I want your opinion on the best first SW receiver I can get

[scanfan03]

I want your opinion on the best shortwave receiver i can get (this will be my first one). I really don't want to spend more than $100. I will only use it for weather receiving on the HF band for when hurricanes hit my area. So that's why I don't really want to spend that much, then I'll get hooked and maybe get a better receiver later on. I found a Grundig at Bed, Bath and Beyond (I was there with my mom), it was around $40 and it had a hand cranked generator on the side that it said if you cranked it 60 times, it will power the radio for over an hour. It had 2 SW bands, an AM band, and a FM band. I don't know what the model number was on it exactly. But does anyone know if this one would be any good for hurricane net monitering in the HF band?

 

[n8tsi]

That little Grudig crank-up will not receive SSB modes (it's AM/FM only), so you won't be able to monitor the hurricane nets. If you can scrape together another $30 or so, Sangean makes an SSB capable receiver (model ATS-505) that should do the trick. Whatever you get is likely to need help from an external antenna of some kind to bring in all stations on a hurricane nets.

There's a LOT of options out there--this is only what I came up with after a quick scan of the newest AES catalog. Do some research. Spending a little more now can save you a lot of disappointment later.

73

Dave, N8TSI

 

[scanfan03]

Thank You

 

[leftystrat]

decent SW rcvr

Check That Auction Place.
I got a Grundig YB400 used for a good price.

If you want to go new, the Sangean and Kaito/Degen units are supposed to be decent.
I'd advise getting one that will receive SSB too - lots of stuff you can't get otherwise.


Good luck!

 

[kd4das]

I suggest the Degen DE-1103. You won't find a better performing radio with more features for less money. It's better than the Grundig. You can get them new on Ebay for under $70 including shipping.

 

[DaveNF2G]

I know you said that you wanted to spend less than $100, but for my money the best general coverage receiver out there for the "casual" user is the Sony ICF-2010. There are other receivers with more filtering and other options for the serious digital utility monitor, but for just listening to voice communications, including broadcast (with synchronous AM detection available) the 2010 is the best deal, IMO.

If you're interested in exploring digital modes and you can rely on your computer's sound card and software for signal processing, the 2010 is still an excellent choice.