Digital or Shortwave?

[cpd204]

I'm going to buy a scanner soon and I'm not sure whether I should buy a digital scanner (PRO-197) or a shortwave scanner (Alinco DJ-X7T). I want a digital scanner for the upcoming NATO summits and StarCom21 but I also want to listen to milcom and shortwave broadcasts.Which one would be better to buy?

 

[W6KRU]

The problem with SW on a handheld is attaching an antenna that is effective at SW frequencies. Make sure you understand what you are up against before starting down the SW path with a handheld.

 

[gewecke]

Digital is the way of the future! :wink:

73,
n9zas

 

[ka3jjz]

I would buy 2 radios - the scanner for the public service stuff, then something else for the SW stuff. There are a couple of reasons for this - one is simple economics on the manufacturer's side. If you get a wideband radio like the Alinco, it's quite likely they will have taken some shortcuts to cut the costs. Sometimes this shows up as a tendency to overload if you put too much antenna on them. Another place this shows up is in selectivity - the ability to seperate 2 stations that are close in frequency. Little handhelds aren't going to be very selective - and depending on your local conditions, that could cause weaker stations to be overwhelmed by stronger ones, making them very difficult - if not downright impossible - to hear.

I see DDan has kinda alluded to this...

Since it seems you have decided on the scanner, let's see if we can get you down the road apiece with deciding which SW radio to buy - you can start with this article from our wiki (anything in blue is a link of some kind, both here and in our wiki)

Your First HF Receiver - The RadioReference Wiki

HTH...Mike

 

[N8IAA]

I'm going to buy a scanner soon and I'm not sure whether I should buy a digital scanner (PRO-197) or a shortwave scanner (Alinco DJ-X7T). I want a digital scanner for the upcoming NATO summits and StarCom21 but I also want to listen to milcom and shortwave broadcasts.Which one would be better to buy?

Not going to get much shortwave out of the X7. I'd stick with getting the digital scanner and a dedicated base HF radio. You'll be happier doing it that way.
Larry

 

[cpd204]

The problem with SW on a handheld is attaching an antenna that is effective at SW frequencies. Make sure you understand what you are up against before starting down the SW path with a handheld.

What antenna would you recommend then?

And also I might get the Icom-R6 or the X30T instead of the X7T.

 

[W6KRU]

What antenna would you recommend then?

And also I might get the Icom-R6 or the X30T instead of the X7T.

The wiki has a page for HF antennas with a lot of links: HF Antennas - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[ka3jjz]

I would also avoid the R6 or X30T for precisely the same reasons as others (including an earlier post by me) have already mentioned.

Save up some money and get a used rx or a somewhat more modern ham transceiver, which often has a very capable general coverage rx built in. Hamfest season is upon us - do some homework by reading up on the various reviews out there, and make a sound decision. This article has many such links...

Category:Receiver Reviews - The RadioReference Wiki

Just as an example, I checked Universal's used list, and I see several E1XMs by Eton/Grundig (a very good portatop - and Universal does check them out before they go out the door), Icom R71A and R75, a JRC NRD-525 (might be a bit much for someone starting off), Kenwood R-600, 2000 and 5000 (I would lean toward the 5000, in spite of some of the issues these radios are beginning to have...), and even a TenTec RX320D (PC based radio, but an excellent performer. Several good software packages for it, too).

HTH...Mike