AOR AR5000A+3 Receiver Scanner AM / AML / AMU /HF /FM / VHF/ UHF COLLINS FILTERS

Description

This sale is for a very high end wideband scanning receiver the AOR AR5000A+3 receiver that has a heritage of powerful sensitivity and a bulletproof front end that resists overloading from nearby strong transmitters.  Please note that this is this is the consumer version of the receiver that offers coverage from 10 KHz to 3000 MHz (minus cell frequencies).  This receiver is the later "A" version which extends the upper receiving range from 2600 to 3000 MHz (3 GHz) over the previous non-A version.
In some respects, the AR5000A is the king of receivers.  Why? Because it offers both standard tuning and scan features, offers an exceptional array of operating modes, and does this over an incredible analog frequency range from 10 KHz up through 3000 MHz.
Thus, if you are a prepper who wants the best do all receiver in the shelter or if you are a person who admires a receiver that with a proper antenna and within range can literally hear most anything (short of government encrypted or digital signals), then this AR5000A+3 is your receiver.
Few receivers offer the combination of exceptional receiving frequencies, wealth of operational controls, and then put this into a highly configurable package.
Please note that this particular AR5000A is the +3 version which has three additional features installed which give the user even more operating control over reception.  We explore these features in more detail in the listing information below.
In addition, a previous owner has upgraded this particular AR5000A+3 with two Collins filters.  One of the filters is the 500 Hz bandwidth that is used to receive CW.  The stock 3 KHz filter is too wide to sort out the CW signals properly, but the optional Collins filter does this perfectly using the narrower bandwidth.  The other Collins filter is a 6 KHz bandwidth that replaces the looser and somewhat lower quality stock 6 KHz filter and this bandwidth is generally utilized mostly for AM mode broadcasts found on mediumwave and shortwave (HF).
The selling price has been set in accordance with overall condition, desirability, relative scarcity and the inclusion of the Collins filters.  If you have been considering one of these AR5000 units, this one is a prime unit as it is the "A" version, has the +3 options installed, and has the two Collins filters.  This AR5000A checks a lot of boxes for collectors and someone wanting a nicer unit.
Electronically, the receiver operates beautifully with no issues or shortcomings as the main part of the receiver.  All the features and operations were perfect and this receiver demonstrated the typical outstanding sensitivity found on these AR5000A units.  As an example, when tuning most wideband receivers to the NOAA weather channels in our area, we can hear 3 different broadcasts.  Using this AR5000A receiver, we can actually hear 6 different channels.  Yes, 3 of the stations heard were very weak on this receiver, but they are not even heard on other receivers that cover these same NOAA frequencies using the same discone antenna.
Cosmetically, while the receiver is used and you will see minor signs of prior ownership with a few marks on the covers.  The front panel is in very nice condition showing little prior ownership.  Please look closely at our pictures as we endeavored to take shots that allow you to see exactly what to expect to see in person when the AR5000A+3 is delivered to you.  This AR5000A+3 comes with:
AOR AC power supply
copy of the owner's manual
copy of the service manual
AR5000 quick reference page
AR5000+3 manual addendum page
EEB catalog 1997 page copy (Electronic Equipment Bank)
Universal Radio catalog page copy
AOR catalog 2000 page copy
AR5000 sales brochure copy
AR5000 info page
WRTH 1999 review of AR5000+3 (World Radio and Television Handbook)
AR5000+3 Passport to World Band Radio review 1999
AR5000+3 Passport to World Band Radio review 2009
Finally, the new owner will get a CD that contains lots of useful files containing reviews, manuals, computer control software (no guarantee that it will work for your setup), and other information.  There are a total of 448 MB of documents on this CD which contains files not commonly found and also no longer available.  This CD is not for sale as its contents were supplied freely via the many hobbyists over the years.
Those of you who follow our Ebay listings know that we sell a wide variety of receivers.  This is one of the more sophisticated receiving units that we offer on Ebay due to the extremely wide coverage and due to the additional aspects of its scanning capabilities.  The AR5000 was manufactured from 1996 until about 2008 when it was discontinued and the availability this receiver began to dry up.  At this point in time, aficionados are reduced to scouring sources like Ebay for such a unit.
So what is it that makes this receiver so special?  Well, in addition to its incredible span of receiving frequencies, it incorporates features not typically found in consumer grade receivers.  One of these features is a wide band front end that uses electronic preselection between 500 KHz - 1,000 MHz and then uses low pass, band pass, and high pass filters for the other bands.  This means that unlike most VHF, UHF and high band scanners, the receiver is virtually immune to nearby transmitters that can often wreak havoc while listening on ordinary scanners.  In fact, one of the reviews by amateur operator VK7ZJA on eHam tells about how he compares this receiver to other devices and how the AR5000 does not give him image issues.  In other words, the receiver's front end is virtually bullet proof!
Another thing not commonly found on consumer receivers is a very high grade TXCO fitted as standard giving the receiver excellent stability and tuning accuracy.  Some users have said that the drift of the receiver is incredibly small over a range of operational time and operating changes such as temperature and this would make sense as it is rated at 1 PPM (part per million) over a temperature range of 32-121 degrees F (0-50 C).
There are multiple tuning steps available as presets or user programmed, but we appreciate that the receiver can tune in the fine resolution of a 1 Hz and does this by utilizing a NCO (Numeric Controlled Oscillator).  When we listen to the radio, we often switch regularly between frequencies as we monitor broadcasts or if we want to see if a station is signing on or signing off.  With most receivers, you are limited to a single VFO which means that every time you want to jump to another frequency, you have to re-tune the receiver in addition to all the other listening parameters.  This can be tedious if you are listening to ham operators and monitoring various nets or if you want to compare signal strength on shortwave of the same broadcaster on different frequencies and especially if you have to re-enter bandwidth, mode, etc.  Enter a solution.....multiple VFOs.  With the AR5000, you can program a frequency, tuning step, mode, IF bandwidth into each VFO so that you can save several steps when changing bands.  For practical tuning, you can use one VFO for listening on the mediumwave band, another for 80 meters LSB, another for 20 meters USB, another for a favorite shortwave band, another for FM broadcast, and others for whatever your heart desires. Thus, you can see the advantages of multiple VFOs for listening.
One thing that we found when operating this receiver is the joy of discovery.  Since we have had little total hands-on time with the AR5000A, we realized that while there are many things in common with other receivers, there are many features not typically found.  With many receivers fitted with standard features only, after a few minutes of operation, our time focused on reception on the various bands and such things as sensitivity and ease of use.  However, with this receiver, the basic features are easily recognizable and utilized.  But the more we read the manual or pushed buttons, extra options and features came to view.
Like a TV remote control that has an assortment of buttons, this receiver has features that may be used seldom or never. The designers of the AR5000 wanted their product to be able to be utilized in a variety of environments, detecting everything from voice to code to data, and doing this with direct tuning, scanning, or computer control.  The standard features are easily located and used without reading the manual, but it is advisable for the owner to study the manual so that they can get realize maximum advantage with all the features.
This AR5000A is the +3 version that adds the desired features of Synchronous AM detection (SAM), Automatic Frequency Control (AFC), and Noise Blanker.  Not only does the operator gain the advantage the sync detector added to the list of operational modes, but they are further given sync mode in upper or lower sideband to effectively eliminate offending side-channel interference.  This feature is especially valued in the shortwave bands where it is common for transmitted signals to bump into each other disturbing listening pleasure.
The AFC is important to lock signals on the upper MHz bands where drift is common and the noise blanker is helpful in dealing with much man-made noise emanating from such devices as motors, fluorescent lamps, dimmer switches, computers, TV's or other household devices.  This type of noise banker does not take care of atmospheric noise.  Rather, such noise blankers can recognize non-random noise, lock onto the pattern, and then "blank" or minimize its footprint on the signal.  This can be really helpful if you have devices in your home that you cannot eliminate or live in proximity to a neighbor who has them.  I can recall a while back listening to a favorite shortwave program and then all at once the noise became overwhelming making the signal hard to hear and enjoy.  I walked into the other room and asked my wife if she just turned something on and she told me it was the TV.  We no longer have that TV, but it reminded me how many electronic devices actually act like miniature transmitters that are unknown to most people, but become critically important to DXers.  If the receiver has a good noise blanker, it can make a huge difference at removing such interference.
Let us now make a list of some of the features of the AR5000A+3 receiver:
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Receiving range of 10 KHz to 3000 MHz (3 GHz)
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2,000 Memory Channels
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6 IF Bandwidths 3 / 6 / 15 / 30 / 110 / 220 KHz
plus the optional 500 Hz Collins filter
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Sensitivity from 1.8 - 30 MHz of .56 uV
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Operating Modes of AM / FM-n / FM-w / LSB/ USB / CW / SAM / SAL / SAH
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2,000 memories
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Audio Filter
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Scanning (up to 45 chan/sec)
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HF pre-amp
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RF Gain
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Headphone Jack
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External Speaker Jack
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BFO
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Voice Scan
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5 VFOs
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Analog S-Meter
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AGC (automatic gain control)
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Dial Torque Adjustment
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Dial lock
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Duplex Offset
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Sweep
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Squelch
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Transmit Mute Line
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Tilt Stand Leg Supports (missing on this particular receiver)
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Memory Pass
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Audio Filter
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Priority
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Alphanumeric Memories
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Attenuator -10 dB
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Built-in Speaker
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Sleep Timer 1-120 min
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Dual Antenna Inputs (SO-239 and N)
·
Excellent TXCO stability of 1 PPM
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DTMF Decoder
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Highly Configurable
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Computer Controllable via RS-232 Jack
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VCS (Voice Controlled Squelch) to eliminate stop-scans on a un-modulated carrier
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20 search banks allowing 20 start/stop frequencies
As you can see, this receiver is loaded with features.  It would take considerable time discussing most of them at length so we urge you to do some research online via the many web pages devoted to this receiver.  For instance, for those who lean toward using the scanning functions, one nice feature is that you can program up to 2100 pass frequencies.  Don't like a frequency, just pass it.  For most scanners, this would require you using a memory to do this.  With the AR5000A, you have the 2100 pass frequencies that are not a part of memory so you don't waste memory channels to pass unwanted frequencies.
This receiver is not a toy.  With its fantastic receiving range, it has the capabilities of picking up the following types of analog transmissions if within range and with a good and proper antenna:
Longwave transmissions including broadcasts within Europe or Asia as-well-as beacons & utility broadcasts
AM radio broadcast band stations
All the amateur radio frequencies of 160 thru 2 meter plus all the high band and satellite communications
Marine and ship traffic
Shortwave radio broadcasts
Military traffic (that is on open channel and not scrambled)
Railroad
Emergency services as fire, police, ambulance, hospital, lifeflight
Family Radio Service and Business Channels
TV Audio
CB radio
NASCAR Channels
Road repair and clearance crews
Prison security and maintenance traffic
University maintenance and security traffic
School bus communication
Taxi services
Drive thru restaurant communications
FM Radio broadcasts
City Transit Systems (buses, metros, trains, etc)
Wireless microphones / baby monitors , etc
Amusement park traffic (Disney has a large network)
Space communications & satellite communications (if open channel)
Microwave transmissions
One of the best places to look and research receivers is eHam.  This is because the reviewers are non-professionals so the information leans toward practical use and not lab testing.  You can find the eHam reviews here where 11 reviewers gave the AR5000 an average 4.8 out of 5.0 rating:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/473
(please copy and paste this link into your internet browser)
Another site to explore is the RadioReference.com site that is a clearinghouse of information.  Some of the links are dead, but you can still get a lot of information from here:
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/AR5000
(please copy and paste this link into your internet browser)
If you visited this site, you will find limited information, but at least you can find a link to download the manual and take a gander:
http://satcom.tonnarelli.com/ar5000.htm
(please copy and paste this link into your internet browser)
Finally, we invite you to email if you have any questions. We will do our best to try and answer them.
Please use the Ebay shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost.  This cost includes proper packing materials for safe delivery and insurance cost against damage or loss.
Those buyers living outside the USA are also welcome to purchase from us.  We have shipped to 105 countries during the past 22 years on Ebay and we are happy to ship virtually anywhere in the world.  You may use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost.
Please keep in mind that this cost does not include any import, customs, or VAT fees.  If you are uncertain of these costs, we ask you to check with your local post office prior to making a purchase from us.  Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to look at our Ebay items!