Serious TSCM*-Grade Surveillance
and Monitoring Station Receivers.
Any one of these radios would be an SWL's dream come true. Fortunately (and quite by an accidental event), I have had the opportunity to service and modify equipment for a government agency on a contractual basis. Some of the units listed below, and others, have spent time in my repair shop (and shack). That was about 97% fun and 3% labor, but don't tell the Feds.
A real winner. It can be overloaded by a local flame thrower (sometimes) and DSP needs some getting used to, but that's all fixable with proper adjustments and/or aux. equipment.
Tentec RX-340
This is a TSCM wannabe that is up to the task. Similar to the HF-1000 - sometimes better, sometimes a little worse. What a great radio!
Icom R-9000
This is the Godfather of all spy-type radios. It is now technically a few generations removed from state-of-the-art, but what a performer. No DSP, no sync AM ... you'll probably never miss it!
Collins R-390
Ditto the above for the R-9000 - with tubes. Definately worth a serious love affair.
JRC NRD-545
This one is actually mine! A real governmental snoop candidate. I always loved JRC's ergonomics. A panel layout you can use in the dark. They got it right with superb DSP functions of everything. About one quarter or one fifth the cost of the mil-spec candidates. No menu hassles. Very few performance flaws - probably not worth discussing.
Racal 3702 (3701)
Not much to say. Very high quality, solid, Cadillac feel, easy to use - a 24/7 radio.
Racal RA-6790gm
Ditto above. Choose the Racal faceplate you like and buy the radio...it's that simple...all models seem to perform fantastically - they just look different.
If I was stuck on an island, this is the one I'd have with me. By all rights, it should be in the category above, but it is a little outdated compared to its younger brother, the 545, and anyhow, I needed a leader for this category. JRC did it all correctly. Even the ergo aspect is better than the DSP version 545. It's a pretty radio and about as business-like as a front panel can be, save the NRD-515. My personal 535 was one of the beta test models for the designers of the radio and came straight out of their labs in New Jersey several years ago.
Dollar-per-performance; ya jes can't beat it ... period!
Icom R-75
This one is a real sleeper. Out of the box it is a fantastic performer - and for about half the money you'd expect to pay for the performance, features, and functions. If you buy this radio, you must buy the plug-in DSP Noise Reduction board - if you don't, you are only cheating yourself. It has SAM, sync AM and that is not executed very well. If I need that function, I tune with ECSS and forget the rest - presto - no QSB! I have seen better ergonomics from Icom, but this one is (just) okay in my book. The S/W driven menu options and setup are easy enough to access and adjust, but I still like to have a knob, dial or switch for every function (call me old fashioned). If you want the best that $500.00 can buy - this is the one.
Solid, selective, sensitive, stable. For a general purpose receiver, this is the do all-be all for not much money.
Mine serves for long-term AM broadcast listening, shortwave broadcast surfing, and just general easy chair relaxing. I love my 5000. This is my sweetheart #2, along side the 535D.
FRG-7700
My personal opinion is that Yaesu never made a better all-around (receive-only) package. Apperance, layout, convenience, performance, and audio. There's no pretense with this set - it's just tune the dial and listen. I am not a big fan of Yaesu's receivers in general. In that genre, I feel that everything they have done over the years (receivers and transceivers), for the same money has been done better by Icom and Kenwood - just an opinion. Yaesu has never been a winner in the MDS (noise floor) arena. The FRG-7 is pretty nice too, but I let mine go without too much remorse - but I'm gonna keep the Frog-7700. Still, they are both of good utility, service, and value.
Icom R-71A
Matching companion to the VHF/UHF R-7000. Many governmental agencies have used this guy - both these guys. The 71A was never a "super radio" in terms of noise, audio quality, selectivity and sensitivity. And whoever decided on it's volitle ROM operating system should be arrested. I have mine extensively modified with some gain and filter mods. I also added the non-volitle after market ROM option. It is now quieter and listens like a champ! The radio is layed out in an excellent fashion, with easy to find and use controls. Mine is currently in my shop as a general coverage, casual listener for those all-day episodes at the work bench. I will never willingly part with this one.
