Computer Aided Technologies

Since 1989, the recognized Leader in Computer Control

LIST OF RADIOS
THAT WORK WELL WITH THE
HOKA CODE3-GOLD SERIES DECODERS

Not all radios are created ''equal''. On SHORTWAVE frequencies Many handhelds are simply a compromise of reception ability versus compact size. The audio output of most ''portables'' is simply not good enough quality to reproduce the wave forms of digital signals. While some modes such as weather fax or Wide Band RTTY will reproduce well, small shifted signals such as used by most commercial traffic will not be ''readable'' or so covered with noise the signal is virtually undecodable.

Below are radios that we have some experience with. Most are radios we have owned or used for testing in our own facility. This is not to say a radio that you have is not going to do a good job, but if you're looking at purchasing a new or used unit... AND you need some basics on where to start.....this list may save you some time (and money) in determining what you really need.

Some basic things to look for in a SHORTWAVE receiver:

• TUNING STEPS down to 1HZ (one hertz)
• BANDWIDTH FILTER - You need a minimum of .5 KHZ or 500 Hertz
  for shortwave digital modes
• LSB/USB and (preferably) RTTY reception modes
• CONSTANT LEVEL AUDIO LINE or RECORDER OUTPUT JACK
  (Earphone jacks are just too hard to adjust to low levels)
• RF GAIN CONTROL

Some basic things to look for in a VHF/UHF scanner:

• Programmable modes and tuning steps per frequency.
• CONSTANT LEVEL AUDIO LINE or RECORDER OUTPUT JACK
  Earphone jacks just DO NOT WORK WELL
• DESCRIMINATOR OUTPUT (OR easy access to install one)
  SOME AOR's now have a multi-cable
  output that has descriminator out

SOME SUGGESTED SHORTWAVE RECEIVERS

(We have NO affiliations with a particular brand)

RECEIVER MODEL	MANUFACTURER	SO-SO/GOOD/BETTER/BEST

--------------    ------------      ----------------


IC-2010		SONY			POOR

DX-400 SERIES	RADIO SHACK		POOR

PCR-100/1OOOO	ICOM			POOR 

R-5000		KENWOOD			SO SO

TS-440		KENWOOD			SO SO

IC-706 SERIES	KENWOOD			SO SO / GOOD

FRG-100		YAESU			SO-S0 

TS450/850	KENWOOD			GOOD

IC-706 SERIES	KENWOOD			SO SO / GOOD

R-71-A		ICOM			GOOD

R-72-A		ICOM			GOOD

FT-840		YAESU			GOOD

R-5000		AOR			GOOD/BETTER

R-75-A		ICOM			BETTER untested but should be ok

R-8500		ICOM			BETTER

R-8-A		DRAKE			BETTER

FT-1000		YAESU			BETTER

NRD-525		JAPAN RADIO		BETTER/BEST (NEED 500HZ FILTER)

NRD-535		JAPAN RADIO		BEST

NRD-545		JAPAN RADIO		BEST

WJ-1000		WATKINS JOHNS.		BEST



    SOME SUGGESTED VHF/UHF SCANNER TYPE RECEIVERS 

  (These are primarily for decoding PACKET, POCSAG and ACARS)

RECEIVER MODEL	MANUFACTURER	SO-SO/GOOD/BETTER/BEST

--------------    ------------      ----------------------------------

MOST HANDHELDS	MOST			POOR (NO LINE OUT-NO DESCRIMINATOR)



PRO2004/5/6	RADIO SHACK		GOOD (MUST INSTALL DESCRIMINATOR)

PRO20XX		RADIO SHACK		GOOD (MUST INSTALL DESCRIMINATOR)

BC895		UNIDEN			GOOD (MUST INSTALL DESCRIMINATOR)

AOR-5000	AOR			GOOD/BETTER (HAS DESCRIMINATOR)

AOR-8000	AOR			GOOD/BETTER (NO DESCRIMINATOR)

AOR-8200	AOR			GOOD/BETTER (HAS DESCRIMINATOR)

R-8500		ICOM			BEST (HAS DESCRIMINATOR OUTPUT)

 
              This is not a ''complete list''.

AND.... this list of Radios should not reflect on the radio's quality, 
only on what we know does or does not work well with our decoders.

COMPUTER AIDED TECHNOLOGIES
P.O. BOX 18285 - SHREVEPORT, LA 71138
FAX 318-686-0449

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