PCR-1000/100

The PCR-1000 at about $350 is a nice receiver for the money for those looking for something that covers a wider frequency band than the typical trunk tracker, looking to listen to/decode a wider range of signals (esp in HF) or wanting to use a receiver under computer control with the associated flexibility of PC based control/programming/ recording/logging. It covers 100 Khz to 1.3 Ghz (I have used down to 20 Khz) with AM/FM/WFM/CW/USB/LSB with bandwidths from 3 khz to 300 khz, selectable 1 Hz to 10 Mhz tuning steps, 400 Khz wide bandscope display, DTMF and CTSS decoding, AFC, AGC, noise blanker, IF shift, voice/modulated squelch, discriminator output to support 9600 baud packet data, unlimited channels in up to 26 banks with per channel selectable settings (eg volume and attenuation), auto memory write. An optional internal DSP card is available that is great for removing hiss and tones. The factory control software is ok and has 3 views (scanner, receiver and component), second party control software is available of which the best by far is TalkPCR which has expanded search tools, audio logging, timer search and much more. A new trunk tracking program is available for it (tunkpcr1k). Palm software is also available as is hardware controller design on the web. Works well with a discone antenna, can overload in HF with a good antenna but an outboard preselector helps and the Wellbrooke active loop antenna is said to be a good match for it in HF. Small enough to put in your laptop bag and take on the road. Some have used it in packet stations, radio telescope applications and many others, do a web search on it and you will find lots of happy users and uses. A great buy for the money and will find many uses for it. 

Added: April 2nd 2003 Reviewer: steve piz Score: 5 stars Related Link: ICOM PCR-1000 Hits: 2179