Top products from r/shortwave

Couple things that other comments seem to miss:

• The capacitors are probably fine, but if you really wanted to change them out, it's usually not that much of a process, but will be intimidating if you're not used to working with electronics.
  
  
• The MB (see /u/Australiapithecus comment) was intended to for police/fire/aircraft marine use, but you're not likely going to hear anything there in the US, these days, outside of pager systems. I haven't had much success with it myself, even being surrounded by the Great Lakes.
  
  
• Your physical location is going to dictate what you can hear far more than the radio ever will. If you are not in an area where propagation is reasonable, or you are far from broadcasters in general, a radio with access to all the bands isn't going to mean spit. In the US, especially in the Northeast, we're a tough audience for shortwave, and not much reaches us these days with any real clarity save for Radio Havanna and a few other stations that rebroadcast from within the US, and even they tend to get buried under the fire-and-brimstone preachers who take to the airwaves.
  
  
• Despite all that, you might still do well with a wire antenna and a clip adapter, sold fairly cheaply on Amazon. The clip will clasp on the end of your telescopic antenna, and you can unwind the wire and string it up as best you can to try and grab a bit more.
  
  
• I am not super familiar with that model radio, but the big inner knob (VFO, or variable frequency oscillator) is your main tuning knob, and the outer ring on the knob will be for fine tuning. You're going to want to get used to how both of those feel, especially the teeny tiny corrections the outer ring will allow.
  
  None of this, of course, is meant to be discouraging, but as a radio fan located in the Midwest US, it's a definite challenge and a test of patience to really get anything worth listening to. I just want you to have a realistic expectation, instead of another "listen to my favorite frequency!" reply, since i find those to be the least helpful thing here on /r/shortwave . Location is always most important, with the radio being a very close second, when it comes to what you can actually do with the shortwave hobby.

If you are looking for good quality used radios keep in mind that at 20 - 30 years of age components like capacitors will begin to fail, even if the radio was never used. Still, if you try the radio and it still works, then it still works.

New portables:

If you want to spend $200 go for the Sangean ATS-909X. It's my portable daily driver. Worth every dollar and more. Most of the classic Realistic shortwave portables were actually rebranded Sangean radios. So, if you are looking for an old Realistic portable look for the original Sangean models as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909X-BK-World-Receiver/dp/B005GTO0CY

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At near the US $100 mark it is hard to beat these Eton Satellits for portable shortwave with SSB, FM with RDS and air band. For MW, not so much. These radios are a little smaller and much lighter than the 909X. Available in two cosmetic flavors but both radios are identical. I have been very happy with my Eton Grundig Edition Satellit.

Eton Grundig Edition Satellite:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ETON-SATELLIT-NGWSATB-AM-FM-LW-SW-radio-/263995847980

Eton Executive Satellit:

https://www.amazon.com/Eton-Executive-Satellite-Shortwave-NGWSATEXEC/dp/B01MTO7P8X

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Although I don't own either of these radios they are well-regarded by radio reviewers that I respect. These are the best $50 portables. No SSB at this price point, but will handle a short reel-up external antenna well for shortwave. Both are pretty darned small.

Radiwow R-108:

https://www.amazon.com/RADIWOW-Digital-Portable-Receiver-Activities/dp/B07MQWL9NJ

Tecsun PL-310ET:

https://www.amazon.com/TECSUN-PL-310ET-Stereo-World-allnice/dp/B0104J57GS

If you're a big fan of this radio line I recommend this great book about them;
http://www.amazon.com/Zenith-Trans-Oceanic-John-H-Bryant/dp/0764328387/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453160820&sr=8-1&keywords=zenith+transoceanic+radio
I have a H500 model and it works great, awesome sound quality. Would love to grab one the 70s/80s era models too.

Thanks very much :-). I will keep trying. I am using a 23 foot plug in antenna made my Kaito here:

https://www.amazon.com/Kaito-T-1-Radio-Antenna/dp/B00066Z9XG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=kaito+antenna&qid=1575000752&sr=8-1

I am guessing it will be behind the CODAR making things even more difficult, but I guess it is possible to pick it up from the US. I wonder if it would be a good idea to check the weather in russia to see if it is heavy atmosphere over there (thus bouncing the signal more and all) Funnly enough I have the same story with the Squeaky Wheel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMcV8TYt--g&list=PL9LiN2Y2lKDGk-6-7L8UwwwEIZkA0hFJK&index=11&t=0s Only to not hear it again since. I was wondering what would be a best time of year as well? Thx.

Welcome to the hobby! To improve reception, you need to improve your antenna. For short wave listening (SWL), a long wire is a good start. If you radio allows for an external antenna, you might consider something like this.

It is a shortwave and AM receiver, not a ham radio. The ham radios transmit as well as and receive.

I'd be careful of plugging it in and trying it if you don't know that it works already. Old tube radios can do a good job of killing you if they have a major problem.

Value? Yes, this radio is popular. One that works well and is in good condition can go for $200 or so. Super great condition is $300 or so. It is hard to tell from the photo since we can only see a tiny part, though I can see the faceplate isn't cracked around the screws. That happened a lot with this model. That's a good sign.

Untested and unworking, but complete? Maybe $80-$100.

The bottom line is, someone will definitely want it. It is a very cool radio with a long history. Somebody even wrote a book about them: http://www.amazon.com/Zenith-Trans-Oceanic-John-H-Bryant/dp/0764328387/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451588096&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=trans+osceanic

It's 36$ CAD so I figured it's not that low quality, but $11... wow

What do you think about these, they're a bit more expensive with good reviews.

1. https://www.amazon.ca/TIVDIO-V-115-Portable-Shortwave-Rechargeable/dp/B071NMCVM5/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1540328848&sr=1-9&keywords=shortwave+radio
   
   
2. https://www.amazon.ca/TIVDIO-HR-11S-Emergency-Shortwave-Dynamo-Wind/dp/B074J6ZVKQ/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1540328848&sr=1-12&keywords=shortwave+radio
   
   
3. https://www.amazon.ca/TECSUN-stereo-Receiver-Display-Function/dp/B004H912FC/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1540328848&sr=1-5&keywords=shortwave+radio&dpID=41VC%252BCAzdTL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

https://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-PL-660-Portable-Shortwave-Single/dp/B004H9C4JK

Why you ask?

Tecsun produces some of the best general coverage portables on the market. If you like FM?--excellent FM reception. You like AM?--unmatched AM and SW reception. Want to learn more about shortwave? There are features in this radio that make the mind start churning and visualizing how it all works, (like repairing a SW signal with synchronous detection.)

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--Frigid from hfzone.org

I just picked up the Sony ICF-SW7600GR a couple of weeks ago based on the good reviews, and I've been pretty pleased with it. The Grundig G3 looks to be decent as well.

I’m also new but from what I’ve just read in this sub, this Tecsun PL310ET is a good performer and only $48 on Amazon (depending on what your definition of cheap is, lol)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104J57GS/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0104J57GS&pd_rd_w=XNEIq&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=2Gr7L&pf_rd_r=0S6SWC7QRJJD06VW91PE&pd_rd_r=c82bad8c-f97d-4997-bf41-c9463c151553

I just got a Tecsun PL-880, which was around $150, so I can vouch for the brand anyhow.

You can go even cheaper with an analog tuner, but I’ve found that having a digital tuner makes a world of difference so you know exactly which frequency you are tuning into.

(Edited because I said lol too many times)

I'm in NB and have a Tecsun PL-310ET with an external AN-03L antenna.

Reception has always been great when I take it out camping or on hikes. It's also very easy to ground it to further increase reception (see quoted text below). If you're looking for something with SSB so you can also hear ham, the Tecsun PL-660 is quite well regarded, though might be harder to come by now.

> Run a wire from the negative battery terminal to a ground like a cold water pipe or a rod nailed into the ground. It's easy to just crimp it in the spring on the negative terminal. Instant ~20 dB improvement in reception, about 40 dB improvement total with a longwire attached. Just be careful if you come across a very hot signal. I'm in New Brunswick, Canada, relatively inland and at sea level, and with the longwire and grounding I was picking up NHK broadcasting from Issoudun, France at 99 dB and it was overloading and distorting. Detached the longwire and was getting around 80 dB with the whip antenna. This was in my apartment with the longwire half-assedly looped around a curtain rod. Pretty wild signal for a 5000 km shot but it's apparently a 500 kW transmitter so it kind of makes sense.

[later post than the one below/above]

another amateur radio different than you has advised me too to have a look at RTL-SDR USB dongles

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011HVUEME/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&linkId=e6b872ce4bf757ba9f71fbd35a53742e

I will then maybe definitely buy one (there are out of stock now and will be back on march 15th).

I will hope my laptop will have enough battery for the day when I will need to use the USB radio dongle.

Thanks again

I have a bunch of them, but my favorite by far is the Sony SW7600GR.

Last time I looked they were amazingly cheap on Amazon.

Failing that, any of the Tecsun or similar are very good, but make sure it has a BFO so it can receive SSB.

It really depends on your budget. If you only have $50 to spend, Tecsun PL380is tough to beat.

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\> Please don’t reply with Web SDRs.

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May I politely ask why? Some of the Web SDR's (like KPH) have amazing antenna farms.

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Tis is a great deal! Ordered one myself.

https://www.amazon.com/Eton-Executive-Aircraft-Shortwave-Leather/dp/B000NOSCN0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26VE4B562TW7R&keywords=eton+elite+executive+am%2Ffm%2Faircraft+band%2Fssb%2Fshortwave+radio&qid=1574952931&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sprefix=eton+e%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1

I use the CC Radio SW with this antenna and I get decent reception from stations all over the world! Night time is the best time to listen.

It depends - do you want a software defined receiver (SDR) that uses a computer to provide the display? If so, check this out for $250.

Or if would you prefer a conventional receiver, the superb Sangean ATS-909X sells for $220.

Afaik, all SDRs currently available support Linux and most (if not all) will compile on ARM. Many people have used SDRs on the Pi 3, so the Pi 4 should work fine. Your main considerations will likely have to be frequency range, sampling bandwidth, sensitivity, and cost.


For $30, [this](RTL-SDR Blog V3 R820T2 RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO HF Bias Tee SMA Software Defined Radio with Dipole Antenna Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011HVUEME/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2LkiDbECBPWMK) is a good receive only starter kit.


Also, the Adalm Pluto often sells for $99, has better bandwidth, sensitivity, and can transmit.


But, with either of these, you'd require something like a Ham-it-up to operate on the lower frequencies. (<80MHz).


I'd suggest checking out rtl-sdr.com for more SDR information. They also have a store on their site, but their SDR info still seems unbiased in my opinion.

This should help you out. Be careful while hanging it - stay away from power lines.

EDIT USA (.com) link in place of Canada (.ca) link.

Thanks again Stephen. Question about your proposed setup: do I need another adapter to convert my 3.5 mini plug into an RCA male input?

Here is link to antenna I'm using Sangean reel antenna

I've got the Sony SW7600GR and am very pleased with it. You'd need an AC adapter to use it on house current.

https://www.amazon.com/C-Crane-ANT-SW-CC-REEL/dp/B01I27ZOQM/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=tecsun+external+antenna&qid=1566589632&s=gateway&sr=8-2

This seems very portable.

This:

https://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-Professional-External-Compact-Shortwave/dp/B0104MT5HW/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=tecsun+external+antenna&qid=1566589632&s=gateway&sr=8-3

might also work

Doesn't it have a external antenna plug? Many of the cheaper shortwave wind up long wire antennas have a clip adapter to clip to the end of the whip, like this.

I've been using a 1/4 wave vertical for beach trips with a 31 foot kit flag pole, a drive-over mount, and 30 feet of wire + 3 radials at 25 feet 120 degrees apart. Fed with coax with a homebrew direct feed box.

Decent for RX down to 80 meters and no need for a tree providing you have a vehicle to sit on the mount or something heavy to hold it down (like a sandbag or bricks)

Wire is THHN stranded from Lowes

Pole: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YPS9HU/

Mount: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G2KMRZ8/