This sale is for a very high
end wideband scanning receiver the AOR AR5000 receiver. In some respects, it is the king of receivers. Why?
Because it offers both standard tuning and scan features, offers an exceptional
array of operating modes, and does this over an incredible frequency range from
10 KHz up through 2600 MHz (note: this unit is the unblocked government model). Thus, if you are a prepper who wants the best do
all receiver in the shelter or if you are a person who admires a receiver that
with a proper antenna and within range can literally hear most anything (short
of government encrypted or digital signals), then this AR5000 is your
receiver. Few receivers offer the combination of exceptional receiving
frequencies, wealth of operational controls, and then put all of these features into a highly
configurable package.
The selling price has been set
in accordance with overall condition, desirability, unblocked status, and
relative scarcity.
Electronically, the receiver
operates beautifully with no issues or shortcomings. Cosmetically, it is
in very good condition, but does have a mark above the s-meter. The extender feet are present, but missing the bottom portion. The unit came without an AC adapter, but we are offering it with a DC connector so that you may attach it to your shack 12 VDC power supply. If you do not own such a supply, you can purchase one here on Ebay for under $50 and we can provide a link for a reasonably priced power supply. Please look closely at our pictures as we
endeavored to take shots that allow you to see exactly what to expect to see in
person when the AR5000 is delivered.
The receiver comes with the DC power supply cord, copy of the owner's manual, brief operating notes, copies of reviews by WRTH and Passport, copies
of a couple of advertisements, and a copy of the sales brochure. Finally,
the new owner will get a CD that contains lots of useful files containing
reviews, manuals, computer control software, and other information. This
CD is not for sale as it's contents were supplied freely via the many hobbyists
over the years, however some of the files are no longer available online.
Those of you who follow my Ebay
listings know that we sell a wide variety of receivers. This is one of
the more sophisticated receiving units that we have offered on Ebay due to the
extremely wide coverage and due to the additional aspects of its scanning
capabilities. The AR5000 was manufactured from around 1996 until about
2008 when it was discontinued and the availability this receiver began to dry
up. At this point in time, affectionados are reduced to scouring sources
like Ebay for a good unit.
We suspect that this unit is
one of the mid to later produced AR5000's. The serial numbering began
with 5xxxx, but then later switched to 07xxxx when new firmware appeared a year
later. A board change occurred around serial number 070661 when the
AR5000+3 versions appeared. Also around this time, EEPROM switching was
revised so that an alternate bank of memories and search banks could be
switched and this effectively doubled the memory capacity. After this,
only minor revisions took place in the firmware to enable the EEPROM to operate
more reliably under computer control. The serial number of this receiver
is 075609.
So what is it that makes this
receiver so special? Well, in addition to it's incredible span of
receiving frequencies, it incorporates features not typically found in consumer
grade receivers. One of these features is a wide band front end that uses
electronic preselection between 500 KHz - 1,000 MHz and then uses low pass, band
pass, and high pass filters for the other bands. This means that unlike
most VHF, UHF and highband scanners, the receiver is virtually immune to nearby
transmitters that can often wreak havoc while listening on ordinary scanners.
In fact, one of the reviews by amateur operator VK7ZJA on eHam tells
about how he compares this receiver to other devices and how the AR5000 does
not give him image issues. In other words, the receiver's front end is
virtually bullet proof!
Another thing not commonly
found on consumer receivers is a very high grade TXCO fitted as standard giving
the receiver excellent stability and tuning accuracy. Some users have
said that the drift of the receiver is incredibly small over a range of
operational time and operating changes such as temperature and this would make
sense as it is rated at 1 PPM (part per million) over a temperature range of
32-121 degrees F (0-50 C).
There are multiple tuning steps
available as presets or user programmed, but we appreciate that the receiver
can tune in the fine resolution of a 1 Hz and does this by utilizing a NCO
(Numeric Controlled Oscillator). When we listen to the radio, we often
switch regularly between frequencies as we monitor broadcasts or if we want to
see if a station is signing on or signing off. With most receivers, you
are limited to a single VFO which means that every time you want to jump to
another frequency, you have to re-tune the receiver in addition to all the
other listening parameters. This can be tedious if you are listening to
ham operators and monitoring various nets or if you want to compare signal
strength on shortwave of the same broadcaster on different frequencies and
especially if you have to re-enter bandwidth, mode, etc. Enter a
solution.....multiple VFOs. With the AR5000, you can program a frequency,
tuning step, mode, IF bandwidth into each VFO so that you can save several
steps when changing bands. For practical tuning, you can use one VFO for
listening on the mediumwave band, another for 80 meters LSB, another for 20
meters USB, another for a favorite shortwave band, another for FM broadcast,
and others for whatever your heart desires. Thus, you can see the advantages of
multiple VFOs for listening.
One thing that we found when operating this receiver is the joy of discovery. Since we have had little hands-on time with the AR5000, we realized that while there are many things in common with other receivers, there are many features not typically found. With many receivers fitted with standard features only, after a few minutes of operation, our time focused on reception on the various bands and such things as sensitivity and ease of use. However, with this receiver, the basic features are easily recognizable and utilized. But the more we read the manual or pushed buttons, extra options and features came to view. Like a remote control that has scads of buttons, this receiver has features that may be used seldom or never. The designers of the AR5000 wanted their product to be able to be utilized in a variety of environments, detecting everything from voice to code to data, and doing this with direct tuning, scanning, or computer control. The standard features are easily located and used without reading the manual, but it is advisable for the owner to study the manual so that they can get realize maximum advantage with all the features.
Let us now make a list of some
of the features of the AR5000 receiver:
· Receiving range of 10 KHz to 2600 MHz
· 2,000 Memory Channels
· 6 IF Bandwidths 3 / 6 / 15 / 30 / 110 / 220 KHz
· Sensitivity from 1.8 - 30 MHz of .56 uV
· Operating Modes of AM / FM-n / FM-w / LSB/ USB / CW
· 2,000 memories
· Audio Filter
· Scanning (up to 45 chan/sec)
· HF pre-amp
· RF Gain
· Headphone Jack
· External Speaker Jack
· BFO
· Voice Scan
· 5 VFOs
· Analog S-Meter
· AGC (automatic gain control)
· Dial Torque Adjustment
· Dial lock
· Duplex Offset
· Sweep
· Squelch
· Transmit Mute Line
· Tilt Stand Leg Supports (missing bottom section on this particular receiver)
· Memory Pass
· Audio Filter
· Priority
· Alphanumeric Memories
· Attenuator -10 dB
· Built-in Speaker
· Sleep Timer 1-120 min
· Dual Antenna Inputs (SO-239 and N)
· Excellent TXCO stability of 1 PPM
· DTMF Decoder
· Highly Configurable
· Computer Controllable via RS-232 Jack
· VCS (Voice Controlled Squelch) to eliminate stop-scans on a
un-modulated carrier
· 20 search banks allowing 20 start/stop frequencies
As you can see, this receiver
is loaded with features. It would take considerable time discussing most
of them at length so we urge you to do some research online via the many web
pages devoted to this receiver. For instance, for those who lean toward
using the scanning functions, one nice feature is the fact that you can program
up to 2100 pass frequencies. Don't like a frequency, just pass it. For
most scanners, this would require you using a memory to do this. With the
AR5000, you have the 2100 pass frequencies that are not a part of memory so you
don't waste memory channels to pass unwanted frequencies.
This receiver is not a toy.
With it's fantastic receiving range, it has the capabilities of picking
up the following types of analog transmissions if within range and with good
antennas (a dipole for the mediumwave & HF bands and a discone for FM, VHF, UHF):
Longwave transmissions including
broadcasts within Europe or Asia as-well-as beacons & utility broadcasts
AM radio broadcast band
stations
All the amateur radio
frequencies of 160 thru 2 meter plus all the high band and satellite
communications
Marine and ship traffic
Shortwave radio broadcasts
Military traffic (that is on
open channel and not scrambled)
Railroad
Emergency services as fire,
police, ambulance, hospital, lifeflight
Family Radio Service and
Business Channels
TV Audio
CB radio
NASCAR Channels
Road repair and clearance crews
Prison security and maintenance
traffic
University maintenance and
security traffic
School bus communication
Taxi services
Drive thru restaurant
communications
FM Radio broadcasts
City Transit Systems (buses,
metros, trains, etc)
Wireless microphones / baby
monitors , etc
Amusement park traffic (Disney
has a large network)
Space communications &
satellite communications (if open channel)
Microwave transmissions
One of the best places to look
and research receivers is eHam. This is because the reviewers are
non-professionals so the information leans toward practical use and not lab
testing. You can find the eHam reviews here where all 8 reviewers gave the
AR5000 a full 5 rating:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/473
Another site to explore is the
RadioReference.com site that is a clearinghouse of information. Some of
the links are dead, but you can still get a lot of information from here:
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/AR5000
If you visited this site, you
will find limited information, but at least you can find a link to download the
manual for review:
http://satcom.tonnarelli.com/ar5000.htm
Finally, we invite you to email
if you have any questions. We will do our best to try and answer them.
Most questions typically focus on shipping cost. If you live in the
USA, you may use the Ebay calculator for shipping cost. This cost
includes proper packing materials, shipping, plus insurance.
Buyers from outside the USA are
also welcome to purchase this receiver. Shipping will be via Express Mail
with delivery in about 8-10 days after shipment (unless delayed in your
country's customs offices). Please remember that the
shipping cost does not include any provision for import, customs, duty, or VAT
fees. If you are charges such fees, you will need to consider this cost
in addition to the shipping cost.
Payment to be within 3 days via
Paypal. On the 4th day, Ebay will automatically open a non-payment case.
Ebay does not permit us to mention other forms of payment that we accept
with the reprisal of removing our Ebay listing so we will avoid doing so and
remain within compliance. Please email if you have any questions.
Penna residents are reminded
that they are responsible for the 6% state sales tax.
Thank you for taking time out
of your busy day to look at our Ebay listings!
