On Apr 15, 7:39 pm, "RHF" wrote:
On Apr 15, 9:53 am, "Roadie" wrote:





On Apr 13, 10:13 pm, "Von Fourche" 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 Ageshttp://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/UJIiRgk...6dLopsfncxYXAY
SA0G27ZbHlLwCUCC0a1tgouojkKqWNSkmJLVTcmRw9b/IF-232C.pdf
Simple and Safe RS232 Interface Cable for the
Kenwood R-5000 Receiver -by- 1K2BCPhttp://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 Filehttp://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/UJIiRi8Pe-rbXSfjIhnyG7Lv6-
_i01RAAMTw_E_7iNPywqHM_0l6YcrCfx2GY_uxVquVlNcrJJTh q8R4WqEb/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/
.
.
. .



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.- Hide quoted text -

- 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.

"Roadie" wrote in message
ps.com...
On Apr 16, 7:59 pm, "Von Fourche" wrote:
"Von Fourche" wrote in message

et...



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.

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

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?



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.

Von Fourche wrote:
"Von Fourche" wrote in message
et...


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

Von Fourche schreef:

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

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 a

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.

Geoff.
--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel 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/

Geoffrey S. Mendelson schreef:

The options that are available a

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 wrote:
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 a

Below is what I posted. What am I missing?


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.

Geoff.


--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel 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/

Geoffrey S. Mendelson schreef:

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

On Apr 17, 4:14 am, (Geoffrey S. Mendelson) wrote:
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 a

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.



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.

Geoff.


Nice list of the R5000 issues.

On Apr 17, 1:52 am, D Peter Maus wrote:
Von Fourche wrote:
"Von Fourche" wrote in message
. 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

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.