Looking for shortwave reciver

[sonm10]

I bought a TECSUN pl-330 over Christmas as my first shortwave reciver. There are a couple things I wish were different and looking for alternatives.

1) bass response. I like quite a bit of bass in my audio. Are there any receivers with better bass response?
2) power. I prefer barrel connectors over USB C. Also of note, I cannot charge the pl-330 and listen at the same due to increased noise. Any way to solve this or any receivers that don't raise the noise floor while charging?
3) sensitivity. Any receivers more sensitive than the pl-330?


Apart from above, because I'm curious, are there any desktop sized shortwave receivers that are cheap?

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[K0WWX]

If you don't mind buying something used, maybe try a used Grundig Satellit 700. There are a lot of them out there, and its a good performer, probably a bit more sensitive than the PL-330.

It has a large speaker, and separate bass and treble controls, so it would give you the bass in the that you're looking for.

It's technically a portable, but it is huge compared to the Tecsun and can work well as a desktop receiver. You don't charge it, it either runs off of AC or four D cells.

Just a thought, I'm sure others will chime in with some newer receivers.

 

[Slippery999]

I bought a TECSUN pl-330 over Christmas as my first shortwave reciver. There are a couple things I wish were different and looking for alternatives.

1) bass response. I like quite a bit of bass in my audio. Are there any receivers with better bass response?
2) power. I prefer barrel connectors over USB C. Also of note, I cannot charge the pl-330 and listen at the same due to increased noise. Any way to solve this or any receivers that don't raise the noise floor while charging?
3) sensitivity. Any receivers more sensitive than the pl-330?


Apart from above, because I'm curious, are there any desktop sized shortwave receivers that are cheap?

Thanks for any suggestions

Your best options will probably be used. That way you can look and keep an eye out for a good deal.

I have a Radio Shack DX-394 and a Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium. Below is a link showing them both running on the same frequency with the same antenna. I have many other videos you can watch both models in action.

I'm sure more will chime in with other options.

 

[Blackswan73]

Tecsun 501/x has two large speakers and bass and treble controls. Also, the DX-440/Sangean 803a has a reasonably good size speaker and separate bass and treble controls. As Slippery999 mentioned, the Grundig Sattilit 800 also has a quite large speaker with separate bass and treble controls. With all that being said, most serious shortwave listeners use either headphones or external speakers. Since the acquisition of my Drake R-8, and the fact that I currently have an eye on a Martin D-18, I will be selling several of my other receivers on fleabay soon, including a 440, 803a, R-71a, and a satillit 800.

B.S.

 

[sonm10]

@K0WWX @Slippery999

What is the difference between the Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium and Satellit 700 other than the case?

 

[sonm10]

Can you comment on the CCrane Ep Pro and the Sangean PR D4W? How do these radios sound and ability to receive compared to the Satellit 800 mentioned above?

 

[Blackswan73]

@K0WWX @Slippery999

What is the difference between the Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium and Satellit 700 other than the case?

The 700 was the last receiver built by Grundig in Germany. The 800 was actually designed and serviced by Drake, and built in China. The 800 is an excellent receiver with many positive reviews. It is a large receiver often referred to as a “portatop”. I have one and it is every bit as good as my Icom R-70

B.S.

 

[K0WWX]

@K0WWX @Slippery999

What is the difference between the Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium and Satellit 700 other than the case?

The 700 that I have was made in Portugal. It was released about nine or ten years before the 800, and was the successor to the 500. It isn't really related to the 800, other than the brand name.

According to Rigpix, about 50,000 700s were made, which is a quite a few:

RigPix Database - Grundig - Satellit 700

The big Grundig desktop that was the closest to the 700 in vintage was the 650. It came out about four or five years before the 700, and both had a reputation for excellent audio.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Can you comment on the CCrane Ep Pro and the Sangean PR D4W? How do these radios sound and ability to receive compared to the Satellit 800 mentioned above?

The CCrane Skywave SSB is a great little receiver, multiband.

 

[Slippery999]

@K0WWX @Slippery999

What is the difference between the Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium and Satellit 700 other than the case?

The answers you already received are correct.🤙🏻

 

[mrhermit]

The CCrane Skywave SSB is a great little receiver, multiband.

Are your referring to the Skywave SSB 2 radio? If so have you used the scanning feature for the aviation band? The manual says it can be programed for 10 frequencies. I would like to know how well the airband scanning feature performs.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Are your referring to the Skywave SSB 2 radio? If so have you used the scanning feature for the aviation band? The manual says it can be programed for 10 frequencies. I would like to know how well the airband scanning feature performs.

 

[ditto1958]

Regarding your charging issue, the battery used in the PL-330 is inexpensive. Why not just swap out batteries when one is drained?

The sound from the speakers on small SW radios is not all that impressive. I have a PL-660, which is quite a bit larger than the PL-330 and even it doesn’t sound all that impressive. Strangely, the best sounding radio I have is the tiniest, the Qodosen DX-286. Not much bass, though.

 

[ditto1958]

The CCrane Skywave SSB is a great little receiver, multiband.

Yes, but the sound from the speaker is said to be underwhelming.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Yes, but the sound from the speaker is said to be underwhelming.

I see. It's Not on mine.

 

[Slippery999]

Yes, but the sound from the speaker is said to be underwhelming.

You can hear the speaker in these videos. While not the best it's pretty good. In fairness, I do use headphones most of the time when I'm listening. 🤙🏻

C. Crane Skywave SSB2 Shortwave Radio Videos

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

youtube.com

 

[sonm10]

Just an update: I bought a Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium off eBay. Love the audio on it. But there is an issue - three closest AM stations are noisy. I have suspected for some time there is source of interference in my apartment. How to fix?