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Field Test JVC HD-KDR1 Car Radio

T

TXengineer

Guest
OK I have installed my JVC HD-KDR1 tonight and did an extensive road test.

PROS...
• Excellent sound quality.
• HD performs excellent , even under some bad front end overload conditions.
• Multiple Display Formats
• Built in MP3/WMA playback
• Excellent AM tuner, can't wait to try AM HD tomorrow morning before work.

CONS...
• The tuning system in it SUCKS! Sorry but "auto scan, push and hold to enter manual mode" tuning BLOWS. There should be the option to tune manual mode all the time.
• No RDS
• The remote is very small, easy to get lost inbetween the seats.
• Analog FM reception seems weaker than my old radio.

While sitting in a parking lot in Chicopee, MA., I was able to lock onto several signals that I am not in the city grade contours for.
(WWYZ-HD, WZMX-HD1 WZMX-HD2, WKSS-HD1 WKSS-HD2, WTIC-HD1 WTIC-HD2, WDRC-HD, WCCC-HD).
However when driving they all couldn't stay locked (for obvious reasons, I am outside the city grade contour, front end overload from nearby WMAS-FM, and the terrain around here). However while driving I was able to stay locked to the local HD signals just fine (WTCC-HD, WFCR-HD1 WFCR-HD2, WHYN-HD1 WHYN-HD2, WPKX-HD1 WPKX-HD2). Before WMAS-FM goes HD, they have planned an antenna replacement to replace the 1983 vintage ERI thats aging. Who knows when Saga will ever get their HD stations on the air. Nor do I know when PAMAL will put WRNX's HD on the air. (problems with site access, to get equipment it's a long hike or helicopter access only)
 
Question

You state no RDS...analog only correct? Does the JVC offer HD PAD info?

Thanks!

> OK I have installed my JVC HD-KDR1 tonight and did an
> extensive road test.
>
> PROS...
> • Excellent sound quality.
> • HD performs excellent , even under some bad front end
> overload conditions.
> • Multiple Display Formats
> • Built in MP3/WMA playback
> • Excellent AM tuner, can't wait to try AM HD tomorrow
> morning before work.
>
> CONS...
> • The tuning system in it SUCKS! Sorry but "auto scan, push
> and hold to enter manual mode" tuning BLOWS. There should be
> the option to tune manual mode all the time.
> • No RDS
> • The remote is very small, easy to get lost inbetween the
> seats.
> • Analog FM reception seems weaker than my old radio.
>
> While sitting in a parking lot in Chicopee, MA., I was able
> to lock onto several signals that I am not in the city grade
> contours for.
> (WWYZ-HD, WZMX-HD1 WZMX-HD2, WKSS-HD1 WKSS-HD2, WTIC-HD1
> WTIC-HD2, WDRC-HD, WCCC-HD).
> However when driving they all couldn't stay locked (for
> obvious reasons, I am outside the city grade contour, front
> end overload from nearby WMAS-FM, and the terrain around
> here). However while driving I was able to stay locked to
> the local HD signals just fine (WTCC-HD, WFCR-HD1 WFCR-HD2,
> WHYN-HD1 WHYN-HD2, WPKX-HD1 WPKX-HD2). Before WMAS-FM goes
> HD, they have planned an antenna replacement to replace the
> 1983 vintage ERI thats aging. Who knows when Saga will ever
> get their HD stations on the air. Nor do I know when PAMAL
> will put WRNX's HD on the air. (problems with site access,
> to get equipment it's a long hike or helicopter access only)
>
 
Re: Question

> You state no RDS...analog only correct? Does the JVC offer
> HD PAD info?
>
> Thanks!
>

Yes it does.


> > OK I have installed my JVC HD-KDR1 tonight and did an
> > extensive road test.
> >
> > PROS...
> > • Excellent sound quality.
> > • HD performs excellent , even under some bad front end
> > overload conditions.
> > • Multiple Display Formats
> > • Built in MP3/WMA playback
> > • Excellent AM tuner, can't wait to try AM HD tomorrow
> > morning before work.
> >
> > CONS...
> > • The tuning system in it SUCKS! Sorry but "auto scan,
> push
> > and hold to enter manual mode" tuning BLOWS. There should
> be
> > the option to tune manual mode all the time.
> > • No RDS
> > • The remote is very small, easy to get lost inbetween the
>
> > seats.
> > • Analog FM reception seems weaker than my old radio.
> >
> > While sitting in a parking lot in Chicopee, MA., I was
> able
> > to lock onto several signals that I am not in the city
> grade
> > contours for.
> > (WWYZ-HD, WZMX-HD1 WZMX-HD2, WKSS-HD1 WKSS-HD2, WTIC-HD1
> > WTIC-HD2, WDRC-HD, WCCC-HD).
> > However when driving they all couldn't stay locked (for
> > obvious reasons, I am outside the city grade contour,
> front
> > end overload from nearby WMAS-FM, and the terrain around
> > here). However while driving I was able to stay locked to
> > the local HD signals just fine (WTCC-HD, WFCR-HD1
> WFCR-HD2,
> > WHYN-HD1 WHYN-HD2, WPKX-HD1 WPKX-HD2). Before WMAS-FM goes
>
> > HD, they have planned an antenna replacement to replace
> the
> > 1983 vintage ERI thats aging. Who knows when Saga will
> ever
> > get their HD stations on the air. Nor do I know when PAMAL
>
> > will put WRNX's HD on the air. (problems with site access,
>
> > to get equipment it's a long hike or helicopter access
> only)
> >
>
 
> OK I have installed my JVC HD-KDR1 tonight and did an
> extensive road test.
>
> PROS...
> • Excellent sound quality.

Previous JVC models have had excellent audio.

> • HD performs excellent , even under some bad front end
> overload conditions.

I assume this is FM... ditto, JVC does well under pressure

> • Excellent AM tuner, can't wait to try AM HD tomorrow
> morning before work.

In what way may I ask? My past experience with JVC has been wider than normal bandwidth on AM sections but poor sensitivity. I wonder if they have re-engineered the AM section.

>
> CONS...
> • The tuning system in it SUCKS! Sorry but "auto scan, push
> and hold to enter manual mode" tuning BLOWS. There should be
> the option to tune manual mode all the time.

Agree, but I did get used to it. There should be an auto/manual switch

> • The remote is very small, easy to get lost inbetween the
> seats.

Agreed again, it's useless because it's so small.

> • Analog FM reception seems weaker than my old radio.

Now, I found the JVC FM sensitivity was one of the best, if not overall the best of any aftermarket radio. IMHO, overall (at least their analog receivers) selectivity, sensitivity, overload and blend on FM were all best or close to the best with JVC.
 
CONS...
• The tuning system in it SUCKS! Sorry but "auto scan, push and hold to enter manual mode" tuning BLOWS. There should be the option to tune manual mode all the time.

If you enter the SELECT menu and go to S MODE you can select MANUAL or HD. My radio stays in the mode you select.
 
> > • Excellent AM tuner, can't wait to try AM HD tomorrow
> > morning before work.
>
> In what way may I ask? My past experience with JVC has been
> wider than normal bandwidth on AM sections but poor
> sensitivity. I wonder if they have re-engineered the AM
> section.

The sensitivity is outstanding in it. I am hearing weak AMs on it that I've never heard around here before, and it does well with 1st adjacent AMs too.

The AM HD was ok, but the only station I could get in true HD was WTAG and it wasn't strong enough to lock in.
 
im not impressed with the HD coverage even in city grade contours there's drop outs and the HD signal is very sensitive to terrain or any other obstructions i.e. overpasses, buildings etc. what's the deal with receiver not being able to get a solid lock just beyond city grade contour 25 miles... it just flashes even though the HD signal is present!!! the JVC HD-KDR1 can not get a fixed lock on HD just beyond city grade its very spotty!! is this what to expect for the future of HD radio limited coverage to city grade only.SAD

> OK I have installed my JVC HD-KDR1 tonight and did an
> extensive road test.
>
> PROS...
> • Excellent sound quality.
> • HD performs excellent , even under some bad front end
> overload conditions.
> • Multiple Display Formats
> • Built in MP3/WMA playback
> • Excellent AM tuner, can't wait to try AM HD tomorrow
> morning before work.
>
> CONS...
> • The tuning system in it SUCKS! Sorry but "auto scan, push
> and hold to enter manual mode" tuning BLOWS. There should be
> the option to tune manual mode all the time.
> • No RDS
> • The remote is very small, easy to get lost inbetween the
> seats.
> • Analog FM reception seems weaker than my old radio.
>
> While sitting in a parking lot in Chicopee, MA., I was able
> to lock onto several signals that I am not in the city grade
> contours for.
> (WWYZ-HD, WZMX-HD1 WZMX-HD2, WKSS-HD1 WKSS-HD2, WTIC-HD1
> WTIC-HD2, WDRC-HD, WCCC-HD).
> However when driving they all couldn't stay locked (for
> obvious reasons, I am outside the city grade contour, front
> end overload from nearby WMAS-FM, and the terrain around
> here). However while driving I was able to stay locked to
> the local HD signals just fine (WTCC-HD, WFCR-HD1 WFCR-HD2,
> WHYN-HD1 WHYN-HD2, WPKX-HD1 WPKX-HD2). Before WMAS-FM goes
> HD, they have planned an antenna replacement to replace the
> 1983 vintage ERI thats aging. Who knows when Saga will ever
> get their HD stations on the air. Nor do I know when PAMAL
> will put WRNX's HD on the air. (problems with site access,
> to get equipment it's a long hike or helicopter access only)
>
 
> im not impressed with the HD coverage even in city grade
> contours there's drop outs and the HD signal is very
> sensitive to terrain or any other obstructions i.e.
> overpasses, buildings etc. what's the deal with receiver not
> being able to get a solid lock just beyond city grade
> contour 25 miles... it just flashes even though the HD
> signal is present!!! the JVC HD-KDR1 can not get a fixed
> lock on HD just beyond city grade its very spotty!! is this
> what to expect for the future of HD radio limited coverage
> to city grade only.SAD

Maybe yours is defective or your antenna is having problems because mine is definatley NOT acting like that.
 
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