Good first HF receiver?

[SAR923]

Jerry,

Did you notice the criteria was $200 or under? The Satellit 800 goes for over $400 and the Sony 2010 is almost impossible to find in really good condition for less than $300 delivered. Once the budget starts getting up in that range, there are a whole slew of choices. Under $200 leaves some slim pickings by comparison.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

Sorry there SAR2401, I missed that part.

 

[mlevin]

Just ne more question. Does the YP 400PE do USB? If not do I need that?

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

I do NOT think that most broadcasters on H.F. use S.S.B. but the Utility stations do.

 

[K2KOH]

Go with the Yachtboy...the DX 394 had some issues...they don't come to mind, but I read reviews about that radio, and they were not pretty. The R75 isn't as complicated as you think, and the price is going down on that rig. The UT-106 DSP unit comes with the radio now. You can get the R75 for $499 with Icom's Halloween coupons. I know it's over your budget, but you do get what you pay for.
I happen to have a Yachtboy 400PE; I bought it when I was in Florida, and I realized I missed listening to ARINC. It's a good radio, but it's made to be portable. With the Icom, you can use a dipole, or you can use a random length of wire into the Hi Z terminals on the back.

Look into it

 

[n8gni]

usb

The Yachtboy 400PE will receive both USB and LSB as well as AM and wide FM. It comes with a yoyo type of Dipole antenna, it can be rolled up like a tape measure! Today the Yachtboy 400PE cost $129.00 and $9.95 UPS shipping from Universal Radio 800-431-3939
www.universal-radio.com
Good Luck and have fun
Harry

 

[mlevin]

Go with the Yachtboy...the DX 394 had some issues...they don't come to mind, but I read reviews about that radio, and they were not pretty. The R75 isn't as complicated as you think, and the price is going down on that rig. The UT-106 DSP unit comes with the radio now. You can get the R75 for $499 with Icom's Halloween coupons. I know it's over your budget, but you do get what you pay for.
I happen to have a Yachtboy 400PE; I bought it when I was in Florida, and I realized I missed listening to ARINC. It's a good radio, but it's made to be portable. With the Icom, you can use a dipole, or you can use a random length of wire into the Hi Z terminals on the back.

Look into it

Are you saying that the Yachtboy doesn't recieve aircraft well? That's really important to me, since that's what I plan on listening to the most. Also I would buy the R75 but the Pro 2096 is coming out soon, and I'm getting my own car soon so the car is gonna need a good scanner. Gotta get those priorities straight :wink:

 

[SAR923]

The YB 400 will recieve aircraft just fine. All the aircraft traffic is on single sideband and the YB400, while not having a synchronous sideband detector like more expensive units, still does a very credible job on SSB. There's a detent on the SSB dial and I almost never have to move the SSB setting off that detent to get good reception. The YB400 is a little more prone to overloading with a longwire antenna than a more selective unit like the R75 but the rod antenna or 20 feet of wire is all you'll need to listen to aircraft on the east coast.

 

[mlevin]

Thanks! I'll let ya'll know what happens.

 

[K2KOH]

No, not at all...it performed well on the MWARA frequencies...there are more things you can play with on the R75 to make digging the weaker ones out a little easier, but for general listening to HF Aviation, the Yachtboy does just fine

 

[OutPost]

A Good Inexpensive HF Receiver

I bought a vintage Realistic DX-160 HF receiver on eBay for a total/w shipping $114.00

I hooked-up a 90 foot dipole 45/45 and I have excellent reception around the world, from here in West Tennessee. SSB is no problem and will do just great until I can afford a Yeasu FRG 7700.

 

[ReceiverBeaver]

I would recommend getting a mid priced rig that was $250-400 when new, and buy it used. Can probably get for half that price most anywhere like Ebay. They're all over the place. Don't waste your time on the smallest-cheapest thing on the market. You won't be happy with it and will be out looking for another one again in 2 weeks.

 

[bugs421]

Hello, I'm about to buy my first radio, I'm currently looking at three units and wondering which unit you, the professionals would go with. Would like to keep it below $250.

New Grundig 400PE

Used Kenwood R-1000

Used Yaesu 7700

Would appreciate your suggestions...Thanks!

 

[Waldo325mvfd]

FT-817 works great for me! 8)