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> Yaesu frg-100 shortwave receiver *outstanding condition
Yaesu frg-100 shortwave receiver *outstanding condition
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to listen, to test, and to sell some of the nicest consumer and military communications receivers. However, I do not often get my hands on the Yaesu FRG-100 receiver and am delighted every time that I do. Usually I sell the FRG*7 receiver as this was Icom's best selling unit for general coverage shortwave listening during the analog years. Yaesu had introduced other digital receivers over the years prior to the FRG-100 (FRG*7000, FRG*7700, and FRG*8800) and while they were nice, they did not offer the listening advantages of the FRG-100.
But while the identification number in the FRG series got larger going from "7" to eventually "8800", the resulting performance did not improve remarkably. Then things changed in 1993 when Yaesu introduced it's FRG-100 into a market already populated by the likes of the Ken*wood R*5000. D*rake R*8, and Japan R*adio NRD*535 receivers. So what did Yaesu bring into the market populated by these venerated units....well, it was value. For about $700...or mid price, you could have a decent receiver and not have to lay out $980 for the R*8, the $1159 for the R*5000 or the $1429 for the NRD*535.
When you set the FRG-100 next to these receivers, you will see that it is not quite as feature laden as some of it's big brothers. But while it does not offer all the features, it is not devoid of them either. Also, with regards to sensitivity to grab those weak signals, it is outstanding. According to the Passport to World Band Radio 1994 edition, the FRG-100 "has excellent-to-superb sensitivity in the shortwave spectrum". Passport also claims that "equally important, the circuitry of the "100" is quiet - you don't hear circuit hiss, and you don't hear digital hash, both of which can interfere with hearing a faint signal".
Let me list some of the features of this FRG-100 so that you understand what you are evaluating and the value of this unit:
* Digital readout to 10 hz that is backlit
* Scan with several functions including memory scan
* Modes of AM / USB / LSB / CW (and due to excellent stabilty, great for RTTY / FAX)
* Coverage of 50 khz to 30 mhz
* Selectivity of 6 / 4.2 / 2.4
Ultimately, what it really comes down to is performance of this receiver. No receiver is perfect, but some are better at doing some things than others. Fred Osterman in his book "Shortwave Receivers Past and Present" calls this receiver "extremely stable, highly accurate, and very sensitive...an excellent RTTY / FAX receiver." His brief evaluation gives it a 5 star rating.
I would say that this is a great receiver for the beginning or intermediate shortwave listener. It will also serve an advanced listener who is on a budget, but they may choose to look to the previously mentioned heavily armed receivers selling for more money. If you want a receiver that is a gem to operate, offers great sensitivity, and has excellent tuning accuracy, then the FRG-100 should be a great option to consider.
Also worth mentioning is that while the receiver has some advanced features, you do not need to know these right away to enjoy the unit. Yaesu was astute enough to include a "Handy Reference Guide" to use without referring to the manual and it slides onto the bottom of the unit....accessible when needed, but not in the way otherwise. As an added bonus, the reference guide has a world time map on the backside to help in determining local time as you listen to distant stations. Here is the reference guide:
This FRG-100 works superbly demonstrating great sensitivity on all the bands. There are no operational issues or shortcomings. While testing the unit, I was able to easily tune into the English language programs from Bulgaria (Radio Sophia), Turkey (The Voice of Turkey), the BBC, and Spain (Radio External Espana). All of these were picked up on my high grade military equipment and then compared to the reception on this FRG-100. Frankly, I was amazed at the quality of signal when compared to units that originally cost our government considerably more when manufactured.
Cosmetically, the unit is in outstanding condition looking virtually brand new. I only saw a couple of very tiny marks on the top cover that you have to seek out to even notice. Otherwise the receiver looks like it is new from the shortwave store and even comes with it's orginal box and packing inserts as seen here:
Because this FRG-100 has a backlit display that can be dimmed or even turned off, it can be used as a bedside receiver. Since you typically do not tune it using a keypad, but use a tuning knob, you do not have to worry about fussing with buttons in the dark. If you need to move up and down the dial quickly, you can hit the "fast" button next to the tuning knob or use the up / down slewing buttons for similar flexibility. Typical receivers use a keypad and so mistuning is common with such receivers and easily avoided with the FRG-100.
If you are looking at this receiver and are new to shortwave, let me tell you it is a fascinating hobby. If you generally get your information from the traditional media sources, you are likely disappointed in the quality of what you hear for news coverage. Shortwave listening actually allows you to hear and experience a whole new spectrum of information gathering. I regularly tune into news and information from around the world....in English. And while that information may be bent to that particular broadcaster or specific nation, at least is is not filtered through the traditional ABCNBCCBSFOXCNNCNBC. It is rewarding to tune into a number of countries, but it is also rewarding to tune into some domestic broadcasters for alternative news. In the morning, I tune into the Power Hour at 7490 khz and in the afternoon, I tune into Alex Jones on 12160.
If you would like to see what is available in English on shortwave, you can visit a great site called Prime Time Shortwave found here:
http://home.centurytel.net/danielsampson/
For your further research, you may look at these sites to get information. The first site is a review by Medium Wave Circle:
http://www.mwcircle.org/mw_rec_frg100.htm
http:// /catalog/commrxvr/2786.html
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/476
This FRG-100 comes with a copy of the owner's manual in a 3 ring binder and an original AC power supply. Additionally, I will be enclosing a CD of the user manual and full schematics in the event you need the schematics for service or attempting further mods.
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