The Furuno RV-103SR
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following regarding a Furuno RV-103SR marine receiver he discovered on eBay:
Recently, I came upon two great rarities in the world of receivers.
Furuno is a Japanese company known for maritime equipment, and is featured on one or two pages of the Osterman receiver directory. Two of these rare receivers came up on eBay, both located in an Asian location.
The Furuno RV-103SR and RV-128 are beautiful animals, and both receivers appear(ed) to be in good condition, obviously taken from ships, likely as part of tear downs in a shipyard.
There is very little information online about Furuno. One Japanese blogger did a review of the RV-128. And a guy in Republic of Srpska got to use the RV-128 which was installed on a giant oil tanker, during a trip he made as a navigator way back in 2002 (see the story at http://www.qsl.net/e78cb/mmstory.htm).
Here’s the link for the Japanese blogger (use Google translation to read it) http://blog.livedoor.jp/kerokeronyororo/archives/60986163.html).
In my correspondence with him, Fred Osterman notes that the RV-103SR variant was not known to him, and likely stands for rack mount. And Fred says he never saw these receivers in the flesh, and never saw one offered on the used market, “a rare bird” indeed. For those interested, Furuno equipment is on page 216 of Fred’s massive and excellent receiver book.
The appearance of these beautiful radios, and similar ones, again demonstrates the kind of equipment that is popping up in Ebay and other locations. We have seen numerous JRC marine receivers become available, many of them also former ship receivers. Anyone interested in these should ask the usual questions about condition, ask for photos and videos, to try to ensure that what eventually arrives is not DOA or suffering from various issues.
More about Furuno
Furuno, it turns out, and as noted in the Osterman book, was behind the first fish finder ever produced. And the company had a range of transceivers for maritime use.
See the following links on YouTube:
Click here to view on YouTube.
Click here to view on YouTube.
Click here to view on YouTube.
Click here to view on YouTube.
Click here to view on YouTube.
Post Readers: this is what I love about Dan Robinson’s discoveries on eBay: he finds these rare treasures, then provides a little history about their origins, use and current availability. Thank you so much, Dan, for sharing!
Just ordered the new edition, had to have one in the house for great reading. The online catalog is like being a kid in a candy store hi hi.
I had no idea that he (Fred) had put out so many different versions of the ‘Past and Present’ book. I have the original slim one and then I picked up a whole bunch of old SW related books at a rummage sale a couple of years ago and the Second Edition was one of them. I think I got that one for a buck. Does the newest edition differ much from the Second Edition?
A considertion
When Fred Osterman’s book “Shortwave Receivers Past and Present” first appeared many years back I purchased a copy. Unquestionably it was the preeminent reference for shortwave receivers. Have to order his newest edition after reading this article and Edward’s comment. While at it have to see how the office cats are doing hi hi. Thanks Thomas, Dan, Edward, and Fred!
” Fred’s massive and excellent receiver book” is an understatement. It has nearly everything, but I have radios that are not in it. Is he willing to accept photos and descriptions for future editions? There must be some standards, conditions and qualifications to be included in future editions.
Thanks for posting but beware of any seller whose feedback score is less than body temperature hi hi! Beautiful Furuno rx though.