) writes:
Mike M. wrote:
Hi,
I have an old GE Superradio that works well. I purchased a CCPlus
radio that has a problem with LED readout I am told is common.
Any AM radios currently in production that are good DX machines?
Thank you.
Mike McM.

With the looming possibility of nighttime AM IBOC being approved, I
wouldn't spend too much on an AM DX "machine". I had a piece of junk
Grundig S350, but returned it for a cheapie $25 Radio Shack model
12-898 AM/FM PLL, that works just as well as the over-hyped S350. I
think all this talk about "DX machines" is just hype.

ONe of the really nice things about a digitally tuned radio is of
course it's easy to get exactly on frequency.

There are a couple of FM stations just beyond regular reception
(well one got bumped this week when a local station came on the frequency).
Having them programmed into my bedside radio (a Delco digitally tuned
car radio running off a 12v supply) means it's really easy to check
them, and hopefully receive them when they are receivable. An analog
receiver requires a lot of constant tuning to get the same thing.

Likewise, when the band is open, it's easy to put some frequencies
into the memory rather than the local stations, again to allow for
easy frequency jumping. This also applies to AM.

And of course, it's far easier to identify a station if you can
start with a known frequency, something not always the case with
a lot of analog receivers if they aren't good shortwave receivers.

"Good AM receiver" is actually a spread. Just about anything will
get some results, all one has to do is start tuning. I think
sometimes people think they need to start with something better
before they can hear any DX.

THe SUper Radio gets touted in these threads, but not only is
it analog, but it's not that much better than the average AM
radio. Car radios often are better performers.

But yes, for this level of receptiion, a digitally tuned receiver
likely is a good choice, because of that ease of tuning. If someone
doesn't actually tune up and down the band because it's too much
trouble, they'll never hear any DX.

Of course, a third level requires much better equipment, because
at that point one is struggling at a far weaker signal level, likely
with a lot of interference. That's when the bells and whistles come
in, and those sure aren't there on the Super Radio or the low end
receivers.

Michael