I absolutely love Drake R8 series receivers as I am a shortwave enthusiast who loves hearing news directly from foreign sources. If you watch our Ebay listings on a regular basis, you will see me list many of Drake's fine receivers. While I list many receivers in the R8 line, it is infrequently that we have had an R8A to offer for sale as they are the less common of the heritage of R8 series of receivers due to their short manufacturing span of only a couple of years.
Original selling price of the R8A receiver was $1099.00. Our selling price considers factors as desirability, availability, and condition.
Cosmetically, the receiver looks to be in good condition with some small marks on the face plate bezel and front panel....but nothing truly outstanding. Please look closely at our pictures, use them to supplement this written description, and email if you have any questions. We have fully tested this receiver's operations and it performs just beautifully with excellent sensitivity up and down all the bands.
This Drake is an excellent receiver to allow for such reception, but will require a good antenna to realize it's potential. This particular receiver comes with it's beautiful felt cover, a copy of the user manual, a copy of the service manual, power cord, copy of the sale brochure, a couple of receiver reviews, and a CD containing a copy of the manual and a couple other files.
Let me talk a little bit about the R8 series receivers. This receiver was one of RL Drake's last great offerings to the DXing hobby. The R8 was considered to be a higher caliber receiver that was introduced in 1991 and was Drake's reintroduction into the SWLing market from which it had been absent for about a decade. Through popular demand and by virtue of market analysis, Drake reasoned that the time was appropriate for jumping back into the market. Drake then introoduced several units over a period of about 9 years and then once again left the market.
This R8A was a follow-up to the popular R8 receiver. Introduced in 1991, the R8 was a remarkable receiver. It won many accolades during it's 4 years in the consumer market, but many serious users felt that improvements could be made. In 1995, Drake took some of the comments from users and brought forth, and then for a slightly higher price, introduced the Drake R8A. The result was that an excellent receiver was made somewhat better with the improvements. Here is a list of changes from the R8 to the R8A:
* Improved Ergonomics: Single key presses will select your mode and bandwidth with the addition of a second keypad.
* More Memories: 440 memory positions.
* Faster Scanning: Scan 40 channels per second.
* Alphanumeric Display: Program names may be displayed on the front panel.
* Display & Entry Frequencies: User programmable in kHz or MHz.
* Cabinet Feet: Front panel tilt via a metal bail to replace the weak plastic feet on the R8.
* Event Timers/Clocks: Two Timers. The time may be programmed to remain on at all times.
* Improved AGC: The AGC has a smoother attack for improved SSB listening.
* Tone Control: Expanded control of high frequency range.
* FM Receive Mode: New highpass filter to reduce sub-audible tone squelch signals.
* Line Cord: New detachable power cord.
* Expanded RS-232 Control: Allows customized reports of frequency, mode, memory, channel, name, and signal strength.
At this point, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the reception performance between the R8 and R8A is very much the same. The changes are concerning user features, memories, ergonomics, scan rate, etc. Many people feel that these changes are advantageous to have available as the sum total of them adds up to an enhanced version. For others, they will find the standard R8 satisfactory and chose not to pay the difference in price that these R8A's bring on Ebay. You can make that decision and purchase accordingly.
More info:
RL Drake no longer manufactures high end ham and shortwave gear, but their legacy for quality equipment will live on with the likes of this R8A. This receiver has won lots of recognition from various authorities within the DXing community and rightfully so...it is one HOT receiver...offering the benefits of high sensitivity, choices of selectivity, synchronous detection, an effective noise blanker, multiple modes of reception...AM, FM, USB, LSB, CW and RTTY, two VFO's, two clock times (local and universal), choice of antennas from the front, 440 presets for memories, and a preamp for the weak signals. The R8A covers Longwave, AM, Mediumwave, Marine, Shortwave, Ham, and CB frequencies. An optional adapter can be purchased to allow the receiver to pick up VHF frequencies.
The Drake is powered via an AC cord that is removeable and included. Currently, the Drake is configured for AC power here in North America, but can be set for power virtually anywhere in the world.
At this point, you should get the idea that this R8A is an excellent receiver. It is a shame that RL Drake is no longer manufacturing it as it was an excellent American product. While some of the parts came from overseas, this was an American product in a field populated with foreign made equipment...especially Japanese. I have no problems with using or appreciating foreign made equipment, but as an American, I take special pride in something executed well in the manufacturing and made within our country's borders. Here are some reviews from eHam.net that detail the receiver based on use by individual owners:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1827
I love these radios and know a bit of information that may answer a question you may have so feel free to email any questions and I'll do my best. Usually most questions surface with regards to price quotes on shipping. Please use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost as the cost will include secure packing, shipping and full insurance. The receiver will be well packed to transport safely to your location and we do not profit from shipping charges. Should there be any over payment, such monies are refunded to the buyer.
International buyers are welcome and we have a lot of experience shipping items overseas having shipped to 88 countries during the past few years. Shipping will be via Express Mail that is slightly more than Priority Mail, but arrives more quickly, has less handling, offers more detailed online tracking, and can be fully insured. Please keep in mind that this shipping cost does not include any customs, duty, import, or VAT fees. If your postal system charges such fees upon delivery, you will need to consider this cost as well. Thank you!
Payment to be Paypal within 3 days after purchase. Ebay does not allow sellers to mention alternative payment methods, and in doing so, a seller's listing may be removed. Thus, we will remain withing Ebay's listing policy. Please email if you have any questions.
Penna residents are responsible for the 6% state sales tax.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to look at our Ebay items.
Brief History
The R.L. Drake Company was established in 1943 during the height of WW II and proved to be an innovative leader in the engineering and design of amateur and shortwave radio products. Mr. Robert Drake produced a unique amateur radio sideband receiver and took the plans to Hallicrafters and National Radio. When these firms showed no interest in his design and product, he built the radio under his own name. The first order for 100 units was placed by Universal Services, now known far and wide as Universal Radio. Thus, the R.L. Drake Company had a very modest beginning, but eventually their product line grew wider as they showed a knack for great designs.
The Drake Company discontinued their line of amateur and shortwave radios in the early 1980's when Japan flooded the market with portable units that had digital readouts. RL Drake then concentrated on the home satellite market. However, the hunger for sturdy, well-designed amateur and shortwave equipment never went away and Drake once again entered back into the market in 1991 with the announcement of the R8 receiver. The success of this unit was then followed by other receivers to cater to the amateur and shortwave market. Drake has since left the shortwave and amateur radio market and the products that they labored to manufacture stand as a testimony to the quality of many American made products!
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