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home QRZCQ - The database for radio hams 
 
2024-03-28 19:34:37 UTC
 

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G16445

Active QRZCQ.com user

activity index: 1 of 5
sticker

Andy Booth

Eastchurch
England

EU
england
image of g16445

Call data

Last update:2023-10-11 15:41:18
QTH:Isle of Sheppey
Continent:EU
Views:545
Main prefix:G
Latitude:51.3986104
Longitude:0.8535284
Locator:JO01KJ
DXCC Zone:223
ITU Zone:27
CQ Zone:14

QSL dataUp to date!

Last update:2023-04-04 12:38:44
eQSL QSL:no
Bureau QSL:no
Direct QSL:no
LoTW QSL:no

Biography

SWL since 1972

I've owned the HRO since '72, it's rock solid and has only had a couple of caps/tube changes. It's sensitive and once warmed up, fairly stable. A complete set of plug-in coils coupled with the massive tuning distance via the brilliant main tuning knob is a joy. Memories of warming my hands on the case (and my feet on the power unit!) during the cold nights listening as a boy.....
The Plessey is a great receiver, mellow tone and a quality build.....it'll last forever I think.
The 9R-59DS is a bit of an odd-ball I think. It's tricky to tune and it takes a while to fully appreciate that it's actually quite sensitive. It took me ages to get the matching speaker but it's a quality piece of kit even so.
Kenwood R820. I first saw one when I was purchasing the 535. It was 'demonstrated' for me and the chap swore he'd never sell it! My wonderment took hold and it appeared for many years to be beyond my grasp as I simply couldn't find one. Then, all of a sudden I found one and couldn't resist. Fantastic performance, stability, ergonomics and in many respects - towers over newer kit! Now I've got one - I understand the attraction not to let it go.
The Icom twins are simply awesome. The 71 is a beauty, extremely sensitive and complete with all optional filters, speech and memory upgrade, a delight to drive and dig out DX. The Notch is awesome. Matching speaker has great tone and depth. VHF-UHF 7000 was my first entry above 30Mcs. It sits perfectly with the 71 and their 'military' style (and colouring) mark them as very high quality. ...and they absolutely are. Receives almost everything, very very flexible, great memory functions and built like tanks.
Added the IC-R70 in October 2017. The predecessor of the '71, lack of direct frequency input a little challenging but the split of Ham and Broadcast bands make it easy to get about. Great build quality, rock solid stability. This one is immaculate and very sensitive.
Then I found JRC !.... The 535 features the Lowe options and improvements. Latterly I dug deeply and sourced the (optional) BWC unit and ECSS card. This has made a fantastic difference to an already awesome receiver. Near perfect ergonomics, gorgeous fluorescent display and that S-meter!!! Full compliment of filters again make its functionality unparalleled. Masterful unit.
I first saw the 545 at its launch and I was quite simply blown away! I couldn't afford to buy it new so just had to wait.... How time has an effect ! I quite literally stumbled across this one and it took all of 3 seconds to make the decision - the chap 'throwing in a matching speaker' just made the deal irresistible.
The Yaesu kit is very good but in different ways. It's hard to not compare with Icom and JRC for obvious reasons....they have similar coverage but in my opinion, simply don't have the presence of the other two. The 7700 has its memory unit and the FM board, I like the speed of frequency selection but the main tuning dial is a tad limited in its travel. Plenty of knobs to twist and tune...
The 100 on the other hand is devoid of controls - however, it's simplicity belies a great performer. Sensitive and packed with features (many of which I've never even thought about using I must add). Lovely orange display is clear and near perfect for this receiver.

Equipment

National HRO-SR http://www.rigpix.com/national/hrosr.htm * + full set of coils
Plessey Type PCR http://www.pyetelecomhistory.org/prodhist/military/pcr/may-310005-800p.jpg *
Trio 9R-59DS + matching speaker
Kenwood R-820 in mint condition with matching filtered speaker http://www.rigpix.com/accessories/kenwood_sp820.htm
Icom IC-R71E (in mint condition with matching speaker, all filters, speech and memory upgrade)
Icom IC-SP3 speaker http://www.rigpix.com/accessories/icom_sp3.htm
IC-R7000 http://rigpix.com/icom/icr7000.htm (in mint condition with speech and remote control...great!)
JRC NRD-535 'Lowe' (in mint condition)
Yaesu FRG-7700 inc Memory module + FRV-7700, FRT-7700 and FRA7700 (in mint condition)
JRC NRD-545 http://rigpix.com/jrc/jrc_nrd545.htm
JRC NVA319 speaker https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/08521535.html
Icom IC-R72 (perfect)
Icom IC-R70 https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/r70.html
Kenwood R-5000 (fully loaded with VHF card, filters, speech and PC chipset - awesome)
Yaesu FRG-100 https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/2786.html
Drake R-8E with VHF card + matching speaker https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/2846.html
Eddystone EC10 (great tuning but volatile performance)
Yaesu VR-5000 http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/vr5000.htm ((in mint condition)
Yaesu FRG-9600 - mmmmmm!
Kenwood R-300 - ahhhh !
Yaesu VR-500 (such big performance in such a tiddly package)
Alinco DJ-X10E
AOR AR-1000
Icom IC-R9000
Icom SP20 uhttp://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/1672.html
Icom IC-R5 https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/widerxvr/0005.html
Icom IC-R2 https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/widerxvr/2488.html
Kenwood HS-5 https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/head/0357.html
Timewave DSP-599 http://www.timewave.com/support/DSP-599/dsp599zx.html
Kenwood SM-220 Station Monitor with BS-8*

* not pictured

Magic DSP units (Timewave is unbelievable !)
SGC PowerClear

Plus a few odds+sods

Up top..
Discone
Home brew active antenna
80' copper wire @ 30' high

(August 2015)
Icom IC-R 9000 + speaker https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/IC-R9000

(November 2021)
Lowe HF 150 https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/0150.html
Lowe PR 150 Preselector https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/pr150.html

(April 2023)
Kenwood SM-220 Station Monitor https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/sm220a.html







Other images

second pic
G16445 / 2023
  

Rev. 76d955ecd7