JRC NRD-345 Shortwave AM SSB CW Radio Receiver GREAT DX GEM

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JRC NRD-345 Shortwave AM SSB CW Radio Receiver GREAT DX GEM:
$624.95

Over the years, we have sold a couple hundred (or more) of the JRC receivers. During that time, we have only offered a handful of these 345 receivers as they are rather scarce. Documentationshows us that this receiver was only manufactured by JRC for about two yearsfrom 1997 thru 1999, but we have also seen where some people list the actualproduction as being shorter than two years. Thus, while all JRC receivers may be producedin a reasonably limited quantity, the model NRD-345 is a lot more scarce.

Allegedly the NRD-345 was manufactured as a more modestly pricedreceiver within the JRC line of equipment. However, while it may not have all the bellsand whistles of it's larger brothers, the 535 and 545, it contains thenecessary elements and essentials for great shortwave DXing. It was a joy to operate this receiver and we took time to verify that everything worked properly with the exception of the front panel "lock" button which is broken. This lock button is not mandatory and only serves to lock the front panel controls and is not always used (we never use this control when we operate receivers).

Cosmetically, theNRD-345 is in very nice overall condition showing only minor signs of previousownership and this is a couple small marks seen on the left side of the unit and the partially depressed lock button. Please look at our pictures atthe top of this listing for specific detail regarding cosmetics.

The receiver comes shipped with it's original box plus:

JRC AC adapter
copy of the user manual
Medium Wave Circle review
Passport Review 1998 (Passport to World Band Radio)
Passport Review 1999
WRTH Review 1998 (World Radio & Television Handbook)
Shortwave Magazine Review 1997
Passport 1998 advertisement
Brochure (4 page color)
Brochure #2 (4 page color)
CD containing the manual and the above documents in PDF

Let us now offer operational details of this receiver….

Tuning of the NRD-345 is very smooth. The encoder is not stiff and the presence ofthe large tuning knob having a rubber exterior just give a great feel. This may be less noticeable to users who havenot tested a lot of equipment, but when a person with experience takes this 345out for a "drive", it is hard to overlook. The readout on the dial goes to 10 Hz, but theactually tuning resolution in CW is in 5 hz steps. It is nice to have this tuning resolution inthis price point consumer receiver.

Performance is just super. According to information on Dave Zantow's site, this receiver uses 4 FET transistors in the 1st mixeras also found in the 535D and 545 receivers. In fact, sensitivity of this receiver was sogood that we could not discern any difference with other high end consumerreceivers that we had at our fingertips during the testing process. Dave also points out that the s-meter readoutchanged in appearance with later production. Based on his information, this receiver wouldbe a mid to later production unit. Dave's site is a great wealth of informationabout this receiver and Dave also reviews a number of other receivers at hiswonderful site.

One of the things that we really enjoyed about this receiver isthat, while it is digital, it makes use of an analog signal meter. There are certain things that are preferred byus with receiving equipment...an analog s-meter is one of them and a standardvolume pot for adjusting volume is another. By having the analog s-meter, you can get agood eye for signal strength as digital meters can be misleading.

What we found surprising about this NRD-345 receiver is that itactually has a couple of features not found on it's more expensive brothers. Namely, the user has access to dual VFO's andcan tilt the front panel upwards with the supplied tilt bail. With dual VFO's you can easily monitor twotransmissions as a simple push of the button enables you to move from one tothe other without the need to retune. Thereare other uses of dual VFO's such as ease of movement between bands or evenbetween sections of the band. Forinstance, if you are an amateur radio operator, you can have one end of the 80meter band where CW is used programmed with one VFO and the other end of theband where voice communication is heard programmed with the other VFO.

The NRD-345 also employs the use of a synchronous detector tohelp reduce selective fade distortion. Whilethe sync detector is not sideband selectable, there is another answer for this.Should the user need to mitigateside channel interference, the receiver is capable of good ECSS tuning and bychoosing one sideband such interference can be reduced, if not eliminated.

Here are some of the numerous features found on this receiver:

·Frequency Coverage from 100 KHz thru 30000 KHz

·Modes of AM / USB / LSB / CW / FAX

·Selectivity of 2 / 4 KHz

·Digital Readout

·Headphone Jack

·Synchronous Detector

·100 Memories that store frequency, mode,bandwidth, AGC, VFO, NB, and ATT settings

·Record jack

·FAX jack (that acts as a line out jack)

·Up/Down Slew Tuning

·Scan / Sweep

·Pass Button (memory channel lockouts)

·Adjustable Scan Pause Duration 2 or 5seconds

·S-Meter

·Dial readout to 10 Hz tuning resolution to5 Hz

·BFO

·External Speaker Jack

·Keypad

·Dial Lock

·Built-in Speaker

·Tone Control

·RS-232 Computer Control Jack

·Noise Blanker (for impulse or ignitionnoise)

·24 Hour Clock / Timer

·AGC off / fast / slow

·Attenuator (20 dB)

·Dual VFO's

·Operates on 12 VDC with supplied 120 voltadapter

As you can see, this NRD-345 receiver is not bereft offeatures....especially at this price point. It reviews very favorably and perhaps the mostcomprehensive review was done by Radio Netherlands found at the MediumWave Circle site.

If you would like to see some brief user reviews, you may visit EHam toread what owners of this receiver have to say about it's performance.

We are happy to try to answer any of your questions. Most questions will be with regards toshipping cost. By using the shipping calculator, you will get a shipping price for shipment here in theUSA.

If you live outside the USA, we are happy to ship to you. Weregularly ship overseas and have shipped to99 countries during the past few years. Youmay also use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost. Please remember that the shipping cost doesnot include any provision for import, customs, or VAT fees. If your country charges such fees, you willneed to consider this prior to making a purchase as such fees will be due upondelivery.

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Penna residents are reminded that they are responsible for the6% Penna state sales tax.

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