QUESTION FOR SOMEBODY a GOOD SWL RADIO.

[KE6BQG]

hI

LOOKING FOR A SHORTWAVE RADIO,

I'M A GENERAL CLASS
HAM

AND LOOKING FOR A TABLETOP RADIO
OR A LARGE BASE RADIO.

I'VE GOT A ic-730 hF rADIO
CAN This RIG
GET general radio freuency
on hf.

i think it 's ham radio tx/rx only

i've got a yatt boy 400
sansulm 909 x with the mod for AM'Dx
amd a somy SWL radio the high end one.\\

ths yatte boy 400
abd the si= sony one
iput the wrong wall wort
and both did the smoke test.
one on battery the other one hears nothing
what so ever.

the question should i fix the Sony.
the antenna and the rig 4 years ago
i payed top dollar at anazon.
is it worth fixing,



any feedback would br great

KE6BQG :--)

 

[bearcatrp]

Looking at the specs on your radio, looks like it has gaps but can still get some of the frequencies. Upgrade your HF rig that has continuous 1-30 MHz coverage. Or buy a desktop SW radio for around $100 and under.

 

[ka3jjz]

Or even better...a Software Defined Radio.

Mike

 

[Blackswan73]

Desktop SWL communication receivers are nearly nonexistent anymore. However there are some larger portable receivers that are capable of some very good performances that can be favorably compared to some of the top line receivers of yesteryear. For example, the top tier receivers from tecsun come to mind. Their newest offering is a retro style desktop receiver with what is basically the circuitry of the 501x, which is a very capable receiver in its own right. However, another option is to pick up one of the great desktop receivers of days gone by. You can still find some of the crème de la crème radios is good to excellent condition. For example,$500-550, can buy you a nice Drake R8, or a Kenwood 5000. For $300 or so you can find a Icom R71a, or a Yaesu FRG series receiver. Just for reference, not many years ago the Icom R71a was the receiver all other radios were compared to. Other options are a desktop HF transceiver with a general coverage receiver section

B.S.

 

[N9JCQ]

hI

LOOKING FOR A SHORTWAVE RADIO,

I'M A GENERAL CLASS
HAM

AND LOOKING FOR A TABLETOP RADIO
OR A LARGE BASE RADIO.

I'VE GOT A ic-730 hF rADIO
CAN This RIG
GET general radio freuency
on hf.

i think it 's ham radio tx/rx only

i've got a yatt boy 400
sansulm 909 x with the mod for AM'Dx
amd a somy SWL radio the high end one.\\

ths yatte boy 400
abd the si= sony one
iput the wrong wall wort
and both did the smoke test.
one on battery the other one hears nothing
what so ever.

the question should i fix the Sony.
the antenna and the rig 4 years ago
i payed top dollar at anazon.
is it worth fixing,



any feedback would br great

KE6BQG :--)

I have an old Drake TR7, perhaps a bit older than your 730. I use it as my SWL receiver as well as my ham transceiver. It does very well for me. SDR receivers and transceivers work very well too. I have an SDR dongle that I got for like $30. There is a learning curve for sure. But if you have a decent PC, the SDR may be the most cost effective solution for you. It's amazing how you can optimize and analyze the signals.

 

[bearcatrp]

If you can find a used Icom R75, you will be in heaven. Great HF receiver. I sold mine when I bought a Icom R8600. Now if you want top of the line, Get a Icom R8600. Nothing better.

 

[KE6BQG]

Hi

I might look for an R-75
or look for an R-8600,

many years ago, i worked at family radio/ Family stations
had an unblocked R-71/ R5000 or R-7000
on my desk as part of my job. and had the icom Rx that had the unit with the CRT
display on the shop bench.
and part of my job was The 35 foot HARRIS Systems dish, and the long lines
AT&T and broadcast services
on weekends i'd go into the shop and listen .

and some weekends i could take the R-71 A or the R-5000/7000
i would just ask my boss to sign the gear out,
no problems.

before i left the job
i could of bought both radio direct from Icom
factory, i was part of a mass layoff,
and thats that.

went to night school it
took 2 years time,

in turn got my ham ticket
and retired from state govermemt
as an office Tech,



what my job was ordering equipment for the entire network

Darryl

 

[MUTNAV]

Don't the older Icom (IC-70, IC-71, IC-75) have problems with their operating system when the memory battery dies?

Thanks
Joel

 

[bearcatrp]

One problem with older Icoms is repairs. But there are some folks around that can work on them provided parts are available. The R75 is a HF only receiver. Dam good one too. But if you have the bucks, Get the R8600. Worth every penny for what it does. No one else comes close. The waterfall display really helps going after distant frequencies. But if your just getting into this, you make want to start with those smaller ones around 100 bucks to see if you want to really invest into this. The R8600 is expensive but it goes up to 3 GHz. Only you can decide what to spend.

 

[Blackswan73]

Don't the older Icom (IC-70, IC-71, IC-75) have problems with their operating system when the memory battery dies?

Thanks
Joel

R71a-yes, but repairable with after market memory board
R70-no
R75-no

B.S.