Picking a SW receiver...help!

[peepoop]

I've been scanning local systems for a few years, first with an Icom R2 and more recently with a Uniden 246T.

Numbers stations (of all things) have gotten me interested in listening to shortwave and I'm not super sure where to begin when it comes to finding a receiver that meets my needs.

I basically have two requirements.

I'm looking for something under $200.
I'm looking for something that can be controlled from a PC via serial port or USB. (Uniden scanners have spoiled me!)

Finding SW radios under $200 is no problem at all. The Grundig/Eton G5 looks pretty sexy, for example.

However I haven't been able to find a shortwave radio that can be software controlled. Do you guys know of any in the sub $200 price range?

Honestly, after using the free ScannerBase software for my Uniden 246T, I pretty much can't ever go back to spinning dials and pushing tiny rubber buttons again.

Any suggestions as to where I should start looking? Or am I out of luck?

Thanks guys.

 

[ka3jjz]

I don't think you're going to find much under USD200 in the PC controlled category. Save up your money - the RX320 is a fine choice, but costs just under USD350 or so. However, I have seen it on the used market for around USD250-275 or thereabouts. Lots of software, good performer - be sure to use a good antenna with a coax leadin to minimize noise pickup.

Check our SWL Monitoring and Utility Monitoring Wikis - they both have a full section devoted to links with reviews, including user comments on EHam. I also saw the latest Passport to World Band Radio at the Winterfest - there's a full chapter on PC controlled radios.

Just look up at the blue bar near the top of the page - click on 'Wiki' then choose which article (wiki speak for page) you want. No additional registration is needed to view it, just to edit it.

Oh and by the way for Numbers stations - no doubt about it, start here

73s Mike

 

[jonny290]

Shortwave's a different animal than scanning - before you decry the button-pushing and knob-turning, give HF monitoring a chance.

It's more of a laid back, "tune the radio up, get it hearing well, then spin the dial to see what you can hear" affair than a rapid-fire scanning evening. EVERY night on HF is a slightly different night, and you won't be able to just punch up a bunch of channels and flip through. Some nights some stations will be completely inaudible, some nights they'll boom in S9+20 - despite the propagation reports predicting differently.

Computer control befits scanners because frequency agility is the number one criteria for scanner performance, and computers help that. But HF is more or less weak and crowded signal work, and for that, a hand on the knobs and a good ear will always be far more effective than clicking an up or down button.

Frequency agility is really, really difficult to nail down on HF because you may have to retune your antenna every time you frequency hop. It's the number one reason that ALE type systems haven't taken off in amateur circles. I certainly don't want to invest in a no-tune or 100% auto-tune 3-30 MHZ transmit antenna setup, neither do many other hams.

Believe me, I have every radio in my shack set up for computer control due to the satellite fun, but I still spin the dial on the 735 every night.


If you're still set on computer control, the Icom PCR-100 can be had for ~100 dollars on ebay and will receive the entire HF band in AM mode. I'll be frank:

1: computer control
2: ssb reception
3: acceptable performance

For $200, pick two out of three.

 

[ryangassxx]

jonny290 pretty much summed it up.. It's not like scanning in the sense that you just plug in frequencies and listen. It's more of an involved process. As a matter of fact HF listening is THE prototypical knob tuning type radio. It's more fun that way if you ask me. The stuff on HF is often times so much more interesting and rewarding than scanning IMO. Sure police is fun, but listening to a clandestine spy station broadcasting secret messages to operatives all over the world is a bit better.

I should also mention that you MAY want to consider spending a LITTLE bit more than 200 if you're trying to listen to numbers stations. Those signals are often pretty weak and require some decent hardware to tune into. My radio suggestion is the Sattelit 800 (not a typo) by Grundig.. They can be had for about $400 and it will give you the performance of a $1000+ radio.. I've owned 2 of them and they really are one of the best shortwave radios you can get. Clip on a 60 foot long piece of speaker wire and you're tuning into pretty much everything there is to hear..

Again I cannot stress enough, shortwave is NOTHING like scanning.. Scanning is more of an instant gratification type deal. Shortwave is a bit more of a radio savvy type deal. Start reading up on it now and you'll have a head start for when you get your radio..

 

[zz0468]

1: computer control
2: ssb reception
3: acceptable performance

For $200, pick two out of three.

Well put.

I've listened to HF for many many years, like... 40. I've played with every conceivable grade of hf receiver. I've become a bit of a purist when it comes to hf receivers. If your budget is only $200, you should be looking at the used market. The performance of any consumer grade receiver just doesn't come close to even older commercial and amateur gear. Those high end Sony's that get rave revues don't hold a candle to my 25 year old Mackay ($300). A serious amateur receiver with general coverage is the minimum I'd recommend. And I'm sorry, but I don't consider a software controlled receiver to be adequate for tuning across the hf bands. Being able to rock the tuning back and forth while listening for weak, slightly off frequency ssb is essential, if you want to hear the good stuff.

Even for a beginner, a low end receiver is a poor choice. It will only disappoint you. If you're serious about getting into hf listening, I'd recommend you bump the budget up some. With the noise, the huge signals sitting right next to the weak ones, ssb and it's stability requirements, you're better finding something that's loaded with performance, and less on bells and whistles. If you invest the money in a GOOD used receiver, and decide you don't like HF, the resale value of high end receivers is excellent.

my 2¢...

 

[ka3jjz]

and I might add - since it was mentioned - that the PCR100 is a rather poor choice for HF listening. Prone to overloading (like it's big brother, the PCR1000) and no SSB capability. Not a bad choice to get started in something like milair on VHF and UHF, but not very useful for HF stuff. 73s Mike4

 

[BMT]

Some very good words of wisdom have been posted.
Think about this one. Can a $200.00 reciever catch a .5 watt shot from A-stan to MD. This shot has been made using .5 watt's.

BMT

 

[peepoop]

Thanks for the great feedback guys. So it looks like I'll have to drop my dreams of PC control for now.

In the next few days I'll make a decision between the Eton E5/G5 and the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. Both are right in my price range and seem to have been pretty well reviewed. I'll probably go the Eton route as the Sony has no dials at all. Although the Sony does have that neat-sounding synchronous detection feature...

If I like what I hear I'll probably try to track down a Sattellit 800 later on down the road as money permits.

Anyway thanks again. It was helpful!

 

[elk2370bruce]

If you're eventually gonna trade up, for a few bucks more than the Grundig 800 Satelit, you may wish to consider the Icom R-75. Lots bigger and more sensitive ears and loads of goodies to help pull those signals out of the ether. Ignore the radios that cover daylight to cosmic rays. The broader the response, the less the sensitivity and clarity you will achieve just so you can put it in your pocket.

 

[madnachos]

I recently got into SW listening and find it fascinating. I Picked up a Kaito KA2100 portable for $120 and have been very pleased with its performance...very sensative for a radio in its price range. Its all 'hands on' tuning but even on the whip its performance is impressive. Check one out if you want to check out SW without spending a ton of cash.

SW is totally different than public safety monitoring and very interesting, its more of a 'discovery' thing then a 'monitoring' thing for me. Actually...I guess my main interest in SW (besides monitoring numbers stations) is building new antenna's and finding out how well they work. You can make some pretty impressive SW antennas on the cheap...got a yard and attic full of 'em ;-)

I actually just got my first QSL card from Radio Taiwan a few weeks ago. Never thought I would get such a thrill from getting a postcard. lol. QSL is at my empy blog: http://linuxsense.blogspot.com/

 

[nexus]

check over at http://www.universal-radio.com in the USED LIST link on there. Some times I see some older SWL radios for sale. I've seen some Realistic DX series on there like the 350 for not much money, in working condition.

And like the other person said, finding a PC Controlled SWL/HF receiver is not going to be cheap. You're not going to find anything under 500-1000 dollars. Besides, get a small unit that you can take with you in different locations.

 

[ka3jjz]

Nexus the TenTec 320 is well under USD500 and is a very credible performer - even Passport and EHam reviews say so. Portables are OK to start, but if they don't have any SSB coverage, you're really going to lose out. 73s Mike

 

[mbird97x]

I recently got into SW listening and find it fascinating. I Picked up a Kaito KA2100 portable for $120 and have been very pleased with its performance...very sensative for a radio in its price range. Its all 'hands on' tuning but even on the whip its performance is impressive. Check one out if you want to check out SW without spending a ton of cash.

That KA2100 (or it's brother, the Redsun RP2100) is getting good to excellent reviews and it reportedly "blows away" anything in it's price class. Too bad it doesn't have SSB capability without shelling out another 49.95+S/H for the piece to plug into it. They should have built it in. That alone is the reason I'm not ordering one unless My DE1102 craps out. I gotta have SSB.

 

[madnachos]

That KA2100 (or it's brother, the Redsun RP2100) is getting good to excellent reviews and it reportedly "blows away" anything in it's price class. Too bad it doesn't have SSB capability without shelling out another 49.95+S/H for the piece to plug into it. They should have built it in. That alone is the reason I'm not ordering one unless My DE1102 craps out. I gotta have SSB.

I dont know why the SSB units are going for so much $$ now...I got mine for $18 off eBay and its the exact same unit that is being sold for $49 now. Guess I scored. $49 is just retarded.

 

[ryangassxx]

If you're eventually gonna trade up, for a few bucks more than the Grundig 800 Satelit, you may wish to consider the Icom R-75. Lots bigger and more sensitive ears and loads of goodies to help pull those signals out of the ether. Ignore the radios that cover daylight to cosmic rays. The broader the response, the less the sensitivity and clarity you will achieve just so you can put it in your pocket.

Are you sure you know what a satellit 800 is? By no means is an R75 bigger than an 800, nor is it more sensitive, I just checked out the specs.. R-75 on AM is about 5.6Y and the 800 is about 4.0Y (using Y for the little sensitivity thingy). As for size, the satellit 800 sits about 10 inches tall and about a foot and a half wide. They can also both be found for about $400 used.. Only difference is that an R75 is more of a communications type receiver and an 800 is more of a SWL's type receiver..

 

[gcgrotz]

I think elk2370bruce meant was that the R75 has bigger ears, not a bigger cabinet.

I'm a loyal R75 user, it is a great receiver and it has one important thing you won't find on the Grundig: IF shift. Works great for pulling signals out of the interference. Plus you can control it with your PC.

I also have an older Sony 7600 that has been all around the world. It is a great performer and the sync AM actually works (better than the R75) and has selectable sideband to boot. It also works very well on MW signals with the built in loop. I'm still thinking I should get a new one while you can still find them.

 

[elk2370bruce]

Thanks for the rebound Grotz! Yep, that's what I meant. Like other "things" the physical size (footprint)of the cabinet is secondary to the antenna system that you use (ears). The 800 (while a decent rig) just does not hold a candle to the sensitivity and selectivity of the R-75. I've gotta start translating the stuff that I write, I guess.

 

[ryangassxx]

Thanks for the rebound Grotz! Yep, that's what I meant. Like other "things" the physical size (footprint)of the cabinet is secondary to the antenna system that you use (ears). The 800 (while a decent rig) just does not hold a candle to the sensitivity and selectivity of the R-75. I've gotta start translating the stuff that I write, I guess.

Did I not just list the specs for both receivers? The 800 is actually far MORE sensitive..

The Grundig Sattelit 800 was essentially the Drake SW8 rebranded and put into a different looking cabinet and sold for a far lower price. So for those who got one before they were discontinued got a hellava deal.

Stop making it sound like the R75 outclasses the Satellit 800 by so much, it really doesn't.. Not saying that the R75 isn't better, but the 800 does indeed "hold a candle"..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Drake-SW8-ham-r...ryZ15051QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/Grundig-Satelli...ryZ15051QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

= same exact radio..

I'd even tip it a bit in the 800's favor since it is actually portable and can run from batteries which eliminates a ton of noise..

 

[Shortwavewave]

I looked the specs up too for the R75 and The 800
you have to take in to consideration the chart for the R75 .1 to 1.8mhz the 800 is better on
sensitivity but everything else after that just gets better for the R75
WithOut the PreAMPS
The only thing i wish the R75 could do was the Air Band

 

[ryangassxx]

I looked the specs up too for the R75 and The 800
you have to take in to consideration the chart for the R75 .1 to 1.8mhz the 800 is better on
sensitivity but everything else after that just gets better for the R75
WithOut the PreAMPS
The only thing i wish the R75 could do was the Air Band

again,.. not saying the 800 is a better radio.. But to say they're not comparable is not a fair statement. And for the difference in price, you can purchase an inexpensive external preamp or active antenna for the 800..