Best Modern Radios?
 

Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern, currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer, and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride

Best Modern Radios?
 

On May 27, 1:56 am, "Blake McBride" wrote:
Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern, currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer, and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride


An RF Free location;

a good long wire antenna; or antennas

Kiwa Moded Icom R-75..

Best Modern Radios?
 

On Sun, 27 May 2007 05:56:29 GMT, "Blake McBride"
wrote:


Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern, currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer, and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride

The SAT-800 is an above average radio. In fact, it shares a lot of
design heritage with one of the all-time-greats, the Drake SW-8.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0088.html

The best self-contained radio currently available to the general
public is the TenTec RX-340

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340.html

Best Modern Radios?
 

On May 27, 9:25 am, David wrote:
On Sun, 27 May 2007 05:56:29 GMT, "Blake McBride"
wrote:



Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern, currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer, and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride

The SAT-800 is an above average radio. In fact, it shares a lot of
design heritage with one of the all-time-greats, the Drake SW-8.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0088.html

The best self-contained radio currently available to the general
public is the TenTec RX-340

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340.html


- But

How is it for Program listening . . .?

Best Modern Radios?
 

Best Modern Radios?
 

Blake McBride wrote:
Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern, currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer, and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride


Ten-Tec RX-340.

AOR AR-7030+

Best Modern Radios?
 

On May 27, 1:56 am, "Blake McBride" wrote:
Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern, currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer, and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride

In my opinion the most underestimated receiver out there is the Ten
Tec RX320D. It's a PC-based receiver, which may turn you off, but when
paired with the right software it works wonders. I use mine with RX
Plus software, which is pretty nice. I'm no longer restricted to four
or five filters, but have 30+ filters to choose from...a huge
advantage. You get the very best DSP filtering out there, along with a
variety of extremely effective noise reduction capabilities. You get
digital modes like psk, rtty, hf fax, SSTV and DRM (if you're into
that sort of thing). The software includes useful databases, spectrum
display, four VFOs (yes, I said FOUR), S-meter, tons of memories,
scanning capability, the ability to record and save audio files, etc.
Build quality is superb. The exterior is METAL, not plastic.

So far as bang for the buck is concerned, nothing can touch it.
Nothing else even comes close. And despite all the bitching and
moaning you hear about PC-based receivers, the real beauty of them is
that the software is constantly improving and each major software
upgrade is sort of like getting a new, better receiver. I find it
fascinating.

Best Modern Radios?
 

Ten Tec's are made down South in Tennessee.(South is always Best) So,I
have to say,Ten Tec.Next bestest,well,,,, I really donts know.
cuhulin,the auld Southron Mississippi dude
.................................................. .............
Whup!,the Indianapolis 500 pre race thangy is now crankin up.I sees
y'all later.
.................................................. .............

Best Modern Radios?
 

On May 27, 1:56 am, "Blake McBride" wrote:
Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern, currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer, and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride

Dear Blake,

Virtually any modern receiver will "run rings" around what we had back
in the "old days" regarding performance, versatility, and reliability.
To answer your question, just about all the radios priced at or above
$500.00 (which would include the Eton E1, the radio most comparable to
the Satellit 800) would be an excellent performer. Someone here has
already listed most of them.

But in my (admittedly subjective) opinion, and also being an owner of
a Satellit 800, the very best performers are tabletops and the best
performing of the tabletop communications receivers for both DXing and
program listening is, without doubt on my part, the AOR AR7030 Plus,
suitably configured by the factory. The sound quality from this radio
is nothing short of superb (and can be sent to an audio system), its
performance on weak signals is as good as any, and its reliability is
superb, at least in my (three year) experience. This radio can also be
operated via a computer if the user desires. Jan Arkesteijn has
written a great (free!) operating program called "RxWings" and this
makes operating the radio a snap. It even adds some facilities, such
as scanning (with parameters the user chooses), that are not available
on the receiver itself.

There are other radios (Watkins-Johnson, Ten-tec) that are certainly
as good in performance (though not necessarily in sound quality) but
they are far more costly. Software-defined radios are also great
performers but note that, as Windows (or Mac) operating systems
change, it is possible that some year down the road, unless you keep a
"legacy" computer, your SDR may not function.

The Satellit 800, though certainly not constructed to anywhere near
the standard of the AOR or most other tabletops mentioned on this
thread, and, consequently, probably not having the service life of
those sets, nonetheless is a very fine performer and its operating
design is second-to-none. Some people have wished the set had a few
more facilities, such as passband tuning, a notch filter, and an RF
control, but really this radio has all the functions necessary to
achieve good reception on the overwhelming majority of shortwave
broadcasts (and its MW, LW, Air band, and FM sections are excellent
also). Adding more functions would serve only to increase the price.
Should those facilities be truly desired, they are available on other
radios.

In other words, in my opinion, the Satellit 800, except for its
construction quality, is as good as any, and far less costly than
most.

Note too that the ICOM IC-R75, though it has some design shortcomings
and its sound quality is definitely not as good as the AOR or some
others, is still a fine receiver at a very good price. And, should the
owner desire to improve its performance, there are many options and
modifications available for this radio, a good number of which can be
effected by the owner.

As someone else posted here, ALL of these receivers (including the
Satellit 800) deserve only the finest antenna that can be had. This
can't be stressed too much. Obviously antennas will differ depending
upon the circumstances of the owner, but you want the absolute best
you can get.

Your Satellit 800, with a great antenna, will easily outperform even
the most expensive and best-performing tabletop if the latter is
fitted with an inferior antenna. Over the years, this has been
demonstrated time and time again.

Your question was of great interest to me and, I'm sure, many others,
and I thank you for it. I hope my answer was of some interest to you.

Best,

Joe

Best Modern Radios?
 

"KE4ODD" wrote in message
...
On 27 May 2007 08:56:24 -0700, Joe Analssandrini
wrote:

On May 27, 1:56 am, "Blake McBride" wrote:
Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot
about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high
quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern,
currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer,
and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested
in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride

Dear Blake,

Virtually any modern receiver will "run rings" around what we had back
in the "old days" regarding performance, versatility, and reliability.


I beg to differ...I don't think all modern receivers can run rings
around a properly tuned R-390 or 390a series receiver. There may be a
few that will out perform it but even that is doubtful.
__________________________________________________ __

But they are so much easier to play with, despite the synthesizer noise and
wide open front ends.

Dave

Best Modern Radios?
 

On May 27, 12:00 pm, Bart Bailey wrote:
In ups.com
posted on 27 May 2007 07:40:06 -0700, Steve wrote: Begin

And despite all the bitching and
moaning you hear about PC-based receivers, the real beauty of them is
that the software is constantly improving and each major software
upgrade is sort of like getting a new, better receiver. I find it
fascinating.

Is the modern DSP filtration getting good enough
to overcome the noise from the computer they're connected to?

--

Bart

In my case computer noise has not been a problem. When it is a
problem, the best thing to do would be to figure out where the noise
is coming from and attack it direclty. The way I look at it, DSP is
for kinds of noise that you can't simply get rid of. Ditto for the
ANC-4 phasing unit that I sometimes use. They're like a last line of
defense.

Best Modern Radios?
 

On May 27, 11:56 am, Joe Analssandrini
wrote:

Software-defined radios are also great
performers but note that, as Windows (or Mac) operating systems
change, it is possible that some year down the road, unless you keep a
"legacy" computer, your SDR may not function.

The good news is that, while operating systems are changing, so is
receiver control software. If it turned out that RX Plus, for example,
couldn't function with Windows Vista or some other operating system,
I'm sure that some other program could and in fact I'm sure that the
creator of RX Plus would act quickly to release an upgraded version of
his software that would work with the new operating system.

Steve

Best Modern Radios?
 

Wheres my boy,Joe at? Joe,I am thinking about sending my married Irish
lady friend in Bognor Regis,England some money for a ''scanner'' I don't
know the best way to send her the money though.I trust her one hundred
million percent ten thousand.She once snailed me a chek for some
Mabelinne eye lineer pencils I snail mailed to her.Of course,I tore her
check (cheque) up and I flushed it down my crapper.
cuhulin

Best Modern Radios?
 

Michael A. Terrell wrote:
wrote:
An RF Free location;


If its "RF Free" it won't matter how good the antenna is, you won't
hear anything.



Next thing you'll claim is that you can't see anything in a pitch black
room....




mike

Best Modern Radios?
 

Bart Bailey wrote:

Is the modern DSP filtration getting good enough
to overcome the noise from the computer they're connected to?


I have the 320 model and computer noise has never been a problem. In my
humble opinion, it's the best radio available in the under 800-1000
dollar range. The frequency database lets you save all the settings in
use at the time of reception of a particular station, making re-tuning
easier.

mike

Best Modern Radios?
 

I would have to say either of these
The Ten-Tec RX-340
The WJ-8711A
Or The New Icom R9500 close your eyes in pick one!!
wrote in message
...
Wheres my boy,Joe at? Joe,I am thinking about sending my married Irish
lady friend in Bognor Regis,England some money for a ''scanner'' I don't
know the best way to send her the money though.I trust her one hundred
million percent ten thousand.She once snailed me a chek for some
Mabelinne eye lineer pencils I snail mailed to her.Of course,I tore her
check (cheque) up and I flushed it down my crapper.
cuhulin

Best Modern Radios?
 

Oh yeah,,, Watkins Johnson.
cuhulin

Best Modern Radios?
 

It might not be the very best one out there, but I think the Satellit 800
would make most "top ten" lists of modern receivers. Excellent design
(basically the same as a Drake SW8) and if you get a later model - serial
number starting with S82 or later - it's built very well and has a much
quieter power supply. Only the earlier "first generations" had the quality
problems and noisy power supply that people complain about. Second
generation Satellit 800s have great sound, one of the best sync detectors
out there, very sensitive and selective, lots of memories, plus you can put
batteries in it and use it anywhere. Damn fine radio. (Scanning would be
a nice feature, but I guess you can't have everything.)

At the top levels of receivers, the difference between what you hear on your
Sat800 and someone else's high-end radio will depend more on the antenna,
than the radio itself.




"Blake McBride" wrote in message
...

Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot
about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern,
currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer,
and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride

Best Modern Radios?
 

On 27 May 2007 06:42:59 -0700, wrote:

On May 27, 9:25 am, David wrote:
On Sun, 27 May 2007 05:56:29 GMT, "Blake McBride"
wrote:



Greetings,

I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and have fun with it. Not knowing a lot about
SW Radios, I am curious about how my radio compares to other high quality,
modern radios. So here is my question, what are the top, modern, currently
available radios? I understand that there is no black and white answer, and
it depends on X, Y, Z. If money is not an object and portability is not
desired, what are the generally accepted best radios? I am interested in
your subjective opinions.

Thanks.

Blake McBride

The SAT-800 is an above average radio. In fact, it shares a lot of
design heritage with one of the all-time-greats, the Drake SW-8.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0088.html

The best self-contained radio currently available to the general
public is the TenTec RX-340

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340.html


- But

How is it for Program listening . . .?



A truly top notch receiver is superior for program listening as well.
An external speaker is required to best appreciate that fact.

Best Modern Radios?
 

On Sun, 27 May 2007 12:01:54 -0400, KE4ODD wrote:


Dear Blake,

Virtually any modern receiver will "run rings" around what we had back
in the "old days" regarding performance, versatility, and reliability.


I beg to differ...I don't think all modern receivers can run rings
around a properly tuned R-390 or 390a series receiver. There may be a
few that will out perform it but even that is doubtful.
_________________________________________________ ___
I never a R390A back in the good old days. Didn't get one until about
1990. Excellent electrical performance for sure.

Best Modern Radios?
 

If I was fixin to plop for a new radio,it would be a Ten Tec.No question
about it.Other radio? Perhaps, Palstar.
cuhulin

Best Modern Radios?
 

The best self-contained radio currently available to the general
public is the TenTec RX-340

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340.html

************************************************** ************************
I wonder for $4300, do you get a 3 month warranty or a whole year. Most
likely that does not include parts and labor. Warranty is probably voided
if you had a cigarette or cigar within 10 feet of it. If you want you
probably can buy the extended warranty for a mere $500. Isn't that about
how those things go? Oh, one more thing, if you radio is over five years
old, and the $3.00 on/off switch broke, you can't get a spare part and you
are just advised to junk it and buy a new one. Ric in Wisconsin.

Best Modern Radios?
 

It's got a one year warranty these never break anyways I got one had it for
years use it all the time.
"Ric Trexell" wrote in message
...


The best self-contained radio currently available to the general
public is the TenTec RX-340

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340.html

************************************************** ************************
I wonder for $4300, do you get a 3 month warranty or a whole year. Most
likely that does not include parts and labor. Warranty is probably voided
if you had a cigarette or cigar within 10 feet of it. If you want you
probably can buy the extended warranty for a mere $500. Isn't that about
how those things go? Oh, one more thing, if you radio is over five years
old, and the $3.00 on/off switch broke, you can't get a spare part and you
are just advised to junk it and buy a new one. Ric in Wisconsin.

Best Modern Radios?
 

Ric Trexell wrote:
The best self-contained radio currently available to the general
public is the TenTec RX-340

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340.html
************************************************** ************************
I wonder for $4300, do you get a 3 month warranty or a whole year. Most
likely that does not include parts and labor. Warranty is probably voided
if you had a cigarette or cigar within 10 feet of it. If you want you
probably can buy the extended warranty for a mere $500. Isn't that about
how those things go? Oh, one more thing, if you radio is over five years
old, and the $3.00 on/off switch broke, you can't get a spare part and you
are just advised to junk it and buy a new one. Ric in Wisconsin.





From: http://radio.tentec.com/Amateur/Salesinfo


Warranty on Ten-Tec equipment, all except Europe: New and demo
Ten-Tec equipment purchased directly from Ten-Tec in the U.S. is
warrantied parts and labor for 12 months from date of purchase.
Purchaser pays inbound shipping to us for warranty repair, we pay
shipping to return the repaired equipment to you by UPS ground service
or equivalent to the continental USA and Canada. Alaska, Hawaii and
outside U.S. and Canada actual return shipping cost paid by owner. The
only warranty exception is for the model 238B antenna tuner and the 417A
Titan III linear amplifier, which are warrantied for three years parts
and labor, under these same terms. Used equipment sold by Ten-Tec is
warrantied for 30 days, parts and labor, under these same terms.

Best Modern Radios?
 

"D Peter Maus" wrote in message
...
Ric Trexell wrote:
The best self-contained radio currently available to the general
public is the TenTec RX-340

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340.html

************************************************** ************************
I wonder for $4300, do you get a 3 month warranty or a whole year. Most
likely that does not include parts and labor. Warranty is probably
voided
if you had a cigarette or cigar within 10 feet of it. If you want you
probably can buy the extended warranty for a mere $500. Isn't that
about
how those things go? Oh, one more thing, if you radio is over five
years
old, and the $3.00 on/off switch broke, you can't get a spare part and
you
are just advised to junk it and buy a new one. Ric in Wisconsin.





From: http://radio.tentec.com/Amateur/Salesinfo


Warranty on Ten-Tec equipment, all except Europe: New and demo
Ten-Tec equipment purchased directly from Ten-Tec in the U.S. is
warrantied parts and labor for 12 months from date of purchase.
************************************************** **********************
Come on guys, I was just joking with ya. Years ago my brother in law bought
a million dollar printing press for his business. It came with a one year
warranty. Why is it that if you buy a $200 TV or a $4300 radio, or a
million dollar machine, you get a one year warranty? For that price they
should say "if your great great great grandkid brings it in for repairs, we
will stand behind it". Ric.

Best Modern Radios?
 

On Mon, 28 May 2007 22:45:44 -0500, "Ric Trexell"
wrote:


Come on guys, I was just joking with ya. Years ago my brother in law bought
a million dollar printing press for his business. It came with a one year
warranty. Why is it that if you buy a $200 TV or a $4300 radio, or a
million dollar machine, you get a one year warranty? For that price they
should say "if your great great great grandkid brings it in for repairs, we
will stand behind it". Ric.

Most initial component failures occur within a few weeks; after a year
stuff just gets old. The RX-340 has built-in diagnostics and this
makes repairs a lot easier. I suspect most have been running for
years without a blip.

Best Modern Radios?
 

I just wonder how it would stack up against one of those new Icom R-9500's
in performance in reliably? Becauss I am thinking very hard about trading my
340 and my JRC-545 in on one of these this fall. I am not sure if they are
even out yet but should be any day now. I only live 30 miles from Universal
and on vacation might take bike ride up today.
"David" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 May 2007 22:45:44 -0500, "Ric Trexell"
wrote:


Come on guys, I was just joking with ya. Years ago my brother in law
bought
a million dollar printing press for his business. It came with a one year
warranty. Why is it that if you buy a $200 TV or a $4300 radio, or a
million dollar machine, you get a one year warranty? For that price they
should say "if your great great great grandkid brings it in for repairs,
we
will stand behind it". Ric.

Most initial component failures occur within a few weeks; after a year
stuff just gets old. The RX-340 has built-in diagnostics and this
makes repairs a lot easier. I suspect most have been running for
years without a blip.

Best Modern Radios?
 

Ten-Tec Tennessee.Made in AMERICA.Palstar Ohio.Made in AMERICA.
The choice is easy.Buy AMERICAN.
cuhulin

Best Modern Radios?
 

There is somebody (isn't yours truly) in this newsgroup who built his
own very good Radio from scratch.even machined/built the metal cabinet
for his scratch built Radio.I don't remember who is is though.Like that
married Irish woman wayyyyyy over yonder across the big pond she once
told me,,,, Larry,you are getting old and penile.(senile)
cuhulin

Best Modern Radios?
 

Dear Rick,

My favorite "one-year warranty" is the one that you get on a window
air conditioner. In general, you will use this for three months - at
the most - during the first year you own it, so in effect, that "one-
year" warranty is really onyl for one season of just a few months.

Best,

Joe

P.S. In three years of very heavy use, my AOR AR7030 Plus has not even
"hiccuped." I can even say the same for all of my Sony ICF-SW7600GRs,
the oldest of which is six years old. Currently, all parts for these
receivers are easily available and, I believe, will remain so for
years to come. Given reasonable care, these radios seem almost
"unbreakable!"

On May 28, 11:45 pm, "Ric Trexell" wrote:
Come on guys, I was just joking with ya. Years ago my brother in law bought
a million dollar printing press for his business. It came with a one year
warranty. Why is it that if you buy a $200 TV or a $4300 radio, or a
million dollar machine, you get a one year warranty? For that price they
should say "if your great great great grandkid brings it in for repairs, we
will stand behind it". Ric.

Best Modern Radios?
 

Joe Analssandrini wrote:

Dear Rick,

My favorite "one-year warranty" is the one that you get on a window
air conditioner. In general, you will use this for three months - at
the most - during the first year you own it, so in effect, that "one-
year" warranty is really onyl for one season of just a few months.

Best,

Joe

P.S. In three years of very heavy use, my AOR AR7030 Plus has not even
"hiccuped." I can even say the same for all of my Sony ICF-SW7600GRs,
the oldest of which is six years old. Currently, all parts for these
receivers are easily available and, I believe, will remain so for
years to come. Given reasonable care, these radios seem almost
"unbreakable!"


3 months? You DON'T live in Florida. I've had to run mine most of
the days in January and February for the last few years.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

Best Modern Radios?
 

About two something years ago,I bought a new Whirlpool 18,000 btu window
unit airconditioner from the Cowboy Maloney's Electric City
www.cowboymaloney.com store (there are at least four Cowboy Maloney's
Electric City stores in the Jackson metro area.Last January,I bought my
new Sony Trinitron Wega 27 inch flat screen tv set at the Cowboy
Maloney's Electric City store on Harding Street) on Ellis Ave,about two
miles South of doggy's couch.Because my old thirty five year old
Dearborn (made in Dallas,Texas) window unit airconditioner finally
kicked the bucket.Interestingly,there is/was a guy who used to work at
Dearborn,something about the J.F.Kennedy thingy in 1963.I was at ammo
school at Fort Knox,Kentucky when all of that mess happened.
cuhulin

Best Modern Radios?
 

On May 27, 5:36 pm, m II wrote:
Bart Bailey wrote:
Is the modern DSP filtration getting good enough
to overcome the noise from the computer they're connected to?

I have the 320 model and computer noise has never been a problem. In my
humble opinion, it's the best radio available in the under 800-1000
dollar range. The frequency database lets you save all the settings in
use at the time of reception of a particular station, making re-tuning
easier.

mike

What control software do you use? Ten Tec's or something else? I've
become a fan of RxPlus, though I can't say I've compared it with every
one of its competitors.