Name: Drake R-8 / R-8A / R-8B
Brand: R.L. Drake

LF · MF · HF

Bands

1991

Introduced

Frequency	RX: 100 kHz – 30 MHz (continuous)
Power	RECEIVE ONLY. Premium communications receiver.
Modes	AM, LSB, USB, CW, RTTY, FM
Weight	5.9 kg (13 lb) - ~5.9 kg. Desktop receiver.
Connector	Ant-1 SO-239 (50 Ω); Ant-2 50/500 Ω screw terminals; converter SO-239 (50 Ω)
Year	1991

Connectors

antenna 1	SO-239 (50 Ω)
antenna 2	50/500 Ω screw terminals (long-wire / hi-Z)
converter	SO-239 (50 Ω, VHF converter input)
ext spkr	external speaker jack
acc	accessory connector
power req	AC mains.

Drake's premium communications receiver family, three generations of refinement 5 IF filters included: 6.0, 4.0, 2.3, 1.8, 0.5 kHz (directly selectable by front panel keys on R-8A/R-8B) synchronous AM detector (reduces selective fading distortion) R-8B improvement: synchronous AM is now SIDEBAND-SELECTABLE (significant upgrade!) passband tuning (shift IF passband to reject adjacent interference, very effective per users) audio notch filter green LCD display with frequency readout R-8: 100 memories. R-8A: 440 alphanumeric memories. R-8B: 1000 alphanumeric memories. R-8B improvements over R-8A: sideband-selectable sync AM, 1000 memories, improved IP3, less audio distortion R-8 quirk: must step through modes/bandwidths in menu (R-8A/R-8B have direct selection keys) NOTE: frequency readout does NOT compensate for data signal offsets (RTTY/CW/FAX require manual offset) optional VHF converter available good audio quality, couple with external speaker for best results RECEIVE ONLY. DISCONTINUED. R.L. Drake no longer in amateur radio.

Strengths

Five IF filters included (most receivers charge extra): 6.0, 4.0, 2.3, 1.8, and 0.5 kHz. It has effective passband tuning, synchronous AM (sideband-selectable on the R-8B), and good audio. The R-8A is the value pick, with direct mode/bandwidth keys; the R-8B adds 1000 memories. Users praise the passband tuning.

Weaknesses

Receive only. Discontinued. No data-offset compensation (manual offset for RTTY/CW/FAX). The R-8 has step-through menus (the R-8A/R-8B add direct keys). The R-8B commands a premium price. No digital modes. No computer interface on the standard models. Drake is no longer in amateur radio.

Verdict

A premium shortwave listener's receiver, now discontinued. The R-8 family put 5 IF filters, passband tuning, synchronous AM, and Drake quality into a receiver serious listeners still seek out. The R-8A is the value sweet spot (440 memories, direct-selection keys, most of the R-8B's features at half the used price). The R-8B's sideband-selectable sync AM is worth paying for if you chase weak stations through heavy fading.

The Drake R-8 launched the most admired American shortwave receiver line of its era. Built by R.L. Drake of Ohio and introduced in 1991 (the company's first shortwave receiver in roughly a decade) the R-8 (and its later R-8A of 1995 and R-8B of 1997) is a microprocessor-controlled, synthesized, all-mode receiver covering 100 kHz to 30 MHz continuously, with an optional VHF converter for 35–55 and 108–174 MHz.

It put professional features within reach of the serious listener: five bandwidth filters (6.0, 4.0, 2.3, 1.8, and 0.5 kHz) included as standard, passband tuning, an audio notch, and built-in synchronous AM detection to steady fading signals. The R-8A added direct mode and bandwidth keys and 440 memories; the R-8B made the synchronous detector sideband-selectable (the headline upgrade) and grew to 1000 alphanumeric memories. The R-8B was produced until about 2005, the last of the line.

Reception uses a dual-conversion design with a high 45-megahertz first IF and a 50-kilohertz second IF. The antenna side is unusual: rather than a single SO-239, the R-8 family offers two inputs (a 50-ohm SO-239 (Antenna 1) and switchable 50-or-500-ohm screw terminals for a long-wire (Antenna 2)) plus a separate SO-239 for the VHF converter. It is a discontinued classic. Compare it with the TR-7 and the SW-4A.