Best Portable For Shortwave?

[K0WWX]

The Qodesen looks like a fine product, but to me SSB is a requirement. Never got around to buying a Belka, mostly because I have so many other radios, but I've heard or read anything bad about it. Hopefully, it will become available again soon. It would also be nice to see a Malihite type radio with a more stable design that was supported by a major vendor.

The Tecsun PL-330 is a good value for the price, IMO. It hears most everything a PL-990X will hear, even with its small telescopic antenna. Build quality and audio is much better on the 990X, though.

 

[jazzboypro]

I think i would go for the PL-990x. I like that it's powered by a 18650 lithium battery and it has USB charging.

 

[devicelab]

PL-880 (best value)
Xiegu X6100 (can be found used for $300-ish)
+ plus it has built-in tuner
+ exc form factor for SWL
ICOM 705 (if money is no concern)

 

[ka3jjz]

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 !

What site are you going to that you see this?

 

[John_S]

I've been enjoying the Malachite DSP SDR V5. The display with waterfall is quite good. Filter selection and adjustability is excellent. Speaker audio is not bad for it's size. I use about 25' of wire and an alligator clip tied to the telescoping antenna or the Kiwa Pocket Loop. Yes, there are a few little things I hope they address in future FW. I wish the Mode and tuning step size last used in each band selection would remain when used again. And a real manual would be very useful, as there's a lot of stuff in the menus that could use some explanation. One of these with a short wire antenna and one of those 5v battery banks can get you a lot of good reception.

 

[ka3jjz]

I see the unavailable international shipping message for the Belka on this site...

https://www.belrig.by/

Such a pity.... it has so much promise but I guess the War has put a dent in this too

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

The Belka DX is available here; a bit more expensive I think with the speaker included but likely worth it...

Belka-DX-max set with LSP3W speaker kit

www.mobimax.bg

Note that their international shipping is backlogged, according to the website....Mike

 

[MisterK33]

Resurrecting an old thread...

Looking at pulling the trigger on the Belka from Mobimax. As for shipping, they offer TNT/FedEx for ~$26, and BG Posts for ~$11. Should I assume that the first option is quicker? With being unable to order directly from Belrig due to no international shipping, I'm forced to pay twice as much

 

[ka3jjz]

Given this is the holiday season I would think which one would be faster would be a toss up. No way to really know

Mike

 

[MisterK33]

I ended up emailing Mobimax directly; they only ship FedEx to the US during the winter, so that's what I went with. BTW, email communication with Boris there was excellent. I ordered the radio (with the speaker/stand kit and IQ cable) this morning, and it will ship out Monday.