In 1977, Japan Radio Co. had introduced it's first radio into the consumer market for shortwave enthusiasts. JRC had a long history of manufacturing commercial and military equipment and now began it's foray into a market dominated by the names such as Collins and Drake. The initial introduction, the NRD-505, reportedly made less than 1.000 units and this receiver broke new ground for enthusiasts with it's high construction standards and precise digital readout. Cost of this receiver was over $2,200 which was a tidy sum of money in the 70s.
This receiver was followed by other highly acclaimed models such as the NRD-515 and NRD-525 and JRC showed it's inclination to listen to the market...building on it's successes and offering new features with each new model. Then in 1991, JRC introduced the NRD-535 model to a welcome marketplace. This model continued on the success of previous models and offered even more features for about the same price as the 515 and 525 models. However, accessories continued to mushroom with this model, and later in the production cycle, JRC introduced the NRD-535D version that incorporated several desired options packaged from the factory for an additional $400 and intended to save some money for inclined enthusiasts.
The features of the 535D over the basic 535 were:
1. CFL-243 - This feature allowed for adjustment of the bandwidths that were formerly locked in at 12, 4, and 2 khz. Now operators could adjust this control to narrow the 2 kHz filter or the 4 kHz filter in 10 Hz steps without varying its center frequency, ensuring effective interference rejection. This control only functions on AM in earlier models, but after serial number 56005 this feature also worked on SSB. This is serial number 57830 so it offers the more powerful version of this feature. It is an amazing tool to extract a desired signal from the crowded passband.
2. CMF-78 - Perhaps the most exciting feature in the NRD-535D is the CMF-78 Exalted Carrier Selectable Sideband (ECSS) circuit. Often when receiving an AM signal you will encounter interference from an adjacent station. The interference will manifest itself on either the upper or lower sideband of the signal you are trying to hear. The ECSS feature will select the sideband that is not affected and deliver the signal to you with high tonal quality.
3. CFL-233 - This feature adds another filter at 1000 khz for the user and is popular with RTTY (radio teletype) listeners as it gives the appropriate filter to hear and decode these signals.
In addition to these stock features for the 535D, this particular unit has been upgraded even further at a cost of $108. It also has the hi-stability crystal oscillator installed which brings the operating stability to a minimum drift of 5 ppm (parts per million) during warmup and less than 2 ppm drift after one hour of operation. Additionally, the 535D unit tunes to a 10 hz resolution on the dial, but actually a 1 hz resolution overall. This means that the receiver competes with military spec equipment for tuning and frequency stability. Such rock solid stability is demonstrated by this Youtube video poster in this rough video here (at about 1:15):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBZ6UgUm_bM
Also, this receiver was sent to Universal Radio for the later H ROM upgrade that took care of minor anomalies in the tuning and allows the receiver to now tune down to the literal signal floor of 00000.0 khz on up to 30 mhz. Cost of this upgrade was $60 plus shipping. For purists, the original ROMS will be included with the update package. Thus, this souped up 535D is further enhanced with these upgrades.
There are loads of other features as:
Triple Conversion Superheterodyne that provides superb sensitivity and image rejection
Reception of AM - SSB - CW - FAX - FM - RTTY modes
Sensitivity of less than .1 uv on SSB from 1.6 to 30 mhz
Timer and recording output that allows the user to control the receiver when absent to record programs on cassette or on the computer.
24 Hour Clock
BFO
Notch Filter - attenuates up to -40db and allows offending interference to be nulled without needing to select a narrower bandwidth and losing fidelity.
Dual Noise Blankers - helps to get rid of both woodpecker and interference from auto ignition systems and other similar interference sources
200 Memory Channels & Scan - A sophisticated 200 channel non-volatile scanning memory stores frequency, mode, AGC, ATT and IF filter selection. Channels can be scanned at a user-defined rate (.5 to 5 seconds/channel). Sweep reception can be adjusted from .05 to .5 seconds/step.
PBS- Passband tuning that allows the adjustment of + or - 1khz without needing to change bandwidths
AGC - Fast, Slow or Off positions
Tone Control for altering the sound for listener preference
Dimmer - 4 positions to change the dial brightness so that the 535D can be adjusted for viewing environment & listener preferences
RS-232 Port - To allow the receiver to be operated using a PC. The receiver does not come with the connecting cable or operating software, but there are several sources for these items.
Modular Design to facilitate service
Ext Speaker Jack - While the speaker on the 535D is better than many communications receivers, attaching an external speaker like an inexpensive Radio Shack optimus or a Sounds Sweet speaker will greatly enhance listening to shortwave programs.
BFO
Dial Lock
RF Gain
I may have overlooked a couple of features, but that basically covers it. Not only is this the sought after 535 "D" version, but this receiver is in mint condition. I grade items I sell very conservatively and when I say mint, I mean that I do not see a scratch, a nick, any wear to the keys, literally nothing that would give this receiver anything less than a highest rating cosmetically. In addition, the custom dust cover will be included to help keep the receiver in that "clean" condition.
This 535d also comes with the original owner's manual, original box with inserts, AC cord, ROM update info, and crystal oscillator info.
The JRC-535 series receiver has been highly acclaimed by a number of noteworthy sources. In his book, Shortwave Receivers Past and Present, Fred Osterman calls this "an outstanding general coverage receiver". In the 1998 edition of Passport To World Band Radio, it is written that the 535D is "one of the best and quietest DX receivers ever tested." "An exceptional receiver for snaring tough DX signals, notably in the "D" version, with the best ergonomics we've come across in a tabletop model. The NRD-535 won the 1991 World Radio TV Handbook Industry Award for the Best Communications Receiver and Passport listed it as a Passport's Choice for outstanding receiver and value.
If you would like to see a professional reviews of this model, you can read about it here:
http://www.mwcircle.org/res-receiver-japannrd535.htm
Or if you prefer to know what other owners / users think, you can read about them here (note they all give it the highest rating of 5 out of 5) Also, these are for the basic 535, not the enhanced 535D:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6090
If you would like to investigate what other users bring up about this unit and see operational tips, you can read some of the postings in this yahoo group for Japan Radio 525 and 535 users here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nrd-525-535/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
Or if you would like to see how to upgrade the unit to receive DRM signals, you can visit this site:
http://www.drmrx.org/mods/NRD_535_V102.pdf
At this point, I believe that I have conveyed all the germaine info on this unit. You may feel free to email with any questions. Most questions will likely center on cost of shipping. If possible, it is highly recommended that you pick this up at my home. I live in northcentral Penna in the town of Lamar which is just 1 mile from exit 173 of I-80. This is convenient to many population centers here in the northeast and we are easy to find. Pickup of the reciever allows you to test the unit using my array of antennas and ask any operational questions.
If you cannot pick this NRD-535D up at my home, I will arrange to pack and ship it to you. Shipping will be via USPS and the receiver will be shipped in it's original box and then placed in another box for additional protection. In the shipping info, there will be a slight charge for this extra box and packing material. Should the winner bidder decide that they do not want the original box, then shipping will be reduced accordingly. Insurance will be required for shipment to protect both the buyer and seller against loss. The price calculator listed is for shipping in the USA only.
Overseas buyers may bid on this receiver, but shipping may be expensive due to the size of the shipping box. If it exceeds postal size limitations, then it will either have to ship using a premium method like USPS express mail or Fedex international economy and both of these options are quite a bit more expensive. For a shipping quote, please email your country, city and postal code.
The winning bidder will be invoiced and is asked to pay within 10 days after I send the invoice paying via cash, check, or money order. Paypal is accepted, but not preferred due to the extra fees charged to the seller. If using Paypal, I ask for payment within 3 days.
Penna residents are reminded that they are responsible for the 6% state sales tax.
Thank you for taking the time to look at my Ebay auctions!
