manticore
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I have heard that as well, and a remote. What to do, what to do....
Which currently available SW portable is most sensitive . . . on its own whip antenna?
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KB2GOM
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I just found out from one of the reviews that the S-8800 uses two 18650 lithium (Li-ion) rechargeable batteries which are NOT swappable with AAs (or any other off-the-shelf disposable battery). That could be a deal breaker for me . . . I like to know that, in a pinch, I have an alternative to depleted rechargeables if power to recharge is not available.
That is true and I have seen posts it is best to get extra batteries and a separate charger.
That said I have not done that yet
NOTE: The Tecsun PL-880 uses the same battery
Of the 4 I have the Skywave SSB and the Sangean ATS909X2 are the only ones that use AA Batteries, and the Skywave SSB is just not sensitive enough on the whip antenna to be of use for anything but tuning around for strong signals
They do seem to last a long time on a charge
That said I have not done that yet
NOTE: The Tecsun PL-880 uses the same battery
Of the 4 I have the Skywave SSB and the Sangean ATS909X2 are the only ones that use AA Batteries, and the Skywave SSB is just not sensitive enough on the whip antenna to be of use for anything but tuning around for strong signals
They do seem to last a long time on a charge
KB2GOM
Active Member
And the Sangean ATS909X2 has a problem, right? Something about low volume on LSB . . .
My Icom IC-R20 is pretty darn receptive for SWL using the stock telescopic antenna. RF gain can easily be adjusted to compensate for noise floor
KB2GOM
Active Member
Interesting . . .
The R20 is no longer available (as new) The R30 is but it is $600+ (I would not mind one but it's down on my list atm)
I have never seen a comparison between a current Portable SW Radio and a R20 or R30 but I would guess most SW Portables like PL660, PL680, PL880 etc and Sangean ATS909X2 are a good bit more sensitive with just whips
I have never seen a comparison between a current Portable SW Radio and a R20 or R30 but I would guess most SW Portables like PL660, PL680, PL880 etc and Sangean ATS909X2 are a good bit more sensitive with just whips
KB2GOM
Active Member
A thought: would it be possible to power one of the shortwave portables with USB rechargeable batteries with one of those flat-pack batteries used to power smart devices, like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JIWQPM...colid=JVD8DPP692WL&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Would it be doable?
Would it be doable?
To the OP... you want to chase HF SSB...
OK, if you are talking ham, then most any portable will do (however, when the band gets really crowded, think contest, lack of selectivity will become a problem). If utility is what you want to hear, then you are mostly at the mercy of the propagation.
OK, if you are talking ham, then most any portable will do (however, when the band gets really crowded, think contest, lack of selectivity will become a problem). If utility is what you want to hear, then you are mostly at the mercy of the propagation.
KB2GOM
Active Member
Roger that.
Yesterday, I was tuning 20 meters with my Satellit 800 attached to my 50-foot indoor antenna -- the horizontal room loop -- when I picked up a station calling "CQ parks on the air." He was readable but not super loud. I thought: "I'll never hear that on my CCrane Skywave SSB with its whip antenna." But I punched up the frequency anyway and could hear a signal faintly. With some judicious use of bandwidths and fine tuning, I was able to make "CQ parks on the air" 100% copyable.
Still, I would like to max out sensitivity without having run wire in the bedroom.
BTW: Cool callsign!
In the whole scheme of things, propagation does most of the work. Bad prop? … find something else to do.
Then comes the antenna, poor antenna on an expensive radio is a waste of money.
Lastly, the receiver... most portables have adequate sensitivity. However, other than on the very strongest
signals they all will perform better with a good antenna.
Without manufacturer or lab published sensitivity specs, any comparison of portable receiver sensitivity by
ear will be highly subjective.
Then comes the antenna, poor antenna on an expensive radio is a waste of money.
Lastly, the receiver... most portables have adequate sensitivity. However, other than on the very strongest
signals they all will perform better with a good antenna.
Without manufacturer or lab published sensitivity specs, any comparison of portable receiver sensitivity by
ear will be highly subjective.
Ok so it was not a great night to do checks but I did what I could:
(Nothing technical at all here)
In a nutshell:
I still like my ATS909X2 best as it just looks and feels great and I like the tuning it has.
That said:
All in all the S8800 had the best sounding audio.
The 909 - S8800 and PL880 all were VERY close to the same on most stations I listened to (I was trying for weaker stations)
The little Skywave SSB surprised me - I did not realize just how close it was to the other 3 (It was not as sensitive as any of the other 3 but it was pretty good. It will be my night stand Radio (Not much room there)
This is all naturally just IMHO
(Nothing technical at all here)
In a nutshell:
I still like my ATS909X2 best as it just looks and feels great and I like the tuning it has.
That said:
All in all the S8800 had the best sounding audio.
The 909 - S8800 and PL880 all were VERY close to the same on most stations I listened to (I was trying for weaker stations)
The little Skywave SSB surprised me - I did not realize just how close it was to the other 3 (It was not as sensitive as any of the other 3 but it was pretty good. It will be my night stand Radio (Not much room there)
This is all naturally just IMHO
KB2GOM
Active Member
Thanks so much for doing that! (So maybe I ought to sneak 10-12 feet of wire around the baseboard with an alligator clip on the end for my Skywave SSB . . . hmmm.)
In the meantime, have you had any issue with low audio on LSB on the ATS909X2?
Yes audio in both lab and usb is very low compared to AM a big flaw imho
that and only one bandwidth in ssb are both rather poor moves on Sangeans part
that and only one bandwidth in ssb are both rather poor moves on Sangeans part
I'll break in here about my 909X2. Audio db is reduced a bit on SSB but in my opinion not enough to be a problem. If you monitor SSB with headphones or earbuds it won't be noticed much. The receiver's audio fidelity makes up for any points lost. But, the radio's shortwave reception with the whip is not spectacular. The 23' reel antenna clipped to the whip makes a big difference. I've been experimenting with the MLA-30 loop on another receiver and it's a gem, even when parked next to my chair indoors. When I find an SMA to 3.5 jack adapter, I'll see what it can do for the X2. Maybe someone in the group has already done this?
The MAL30 does a great job on the 909X2. (I use it inside)
My 909X2 has pretty good sensitivity no complaint at all but it's SSB audio is way down not just a bit.
After seeing misc. reports All I can conclude is a quality issue some are better than others as far as SSB audio and Sensitivity
My 909X2 has pretty good sensitivity no complaint at all but it's SSB audio is way down not just a bit.
After seeing misc. reports All I can conclude is a quality issue some are better than others as far as SSB audio and Sensitivity
A note on the S8800:
On mine the first remote I rec'd with it was iffy at best, it was really annoying> Anon replaced it and it is much better - but it is still not 100%. It misses my key presses too often.
It does have a Band Switch and considering I like to spin the knob thru the bands it is OK
I have not seen any reviews that mention it so maybe my S8800 has a problem with the IR?
On mine the first remote I rec'd with it was iffy at best, it was really annoying> Anon replaced it and it is much better - but it is still not 100%. It misses my key presses too often.
It does have a Band Switch and considering I like to spin the knob thru the bands it is OK
I have not seen any reviews that mention it so maybe my S8800 has a problem with the IR?
KB2GOM
Active Member
A couple of questions about the S8800: How many bandwidths does it have for am? And for SSB?
Since you are a knob spinner, how is the tuning rate when you spin it? I find the Satellit 800 really annoying when it comes to knob spinning since the tuning rate is so slow. I like to spin right along and, when I hear a noise indicating a signal, back up and see what's there. The Grundig does a great job of fine tuning with the knob, but it is painful to transit over large swaths of frequencies. I usually wind up punching in frequencies on the keypad, which is not what I prefer.
If size is not an issue, more bang for the buck can be had with one of << THESE >>. It has a USB jack and a few extra outlets for other things, like a computer or LED lamp. I've taken this on multiple outings.
1 Khz and 5 Khz Tuning Steps (AM Mode)
10 Hz and 1 Khz in SSB
There is also a small fine tuning knob - I have not used it much I take it it is 10 Hz steps but I will have to confirm that tonight
Slelectivity
AM 6.0, 4.0, 3.0 & 2.3 Khz
SSB/CW 4.0, 3.0, 2.3, 1.2 & .5 Khz
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