Kenwood RZ-1 Wideband Auto Home Receiver Scanner **500 KHz - 905 MHz UNBLOCKED**

Description

This sale is for a Kenwood RZ-1 wideband receiver.  Cosmetically the receiver is used and has some marks and some typical signs of ownership.  Please look at our pictures at the top of the listing for specific cosmetic detail.
Operationally the receiver has been tested and we found no issues or shortcomings.  The receiver had excellent sensitivity on the various bands.
We live in a rural area and were able to get some reception on the public service bands, but did not listen long and just verified reception on a couple of the bands and that the sensitivity was genuine.  We also tuned and received 4 of the NOAA weather channels in the 162 MHz band.  Reception was clear and strong with what we tuned and received.  We are selling this receiver as a good all around performer and useful in the home as well as the automobile.  In fact, the internal speaker allows for easy dual operation.
The RZ-1 is supplied with
a copy of the manual
WRTH receiver review 1989
Kenwood Catalog page 1991
Kenwood Catalog page 1992
Com-West Radio catalog ad 1989
Kenwood RZ-1 sales flyer
CD containing these documents including the service manual. The CD is not for sale and is given to the new owner of the RZ-1
This is a most unusual Kenwood receiver manufactured in Japan about 20 years ago from 1988 - 1992 and retailed for 9 in 1989 (over ,900 when factoring inflation in 2021).  It is unusual because most Kenwood products are oriented toward the amateur radio or shortwave radio hobby markets.  However, this radio extends beyond those bands and also includes the AM and FM broadcast bands plus shortwave and all the public service bands found in VHF and UHF.  In fact, this receiver predates the law making it illegal to produce open frequency receivers and so it offers unblocked continuous coverage.  So if you have a desire to hear those out-of-reach bands, this receiver has the ability to let you listen to them.  Over the years, we have sold hundreds of receivers on Ebay, but few of the RZ-1's  pass through our hands.
The other thing that makes this receiver a bit more unique is that it was designed for mobile use and operates off of 12 volts DC and has a Motorola antenna input for a standardized auto antenna plug.  Therefore, you can connect the line directly to your auto wiring and auto antenna and actually replace your stock AM/FM radio with one that allows for much more extensive coverage.  The radio is small and is designed to fit within the dashboard or if used with a bracket (not included), can be mounted under the dash.  This unit is unlike today's car radios that are manufactured out of mostly plastic.  The RZ-1's outer shell is metal and the unit has a bit of heft announcing its wonderful manufacture contrasting to today's car radios that seem to be comprised of plastic.
If you would like to use this unit at home, you will need a DC power supply which can be purchased inexpensively.  Kenwood has designed this unit to be versatile both directions...automobile or home...and includes antenna inputs on the back for the mobile Motorola input (vehicle) or the stationary SO-259 input (home).  If you use this unit at home, you will need two things....a proper antenna (not included) to realize its reception potential and a DC power supply (not included but available on Ebay for around ).  Typically a discone antenna is a good choice since it offers wide band receiving capabilities.
When the unit is first powered on, all of the lights come on and you can see the Kenwood name and many of the features in the display and we have provided a picture to show this detail at the top in the picture set.
As you can see, there are several operating modes, scanning capabilities, memory channels, tuning steps, and more.  Frankly, we tested this unit for a couple of hours listening on the various bands, but did not scratch the surface of all the capabilities such as saving frequencies to memory, scanning, TV monitoring, etc.  Here is a list of some of the features of this unusual receiver:
Receiving modes of AM / FMn / FMw / C3F(TV)
Coverage from 500 KHz to 905 MHz
100 Memories
Internal speaker
Sweep
Memory scan (manual, timer, or carrier operated)
Alpha memories
Selectivity of 250 KHz (wide FM) / 10 / 7
Illuminated keys
Attenuator
External speaker jack (can also connect to an automobile's sound system)
Stereo FM
Line out (stereo) RCA jacks (to connect to a home stereo or amplified speaker)
Squelch
Double conversion in FM-W mode
Tuning steps of 5 / 12.5 / 20 / 25 KHz
Video output Vp-P
In his fabulous book, Shortwave Receivers Past and Present, the author, Fred Osterman comments that this radio is scarce.  He also mentions that as with all wideband receivers, reception on shortwave is not exceptional, but sufficient to receive the major broadcasters while on the road.  This meets our testing as well and is to be expected.  You really don't travel down the highway and expect to DX, you just want to hear news from the other side of the world that you may not hear otherwise.  We have a mobile receiver in our vehicle and regularly tune to Radio Romania, Radio Havana Cuba, Radio China International, various programs on WWCR, Voice of Turkey, and All India Radio to name a few.
In addition to the international broadcasters, you will also be treated to some unusual domestic broadcasts.  Often referred to as called Patriot or alternative broadcasters, such shows include broadcasts from The Power Hour, Common Sense Coalition, and Infowars.  This information deals with subjects as politics and the Washington excesses, mainstream media propaganda, health issues, GMO food, economic issues, etc.  We regularly hear news that is not on the regular mainstream networks due to the risk of loss of advertising revenue (like issues with Dow chemical, Monsanto, genetically modified foods, etc).
The nice thing about this radio is that it also allows the user to hear other analog transmissions such as fire, police, CB radio, air traffic, NOAA weather, etc, etc.  You could even listen to analog TV audio (while you would not see your show, if within the vicinity, you could hear the audio if your station transmits analog signals).  All of this additional reception allows for more listening opportunities or even the ability to tune in and hear emergency broadcasts.  Imagine driving down the highway and you come to a standstill of traffic, you could tune to the CB channels to listen in on the truckers discussing what the situation is ahead or perhaps tune into any public service broadcast to hear chatter from the fire or police.  Of course you would need to know these frequencies, but the CB channels are well known and the other frequencies are often found easily on the internet.
The RZ-1 will be well packed for good protection of the unit during transit to your address.  Those living in the USA may use the calculator for their cost.
Those living outside the USA are also welcome to purchase this unit.  We have had a lot of good experiences with buyers overseas and in helping them receive equipment as we have shipped to 105 countries during the past 22 years on Ebay.  You may also use the shipping calculator for your cost.
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