Best shortwave radio in a price range

[moonbounce]

Would a Grundig YB-500 be a good radio?

 

[ka3jjz]

Would a Grundig YB-500 be a good radio?

Look at the links in the Receiver Reviews category I mentioned in message 5 of this thread....generally good reviews, but I've read that in some urban environs, where MW and FM stations are real strong, some interference from them can be expected....Mike

 

[Blackswan73]

The Yacht Boys were built to be a travel radio, therefore, they do not have the more powerful front ends, and filtering of the Satelitt series. The Satelitt series were designed to be primarily desktop radios. Some of the finest radios ever made come from th Satelitt series. The Yacht Boys are good radios, but limited in capabilities.

 

[Blackswan73]

Overstock.com currently is selling the Grundig Satellite 750 for $289, with free shipping. This was the successor to the 800, even tho is has an earlier model number. It is built by Tecsun, and is the same radio as the Tecsun 2000.
http://www.overstock.com/Emergency-Preparedness/Eton-Satellite-750-Radio-Tuner/5111175/product.html

 

[majoco]

Some of the finest radios ever made come from th Satelitt series

Within a certain (cheap) price bracket, of course.

The reviews on EHam are either praise or condemn - you don't hear a true report.

Try this one from someone who knows what they are talking about..

Grundig Satellit 750/Tecsun S-2000 | radiojayallen

 

[Blackswan73]

I have no personal experience with the 750. I have read mixed reviews on it, and most other Tecsun radios. However, I do have extensive experience with the 800, which was also built by Tecsun, although it was actually designed by Drake. The 800 has some interesting features usually only found on more expensive offerings. One of it's unique features is in how it works on SSB signals. When tuning a SSB station, you tune to the center frequency. The radio calculates the correct offset and injects the BFO frequency automatically without user interaction. I have previously only seen this on military grade radios like Racal, or Harris for example. The performance of the 800 is outstanding and is equal to, or better than such high end receivers such as Icom R70, and 71a. If the 750 is half as good, it would be a good starter rig.
....

 

[Boombox]

The Sangean ATS-909X would be a good performer. It's an updated version of the ATS-909 (which I have), which is a good SSB as well as SW/AM/MW/FM broadcast radio. It includes a DSP chip in the circuitry, which undoubtedly improves performance somewhat.

Sangean ATS 909X Receiver Product Reviews

 

[majoco]

The OP said:

Got my eye on a couple from the likes of Kenwood, Yaesu and Realistic.

Now Kenwood and Yaesu don't make portables and Realistic are down the road, so we must assume that he is looking for a desktop. They are getting few and far between these days, and (new) they are above the $500 mark. So we have to look at the used market but avoid Fleabay - look at the offerings from Universal and you can get a good idea of what is on offer and what you can expect to pay. Just browse for 'receivers', you may be surprised at names you have never heard of that make great receivers but don't hit the usual markets - JRC, TenTec, Watkins-Johnson, Harris - who are they? Keep looking....