File name AOR_AR1000_mod.zipAOR AR-1000 Handheld Wide Range Communications Monitor
-------------------------------------------------
o Frequency range: 8-600, 805-1300 Mhz (minus TV)
o Scan/search/manual tuning
o 1000 non-volatile memories, 10 banks of 100 channels/bank
o Scan rate: 20 memories/sec
o Tuning steps: 5 to 995 kHz, divisible by 5 or 12.5
o Receiving modes: AM, NFM, WFM
o Sensitivity: 0.35 uV NFM, 1 uV AM/WFM
o Search: 40 increments/sec
o Features: delay/hold, squelch, priority on any channel, 10 db
selectable attenuator, 4 AA nicads (13.6 VDC), 12 oz weight,
2.5"W x 6.84"H x 1.75"D, AC wall charger/adapter, carrying
case, belt clip, cigarette lighter adapter
o Price: $499, Grove has for $459
First (open box) impressions:
-----------------------------
The case looks much better than the Uniden cases. There is a
removable metal belt clip poking through from the back of the scanner
and a clear plastic shield over the keys. The whip antenna looks
like one of the Larsens. The weight and feel are JUST right, unlike
the heavy and tiring Bearcat. The manual tuning knob on the top
seems a bit too long for the unit; it rotates left/right to
decrement/increment the frequency by the desired step. Squelch and
volume are a single knob on the top; the squelch is the outside
jacket of the volume. The local/DX switch is also on top.
The keypad looks nice, and so does the display. The light is a
little wimpy, though. Four(4) AA nicads supply power to the unit, no
more hunting for odd battery packs.
Operation:
----------
Here we go. It took about 1 hour to master the Bearcat; it took 3
_DAYS_ to learn the AOR. Their manual didn't help matters. It looks
like something an engineer knocked out (no offense intended). It is
a piece of junk. Things are cut-and-pasted into a mess, there are
two(2) sections on scan limiting that are identical, and there are
general errors. But the manual is vital in order to learn the unit.
It's like flying the shuttle. Take entering bank numbers to scan for
example:
o Bearcat: hit , then the bank number. For multiple banks
press their numbers. The numbers are toggles (on/off).
o AOR: hit , , , , lower bank limit,
, upper bank limit, .
Searching is MUCH worse. Gripe: if I wanted to scan banks 1 and 5, I
can't. I'd have to scan banks 1 THROUGH 5. Trying to lock and unlock banks
is also a pain. I accidentally locked out all the banks, and it took 2 hours
of unlocking every channel to get the scanner back. Scanning: ---------
Performance rolls off below 30 Mhz and above 1200 Mhz. As a shortwave receiver
I don't put much stock in the AOR. It didn't do well. I was able to copy a
few stations but they faded in and out. OK, so I didn't hook it up to an
active antenna or a longwire. I only used the whip and a shortwire. But I
barely picked up anyt |