[WR-3 LISTENING GUIDE (with 60 min. demo CD info also) PDF version (658 KB)]
[Photos of WR-3 portable VLF receiver]
[WR-3 SPECIFICATIONS (Original WR-3)]
[WR-3 ORDER FORM WITH PAYMENT INFO.]
[Other WR-3 Receiver inquiries (contact info.)]
[Please Read! - WR-3 Antenna Information - Please Read!] HR>
Here is information about the WR-3 (made beginning September 1991): a compact, fully hand-held and self-contained ELF-VLF receiver I manufacture and sell which allow you to do your own listening and observing of natural ELF-VLF radio phenomena signals for this current Solar-Cycle 23 peak, and the recent upsurge in VLF phenomena to be heard now and for the next couple of years during the unstable and volatile downside of the solar-cycle!:
The WR-3 is a self-contained, hand-holdable unit with two LC filters. In the spring of 2001, two modifications were made to the original WR-3 circuitry - the addition of 2 LC (inductive-capacitive) filters replaced 2 RC filters and sensitivity has been increased along with considerably lower internal circuit/temperature noise).
The unit is highly portable, and I use a a few of my own collection during my VLF recording expeditions. When I must bicycle or walk into listening sites or simply to check out a potential listening site for extended recording sessions, I use a WR-3 hand-held unit to make my observations and to check for powerline hum levels and site suitablity conditions. When camping in my camper-van, I use a similar unit modified for in-vehicle use (The WR-4b) that has the same sensitive input circuitry and identical audio amplifier.
A very popular telescoping antenna which works excellently with the WR-3 is the 'Super-Stick II' 2-meter 5/8-wave made by Smiley Antenna Co., Inc. (408 La Cresta Heights Rd, El Cajon, CA 92021, USA). This great antenna is 10 section, 49-inches/136 cm in length fully extended, with a loading coil on its base for use with ham radio 2-meter hand-held radios or scanners, and it works great with the WR-3 too because the coil is in series with the antenna (and not shunted)! You can either order it from ALF Enterprises, 18933 59th Ave NE, Suite 114, Arlington, VA 98223, (360) 403-4840, http://www.ALFenterprises.com for US$19.00 plus shipping via USPS and sales tax if applicable. If you prefer, please add $25 to the $100 WR-3 price and I will include one of these great antennas in the box along with your WR-3 and the WR-3 CD.
This popular hand-held receiver is a great unit for taking along wherever you may go -- slip it into your pocket! Very easy to use, the WR-3 has one control knob, antenna jack (BNC type) and headphone jack (1/8-inch mini-stereo type). The WR-3 remains very popular and in use worldwide.
US$100.00 for the WR-3 and CD containing 60 minute of audio (entitled 'Auroral Chorus I') and the data files of the Listening Guide. A BNC-base telescoping-whip antenna is extra).
US$125.00 if you would like a 49-inch/136cm, 10-section 'Super-Stick II' telescoping-whip antenna with BNC-base included.
Prices arepostage-paid to U.S. customers direct.
The original WR-3 is only available direct from S. P. McGreevy Productions. Order this receiver via this FORM. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION WR-3 PURCHASE-ORDERS WELCOME
Receive frequency range: 0.1-12 kHz (100 - 12,000 Hz)
Basic WR-3: peak frequency approx. 1.5 kHz with roll-off below 400 Hz and above 2 kHz. RFI protected via input LC filter to reduce/eliminate LF-VHF broadcast and utility station overload and IMD.
Audio Output: Maximum 100 mW into 16-Ohm stereo headphones. Highest sensitivity freq. range 0.5 - 3 kHz where nearly all natural emissions occur which are readily audible to human ears easily. Internal LC filter in the basic WR-3 is peaked at 1.5 kHz with gradual roll-off above 3 kHz.
Enclosure: Cast-aluminum "Eagle/Deltron" enclosure-rock solid and shields circuitry.
Headphone jack: 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo (3-conductor) audio jack
Enclosure Size: 4.5 x 2.5 x 1.2 in. (11.5 x 6.5 x 3.7 cm)
Weight: Approx. 10 oz. (280 g) with battery
Antenna: Requires a telescoping whip with BNC-type male connector. The WR-3 has a topside female BNC connector that can use popular whip antennas for 2-meter amateur radio use (see above).
Antenna input impedance: Approx. 10 Megohms @ 1 kHz
Power: Use a 9 volt snap-type battery for 15-40 hours of listening time depending on type (@7-20 mA current consumption)
Acceptable Headphone Impedance: 8-32 Ohms (16 Ohm mini-stereo type recommended)
The WR-3 comes with a referenced Listening Guide and Tip Sheet in HTML and PDF format on an included compact-disc ("CD-extra" format with audio and data files). This disc also contains 60 minutes of VLF signals recorded by Stephen P. McGreevy.
Steve McGreevy with WR-3 and Marantz PMD-221 recorder in the Warner Mountains near Lakeview, Oregon, recording daytime whistlers April 1997
WR-3 60 minute audio/data CD containing the Listening Guide
The new WR-3 with "FireStik II" whip (BNC base) attached to the WR-3
Old 1995 photograph of Stephen McGreevy with hand-held WR-3 VLF receiver northern California
The WR-3 has a 30-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with it and the unit is returned to me in good shape. It is exceedingly rare it develops problems under normal use - I have a couple of units in use for about 9 years now without glitches--some of them treated a bit roughly. The new, more robust whip-antenna and BNC jack has solved many former antenna problems, too.
If you should experience trouble with the unit within the 30-days, return it for repair it for no-cost (please keep a copy of your invoice!). After the 30-day period, we will will fix or/replace it and return it to you for a flat fee of $20 plus $4.00 shipping.
Now, regarding your PRIVACY: NO personal information you supply (Name, postal and e-mail address, telephone number, etc) will be released to any entity outside of my own company. In addition, I myself do not believe in partaking in e-mail 'spamming,' and so you'll never be bothered by sales information from us--in any form after you receive your shipment. I deeply respect and desire privacy (being a very private person myself).
Stephen P. McGreevy, September 2001
Contact me for additional WR-3 receiver information/inquiries
[WR-3 LISTENING GUIDE (with 60 min. demo CD info also) HTML version]
[WR-3 LISTENING GUIDE (with 60 min. demo CD info also) PDF version (658 KB)]
[Photos of WR-3 portable VLF receiver]
[WR-3 SPECIFICATIONS (Original WR-3)]
[WR-3 ORDER FORM WITH PAYMENT INFO.]
[Other WR-3 Receiver inquiries (contact info.)]
[Please Read! - WR-3 Antenna Information - Please Read!]
