From: paulb@ttidca.TTI.COM (Paul Blumstein) Organization: Denizens of Doom Date: 29 Apr 91 16:21:05 GMT Subject: Re: Drake R-8 tidbits In article <12235@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM> fiddler@concertina.Eng.Sun.COM (Steve Hix) writes: +In article <202923.10047@timbuk.cray.com> wws@raphael.cray.com (Walter Spector) writes: +>I called Drake today (ordering a few parts for my R-4C and TR-4CW), +>and got into a discussion about the new R-8. + +....so...what's their number? (I'd like the info, too!!) They just opened up an 800 number for product info, order taking, etc for The R8. When I called just now, it was an answering machine telling you that no reps were available, but you can: -- leave your name & address for product info -- order the R8. Cost is $979 plus $10 shipping. Ohio residents have sales tax additional. They take Amex, MC & Visa. -- Leave your phone number for a sales rep to call you back. The 800 number is: 1-800-9DRAKE4 . Their regular number is: 1-513-866-2421. I called their regular number to talk to the product manager. He was out to lunch & will call me back. If all goes well, I may order one sometime today. If so, expect a review a week or two after receipt, but don't expect Larry Mangne: I only have a Sangean ATS-803A to compare it to. ===================================================================== Paul Blumstein | COMPILES: Computer Hemorrhoids Citicorp/TTI | Santa Monica, CA +-------------------------------------------------- {rutgers,philabs,psivax,pyramid}!ttidca!paulb or paulb@tti.com From: ken@swbatl.sbc.com (Ken Gianino 5-9081) Organization: Southwestern Bell Advanced Technology Laboratory Date: 30 Apr 91 13:02:52 GMT Subject: Re: Drake R-8 tidbits For those of you who haven't been able to see the R8 brochure yet, here are some highlights: 100KHz to 30MHz coverage with optional VHF converter for 35-55 and 108-174MHz. Multi mode AM,FM,RTTY,CW,USB and LSB. Five built-in filter bandwidths: 6,4,2.3,1.8 and 0.5KHz; 12KHz (FM only). Synchronous detector. Non-volatile memory. Multi-voltage power supply. RS-232 serial interface. Multiple scan functions. 100 memory channels. Two operating VFO's. Built-in preamp and attenuator. Timer function. Dual time zone clock. Dual mode noise blanker. Passband offset. Built in speaker. Dual antenna inputs. Selectable AGC (with off). Notch filter. The first IF is at 45MHz and the second IF is at 50KHz. Main selectivity is provided by LC filters in the 50KHz IF. The 6/60 shape factor is shown as 2:1 (roughly), except for the 500Hz filter which is 1.5KHz at -60dB. Stability is 10ppm from -10 to 50C. Size: 13 1/8"W x 13"D x 5 1/4"H. 13 pounds. Hope this helps. The factory direct order line is 1-800-9DRAKE4. -Ken From: reed@mozart.amd.com (David F. Reed) Organization: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.; Austin, Texas Date: 30 Apr 91 13:43:15 GMT Subject: Re: Drake R-8 tidbits I am seeing more reports that the Drake R8 is out, and promises of reviews, which I suspect we are all looking forward to... Has anyone had their hands on an NRD-535? ... seen any reports on one? it would be most interesting to compare them, feature and spec and ease of use wise... (holding onto my $$$ until I get more info) Dave Reed -- ____________________________________________________________________ "...just my opinion, not speaking for AMD." KK5D, 7J1AGO, XE1ZDR David F. Reed 4512 Clarno Austin TX 78749 packet: KK5D@KB5PM driving by? try 442.150 repeater From: irvine@en.ecn.purdue.edu (/dev/null) Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network Date: 2 May 91 16:03:20 GMT Subject: Drake R8 I heard it was going to be introduced last weekend. Did anyone see it? Know more about it? Have one? I am excited about an American company jumping into the shortwave arena (or BACK in as the case may be :) )! I heard it was going to cost $899.95. It was supposed to have standard all the options of the competitors (Kenwood R5000, etc). -- +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Society of Philosophers, Luminaries, | Brent L. Irvine | | and Other Professional Thinking People..... | Only my own ramblings | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ From: eckman@asdsun.larc.nasa.gov (Richard Eckman) Organization: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA USA Date: 7 May 91 17:07:24 GMT Subject: Drake R8 I just called the Drake 800 number for the sales literature on the R8. My question is: has anyone seen the R8 in action yet? If so, could you post some initial impressions of the receiver. I'm dying to know how this one stacks up against the current 'top-end' SW receivers like the NRD-525/535 and Kenwood R-5000. Richard Eckman NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA eckman@dobson.larc.nasa.gov From: paulb@harley.TTI.COM (Paul Blumstein) Organization: Denizens of Doom Date: 9 May 91 22:10:36 GMT Subject: Drake R8 Features, Options and Specs Drake R8 Receiver [Note: I got this off a Fax, so the specs were a little hard to read. Also, beware of my typos. And they say that specs, pricing & features are subject to change] Features -- Wide frequency Coverage (100 KHz to 30,000 KHz) plus additional VHF bands with the optional VHF converter -- Multi-mode reception includes AM, FM, RTTY, CW, USB & LSB -- Five built-in filter bandwidths -- Synchronous dtector -- Non-volatile memory -- Built-in multi voltage power supply -- RS232C serial interface for remote control of receiver functions -- Multiple scan functions for scanning by carrier, time or seek modes of frequency or selected memories. -- 100 channel memory capacity for storing of frequency, band and mode data -- Two operating VFOs -- Built-in pre-amp and attenuator -- Timer function for automatic operation -- Dual time zone built-in clock -- Built-in dual mode noise blanker -- Passband offset -- Selectable AGC -- Built-in speaker -- PLL synrhesized -- Dual antenna inputs -- Optimum tuning step selection for each operating mode -- Connections for an external speaker and tape recorder --------------------------------------------------------------------- Options VHF Converter (35-55 MHz & 108-174 MHz) Matching External Speaker Software Remote Control Package for RS232C Serial Interface --------------------------------------------------------------------- Specifications Frequency Range: 100-30,000 kHz Modes: AM, LSB, USB, CW, RTTY,FM Sensitivity: SSB, CW (10db S+N/N): < 1 uV 0.1-1.5 MHz < 0.5 uv 1.5-30 MHz < 0.25 uv 5-30 MHz w/preamplifier AM (10 db S+N/N): < 3.0 uv 0.1-1.5 MHz < 1.5 uv 1.5-30 MHz < 0.8 uv 5-30 MHz w/preamp FM (12 db SINAD): < 0.5 uv 1.5-30 MHz Frequency stability: < +/- 10ppm -10 to 50 deg C Frequency Accuracy: < +/- 100 Hz, -10 to to deg C Selectivity: AM, LSB, USB, RTTY, CW modes: 6 kHz @ -6db, < 12 kHz @ -60db 4 kHz @ -6db, < 8 kHz @ -60 db 2.3 kHz @ -6db, < 4.5 kHz @ -60db 1.8 kHz @ -6db, < 3.6 kHz @ -60 db FM mode: 12 kHz @ -6db, < 25 kHz @ -60 db Ultimate Selectivity: > 95 db Image Rejection: > 60 db @ 100 kHz to 1.5 MHz > 80 db @ 1.5 to 30 MHz IF Rejection: > 80 db, 45 Mhz > 100 db, 50 kHz Dynamic Range: > 90 db, 1.5-30 MHz @ 20 kZHz spacing Intercept Point: >+5dbm@20 kHz spacing >-20 dbm @ kHz spacing 1st IF 45 MHz 2nd IF 50 kHz AGC Performance Threshhold: 0.8 uv Attack Time: 1 ms Release Time: SLOW: 2 Sec FAST: 200 mSec < 4 db change in audio output for 100 db input change @ AGC threshhold Antenna 1 Converter Inputs: 50 ohms unbalanced Antenna 2, Input 50 or 500 ohms unbalanced Notch Filter Attenuation: 40 db min depth (50-5000 Hz) External Speaker Output: 2.5W, 4 ohms @ < 10% distortion Recorder Output: 300 mV, 4.7 Kohms Demodulator output: 300 mV, 4.7 Kohms Clock Accuracy: < +/- 2 seconds/month AC power Requirements 100/120,200/240 VAC +/10% 50 or 60 Hz, 42 Watts nominal DC Power Requirements: 11-16 VDC @ 2 A Operating Temperature -10 to 50 deg C Weight: 13 lbs (5.9 Kgs) Size: 13 1/2"W x 13"D x 5 1/2"H From: irvine@en.ecn.purdue.edu (/dev/null) Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network Date: 9 May 91 23:56:39 GMT Subject: Drake R8 I just called the Drake 'hotline' and got the long answering machine message. Apparently the thing costs $975? (thereabouts). You can order direct from them. What I'd like to know is what do you get for the money and do you know of anyone that sells them for discount (like a lot of the other brands have. Kenwood r5000 ~$850). (I am beginning to outgrow my Sony 2010 :) ) Brent . -- +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Society of Philosophers, Luminaries, | Brent L. Irvine | | and Other Professional Thinking People..... | Only my own ramblings | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ From: brent@network.ucsd.edu (Brent Jones) Organization: Ich geh' kaput. Kommst du mit? Date: 10 May 91 17:49:55 GMT Subject: Re: Drake R8 In article <1991May7.170724.249@news.larc.nasa.gov> eckman@asdsun.larc.nasa.gov (Richard Eckman) writes: >I just called the Drake 800 number for the sales literature on the >R8. My question is: has anyone seen the R8 in action yet? Haven't seen one working yet, but looking at the literature it seems like a nice radio. Cosmetically it looks like one of Drake's satellite TV receivers. The thing I'm curious about is why did Drake elect to use LC filtering rather than crystal filters? True this allows them to give you more bandwith selection at a lower cost, but it leaves some room for improvement. Brent From: paulb@ttidca.TTI.COM (Paul Blumstein) Organization: Denizens of Doom Date: 10 May 91 18:08:08 GMT Subject: Re: Drake R8 In article <1991May7.170724.249@news.larc.nasa.gov> eckman@asdsun.larc.nasa.gov (Richard Eckman) writes: +I just called the Drake 800 number for the sales literature on the +R8. My question is: has anyone seen the R8 in action yet? If so, +could you post some initial impressions of the receiver. I'm dying +to know how this one stacks up against the current 'top-end' SW +receivers like the NRD-525/535 and Kenwood R-5000. No-one has seen it because the first unit won't ship out till next week (the w/o 5/13). They are waiting on final FCC approval of the VHF option. Tho, I suspect that some reviewers (like Larry Magne), have their hands on "early" units. That means awhile before it hits the stands. I will be getting one of the first units. Add 1 week for UPS. I will be reviewing it... but my recent experience is limited to the Sangean ATS-803A. If anyone is in the LA area with a better unit, we can move equipment around for direct comparison. You may want to take the specs I very recently posted and compare. ===================================================================== Where there are SPARCS, there are files --------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul D. Blumstein, Transaction Technology, Inc., Santa Monica, CA {rutgers,philabs,psivax,pyramid}!ttidca!paulb or paulb@tti.com Last Word: You can tell someone by the newgroups s/he reads. From: brent@network.ucsd.edu (Brent Jones) Organization: Ich geh' kaput. Kommst du mit? Date: 12 May 91 07:29:54 GMT Subject: Re: Drake R8 FYI, Drake hasn't decided yet whether they're going to be selling the R8 through dealers yet. Current plans are for direct sales only, however more than one dealer is trying to negotiate for distributed sales. What is Drake thinking? It's pretty hard to sell many radios when there's nowhere for customers to get a hands-on look at the equipment. Brent From: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman) Organization: Gannett Technologies Group Date: 13 May 91 14:04:28 GMT Subject: Re: Drake R8 In article <5322@network.ucsd.edu> brent@network.ucsd.edu (Brent Jones) writes: Re: The R8 > >Haven't seen one working yet, but looking at the literature it seems >like a nice radio. Cosmetically it looks like one of Drake's satellite >TV receivers. The thing I'm curious about is why did Drake elect to use >LC filtering rather than crystal filters? True this allows them to give >you more bandwith selection at a lower cost, but it leaves some room for >improvement. The second IF is at 85 khz. Crystal filters for 85 khz aren't really that practical, or that cheap to build. Drake has traditionally used such a low second IF in order to implement their continously variable passband system which is done with mechanically coupled LC resonators. The additional complexity of the mechanical linkages isn't cheap either, but it does have great operational flexibility. As is typical in modern HF rigs, the first IF is at 45 Mhz and is intentionally rather broad, about 15 khz, but does use a monolithic filter with fairly steep skirts. I have touched an R8 at Dayton. The howling mob prevented me from playing with it as much as I would have liked. I'm not really thrilled at it's spartan satellite receiver like appearance. Whether this relative lack of knobs to twiddle is a hinderance to normal use or not is hard to say at this point. A series of "soft" keys under the display control a multitude of functions. The functions change with the mode that you are in. This allows a very few controls to control a lot of functions. You're not likely to get lost on the panel looking for the right control, but you might get lost in the menus looking for the right selection. I believe a sightless operator would find this radio unusable. On the other hand, the computer interface and the software that they were demonstrating was very nice. Gary KE4ZV