of a modified "3 audio line selector" switch box.

(photo via N9EWO)
The rear "TB1" connector as seen in a late model WJ-8711A.
To achive a proper audio "line level" output with the WJ-8711 or HF-1000, some attenuation is required.
I use a 47K trim pot (one for each output) to get the job done. The two resistor "fixed" pad I tried wired within the cord proved to cut off the high end a bit.

Impedence mismatch pops in my mind as well on this. 600 ohms is the rating for the line output (just as it is on the JRC NRD-545). Most consumer cassette and Mini-Disc deck "line inputs" are usually in the 20 to 50K area. Have not tried any audio transformers to perhaps match things a bit better.

*** Audio Connections - Do Not Tin the Wires !! ***

The latest versions of either model use a thirteen-terminal audio terminal block marked in the manual as "TB1", as shown above (instead of the dreaded noisy DB-15 used in early versions). This is indeed a bit strange looking when compared to consumer / amateur equipment (see picture below). It's a removable terminal block that allows you to pull it out to connect your wires into the holes, clamping these wires in this plug using screws. This system works fine, but I found in my testing that one should not tin the wires with solder. It will not make the proper "crunch" when the screw is tightned down on the wires. You will make MUCH better connections using untinned stranded wire and to be sure not to get too thick of a wire as well. I used 18 gauge for the speaker connections and thinner shielded wire for the "line out".

Who actually makes this plug / socket combo is hard infomation to locate. The manual states the mfg. of this thirteen-terminal audio terminal block socket on the receiver as "Precision Converter Design". After a bit of research here on the internet, it is now called "Precision Connector Design, Inc" in Peabody,MA USA (PCD). The mfg. part number is ELFP13210 (DRS Type: 645518), the manual misses this PLUG part number totally. See the WJ-8711 / HF-1000 user notes page for more information on this.

*** Watch that AGC ***

As indicated elsewhere, no matter how I adjust the AGC, SSB signals can have a slight amount of clipping distortion with certain signals. But this was not always heard.

Switching over to the AGC threshold mode and dropping back the "manual gain" can help in this area, but again this could be another reason why we have superior audio recovery ??

*** 66 Bandwidths on WJ8711A also has Wider Bandwidths up to 16 Khz (stock version) ***

Well this may mean a lesser importance to some, but one reason I did not like the HF1000A was the fact that it stopped at 8 Khz. I like the additional wider bandwidth filters that the WJ8711A has that allows filtering up to 16 Khz. It really makes it for me here. I found myself using the wider filters more (above 8 Khz) than not. This really helps with audio recovery.

The WJ8711A has 66 bandwidth selections from .056 Khz to 16 Khz. USB and LSB modes have a range between .900 to 4 Khz and ISB from 1.8 to 3.2 Khz. All other modes have the entire 66 selectable bandwidths. The HF1000's is the same except it stops at 8 Khz for SSB, CW, FM, AM and AMS modes.

*** "PRE" Pre selector Option / RF Overload Circuit as a Bonus ***

With the HF1000A and the Dec 2002 8711A sample tested, the "PRE" preselector option was installed.

The manual states, the optional suboctave preselector will degrade sensitivity/noise figures between 1.5 to 2.5 db, depending on frequency. The test report that came with the set (tested for the actual sample) indicated the insertion loss at 1.2 db at 15 Mhz and this appears to be correct. So a tad of loss with it in line and if you need every bit of sensitivity for a weak signal it can be bypassed.

Also if you have the "PRE" preselector option installed, it will give you the bonus of a "RF Input overload circuit" along with some static protection (via a gas discharge device on the PC board). Two very important reasons to have the PRE option installed. The RF overload circuit will shut the RF parts of the set down if it detects an excessive RF input. Will also display that the fact on one of the smaller LED displays when engaged.

*** A Solid Proven Performer ***

This receiver has been around in one form or another since the early 1990's and has seen many updates and improvements over the years (DSP IC change etc). It has been tweaked to a pure DX machine that works fantasic for pulling very weak broadcast signals out of the noisy HF bands. Warts and all, we may never see another set like this one in our lifetime !

Even now being a bit "Long in the Tooth", in my view it's still the best DSP receivers around for super weak broadcast listening. But again, this is not a "cheap" lightweight box either.

Dave N9EWO
© 2008 N9EWO
ver 7.0

(Photo : N9EWO)
Internal Picture (with preselector option installed)
(rear pictures at the bottom of this page)

Another "inside" photo above of HF-1000 (8711A ??) from a user in Japan (I'm sorry I do not have the picture credit for this).
Have a look at the bottom of the picture and you see a "ferrite bar" that looks like it was added by the owner.
I do not think that this was on any producton samples that I'm aware of ??

WJ-8711 (A) and WJ HF-1000 (A) user notes (click here)

Who owns the ex- "Watkins Johnson Telecommunications Group" today ??

(also see the "user notes" page, link above)

As the press release indicates below, sold once again. IDT was sold to DRS Technologies of Parsippany N.J. on November 4, 2003. Lets see, that makes the score card to 5 owners in 4 years for this old "Watkins Johnson" division (Watkins Johnson / Marconi / BAE Systems / Signia-IDT and now DRS Technologies). The actual company name of this division is "DRS Signal Solutions, Inc". Dave N9EWO.

04 November ,2003

DRS TECHNOLOGIES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF INTEGRATED DEFENSE TECHNOLOGIES

Parsippany, NJ, November 4 -- DRS Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: DRS) announced today that it has completed it's acquisition of Integrated Defense Technologies, Inc. (IDT). In the transaction, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRS was merged with IDT. The transaction was completed following the approval by a majority of IDT’s stockholders at a special meeting held earlier today. The acquisition is expected to add immediate earnings accretion to DRS.

Each share of IDT common stock was converted in the merger into the right to receive a combination of $12.25 in cash and 0.2027 of a share of DRS common stock, or approximately $17.29 per IDT share, based on the closing price of DRS’s common stock on November 3, 2003. The cash portion of the acquisition, together with the net debt of IDT, aggregated approximately $436 million at closing. Total consideration for the acquisition, including approximately $175 million of IDT’s net debt that was refinanced at closing, was approximately $543 million before transaction expenses.

DRS financed the acquisition by utilizing existing excess cash on hand, bank borrowings in the form of a $236 million amended and restated credit facility, and the issuance of 6.875 percent senior subordinated notes due 2013 in an aggregate principal amount of $350 million.

“The addition of IDT is a milestone achievement in the implementation of our business strategy, extensively diversifying our product base and expanding our customer relationships,” said Mark S. Newman, DRS Technologies’ chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This transaction has enhanced our content on key U.S. Army and Navy weapons programs, contributed a significant new base of U.S. Air Force programs and greatly expanded DRS’s intelligence agency business, creating a formidable, defense electronics industry competitor. We look forward to integrating this new operation with DRS and to building stockholder value by fully leveraging the strengths and synergies this combination offers.” 

DRS Technologies, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, provides leading edge products and services to defense, government intelligence and commercial customers worldwide. Focused on defense electronics, DRS develops and manufactures a broad range of mission critical systems. The company employs 5,700 people worldwide.

For more information about DRS Technologies, please visit the company’s web site at www.drs.com

13 September 2002

BAE SYSTEMS AGREES TO SELL COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FACILITY

BAE SYSTEMS North America and Integrated Defense Technologies today announced they have reached a definitive agreement under which Integrated Defense Technologies Inc. will acquire BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Systems' Gaithersburg Operation.

At the Gaithersburg Operation, located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, more than 300 employees design and manufacture high performance radio frequency surveillance equipment used in signals intelligence applications.

Closing of the sales agreement, negotiated at $146 million in cash, is expected to occur within 60 days, subject to completion of regulatory reviews and approvals.

Mark Ronald, Chief Operating Officer, BAE SYSTEMS plc, and President and Chief Executive Officer, BAE SYSTEMS North America, said the sale was made because the focus and strategy of BAE SYSTEMS North America is moving from component provider -- as represented by the RF surveillance equipment lines -- to systems integration. "The Gaithersburg Operation has a proven tradition of excellence in providing high quality and high performance RF solutions for the military and civilian signals intelligence community. We're confident the business and the talented workforce will be a superb fit with Integrated Defense Technologies," he said.

The Gaithersburg Operation has provided communications equipment in the area of receivers, tuners, cellular and wireless intercept, signal processing and direction for it's customers for more than 40 years.

Photo: Jim W0NKL/edited by N9EWO

Rear view of a later version HF-1000A , with preselector-option fitted.
Shows the improved "barrier strip block" for external connections.

Photo edit by N9EWO

Rear view of a "eariler non-A version" HF-1000 (no preselector-option installed) .
As the red circle indicates, a DB-15 was used for external connections.
This was not a good thing as the digital buzzies were more of a problem using this DB connector.
This is why for the switch in later versions to the "barrier strip"and was a night and day improvement for the "line" outputs (cleaner).

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