Shortwave receiver comparisons are always interesting because real-world listening conditions rarely match lab specifications. In this video, I compare four very different receivers while monitoring the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran on 9720 kHz. The test highlights how each radio handles weak international broadcast signals, audio intelligibility, and varying antenna conditions.
Let’s deal with the Elephant in the room right away. This is not a fair and scientific comparison. Different antennas are being used. This is still a useful demo in my opinion though.
For shortwave listeners and radio hobbyists trying to decide between a tabletop communications receiver, a ham transceiver, or an SDR setup, this comparison offers practical insight into how these radios perform in actual listening conditions rather than on paper specifications alone.
If you are building a listening station, improving your antenna system is often just as important as choosing the right receiver. I’ve covered more antenna resources in the Antennas Hub and additional listening guides in the Shortwave Radio Hub.
What This Video Covers
In this comparison, I tune all four receivers to the same international shortwave broadcast frequency:
- Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Frequency: 9720 kHz
- Nighttime listening comparison
- Real-world reception test
- Different antenna setups
The radios featured include:
- Icom IC-R75
- JRC NRD-545
- Yaesu FTDX 1200
- Perseus SDR
Rather than focusing on specifications alone, the comparison centers on actual audio recovery and intelligibility under band conditions that many shortwave listeners experience regularly.
Receiver comparisons Icom R75, JRC NRD545, Yaesu FT 1200, Perseus SDR
Testing the Yaesu FTDX 1200 on 9720 kHz
The first receiver in the comparison is the Yaesu FTDX 1200, tuned to the Voice of Iran broadcast on 9720 kHz.
Although the FTDX 1200 is primarily marketed as a ham radio transceiver, many operators also use it for shortwave listening because modern HF transceivers often include excellent general coverage reception capabilities.
In this test, the Yaesu provides decent copy of the signal, though atmospheric fading and signal variability are clearly present. The receiver manages to recover understandable audio, but the signal strength fluctuates noticeably during the listening session.
One thing worth mentioning is that ham transceivers can sometimes perform surprisingly well as shortwave broadcast receivers, especially when paired with a quality external antenna system.
Comparing Reception With the JRC NRD-545
Next, I switch over to the JRC NRD-545.
The NRD-545 has long held a strong reputation among serious shortwave DXers and utility listeners because of its selective filtering and stable reception characteristics.
Receiver Comparison Setup
During the comparison, I note that the radios are connected to different antennas, which is important because antenna performance can dramatically influence reception results.
That makes this less of a controlled laboratory comparison and more of a realistic shack-to-shack listening demonstration. In actual hobby use, most listeners are working with different feedlines, antennas, noise floors, and propagation conditions anyway.
The NRD-545 performs well overall, delivering stable audio and respectable intelligibility. Historically, I mention that the JRC often beats the Icom in many listening situations, which speaks to how highly regarded the NRD series remains among dedicated DX enthusiasts.
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The Icom IC-R75 Delivers the Best Reception in This Test
The most interesting result in the video comes from the Icom IC-R75.
During this particular listening session, the Icom appears to recover the signal more clearly than the other receivers. I specifically note that the Icom is “picking it up the best in this case,” even though the JRC receiver often performs better in other comparisons.
That observation highlights an important truth about shortwave listening:
Propagation conditions constantly change, and no single receiver dominates every scenario.
On this evening, however, the IC-R75 produced the most intelligible audio from the Voice of Iran transmission.
The IC-R75 continues to maintain a loyal following because it balances strong sensitivity, effective filtering, and user-friendly operation. Many intermediate and advanced shortwave listeners still consider it one of the better dedicated communications receivers available on the used market.
The Perseus SDR Joins the Comparison
Finally, I check reception on the Perseus SDR.
In this test, the Perseus SDR is operating with what I describe as an unfair antenna setup compared to the other radios. Because of that limitation, the SDR struggles to produce understandable audio from the signal.
That does not necessarily reflect poorly on the receiver itself. SDR platforms like the Perseus are heavily dependent on:
- Antenna quality
- Front-end noise environment
- Gain configuration
- Computer and software setup
Under optimized conditions, SDR receivers can provide exceptional performance and visualization tools that traditional tabletop receivers cannot match.
However, this comparison demonstrates how even excellent SDR hardware can underperform when the antenna system is compromised.
Results From the Receiver Comparison
The listening test focused on one target signal:
Receiver | Observed Result |
|---|---|
Yaesu FTDX 1200 | Good reception with fading |
JRC NRD-545 | Strong overall performance |
Icom IC-R75 | Best intelligibility in this test |
Perseus SDR | Limited by antenna setup |
Test Frequency
Broadcast | Frequency |
|---|---|
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran | 9720 kHz |
By the end of the comparison, I conclude that the “prize goes to Icom” for this particular listening session.
Real-World Listening Lessons From This Comparison
One of the most valuable parts of this video is that it reflects actual hobbyist listening conditions instead of idealized bench testing.
Real-World Shortwave Listening Setup
A few practical takeaways stand out:
Antennas Matter as Much as the Receiver
The Perseus SDR example demonstrates this perfectly. Even a highly respected SDR can struggle if the antenna system is not optimized.
If you want to improve your station performance, investing in antennas often produces bigger gains than upgrading receivers alone.
Conditions Change Constantly
The JRC receiver often performs better in other situations, but on this evening the Icom came out ahead. Shortwave propagation changes hour by hour and frequency by frequency.
Different Radios Have Different Strengths
- Dedicated communications receivers often excel at broadcast listening
- Ham transceivers can provide surprisingly capable shortwave reception
- SDRs offer flexibility and visualization advantages
- Antenna systems influence every result
Specifications Comparison
Specification | Icom IC-R75 | JRC NRD-545 | Yaesu FTDX 1200 | Perseus SDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Product Type | Communications Receiver | Professional Communications Receiver | HF/50 MHz Amateur Transceiver | |
Manufacturer | Icom | Japan Radio Co. (JRC) | Yaesu | Microtelecom |
Release Era | Early 2000s | Late 1990s | 2010s | Late 2000s |
Frequency Coverage | 30 kHz – 60 MHz | 90 kHz – 30 MHz | RX: 30 kHz – 56 MHz | 10 kHz – 40 MHz |
Transmission Capability | No | No | Yes | No |
Modes Supported | AM, SSB, CW, RTTY, FM | AM, SSB, CW, RTTY | AM, SSB, CW, FM, DATA | AM, SSB, CW, DRM, digital modes |
Receiver Architecture | Triple Conversion Superheterodyne | DSP-based Superheterodyne | Triple Conversion Superheterodyne | Direct Sampling SDR |
DSP Included | Optional DSP unit | Built-in DSP | Built-in IF DSP | Software DSP |
IF Filtering | Multiple optional filters | DSP filtering | Variable DSP filtering | Fully software adjustable |
Passband Tuning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Software controlled |
Optional DSP | Yes | Yes | Software based | |
Notch Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Software based |
Synchronous Detection | No | Yes | No | Software dependent |
Twin Passband Controls | No | No | Yes | Software based |
Spectrum Scope | No | No | Basic scope | Full SDR waterfall |
Waterfall Display | No | No | Limited | Yes |
Computer Control | CI-V control | RS-232 | CAT control via USB | Full PC integration |
Standalone Operation | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Requires Computer | No | No | No | Yes |
Antenna Inputs | SO-239 | Multiple antenna inputs | SO-239 | BNC |
Typical Sensitivity | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent |
Dynamic Range | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent | Exceptional |
Weak Signal Performance | Strong | Outstanding | Strong | Outstanding with proper antenna |
Audio Quality | Good communications audio | Excellent communications audio | Good HF audio | Depends on software/audio chain |
Selectivity | Excellent with filters | Excellent | Excellent | Fully adjustable |
Internal Speaker | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
External Speaker Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Via PC audio |
Recording Capability | External only | External only | External only | Native digital recording |
Remote Operation | Limited | Limited | Good | Excellent |
Firmware Upgradable | Limited | No | Yes | Yes |
Typical Used Market Price | Moderate | High | Moderate to High | Moderate |
Best Use Case | Dedicated shortwave DXing | Serious DX and utility listening | Ham radio + SWL combination | Advanced SDR monitoring and recording |
Strengths | Sensitivity, filtering, simplicity | Professional-grade reception | Versatility | Visualization and bandwidth recording |
Weaknesses | Aging platform | Expensive and rare | Larger learning curve for SWL-only users | Requires PC and good antenna |
Receiver Strengths by Listening Style
Listening Goal | Best Choice |
|---|---|
Dedicated Shortwave Listening | Icom IC-R75 |
Professional DXing & Utility Monitoring | JRC NRD-545 |
Ham Radio + Shortwave Combo | Yaesu FTDX 1200 |
SDR Recording & Spectrum Analysis | Perseus SDR |
Key Differences Explained
Traditional Receivers vs SDR
The Icom and JRC units are classic tabletop communications receivers with dedicated front panels and hardware controls. They excel at focused listening and are very satisfying for long DX sessions.
The Perseus SDR takes a completely different approach. Instead of physical controls, nearly everything is handled in software:
- Wideband spectrum viewing
- Simultaneous signal visualization
- IQ recording
- Adjustable filters
- Digital signal processing
This gives the SDR a major advantage for advanced monitoring work.
Why the JRC NRD-545 Is Still Highly Regarded
The JRC NRD-545 remains legendary because of:
- Excellent weak signal handling
- Superb selectivity
- Strong synchronous detection
- Professional communications heritage
Many DXers still consider it one of the finest HF receivers ever made.
Why the IC-R75 Remains Popular
The Icom IC-R75 became popular because it offered:
- Excellent sensitivity
- Upgradeable filters
- Strong performance at a lower price than premium receivers
- Simple, reliable operation
It still performs competitively today.
Why the FTDX 1200 Is Different
The Yaesu FTDX 1200 is primarily a transceiver, meaning it is designed for both transmitting and receiving.
That makes it attractive for hobbyists who want:
- Amateur radio operation
- General HF monitoring
- Shortwave listening in one device
It is more versatile than the dedicated receivers, though not purpose-built solely for SWL.
Why SDRs Changed the Hobby
The Perseus SDR represents the transition from traditional hardware-defined radios to software-defined architectures.
Advantages include:
- Recording entire spectrum segments
- Seeing signals visually
- Easier digital decoding
- Flexible filtering
- Better integration with PCs and remote operation
For many modern DXers, SDRs have become essential tools.
Buyer Recommendations
User Type | Recommended Receiver |
|---|---|
Traditional shortwave listener | Icom IC-R75 |
Serious utility DX enthusiast | JRC NRD-545 |
Amateur radio operator wanting one radio | Yaesu FTDX 1200 |
Advanced spectrum monitoring user | Perseus SDR |
User wanting modern visualization tools | Perseus SDR |
User wanting classic knob-and-button operation | JRC NRD-545 or Icom IC-R75 |
Who This Comparison Is For
This comparison is especially useful for:
- Intermediate shortwave listeners
- DXers comparing legacy receivers
- SDR users evaluating real-world performance
- Ham radio operators interested in broadcast listening
- Hobbyists building a multi-receiver listening station
It also reinforces an important lesson for newer hobbyists: equipment matters, but antennas and listening conditions often matter even more.
In this specific comparison, the Icom IC-R75 delivered the best overall intelligibility on the Voice of Iran broadcast at 9720 kHz.
That said, the test also shows why receiver comparisons are never absolute. The JRC NRD-545 remains an outstanding communications receiver, the Yaesu FTDX 1200 proves that modern ham transceivers can double as capable shortwave receivers, and the Perseus SDR demonstrates how critical antenna quality is for SDR performance.
For many shortwave enthusiasts, the best setup ultimately comes down to operating style, listening goals, and antenna capability rather than choosing a single “perfect” receiver.
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