Best Portable For Shortwave?
- Thread starter ditto1958
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Blackswan73
Active Member
Belka, bar none. Fits in a shirt pocket and is on par with most larger radios, including desktops. Amazing little radio. Read the reviews. It’s everything that the reviews say it is. Takes a bit of patience to get one, but it is worth it. If you want something more conventional, The Tecsun 501/x will merit serious consideration
B.S.
B.S.
TAC4
Member
Another vote for the Sangean ATS-909X2
-great build quality, has a Sony ICF look to it
-takes a 100' wire with no problem without overloading
most portables can't do this
-does not have mute tuning, mute tuning is so annoying, most
DSP portable radios have mute tuning
-super sensitive on AM shortwave
-air band is a bonus
-extensive station presets menu
-nice AM band width filtering
-has RF gain control
-great tumb tuning dial that is lightening fast and a joy
to use up and down the band when DXing for long hours
-great build quality, has a Sony ICF look to it
-takes a 100' wire with no problem without overloading
most portables can't do this
-does not have mute tuning, mute tuning is so annoying, most
DSP portable radios have mute tuning
-super sensitive on AM shortwave
-air band is a bonus
-extensive station presets menu
-nice AM band width filtering
-has RF gain control
-great tumb tuning dial that is lightening fast and a joy
to use up and down the band when DXing for long hours
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I'm gonna jump in and second the Belka. for all the reasons listed above, as well it just is so handy and portable due to its size. Don't both with the onboard speaker, add on or built in, go with good earbuds or a good external speaker if you desire.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
The Tecsun H501X is also very good, but like all Tecsuns that have come after the PL660, the Sync Detector just plain sucks. Do yourself a favor and Google the numerous reviews. Then make the judgement for yourself
Mike
Mike
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
However the Belka doesn't cover FM broadcast. If that's not an issue than this is a great choice. Again read the reviews on this little wonder, some of which are linked in our wiki, viz.
Belka DX and DSP Receivers - The RadioReference Wiki
Mike
The Belka seems like a hard to beat option and it has a great price - too bad this is on their home page right now or I would order one!
"! INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE !
"! INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE !
Token
Member
It also does not do the majority of the MW AM BCB. It was apparently designed for 3 - 30 MHz, and goes only slightly below and above those numbers (1.5 - 31 MHz?).
I have been wanting to get one to mess around with, but so far no joy.
T!
Blackswan73
Active Member
That is the specifications for the older Belka DX. The current model, called just “Belka”, covers 100khz-30mhz continuous, covering LW,MW, and SW.
B.S.
B.S.
rf_patriot200
Member
C.Crane Skywave SSB am,fm,wx alert, full sw/ssb, and aviation. Selectivity on ssb is sharp, and filters are pretty fair.
The CC Skywaves do look nice. Lots of models and some are expensive. They generally get good reviews.
rf_patriot200
Member
Yeah, I used to take mine to work at night since it had all the features I wanted and it was small enough to fit in my backpack. The Skywave ssb is the model I have, which comes with earbuds, a leatherette caase and a little 23' windup antenna.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
The Qodosen DX286 might be worth at least a bit of research to see if it fits your needs. You tube search is
Now keep in mind that with some of these radios, you won't be able to put a big antenna on these radios. they will overload badly.
Mike
Now keep in mind that with some of these radios, you won't be able to put a big antenna on these radios. they will overload badly.
Mike
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Some comments from Radio Jay Allen...
radiojayallen.com
Mike
Qodosen DX-286 – A Great Radio Becomes Even Better
When the original Qodosen SR-286 was introduced, it caused quite a sensation in the radio community. Utilizing the TEF-6686 chip, originally designed for automotive use, it offered extremely high/t…
radiojayallen.com
Mike
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Blackswan73
Active Member
The major problem with the TEF6686 based radios is the chip was designed for car stereos and doesn’t have ssb or cw capability. It only has am/fm modes.
B.S.
B.S.
I’ve been wondering about that one. Some reviewers have said it’s a really sensitive radio.
