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If you have long wanted a nice, but not overly expensive or complicated shortwave radio, then this Drake PRN-1000 may be one for you to consider and it may be a nice unit to get your feet wet in the world of shortwave listening.  This radio was very similar to the Drake SW*1 unit manufactured in 1996-97 and has replaced the RF gain control on that unit with a tone control for a more casual user.  Outwardly in appearance, it resembles the Drake SW*2 and SW*8 models.

This radio works just fine and as designed by Drake.  There are no operational issues and the receiver delivers nice sensitivity with a proper antenna.  Cosmetically the receiver is in wonderful condition showing minimal signs of prior ownership.

In addition to the receiver, the buyer will receive the AC to DC power supply and a copy of the user manual.

In the 1990's, talk show host Chuck Harder was on many syndicated AM and shortwave frequencies.  One of Mr. Harder's mantras was the need to purchase things made here in America.  He also realized that many people who were listening to him were using inexpensive receivers that lacked decent sensitivity and other receiving properties.  At the time, most shortwave radios were being manufactured in Japan and other parts of the world.  Only RL Drake in Ohio still offered an American product and Mr. Harder approached them to manufacture a reasonably priced domestic receiver that he could offer to his audience.  His radio network was called the "People's Radio Network" and thus RL Drake gave this receiver the model of PRN1000.

While this receiver does not offer a lot of advanced features, there are users that just want and easy-to-use unit that can offer decent program listening reception and this PRN1000 does this very well.  While not a full-featured unit, this PRN1000 still offers some nice features to thrill the less experienced shortwave enthusiast:

·         Reception from 100 KHz to 30 MHz covering longwave, AM, and shortwave bands

·         Digital readout

·         Keypad entry of frequencies with slewing up/down buttons to tune assist tuning

·         Tone control

·         Display light dimmer (great for bedside use or in bright or subdued listening environments)

·         Improved signal handling and adjacent interference rejection capability over the SW1

·         Headphone jack

·         Dual tuning speeds of 5 KHz or 1 KHz

·         WWV time standard (auto 5 MHz or 10 MHz at the push of a button)

The last feature we mentioned, is one where you push a button to pick up WWV in Fort Collins, CO to get the time of day.  WWV is the time and frequency standard used by broadcast and military establishments to give the precise time or frequency for operations.  Did you ever wonder how all the radio or TV stations know what the proper time is?  Well, on this receiver, you hit the WWV button and then 5000 KHz appears on the display.  If you cannot hear WWV because it is daytime and 5000 is a night time frequency, you hit the WWV button again and it comes up 10000 on the display.  So basically, you have two WWV receiving options....one for day and another for night.  We have never seen this convenient feature on any other communications receiver.

This receiver does not pick up sideband, but by allowing the user to narrow the tuning from 5 KHz to 1 KHz steps, you may find that you can slightly off tune to avoid interfering stations when listening in the AM mode. The sound coming from the internal speaker is decent on shortwave and the features of this receiver make it a great desktop or bedside unit.  It has a relatively small footprint and measures 11" wide by 7 1/2" deep by 4 1/2" high and this also allows it to be a nice nightstand unit (but does require an antenna.... preferably an outside antenna to maximize reception).

The PRN1000 operates on a 12 volt DC adapter that is supplied.  Since this can operate off of 12 volts, it can be used for emergency reception by hooking up to a car battery or from another 12 volt DC source.  The terminal in the back allows for the connection of a wire antenna that is necessary for reception on this receiver.  This can be a simple piece of wire that is strung inside of your home or a longer piece that runs outside to offer better reception and less interference from lighting and appliances inside the household.  

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Those buyers living outside the USA are also welcome to purchase from us.  We have shipped to 113 countries during the past 26 years on Ebay and we are happy to ship virtually anywhere in the world as served by Ebay's Global Shipping Program (which unfortunately excludes many countries in Europe due to strict customs requirements).  You may use the shipping calculator to determine your shipping cost.

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