Radio's that receive HF

Astrak · #1 (**permalink**) 07-26-2009, 10:07 PM

After looking at ridgescans last thread, and listening to a few online HF receivers I'm intrigued. I'm kinda bored with listening to police and regular scanner traffic hence why my $500.00 RS106 is now providing a feed and sitting on a desk. Anyway, I have no Idea what to look for as far as a good receiver, or what brand to look at. I see here that ICOM, AOR and others are mentioned, are any of those offered...say on ebay for under $500.00? Are there any other brands?

shaft · #2 (**permalink**) 07-26-2009, 11:06 PM

I have the Yaesu FT-817ND that I just picked up. I've been having fun listening to HF with it. You can pick up a used one for under 500, or a new one just above it.

brandon · #3 (**permalink**) 07-27-2009, 12:14 AM

Icom IC-R75 is what I have been using since 2001. Absolutely love this radio for utility monitoring.

nickcarr · #4 (**permalink**) 07-27-2009, 02:24 PM

For $500 you're (almost) looking at "used" no matter what. Some good choices:

High-end Portables:

Grundig Satelit 750 ($350 New)
Grundig Satelit 800

True HF receivers:

Kenwood R-5000
Drake R-8/R-8A ($300-500 used)
JRC NRD 525
JRC NRD 535 ($500-$800 used)
Icom R-75

**Used HF HAM transceivers

Note that any of the above are good radios but the key is finding them to be in working condition. From my experience, one person may call it working but another calls it non-working. You are forewarned.

DPD1 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-27-2009, 04:38 PM

I would recommend just getting something simple first, like a G5, the new G3, or the Sony 7600 series. Those will be enough to let you know if you like it or not. HF is totally different than scanning and often people are disappointed at how much more patience it takes to hear stuff on HF. At about $150, those radios would at least give you a taste. And if you like it and want to go with a better radio and the whole big antenna and everything, then you'd still have a good portable too.

Astrak · #6 (**permalink**) 07-27-2009, 05:44 PM

Cool, thanks guys. I'll start looking into things, I don't think I'm ready to drop $500.00 or more on anything right now(just dropped a lot of cash into repairing the AC in the house). Maybe in a few months we'll see and DPD1 I might just go the route you suggested and see if I like it or not.

nickcarr · #7 (**permalink**) 07-27-2009, 08:33 PM

Well that certainly is one way to view it. The only problem is that those HF portables he mentioned are not ideal to "experience" HF. It would give you a basic idea of what it's about - but a good quality receiver and a decent antenna can drastically alter ones view. Take Ridgescan's videos for example. You'd be lucky to capture one of his contacts in that same quality.

From my personal experiences, HF can be very entertaining but it does need an initial investment.

BTW, this is one case where YouTube is your friend. Do a search for "sony 7600" and you'll find a lot of examples. Then do a search for other radios and you'll see what I mean.

In Mesa, AZ you should have good reception capabilities down there. So it's possible a Sony 7600 may be all you need.

longreach · #8 (**permalink**) 08-08-2009, 10:45 AM

Hi all, sorry to chime in but what about a Realistic DX-394? i know there old but i own one and works quite well on picking up aircraft over the pacific, using a longwire. i usually monitor 8867USB and 5643USB. plus it works well DXing on the MW bands, quite often pick up stations 800+km away.
cheers all

carolinascannerspy · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astrak

After looking at ridgescans last thread, and listening to a few online HF receivers I'm intrigued. I'm kinda bored with listening to police and regular scanner traffic hence why my $500.00 RS106 is now providing a feed and sitting on a desk. Anyway, I have no Idea what to look for as far as a good receiver, or what brand to look at. I see here that ICOM, AOR and others are mentioned, are any of those offered...say on ebay for under $500.00? Are there any other brands?

Go to www.hamstation.com and check out their used section. Also visit Universial Radio's website and browse the used catalog to get an idea of what radios are out there.

MLetterle · #10 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longreach

Hi all, sorry to chime in but what about a Realistic DX-394? i know there old but i own one and works quite well on picking up aircraft over the pacific, using a longwire. i usually monitor 8867USB and 5643USB. plus it works well DXing on the MW bands, quite often pick up stations 800+km away.
cheers all

I got one too, nice little radio, could use some tweaking, but out of the box with an antenna in the air it does an awesome job, especially at the price point (picked mine up for 100 bux)