Belka DX news (if true)

[ka3jjz]

I know I was kinda bothered that the radio didn't cover the 490-530 khz area where NAVTEX can often be found, but now it does- and then some (if true). The price has gone up (altho I'm not sure of the conversion rate) and the speaker kit is separate....

Belka DX updated to now cover mediumwave and longwave

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Garr, who writes: I have some interesting news for all of those Belka DX fans, Alex the guy behind this magnificent receiver has just announced the intr…

swling.com

As the article notes, there's no ferrite bar antenna with this radio so you still need a decent MW antenna (and of course one to go down lower if that is your thing)

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

Some technical info about what is in the new version...

Alex shares details about the latest Belka portable and upgrades

After posting information about the new Belka upgrades yesterday, Belka designer, Aleksandr Buevskiy, reached out to me and shared the following details and clarification about the latest design: …

swling.com

Mike

 

[mass-man]

Great news Mike...was thinking a couple would make for good holiday presents.

 

[bearcatrp]

What is the cost in US Dollars? Been wanting one of these.

 

[mass-man]

What is the cost in US Dollars? Been wanting one of these

This week the exchange rate wobbled slightly, but it was $160 give or take a few cents...Alex charges $10 for shipping which includes a tracking number. I just wonder with the mess in the Ukraine and Belarus siding with Russia if ordering right now is possible? There is a third party dealer that gets a markup that you can order from but they show not in stock. Suppose a note to Alex is in order...do let us know what you find out!!!

 

[bearcatrp]

Think I’ll place an order and find out.

 

[mass-man]

Alex did drop me an email that he has the new version ready and available to ship to the US! Like bearcatrp I'm gonna try to order on Monday and see what my bank says...that might be the sticking point!!!!

 

[ka3jjz]

If you want to learn what has been written and reviewed for this little gem in the past, look here. There is also a search string for SWLing.com for the Belkas to see what else has been written...

Belka DX and DSP Receivers - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[bearcatrp]

Just ordered. Guess will see if it ships.

 

[ka3jjz]

Anyone interested in this little marvel should read the Mersey Radar review, the link is in the above wiki link

A couple of salient points;

• The use of a small counterpoise improves the performance. This is hardly surprising, really. Evidently if you are just using headphones, that's enough. If you are using a powered speaker, then a small extension cord is helpful. I suspect you could also just wrap a few turns of wire around the base of the antenna to accomplish the same thing
• There are several powered small speakers that should work with this radio. I'd check Amazon
• The radio's front end appears to be pretty tough. I've seen comments of people putting rather large antennas on this radio, and it doesn't easily overload
• AFAIK it hasn't been tried yet, but a YouLoop ought to work pretty well with this radio, as the front end seems to be rather hot. We have links in our wiki for building one on your own, if you're so inclined and have a pretty decent junkbox. If it does, it's very nearly perfect as a travel radio, if you are willing to do without FM broadcast coverage

Mike

 

[bearcatrp]

My CC company has not cleared the payment yet. Not sure it will with whats going on in that region. Will post back the outcome when I find out. Anyone who ordered with a CC, did your payment go through?

 

[bearcatrp]

It cleared my CC company. Just waiting on the tracking number. I suppose customs will be another hurdle.

 

[bearcatrp]

Just got my tracking number. Hoping customs doesn't steal it.

 

[bearcatrp]

Anyone else order one?

 

[ka3jjz]

I see there is a Facebook group for this radio. The link is in the above wiki article. I don't think it's that busy, but it's a likely place to find other users

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

There is an interesting discussion on antennas with the Belka over on the SWLing.com message board. You don't need to be a member to just read the messages...

Matching an external antenna to the Belka-DX? - SWLing Post Message Board

swling.net

Mike

 

[bearcatrp]

Thanks for the info.

 

[13dka]

Just wanted to mention that the YouLoop is not a good match for the Belka. The Belka has a high-Z input (>10 kOhm) that obviously causes prohibitive losses with the YL. It will work with a preamp though, or maybe with this suggestion from the Belka manual:

 

[ka3jjz]

Yep, and that circuit would be a snap to build.

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

A review of the new Belka in SWLing.com...

13dka Reviews: The new 2022 “Belka” (generation 3) general coverage receiver

The new 2022 “Belka” (generation 3) general coverage receiver by 13dka Since its introduction in 2019, the super-tiny Belka (back then called “Belka DSP”) shortwave receiver…

swling.com

Mike