David Mills wrote:

Hi..

I have really enjoyed reading the feed back on my first post (need advice
for a short wave radio). Had no idea there was so much technical knowledge
involved!! You guys sure know your stuff.

I did not mention the model and make of my current radio. I currently have
a Realistic DX-360. It has analog tuning 6 separate short wave bands as
well as am and fm. There is a jack for dc current and an ear phone jack.
There is NO jack for an external antenna. A telescoping antenna comes out
to about 3 feet length or so.

Analog tuning in an age of digital recievers can be frustrating. PLus it
doesn't have an external antenna jack which means that it will likely
only pick up stations broadcasting specifically to North America. See
below:

I am not very happy with this radio due to lots of fading in and out and
only the strong stations come in at all.

I live in the Northeast US and I am mostly interested in getting Radio
Canada, Radio Switzerland and Radio France International. Anything else is
gravy!! I really want to keep price under a hundred.

Canada should be easy to pick up in the eastern US, unless you're so far
north that you're in the signal shadow of the New Brunswick located
transmitter. Switzerland is in the process of shutting down all SW
broadcasting. France does not broadcast to NAm, but you might get their
broadcasts aimed at West Africa with a good radio and external antenna.

Lastly..has anyone noticed the strong proliferation of evangelistic
religious type radio stations on short wave? does many folks really listen
to them? Wish I could filter them out but oh well!!

Domestic SW in the US is dirt cheap and pay for play, so the guys with
money-but not enough for mainstream broadcasting-dominate the air.
Unfortunately, these are mostly right wing Evangelical Christians and
far, far, far (did I say far?) right wing hate groups.

I went to a radio shack today and asked to see a Grundig Yacht boy 300. I
saw it. Trouble is..the salesman new nothing about the features. Hmmm..dont
like buying from a place with unknoledgable salesman!

Ask him about Sprint cell phones next time.

Thanks guys for all your help!!!
David