scanner with shortwave able freqs
- Thread starter maalox
- Start date
- Status
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Many of these radios (like the AOR8600, R8500, ect.) advertise pretty much a DC to daylight coverage, with the exception of the ECPA-banned ranges in the 800 band to 'protect cell phone' users. Generally speaking, that means either 500khz (right at the bottom end of the MW spectrum) right up into the Gigahertz ranges (take a look at the AOR, Yaesu and Icom wiki pages...)
However, how well you will hear across that large a range has much to do with the design of the receiver - you'll notice I didn't call them scanners - and what antenna(s) are used on them. (Where you are in the world also plays a part...I'll explain that in a moment). The kilobuck receivers will generally do a pretty good job across the board - The Icom R8500 is a real popular choice, tho there are other older models that also perform reasonably well.
This depends to some extent on where you are in the world. On the HF side, signals tend to be stronger on the East Coast (since many broadcasters beam this direction), and propagation from European stations is a bit easier. Europeans have the distinct disadvantage of having so many broadcasters around them that you could make a case for them being in a saturated RF zone.
This is where the big receivers like the 8500 do a much better job than their cheaper cousins such as the AOR8600 or even a handheld like the Icom R20. Put a good long wire on them in these areas, and at night, overloading becomes a real hassle; the R8500 (and others like it) most likely won't have any problems at all. Too, they may not be able to handle seperating a weaker station amongst stronger ones (altho some, like the 8600, can have seperate tighter filters installed - that's only half the story...).
Therefore, your best bet is to get a good HF radio - there are many out there, our Wiki pages have several of these, but there are still more we don't have any on - and a good scanner as a seperate unit. You will be better off in the long run.
73s Mike
However, how well you will hear across that large a range has much to do with the design of the receiver - you'll notice I didn't call them scanners - and what antenna(s) are used on them. (Where you are in the world also plays a part...I'll explain that in a moment). The kilobuck receivers will generally do a pretty good job across the board - The Icom R8500 is a real popular choice, tho there are other older models that also perform reasonably well.
This depends to some extent on where you are in the world. On the HF side, signals tend to be stronger on the East Coast (since many broadcasters beam this direction), and propagation from European stations is a bit easier. Europeans have the distinct disadvantage of having so many broadcasters around them that you could make a case for them being in a saturated RF zone.
This is where the big receivers like the 8500 do a much better job than their cheaper cousins such as the AOR8600 or even a handheld like the Icom R20. Put a good long wire on them in these areas, and at night, overloading becomes a real hassle; the R8500 (and others like it) most likely won't have any problems at all. Too, they may not be able to handle seperating a weaker station amongst stronger ones (altho some, like the 8600, can have seperate tighter filters installed - that's only half the story...).
Therefore, your best bet is to get a good HF radio - there are many out there, our Wiki pages have several of these, but there are still more we don't have any on - and a good scanner as a seperate unit. You will be better off in the long run.
73s Mike
click23
Member
The Uniden BR330t will go all the way down to 100 kHz, but with no ssb. Actually it has continuous reception, except for cellular, all the way up to 1.3 GHz.
markinillinois
Member
I wouldn't invest a lot of money in a scanner if I seriously wanted HF coverage. There's several high quality portable HF receivers that are cheaper than a lot of scanners. Portable receivers today may be small, but several are very sophisticated. Many portables even come with a wire antenna that plugs into the side of the radio.
My HF portable of choice is a Sangean 909, but that's just my opinion. I happen to have the Sangean Super 909, a 909 bought new with mods.
Mark Holmes
Marion, IL
My HF portable of choice is a Sangean 909, but that's just my opinion. I happen to have the Sangean Super 909, a 909 bought new with mods.
Mark Holmes
Marion, IL
Hi all,
One thing nobody seems to notice is that the "DC to daylight" receivers have two severe problems. One is lack of sensitivity on certain portions of the frequency ranges and the other is 'birdies" or self generated spurious signals. Specifics are frequently documented by the manufacturers but seldom investigated when making a selection for purchase.
Now here we go again, someone asks a simple question and gets a gazillion opinions on which is the best unit. You guys are meciless, strictly commercial. (;->)
One thing nobody seems to notice is that the "DC to daylight" receivers have two severe problems. One is lack of sensitivity on certain portions of the frequency ranges and the other is 'birdies" or self generated spurious signals. Specifics are frequently documented by the manufacturers but seldom investigated when making a selection for purchase.
Now here we go again, someone asks a simple question and gets a gazillion opinions on which is the best unit. You guys are meciless, strictly commercial. (;->)
Stavro35
Member
I had a Trident TR 2400 for many years .It was great as I didn't live in a community that was using 800mhz trunking .Infact I had it during a time when metro Atlanta wasn't even on 800mhz trunking systems. I could often hear trans oceanic flights from "New york" radio.
How ever if you're truly serious about HF monitoring . I'd invest in a good base station radio and out door antenna. If your travels take you over seas you might want to look into a good little portable shortwave and a long wire that you can take with you.
How ever if you're truly serious about HF monitoring . I'd invest in a good base station radio and out door antenna. If your travels take you over seas you might want to look into a good little portable shortwave and a long wire that you can take with you.
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2005
- Messages
- 1,048
- Reaction score
- 0
I've been playing with my BR330T for some of these frequencies. So far it seems to work well but I can't work out a step size issue. I'm not sure if there is a workaround or not but if I try to tune in 5.7320 for example it rounds the freq up to 5.7300. Looks like the step size on the BR330T may not work for some freqs.
Also not having SSB limits the use of the 330T for HF stuff.
Also not having SSB limits the use of the 330T for HF stuff.
- Status
Similar threads
