Does anyone know about any possible new models that could be released soon? I'd been planning on waiting for a while before buying another one if I did, but with the talk of tariffs rising prices it's got me thinking that buying sooner while inventory is available and cheaper would be better than waiting when the opposite is true. Especially if there aren't any new models that would be available soon.
Are there any new radio models in the works?
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Blackswan73
Active Member
The newest model I am aware of is the Tecsun S-2200x. This is basically a Tecsun 501x in a 15 year old desktop case. This radio is getting good reviews, but if you already have a 501/x you’re not going to much better buy purchasing the S-2200x
B.S.
B.S.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Most of the push these days is in the world of SDRs. If you are looking at something just for your shack, there are several out there from SDRPlay and Airspy which are probably the ones in the consumer market that are running neck and neck. That's not to forget the RTL-SDR, which is its newest model covers HF. And you can occasionally find a CommRadio CR1 or CR1A which is a self contained SDR. I saw one just recently in our equipment for sale listings. They are fine radios in their own right
Also don't ignore the used ham market ; many HF transceivers have built in general coverage receivers.
Sad to say but the era of new desktop HF receivers is over. But there are deals to be had in the used market. Improve your Google-fu and find reviews before you plunk down heavy green stuff (money).
Mike
Also don't ignore the used ham market ; many HF transceivers have built in general coverage receivers.
Sad to say but the era of new desktop HF receivers is over. But there are deals to be had in the used market. Improve your Google-fu and find reviews before you plunk down heavy green stuff (money).
Mike
Thanks. I'm thinking more of another portable, something as well made as my CCrane RadioSolar but with SSB would be ideal.
I started getting interested in radios again a few years ago and there had been a few new models introduced since then and I even bought one of them. But there haven't been any new models introduced since I bought the last one, maybe I'm an impediment to new model introduction or innovation? 🤔
Here is a nice SDR. Am enjoying mine. Out of Israel.
www.afedri-sdr.com
LAN-IQ SDR (Stand-alone SDR)
Blackswan73
Active Member
Belka is about as portable as you could ever imagine and has the performance that rivals most of the desktops and portables. It has everything you are looking for in a very portable package. It will actually fit in most shirt pockets! It is the world’s smallest full-blown communications receiver. If you want a top end portable that is more suitable as a desktop or “porta-top” check out the Tecsun 501/x
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ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Yes the Belka has been VERY highly recommended by many reviewers. It doesn't cover FM broadcast or the FM mode (for the 10 meter FM repeaters or the brand new CB allocations) but it is otherwise a hot commodity.
Check out the links found in our wiki article
wiki.radioreference.com
Mike
Check out the links found in our wiki article
Belka DX and DSP Receivers - The RadioReference Wiki
Mike
13dka
Member
BTW it's also the only inexpensive portable with an actual CW mode and actual CW filter.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
That's not useful for FM broadcast (if it were to cover that band, which it doesn't). Too narrow, but thanks for the tip for the NFM which might work OK for 10 meter repeaters and the new CB FM stuff
Mike
Mike
What they need to do is add a waterfall display to help hunt down signals. About all they can do to spice it up. Yes, it will add cost. But it’s worth it. I moved on from my Belka to my LAN-IQ. No doubt, it’s the best HF receiver I have ever used. Hoping the person buying will enjoy it as much as I have. The LAN-IQ with the waterfall display is awesome. Great frequency coverage. You put a waterfall display on a SW receiver and I’ll bet they would sell like hot cakes.
Blackswan73
Active Member
I assume you know the Belka has a waterfall display when you connect the IQ port to a PC
B.S.
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I do but only used it as a portable.
I have to admit I’m a bit perplexed at how many avid supporters Belka has in posts here. I have no doubt at all that it is a very capable performer. But it has major down sides, too.
It‘s hard to even buy one, as the guy who makes them is in the former Soviet Union and it’s hard to sell and ship stuff from there to the US. It’s also a home made product, not manufactured in a factory. A lot of people here are tinkerers, and this is then just fine. But me? At this stage in my life I just want to have a polished and finished product to listen to.
It‘s hard to even buy one, as the guy who makes them is in the former Soviet Union and it’s hard to sell and ship stuff from there to the US. It’s also a home made product, not manufactured in a factory. A lot of people here are tinkerers, and this is then just fine. But me? At this stage in my life I just want to have a polished and finished product to listen to.
Just wondering what major downsides have you heard about: Everyone I know that got one says they are great.
(With the exception of actually getting one in your hands - naturally)!
Sorry, I should have been more clear, as from everything I’ve seen and read, they work just fine. I meant downsides for me. I just don’t want that kind of radio.
Understand!
I just bought a great condition Kenwood TS-850 and filled it with SSB IF FIlters!
I do have some SDR's and use them a good bit also
I just bought a great condition Kenwood TS-850 and filled it with SSB IF FIlters!
I do have some SDR's and use them a good bit also
13dka
Member
Well I was thinking that I don't need to edit the quoted sentence because it wouldn't be necessary in a special interest radio forum, also because "but it has no FM band" is one of the top "complaints" about the Belkas when they are still confused with yet another flavor of a SiLabs chip radio.
Having to avoid this confusion in first place is pretty odd for your international audience anyway, because internationally the bands are not named rather oddly after their historically suspected/preferred/common modulation modes, the band names either refer to their wavelength or frequency. In other words, people outside the US usually don't call the VHF broadcast band(s) "FM", they use "ultra short waves" or "very high frequency" and unless this is a direct reference to the labeling on a radio meant to be sellable in the US, "FM" and "AM" are always only used for modulation modes and this exchange would never have taken place..
