I feel the same, and you've got more radios than I do. I keep thinking the Tecsun PL330 or the Qodosen would be nice, but not nice enough to buy one. I have a hard time justifying spending buying something that doesn't have the weather band because that's the radio I listen to if I'm not listening to FM. The Qodosen power usage concerns me and the PL330 uses a cellphone battery. I've got plenty of 18650's and Eneloop AA's, buying a portable radio that uses something else doesn't appeal to me.
Choosing a Third Radio (?)
- Thread starter ditto1958
- Start date
mitbr
Active Member
Ok folks here is my suggestion. I have been in the swl hobby since the middle 1970s, and anyone considering a new sw radio should look into the sdrplay series. There is NO portable sw radio that will perform better at the 100 to 200 dollar price range period. You will not be disappointed . I realize the OP already decided but these are my thoughts from someone that has tried many receivers.
Tim
Tim
Oh, I’ve thought about stuff like that. And yes, I’ve been tempted. But here’s the thing- for me with radio, it’s well… radio. The way it operates, the form factor, the actual experience of tuning in signals just like I did as a child and just as my parents and grandparents did before that.
Computers can work really well as radios, but it’s not the same. I guess the best way to explain? Enjoyment from using radios is not measurable digitally. It‘s an analog experience, as we are analog beings.
Blackswan73
Active Member
I learned early on that the more knobs a radio had the better it was. Nowadays tho, it’s not always the case. I believe if my memory serves me right, the first menu driven receivers were UK made by Lowe. Now a lot of higher end receivers are menu driven. Unfortunately, menu driven means there is fewer knobs to play with 😁
B.S.
B.S.
I watched a video on the Tecsun S-2200X and I am pretty sure a few of those knobs don’t do anything, lol. But… it’s also obvious from all those knobs that the S-2200X is really good. 😇
Everyone has their own needs and wants when it comes to radios. Been through enough HF radios. My R30 really started me off. Then came the Icom R8500 and R75. Enjoyed these until the icom 705 came out. The waterfall display caught my eye. Sold the R75 to fund the 705. Had a great time with it. Should have left it at that but noooooo. Icom R8600 combines both. So, sold the 705 and the R8500 To fund the R8600. 1st was great. 2nd year was ok but started going back to my handheld. 3rd year I came across the LAN IQ. Nice and portable With a waterfall display. Came with me on my camping trips. Winter time I stayed on the lAN IQ. Dust built up on the R8600. So I sold my R8600. Was my favorite radio. But desktop only. I like my radio’s portable. For now I’m settled what I have. The waterfall display really helps find frequencies on the LAN IQ, plus it fits in my hand. I use the external batteries I use on my 325P2 and my 160DN. All nice and portable. Only time will tell if something new comes out that I may buy again. Now if I come across a used Icom 705 for a good price, I may get it. Was great on HF. It is an addictive hobby. Enjoy it how ever it please you.
That sounds like the "producer's knob" a session player had on his guitar. It didn't do anything but make the producer happy when they wanted a different sound.
Similar threads
