What and when did you get hooked on shortwave radios and listening ?
- Thread starter TAC4
- Start date
GadgetGeek
Member
For me it started when I bought a Sony ICF-2010 back in the 80's.
Today I own an AOR 7030, Icom R75, Palstar R30A & Sangean ATS-909X2.
Today I own an AOR 7030, Icom R75, Palstar R30A & Sangean ATS-909X2.
Back in 1986. My dad got a Sony ICF-7600D for Christmas and I was so hooked right then. I loved listening to the bands with him. We used to like the various interval signals. Good, fond memories.
Early 1970s at school with CCF (Combined Cadet Force) and the Type 19 kit.
en.wikipedia.org
The Type 19 was not up to the SW reception capabilities of the then more modern Eddystone 960 and EC10 receivers which I also got to play with.
Wireless Set No. 19 - Wikipedia
The Type 19 was not up to the SW reception capabilities of the then more modern Eddystone 960 and EC10 receivers which I also got to play with.
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- Jul 19, 2019
- Messages
- 489
RS DX-398 was listening to a 1950's rebroadcast of a radio show some station was using as a filler. Then I listened to Brother Stair and his Hellfire & Brimstone show and was hooked for life!
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2020
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Neighbor gave me an old Admiral table radio in 1969. Hooked me on BCB DX immediately. (addictive personality)
In electronics class in high school the teacher looked the other way when I appropriated a Hallicrafters S-40 to take home. I think this kind man saw how enthralled I was with it. I loved that old receiver! Wish I still had it. Been hooked ever since.
In electronics class in high school the teacher looked the other way when I appropriated a Hallicrafters S-40 to take home. I think this kind man saw how enthralled I was with it. I loved that old receiver! Wish I still had it. Been hooked ever since.
We had a family that we became friends with when I was about six. They lived in a big old house that had been moved onto a existing foundation after a fire destroyed the original house. At one time, it would be considered a mansion, but that was long before they moved it. Anyway, they had two Zenith SW radios, one built into the living room table, and one in the master bedroom. Both worked, but the one in the living room was better. The first time we went over there, the BBC was playing and I tuned around and I was hooked. I had junk portable after junk portable until about 1985, when I bought my first decent radio, a Yaesu FRG-8800, followed soon after by the awesome JRC NRD515 "Gilfer Edition" with extra mods on top of that.
My dad had a 1952 (guessing the model year) Zenith Trans Oceanic that played just the local radio station, mostly WJR 760 from Detroit. Now and then, I'd explore the other buttons, the band buttons and found a few broadcasts at night. That was it, been tuning in ever since albeit not a steady hobby. SDR has awakened SWL again decades later. Although I have the my dad's Zenith, it needs attention. I've also acquired a Radio Shack DX-394 and a Grundig Satellit 800 along with an impulse auction buy of another Zenith Trans Oceanic probably from 1954 or so. What time I do spend listing, is now on the SDRPlay RPS1A using the SDRConnect or SDRUno software with either the MLA-30 loop or an EndFedz wire.
My home is built on a northeast facing hillside and reception is sometimes limited by woods and hills, but I get a decent listing session at night.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
My home is built on a northeast facing hillside and reception is sometimes limited by woods and hills, but I get a decent listing session at night.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I started listening to the shortwave bands about 10 years ago with an ATS 909. Back then there was a lot more going on, especially in my native language (German). You could get one or two QSL cards from the radio stations. Today it has become rather quiet and I prefer to monitor amateur radio. ( DSTAR, APRS, FT8, CW etc. ) with an SDRPlay RSPdx. If I have the time, I want to get my amateur radio license (class N) next year.
I've been thinking of trying for a license too. At 71 years old, maybe too late but could be interesting to study and learn if I still can absorb new concepts.
Happy New Year!
Not too late, if you want to put a little effort in. The Arrow club, in Ann Arbor, does "Tech in a Day" sessions, coordinated with KB6NU.
Thank you for both the lead and for the encouragement. Now I gotta convince that guy in the mirror.
Blackswan73
Active Member
I got into SWL in 1963. My first radio was an Elgin 3 band. I upgraded 1 year later to a used Heathkit GR-54. I currently use an ATS-25, ICOM R-70, and a Grundig Satallit 800. I also have a UBITX I can listen on as well. My full radio history in radio is posted in a thread on this forum under my original username Muskrat39
BS
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To be honest, I have just joined this forum today, and just recently purchased my first portable SW radio. But my interest goes back to 4th grade when my friend had a couple of radios in his basement. He could never find anything on SW, despite that it was 1967 and it was evening. But he assured me he often tuned in amazing things from around the world, and I believed him. I think maybe my imagination made shortwave listening magical and something I always wanted to do.
I think the next thing to do is to get is a decent antenna. Even a random wire will pull in more than whatever comes with the radio.
Now, to be clear, I've only dabbled in SWL on and off but been doing so since the mid 1960s starting with my dad's Zenith Transoceanic. Still have that one. Now a few radios sit on my desk, and in a closet.
In my old age, I've become a little lazy. I have installed SDRuno on the PC and have the SDRplay RSP1A fed by MLA-30+ antenna just outside on a 12 foot pole. I find that I like seeing the radio spectrum on screen whilst searching for signals.
By the way what did you select for your first SWL radio?
Now, to be clear, I've only dabbled in SWL on and off but been doing so since the mid 1960s starting with my dad's Zenith Transoceanic. Still have that one. Now a few radios sit on my desk, and in a closet.
In my old age, I've become a little lazy. I have installed SDRuno on the PC and have the SDRplay RSP1A fed by MLA-30+ antenna just outside on a 12 foot pole. I find that I like seeing the radio spectrum on screen whilst searching for signals.
By the way what did you select for your first SWL radio?
I got into the anything radio/antenna hobby when I was a teenager because as a kid I was introduced too it by my dad and his best friend, I would spend time with my dad as he slowly tuned through the shortwave bands on his Drake R8A at night. And when I would go with him to his best friends house I would be amazed at how many radios and antennas he had up and going.
In elementary school I had a friend who had a couple of SW radios. We never really heard anything when I was at his house, but he assured me there were really cool things fo be heard on it, and that made me always want to try it.
First time I was hooked that I remember was in the mid 70s with a RS DX160. Loved it even though not the greatest. Went through Sony’s, Icoms, other RS and multiple other brands..
But the other question to ask is when one stopped listening to SW and I pretty much gave up about 5 years ago…almost no interesting international broadcasters, environmental rfi, no interest in ham radio code or HF rag chewing..I know there are many other services to listen to, but I ask myself why? Again, just personal and I certainly respect that many still enjoy, and I encourage anyone to try because they just might find a great new station or interest… but frankly with so many other new things available, HF/SW is just not a priority to me.
Having said all that, I do own a QODOSEN DX-286…mainly for AM DX and great FM sensitivity, and not too shabby on SW the one time I tried!😀 If ssb is not needed, this is a very nice, inexpensive radio.
But the other question to ask is when one stopped listening to SW and I pretty much gave up about 5 years ago…almost no interesting international broadcasters, environmental rfi, no interest in ham radio code or HF rag chewing..I know there are many other services to listen to, but I ask myself why? Again, just personal and I certainly respect that many still enjoy, and I encourage anyone to try because they just might find a great new station or interest… but frankly with so many other new things available, HF/SW is just not a priority to me.
Having said all that, I do own a QODOSEN DX-286…mainly for AM DX and great FM sensitivity, and not too shabby on SW the one time I tried!😀 If ssb is not needed, this is a very nice, inexpensive radio.
