N9EWO Review : Japan Radio Co. JRC NRD-545 DSP Receiver |
The infamous 'mute' issue is also covered in the text below.
What is the best 'Free' Computer Software for the JRC NRD-545 ??
(see bottom of page in the 'green block' for the my view on this).
We feel this is the best 'stand alone' HF receiver JRC ever manufactured.
Including the professional line in this (we have tested those too) , but it's not perfect either.
(Photo : N9EWO)
- On the initial model the NRD 505. JRC NRD-535 PHOTOCOPY INSTRUCTION MANUAL + SERVICE MANUALS + COLOR BROCHURE $27.95. Shipping: + $4.95 shipping. Similar sponsored items Feedback on our suggestions - Similar sponsored items. 3.5' IPS 50KHz-200MHz Malachite SDR Receiver Malahit Shortwave Radio Receiver.
- Nrd 505 Service Manual Rating: 3,9/5 4065 votes Apr 12, 2009 NRD-505 Schematics I've scanned the schematics from JRC's NRD-505 Instruction Manual and posted them on my NRD-505 fanboy site under ' Links and Downloads ' as a PDF download.
- The NRD-505 has an analog S-Meter, RIT, Noise Blanker and attenuator. Supplied filters for AM Wide (4.0 kHz), AM Narrow/SSB/RTTY (2.0 kHz) and optional CW (0.5 kHz). This receiver has modular construction. The rear panel has an SO239 antenna input jack. There are RCA jacks for Line, Speaker and IF output.
User comments have been at the extremes from excellent to 'really poor' with the JRC NRD-545. Of course it has more to do on how sensitive YOU are to the DSP noises (overloading) that this set can emit under certain conditions. Actually it's 'Audio Recovery' , that is pulling a person's spoken word out of the mud, is quite good. This is a DSP receiver , that is DSP is used in the IF / DETECTION / AGC etc. I have owned 2 samples (plus a Sherwood test sample), all being the latest firmware.
A few off the newsgroups have indicated that I do not have my NRD-545 receiver set up correctly, so I'm hearing those noises that I have indicated below. NOT TRUE !!! I have quite enough hours using this set over the years to tell you that these sounds (DSP overloading) are no joke no matter how you adjust it. It very well depends on where you are, what antenna you are using, what time of day you use the set, signal activity/strength around the tuned frequency.etc. Many factors play in this and will not be the same for all. Again, just be aware if you plan on making a 'used' purchase of one. Driving simulation.
Three samples were tested for this report
First Impressions
The quality of construction is in the usual JRC tradition, 'excellent' inside and out. The 'internal' power transformer is of good quality too, I think the same one that was used in the NRD-525 / 535. It is very quiet and normal amount of heat. No excessive buzzing sounds (unlike the power transformer in the NRD-301A test sample, which buzzed like a hive of mad bee's, also ran very HOT).
Also JRC did a excellent job with the rest of the power supply as well. They are feeding the input voltage to the 545's regulator's at a perfect level (as was the case in the NRD-525-535 sets), so they run at a very good 'warmish' temperature. I have heard of Drake not doing so well in this area with the R-8 series..you will NOT have to resort of having to use a external DC power supply to run this receiver (as some Drake R-8x owners have done) because of excessive heat and or excessive 'buzzy'noises. UPDATE : JRC changed the power transformer in later production, see green block below.
A mechanical rotary encoder is being used for the 'BWC' control and has a very good feel to it. The tuning knob also has a very good feel to it, no weird play or grizzly feeling. It indeed uses a very good optical type encoder here, and at this price point it should.
Push buttons all have a OK feel and are of the 'tact' switch variety. Thank goodness no 'Rubber/Soft Plastic' key's ! A bit of 'looseness' and key wobble which is normal using this system.Yes, the 545 has the painted pushbuttons just as it was on the NRD-535. I wish manufactures would get away from the use of painting the surface of the actual button that we will be placing our paws on. You know these could show wear and worst case this paint will get removed with use.
General ergonomics are of the usual JRC stature, superb. The “Tuning Knob” speed is much improved over the NRD-525 and 535. I can set it to the speed what I like. It was just too S-L-O-W on these other JRC”s sets. My old NRD-93 also suffered from a even slower “turtle” speed knob. More later on this , but much better JRC.thank you.
As with the NRD-525 / 535 , the NRD-545 is using a nice standard 'computer type' 3-wire AC plug socket for the power input, another great item to see.
The NRD-545's display is a Negative Type LCD and uses a Fluorescent Tube behind it (CCFL) for the backlight. These WILL fail sooner of later in it's old age and parts are no longer available, so be warned. When you first turn on the NRD-545 from a cold start, the display brightness will be dim for the first couple of minutes or so. This is normal for a CCFL backlighting system and is not a fault.
I wish JRC would have included at least a basic set of schematics with the set . It's another 'shame on you JRC thing'. All we get in the owners manual is a lousy block diagram. A step back here in my view as they used to on all other previous sets (except the NRD-345). The excuse 'well just purchase the service manual' does not wash with me !
Internal 'AC Power Transformer' switch made in later JRC NRD-545 samples. |
I made a note above that the internal power transformer in the NRD-545 was of high quality and made no detectable buzz/hum noises even with it off (a very light load when off). Well this all may have changed at bit with later production ? John W. has told me that his early 2006 sample's transformer buzzes even with it off. It's a minor issue with him. But it appears that JRC are using a different AC power transformer with later samples, either with the manufacturer or at least the style. Pictures of the 2 internal AC power transformers that have been used in the JRC NRD-545. Game eroge android. Being I have not tested one of these new samples to 'hear' how bad this buzz may be, I have to stand neutral on this one. I guess look for a used sample for sale that has the older 'green' transformer if this is super important to you ? Issues with noisy power supply transformers in a receiver are a real sticking point with me and is totally unacceptable. Don't get me wrong, I love having a GOOD internal power supply in a receiver, but not if it's going to create a nasty buzz within the room. Caveat Emptor if this is important to YOU !! ..Dave N9EWO |
CHE-199 Converter Blues !!!
On my first NRD-545 sample, I purchased the CHE-199 VHF/UHF Converter Unit. It installed very easy with no real tools. Just a slide in board and one little coax connector that pops on fast. Well after doing the required reset, It did indeed come to life, on the display that is. As far as RF performance, it was as deaf as a french fry. This was connected to high performance antenna’s as well. It barely received my local 20 kw FM broadcasting station . For any local amateur radio signals.Nothing !!.Nada. I have heard of others with this same problem. But good news is for most folks the replacement did indeed work just fine (I did not get another one to find out for myself).
It seems that JRC just had an above average “dud” rate with the CHE-199 converter ? So if you experience “Nada” instead of your Local PD.you could have one of those bad ones ?? I hear the performance is nothing to scream about when it does work right, and I would rather not tie up a HF receiver to listen to VHF/UHF signals anyway. Better with a separate radio or scanner for this frequency coverage. Forget the CHE-199 in my view !!!
I will NOT be held responsible for any info that is listed here |
CGD-197 TCXO, Beep Level and Adjustment.
First job I wanted to tackle after dealing with the converter DOA business , was to install the CGD-197 TCXO option (Temperature Compensated Crystal 'Reference' Oscillator) . Be sure to remove the little foam strip that all JRC owners all know about which hold the boards in place during shipment. But what hit’s you the fastest is the fact that ”where are innards” ? It certainly has fewer boards than previous JRC receivers. More of the sets power is being done within the DSP so the parts count is much less.
I found that the 'Beep' level was too loud for my ears. There is a 'Beep Level Volume' adjustment (RV3) located on the top of the CGK-160 REF/DDS board. Of course you must have the set powered on and connected to an external speaker to make this 'tweak'. This is covered in the owners manual as well. Yes, I wish to have a beep feedback, but not so loud.
NOTE : If you do make this adjustment, be very careful NOT to adjust with the 2 'line output' trimmer controls by mistake that are right next to this 'Beep' adjustment. Will be very hard to get these back to factory specs without test equipment. Use a flashlight and be sure that your are on the right control in the first place !!
(before I installed the CGD-197 TCXO).
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“Frequency Display a bit off..out of the box”
This is a gremlin with tabletop HF receivers that drives me nuts, and was the first item I corrected before I put the set to real use.
On the 2 samples that I have owned , both were off out of the box by around 20 to 30 Hz. This is not a nasty problem, but if you are off by 20 hz at 5 MHz, it will be worse at 15 MHz. So if you are dead on at 15 MHz.will should also be so at 5 MHz (well it should work that way). So if you are off a bit and wish to be at least closer to dead on you need to adjust CV-1 on CGK-160 board (as indicated on page 31 of the manual). Note: The higher you do go up in frequency the more touchy the adjustment (CV-1) gets. But try and adjust using WWV at 15 MHz.
WARNING: You want to pass on this adjustment if you do not have lots of patience. It can be very time consuming and end up with it even being worse !! As usual.Doing ANY of these adjustments are done at YOUR OWN RISK !!!
I use a bit different method to achieve this adjustment than listed in the owners manual. You must use a 'Strong' signal on WWV on 15.000.000 MHz as they are transmitting those nifty tones (don't try if it's weak or during a quiet periods in the hour), being selected at the 'Local' SSB shift (default anyway), and using USB / LSB (NOT CW as in the manual), I turn the BWC to a W-I-D-E bandwidth of at least 6 KHz or above (might as well open it up and use 9.99 KHz). Then you are able to hear the 'off beat' tones real well. Makes adjusting CV-1 much easier. Allow the set warm up at least 1 hour before you do this. Of course use a hi-fi pair of headphones or external speaker to hear the output. You should hear NO difference what-so-ever between USB and LSB when it's adjusted correctly. If you cannot hear WWV (or WWVH) well at your location.sorry to say I don't have any other idea's for you.
I will NOT be held responsible for any info that is listed here |
'Adding the CGD-197 TCXO'
Now you might say well, just add the CGD-197 TCXO option and that should clear up that problem.well not quite. I have installed a couple of these and both were off, a bit closer to the stock installed reference crystal.but not by much. Still about 20 Hz off (high). I can understand how this can happen.too many factors that can throw off a part like this and it's going to vary from set to set that it is installed into, bounced around in transit as well as normal aging of the crystal itself . Remember the TCXO was standard in the old NRD-525 .
As you can see in the picture below, there is indeed a trimmer cap on the CGD-197. But how do you get to it ?? CV-1 trimmer only works on the internal reference crystal. Well it can be done (I do not have any test equipment or the extension board) , but it's the old ..PULL THE POWER PLUG FROM THE WALL SOCKET EVERY TIME !!! (THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT)..pop the CGK-160 board out.do your adjustment with the proper tool. Stick it back in and see how you did. Of course allow say 10 minutes here for the crystal to reach correct temp. You of course have to keep doing this until you get it right.huffda.!!! Time consuming is right.
Another WARNING here.this is a VERY VERY touchy variable capacitor. Again this can be a very time consuming and mind straining procedure. Avoid this if you have problems with ventures like this, leave it with it being a bit OFF.
The CGD-197 TCXO option, it's trimmer adjustment is backwards from logic.
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After installing a 2 CGD-197's and these adjustments.on the second time around I had it 'Dead On' in a record 15 minutes. Now if I select 10,000.000 MHz , I actually get it. This is a big plus tuning manual ECSS (using USB/LSB), provided the station is on frequency. And of course I can check a station's frequency quickly and really see if they are off which can help to ID a station.
But alas, even after an additional time period (a number of years since I installed it), it has again moved up in frequency (10 hz), so it appears a touch up every once in awhile may still be needed).
1000 Memories, 32 User Defined Functions, Memory Battery, User Defined entries a bit tricky to the novice, Speed up the BWC step.
We have 1000 memory channels available on the NRD-545. Each memory channel stores: Frequency, mode, IF Filter Bandwidth (what you have stored in the WIDE, INTER or NARROW preset buttons), AGC, ATT and Tuning Steps. It does NOT store the ECSS function. The bandwidths can also be adjusted on the fly, not having to default in the menus either (unlike so many other DSP receivers and transceivers).
For the “IF Filter Bandwidth” presets in each memory entry, it will store the WIDE, INTER or NARROW button. So what you have entered in these 3 presets is what will end up in the memory channels.
You can easily change these from default for the 3 bandwidth presets. My favorites are listed in the charts at the bottom of this report (no suprise that they are on the wider side). See page 9 of the owners manual for the details, but remember every mode has different default settings.
IMPORTANT USER TIP : To make the Bandwidth knob 'steps' move at a faster rate (100 hz steps vs 10 hz default) by pressing the FUNC button and then BWC. Whew, now that's much better.
These Bandwidths defaults are changed by hitting the FUNC key then push the BANDWIDTH button that you wish to change (WIDE, INTER or NARROW), next rotate the BWC knob to your desired bandwidth and finally push ENT/kHz to seal the deal. Again, every mode has it’s own settings.
32 'User Defined' functions are found on the NRD-545. The chart at the bottom of this page covers what these are and my recommended settings . But these can be a bit confusing for PROPER entry in the NRD-545 for the “novice”. The manual is a bit confusing (at least it was to me for the first time), and if one does not do this in the correct procedure, the entries will not take. It’s a piece of cake once you get use to it.
1. First press the FUNC button, followed by ENT/kHz. You will see 001 FLASHING on the left and what ever number is stored in this User Defined entry in the middle-right.
2. Next rotate the AGC/BWC knob to the desired entry number (number at left, it should be flashing as you rotate it).