Best Shortwave Functionality vs. Price.
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ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
That's so broad a question my brain-inhibited nephew could drive a mack truck through it, blindfolded. What are you interested in hearing? What is your budget? Can you put up antennas outdoors? Do you want to be able to program and/or control it with your PC? More specifics are needed.
73 Mike
73 Mike
What are you interested in hearing? As much as possible
What is your budget? I don't really have a max, I dont want to spend excessive amounts of money. maybe $200, but don't even really want to spend half of that unless its really worth it.
Can you put up antennas outdoors? Nope. I live in NYC and Buffalo.
Do you want to be able to program and/or control it with your PC? I have little interest in that.
What is your budget? I don't really have a max, I dont want to spend excessive amounts of money. maybe $200, but don't even really want to spend half of that unless its really worth it.
Can you put up antennas outdoors? Nope. I live in NYC and Buffalo.
Do you want to be able to program and/or control it with your PC? I have little interest in that.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
At that price range you're going to find that used high end portables and perhaps older desktops such as the Yaesu FRG7 (even though it doesn't have a digital readout, it is nonetheless a very fine radio, particularly if it has been modified). If you are in downtown NYC, you are no doubt going to have issues with serious overloading from the numerous FM and TV stations, pagers and other nasties. This is going to show up as hearing distorted audio in places where you don't want to hear them. The older desktops will resist this better than most portables, frankly. The downside is that a desktop needs a good seperate antenna - and indoors, we need to be concerned with antennas that can reject local noise sources, such as the neighbor's fishtank heater, those new energy efficient light bulbs, wireless routers and many other sources of noise. HF is very sensitive to noise....
Anyway, hearing as much as you can is going to take some doing. HF has a wide variety of stuff to hear (and in some cases, see). You should start by doing a little homework. Let's see if I can't hunt down a few websites in that regard.
We have a very nice list of places where you can read up on receiver reviews in our wiki. However you can start by getting the newest version of Passport to World Band Radio (I'm pretty sure the 2009 version just came out). It's widely available from many bookstores (I believe either Amazon and/or Barnes and Noble would be able to order it for you...), and places like Universal Radio in Ohio. This book, updated from time to time via the Passport website, contains numerous receiver reviews in one place.
I'll be back in a bit with some other websites to check out....73 Mike
[edit] Let's start with these - note that anything underlined or in blue is a link...and all are from our wiki here on RR
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/HF
This article has several links describing many of the various services found on HF. There's also a link or two with glossaries (don't be surprised by this - every hobby, from radio to stamp collecting and everything in between has their own lingo...)
http://www.ae4rv.com/tn/propflash.htm
From our HF propagation wiki. Not all bands are open and active all of the time. Freqs in this range are sensitive to the seasons, as well as the amount of daylight and solar activity This site does a nice job of introducing these concepts. Note that you will need a recent version of a Flash player to view it.
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Category:Receiver_Reviews
Remember I mentioned getting informed on receiver reviews? This article has numerous links to them, including the link to the Passport website which is updated irregularly. Once you have decided on what you want to hear, and understand the basics of HF propagation and what that means to what you want to hear, the next step is a receiver. We'll talk about antennas later :.>>
Put on your glasses, put up your feet and grab a cerveza or two. Time to get reading...
Anyway, hearing as much as you can is going to take some doing. HF has a wide variety of stuff to hear (and in some cases, see). You should start by doing a little homework. Let's see if I can't hunt down a few websites in that regard.
We have a very nice list of places where you can read up on receiver reviews in our wiki. However you can start by getting the newest version of Passport to World Band Radio (I'm pretty sure the 2009 version just came out). It's widely available from many bookstores (I believe either Amazon and/or Barnes and Noble would be able to order it for you...), and places like Universal Radio in Ohio. This book, updated from time to time via the Passport website, contains numerous receiver reviews in one place.
I'll be back in a bit with some other websites to check out....73 Mike
[edit] Let's start with these - note that anything underlined or in blue is a link...and all are from our wiki here on RR
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/HF
This article has several links describing many of the various services found on HF. There's also a link or two with glossaries (don't be surprised by this - every hobby, from radio to stamp collecting and everything in between has their own lingo...)
http://www.ae4rv.com/tn/propflash.htm
From our HF propagation wiki. Not all bands are open and active all of the time. Freqs in this range are sensitive to the seasons, as well as the amount of daylight and solar activity This site does a nice job of introducing these concepts. Note that you will need a recent version of a Flash player to view it.
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Category:Receiver_Reviews
Remember I mentioned getting informed on receiver reviews? This article has numerous links to them, including the link to the Passport website which is updated irregularly. Once you have decided on what you want to hear, and understand the basics of HF propagation and what that means to what you want to hear, the next step is a receiver. We'll talk about antennas later :.>>
Put on your glasses, put up your feet and grab a cerveza or two. Time to get reading...
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lanbergld
Member
There is a high-performing HF desktop receiver in the $200-$300 range (used): The Yaesu FRG-100. Its stellar on sideband in particular. Pretty darn good on Longwave too. If you cannot find a good model used, for this price, then my 2nd choice in that price range (personally) would be a Kenwood R-1000.
You cannot put up outdoor antennas? Actually that's not a big deal at all. I only use indoor antennas (many homemade) and I easily get sideband utility stations & military traffic from over in Europe. I can also receive low-power NDBs from 500+ miles away. An antenna does NOT have to be outdoors -- it just needs to be made right for your particular RF situation.
Try to find yourself an FRG-100. You will be very pleased at its performance & functionality.
You cannot put up outdoor antennas? Actually that's not a big deal at all. I only use indoor antennas (many homemade) and I easily get sideband utility stations & military traffic from over in Europe. I can also receive low-power NDBs from 500+ miles away. An antenna does NOT have to be outdoors -- it just needs to be made right for your particular RF situation.
Try to find yourself an FRG-100. You will be very pleased at its performance & functionality.
Define "functionality". Do you want lots of features like memories? Direct frequency access with a keypad? Wide frequency range? Lot's of modes and filters? Or do you mean pure performance, and the ability to dig weak signals out of crowded bands, or frequency stability and accuracy?
If you say you and all of the above, you may want to consider tripling or quadrupling your budget, and then looking for something used.
If you say you and all of the above, you may want to consider tripling or quadrupling your budget, and then looking for something used.
elk2370bruce
Member
While at a higher price ($475), you cant beat the functionality of the ICOM R-75. Lots of room to grow in the hobby with this rig.
For most most functionality Icom R9500, Best price is around $12500.
WisconsinRailfan
Member
For a great portable for a low price - check out the Kaito 1103 - comes with everything you need to get started - Rechargeable batteries, and Long wire external antenna. I have been able to pick up the Pirate Radio Stations (6925), number stations, Amateur Radio QSO's, and of course the Broadcast stations, all from the comfort of my easy chair 
. Plus it has an Line Out jack that you can connect to your PC.
. Plus it has an Line Out jack that you can connect to your PC.
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elk2370bruce
Member
My entire shack isn't worth that much. Just the thought of laying out that much makes my eyes bleed!
While some folks have a lot of time to do research and stuff, others don't. Id rather spend the free time I have listening to my radios then spending my time researching to buy them. You folks seem like very smart and impressionable people, so I thought id ask opinions.
k9rzz
Member
You've come to the right place!
I would say, pick one out that you like and check the reviews here: http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/8
If it looks good, go for it!
I would say, pick one out that you like and check the reviews here: http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/8
If it looks good, go for it!
elk2370bruce
Member
Its de ja vu all over again.* Haven't we had this conversation here on an almost monthly basis?
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
Based on your price range, buy either:
Kaito KA1103 - about $100, I don't own it, but have heard always good reviews
Sony 7600GR - About $150, I do own it, great performance, AM+SSB, memories.
Good luck and start your listening soon!
FoleyF
Member
Maybe I can offer a little advice. It sounds like you are not going to set up an outdoor antenna......that is fine as you can still pick up many stations from the built in whip antenna that the portalbes offer. You can always either clip a long length of wire onto the antenna or into the antenna jack on the side of the radio. It also sounds like you would be interested in a portable since you travel from NYC to Buffalo. Here are some options:
Panasonic RF-2200 - Great for MW and so-so for short wave.....great AM performance! Get these used on eBay for around $200. Have one and love it
Grundig G5 - Around $150, but can be had new for $100......nice radio and has SSB. Have one and love it!
Kaito 1103 - Don't have one, but will get one soon....rave reviews, but clunky ergonomics
Kaito 1121 - I have one of these....very nice for AM, so-so for SW, but easy to use and very nice
Nordmende Globetrotter - These old radios are awesome....very sensitive. I may have to say that this is the best performing SW portable that I own. No bells and whistles and clunky tuning, but fun to use. Got mine for $25 used, but expect to pay $100-150 on eBay. Great Sound
Zenith Trans-Oceanic - very cool radios.....the transistor models are very nice and can be had on eBay for $100-$200. Great sound
The problem is that there are 100's of new and used radios to choose from. None of them are perfect, but you have to decide what is most important to you. Are you Nostalgic? Then get an old Zenith or a german made Grundig, Nordmende, Telefunken, Saba or Blaupunkt - Very cool radios. Do you like big sound?, then get one of the old German portable or wooden table tops. Do you like stealth smaller radios?, then go for the Grundig G5 or Kaito 1103 or the Sony 7600GR.
So many options......start with one of these and begin your collection!
Foley
Panasonic RF-2200 - Great for MW and so-so for short wave.....great AM performance! Get these used on eBay for around $200. Have one and love it
Grundig G5 - Around $150, but can be had new for $100......nice radio and has SSB. Have one and love it!
Kaito 1103 - Don't have one, but will get one soon....rave reviews, but clunky ergonomics
Kaito 1121 - I have one of these....very nice for AM, so-so for SW, but easy to use and very nice
Nordmende Globetrotter - These old radios are awesome....very sensitive. I may have to say that this is the best performing SW portable that I own. No bells and whistles and clunky tuning, but fun to use. Got mine for $25 used, but expect to pay $100-150 on eBay. Great Sound
Zenith Trans-Oceanic - very cool radios.....the transistor models are very nice and can be had on eBay for $100-$200. Great sound
The problem is that there are 100's of new and used radios to choose from. None of them are perfect, but you have to decide what is most important to you. Are you Nostalgic? Then get an old Zenith or a german made Grundig, Nordmende, Telefunken, Saba or Blaupunkt - Very cool radios. Do you like big sound?, then get one of the old German portable or wooden table tops. Do you like stealth smaller radios?, then go for the Grundig G5 or Kaito 1103 or the Sony 7600GR.
So many options......start with one of these and begin your collection!
Foley
ERICMYERS
Member
I'm stunned at what I can hear on my Grundig G6 Buzz Aldrin. You can plug in an external antenna (i built mine w/ stuff I bought at Radioshack) and yes, it overloads the radio but it's better than the telescoping antenna in some situations. I'm going to build a few more until I find the ideal material and structures. I've logged lots of stations around the world and learned a lot about the hobby so far. The biggest thing I have learned so far is that I don't know enough about SWL/antennas/radio electronics yet to really get my money's worth out of a super expensive rig. So I'm going slow on the investment until I decide if this is where I want to spend the discretionary income or not.
the radio is built well, it's really small, easy enough to get going quickly, and complex enough that I've not really figured out all the functions yet after several months. I just got back into dx and shortwave after a long hiatus from that and a million hours on my scanners. I'd rather have an Icom R75 or a Yaesu 5000, or maybe even an Icom 718 because I'm considering getting my Ham license, but the funds aren't there right now..... this this radio is fun to listen to, it's not terribly expensive, it has SSB, and it's not a piece of crap toy radio.
Just my experience.
the radio is built well, it's really small, easy enough to get going quickly, and complex enough that I've not really figured out all the functions yet after several months. I just got back into dx and shortwave after a long hiatus from that and a million hours on my scanners. I'd rather have an Icom R75 or a Yaesu 5000, or maybe even an Icom 718 because I'm considering getting my Ham license, but the funds aren't there right now..... this this radio is fun to listen to, it's not terribly expensive, it has SSB, and it's not a piece of crap toy radio.
Just my experience.
Bill_White
Member
FWIW, The Grundig G6 Aviator Buzz Aldrin Edition is on sale at Radio Shack for $79.99.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3247542
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3247542
I was let down by the g5, but I thought id give eton another chance. I went to buy this radio today and it really was the lowest quality radio ive ever held. In theory its nice, but I just was not a fan. I think Il stay away from this brand.
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