Maybe see what the owners think of the radios you listed.
See URL:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/8

I have a Kenwood TS-870 and find it adequate for SWLing as well as Ham work.
Some features on the SWL radios not found on Ham transceivers might
influence you -- such as synchronous detection, audio response, etc.

The eHam reviews will elaborate on why folks chose a particular model.

--
73 From The Wilderness Keyboard
-------------------------------
"Bob Bonneville" wrote in message
...
I am interested in getting back into SWL (This is what lead me into ham
radio back in 1963.) I have narrowed my selection to four receivers over a
rather large price difference. My choices were the result of reading many
conflicting reviews, along with some bias from my days as a ham. I was
hoping that some of you may have owned various combinations of these over
the years, that could result in a first hand opinion.

The choices I have made are, in no particular order a
Drake R8B
Icom R8500
Ten Tec RX-350D
Icom R75

I was also considering getting back into ham radio (my license is still
active and I retire in about 18 months) and would like an opinion as to
how
the general coverage reception in most of today's ham transcievers
compares
to the dedicated radios listed above.

I started in SWL in 1961 with a Hallicrafters S-120. Later moved to a
Lafayette HE-80 when I got the ham license. Then had things like a Drake
2-B, a Hallicrafters SX-117, and finally a Kenwood TS-820S (None of which
I
have today.)

Thanks in advance......
Bob -- wa3cuj