JRC NRD-535D Shortwave Radio Communications Ham Receiver ***DXer's Favorite***

Description

Note: In order to be in compliance with Ebay rules and to prevent unintentional keyword spamming, we have placed asterisks
*
in the historical information below so that we can include this information in this listing.  Thank you!
This sale is for a Japan Radio NRD-535D that is used and has some minor but typical marks and signs of prior ownership on the covers.  The front panel of this receiver is in wonderful condition.  Often the stenciled keypad and other buttons can show wear, but not on this receiver which shows a near perfect front panel.  We ask that you please look at the variety of pictures at the top of this listing to confirm the cosmetic condition and to use as part of our verbal description.
Operationally, the receiver has been fully tested and works well with excellent sensitivity and no known issues.  Please note that we fully test all the equipment that passes through our hands.  Of these 535D's, three of the last four to pass through our hands had issues.  One was missing the ECSS board, another had an ECSS board that was so far out of alignment that it would not lock on the signal, and this unit had weak audio.
We replaced the IF Amp board in this receiver to restore performance of the audio.  It is nice that these 535's are modular and so swapping in a board is a snap.  It took us about 5 minutes to remove the top cover and replace the defective board (the cost of the board was .95) and the radio now works once again like new.  You do not need to be a service technician to manage such a repair as swapping in a board is easy to manage and requires no soldering.
Serial is 53290.
This particular 535 comes with the "D" package including the extra 1000 Hz filter, ECSS board and bandwidth control.
In addition to the NRD-535D, the buyer will receive:
AC power cord
original owner's manual
copy of the service manual in 3 ring binder
copy of the sales brochure
Passport Whitepaper
AM Synchronous Detection Tutorial paper
JRC NRD-535D Proceedings Newsletter review - Bob Evans
JRC NRD-535D receiver as a Medium-Wave Receiver review
WRTH review - 1992 (World Radio & Television Handbook)
Passport review - 1992 (Passport to World Band Radio)
Passport review - 1993 (retested)
Passport review - 1997
Medium Wave Circle review
QST review - May 1997
Drake R8 and The JRC NRD-535D Proceedings newsletter review
NRD Notes (scarce newsletter of mods & other info) - Issue No. One 1993
Gilfer Radio catalog page 1995-96
Gilfer Radio catalog page 1991
Gilfer Radio catalog page 1993
Universal Radio catalog page 1993
WRTH advertisement copy 1991
WRTH advertisement copy 1996
Finally, included is a CD containing much of the documentation above plus service notes, mods, computer command software, promotional materials, reviews, etc.  This CD is not for sale separately, but is given freely and included with this NRD-535D and
contains 512 MB of files
.  These documents will help to make the owner aware of features, operation and give service diagnostics and repair tools should they ever be required.
In 1977, Japan Radio Co. had introduced its 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 in a highly competitive market dominated by such names as C*ollins and D*rake.  On the initial model the NRD*505, Japan Radio 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 ,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 previous 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 0
and intended to save some money for enthusiasts who were inclined to purchase these upgrade options.
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 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 when in AM mode.
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 or for CW or very narrow sideband.
There are loads of other features on the standard NRD-535 such 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 -40 dB 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 - 1 KHz 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.
Dial Lock
RF Gain
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/mw_rec_nrd535.htm
(please copy and past link in your internet browser)
Or if you prefer to know what other owners / users think, you can read about them here.  Also, these are for the basic 535, not the enhanced 535D:
https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6090
(copy and paste link in your internet browser)
At this point, we believe that we have conveyed all the important info on this unit.  You may feel free to email with any questions.  Most questions will likely center on cost of shipping.  Please use the Ebay shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost.   Insurance will be required for shipment to protect both the buyer and seller against loss and is included in the shipping cost.  Ebay shipping cost is a good estimate, and if you should overpay, we will refund any money in excess of the cost to ship this to you.
Buyers residing outside the USA may purchase this receiver.  We regularly ship outside the USA, have had a lot of experience in doing so with good results, and are happy to ship to your location having delivered parcels successfully to 105 different countries during the past 22 years on Ebay.  Please use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost.  Shipping will be via Express mail which is slightly more expensive than priority mail, but will allow for full insurance and online tracking.
Please keep in mind that the quoted shipping will not include any import, duty, or VAT fees.  You will need to contact your country's customs office or post office to see if there are any other charges incurred upon delivery to you.
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