Yaesu FRG-8800 or Icom R-75?

[Jmoog00]

Hello, I am getting back into shortwave listening after drifting away from the hobby for many years. I would like to purchase a decent used tabletop SW receiver. My primary interest in SW is DXing distant signals and broadcasters.

About 15 years ago I borrowed a friend's Yaesu FRG-8800 for a couple of months and I really liked it. I was thinking of buying that model again but for about $100 to $200 more I could purchase an Icom R-75 which seems to be quite revered by SWL'ers. I have no experience with the R-75 myself.

Of these two models, which would you prefer personally? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Well the Icom is triple conversion whereas the Yaesu is double so the Icom wins there. I had an Icom IC-735 HF transceiver which was triple conversion and it was bullet proof when it came to strong adjacent signals or even extreme high power in band or out of band signals. I had a 250 Kw navy transmitter 12 miles line of sight away so it came in handy. I can't speak of the Yaesu because I really have no idea however if Icom made that receiver as well as they made their HF amateur gear I would not hesitate to get it. BTW I am not biased towards Icom. In fact I own Icom, Yeasu, and Kenwood gear but I have been impressed with the Icom receivers.

 

[wa373]

I have never owned the Yaesu but I have had an Icom R-75 for about 10 years now and love it! You can read the ratings of shortwave receivers on DX'ing.com.

 

[Mudfoot]

I used an R75 for years. Nice quiet receiver. No experience with the Yaesu, though.