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In DIRE need of shortwave assistance
Hey Gang,
I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark |
Mark:
- Missed the part about $ 150; ALSO Consider the Sangean 505A and Yacht Boy 400; they're fairly popular look he http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable.html - I bought my Icom R-75 from these guys; ( Universal) pulls in the BBC from Ascension Island just fine ( Ionosphere willing) using 100 foot random wire. - ANd got my Sangean 606A from these guys.. http://www.ccrane.com/shortwave_antennas.asp ( very very small set, goes everywhere, ( no SSB )) Again, and external antenna will make SOOO much difference it's really more important than Exactly what set you buy.. & All of them have Small speakers, so hooking a set of good computer speakers up to your small portable gives you much much better sound. Dan In article , (Mark) writes: Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark |
You cant go wrong with the $100 Grundig S350 which accepts an external
antenna and ground...Pretty civilized receiver with a rf gain control that has never been needed to be cranked more'en half way up here in O'do Check radiointel.com for reviews on a new Degen radio similar to the ATS 909 for about $100 yodar "Mark" wrote in message om... Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark |
Mark wrote:
Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no Hello Mark, and group. I am a long time shortwave/mediumwave listener and have had many receivers over the years. I would suggest a portable receiver, such as the now discontinued model from Radio Shack, DX-398. Last I knew it was selling for around U.S. $125.00 I have two of these babies, one for the house and one for the car. It operates on four AA batteries and has some nice features without going overboard with bells & whistles. Do your homework Mark, and look around on the Internet at various receivers and comments about same. Also, I would suggest that you look around in your area for Ham Radio Flea markets. They usually take place on weekends. Good luck and happy listening. |
Try the Sangean 606A or if that's too tiny, the Grundig 400, If you
can increase your budget, the Sony 7600GR for less than $200 is your best bet. Just about all these radios will pick up the BBC beaming to the Caribbean on 5975 kHz from your location in MN. Good luck. |
I don't think any of the previous postings properly addressed Mark's
question. Since the BBC stopped shortwave broadcasts to the USA in 2001, it's very hard to receive them. And since Mark is looking at a budget portable, the only broadcast that he could possibly listen to would be the evening broadcast on 5975 kHz. Yes, there are other broadcasts that can be received; however, none of the others are better than marginal. The only way to properly hear the BBC in the USA is via a broadband Internet connection. On the other hand, Mark's posting makes a very good point. A decent shortwave portable can cost only $100 to $200. But if Mark decides to listen to the BBC via the official line, that is via broadband Internet, then he's conservatively looking at $40 per month or $480 per year. Bob "Mark" wrote in message om... Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark |
Bob:
Well put. 5975 Via Antigua MAY be the strongest signal from the Beeb; However, You can get similar news / broadcasts from: Radio canada International : ( Mornings 13677, 9515), 17820 ) AND Usually Radio Australia ( Another British - Type place) right on the other side of the world, but puts out a good signal on 9.580 in the early mornings. Surprisingly strong signal BBC from Ascension Island can be picked up during the afternoon on 12095 ( broadcast from Ascension Island, off the West Coast Of Africa) - So, although the OFFICIAL BBC broadcasts to the U.S were sadly cut back in 2001, in a Gross lapse of Judgement, - You CAN still get The BBC ( Or generic Knock Offs) during the day, afternoon and evening, All Via inexpensive, reliable Shortwave Radio . Dan ( listening to BBC from Ascension Island on 12.095 ) 19:25 UTC.. In article , "Robert Sillett" writes: I don't think any of the previous postings properly addressed Mark's question. Since the BBC stopped shortwave broadcasts to the USA in 2001, it's very hard to receive them. And since Mark is looking at a budget portable, the only broadcast that he could possibly listen to would be the evening broadcast on 5975 kHz. Yes, there are other broadcasts that can be received; however, none of the others are better than marginal. The only way to properly hear the BBC in the USA is via a broadband Internet connection. On the other hand, Mark's posting makes a very good point. A decent shortwave portable can cost only $100 to $200. But if Mark decides to listen to the BBC via the official line, that is via broadband Internet, then he's conservatively looking at $40 per month or $480 per year. Bob |
Mark wrote:
Hey Gang, The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. Hi Mark, If you are looking to hear normal broadcast stations from the UK in the USA on a shortwave receiver, you are out of luck. If you want to hear shortwave broadcasts from the BBC, there has been a lot of good options already mentioned by the other posters. Sel ........ :) Icom R-75 E Icom PCR-1000 Sangean 909 Sangean 404 Uniden UBC9000XLT Uniden UBC120XLT http://sel.enternet.co.nz/weathersat.html |
"Robert Sillett" wrote in message ... I don't think any of the previous postings properly addressed Mark's question. Since the BBC stopped shortwave broadcasts to the USA in 2001, it's very hard to receive them. And since Mark is looking at a budget portable, the only broadcast that he could possibly listen to would be the evening broadcast on 5975 kHz. Yes, there are other broadcasts that can be received; however, none of the others are better than marginal. The only way to properly hear the BBC in the USA is via a broadband Internet connection. On the other hand, Mark's posting makes a very good point. A decent shortwave portable can cost only $100 to $200. But if Mark decides to listen to the BBC via the official line, that is via broadband Internet, then he's conservatively looking at $40 per month or $480 per year. Bob "Mark" wrote in message om... Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark I guess you would have to define 'marginal'. I regularly listen to the BBC on 5975 in SE Minnesota. It is rare that it can't be heard in the evening. Other frequencies can be heard also. While I have several radios, the best antenna I have is 30 feet of wire, all indoors. To imply the the internet is the only way to listen is just wrong. Even a DX-398 with the whip antenna works. craigm |
The Internet is always slow, sometimes full of rain barrell echoes. Sound just
stops on it, meaning a delay of up to 30 seconds before it restarts. It's too " Belleding Edge" technology, grat in the Demonstrations in the Board Room, but fair to poor in the field. AND imagine if you get " away" from the Internet Server farms; Shortwave is still the way to go Dan In article , "craigm" writes: "Robert Sillett" wrote in message ... I don't think any of the previous postings properly addressed Mark's question. Since the BBC stopped shortwave broadcasts to the USA in 2001, it's very hard to receive them. And since Mark is looking at a budget portable, the only broadcast that he could possibly listen to would be the evening broadcast on 5975 kHz. Yes, there are other broadcasts that can be received; however, none of the others are better than marginal. The only way to properly hear the BBC in the USA is via a broadband Internet connection. On the other hand, Mark's posting makes a very good point. A decent shortwave portable can cost only $100 to $200. But if Mark decides to listen to the BBC via the official line, that is via broadband Internet, then he's conservatively looking at $40 per month or $480 per year. Bob "Mark" wrote in message om... Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark I guess you would have to define 'marginal'. I regularly listen to the BBC on 5975 in SE Minnesota. It is rare that it can't be heard in the evening. Other frequencies can be heard also. While I have several radios, the best antenna I have is 30 feet of wire, all indoors. To imply the the internet is the only way to listen is just wrong. Even a DX-398 with the whip antenna works. craigm |
Myrton Smith wrote in message news:ODJvb.4423$dO2.3062@lakeread03...
I would suggest a portable receiver, such as the now discontinued model from Radio Shack, DX-398. Last I knew it was selling for around U.S. $125.00 I bought mine a year ago for US $99.97. They were scarce then. |
(Mark) wrote in message . com...
Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark Mark, I strongly suggest the Sony 7600GR for your purposes. Of all the radios for $150 or less, I think this model would give you the best shot of hauling in the BBC. It is more sensitive off the whip than either the Sangean 909 or the Grundig Yachtboy 400PE. Plus, its synchronous detector really can help in making an otherwise unintelligible signal intelligible. As another respondent stated, the Beeb comes in adequately quite often on 5975 kHz at night. I have also had reasonable success listening to the Beeb on 12095 kHZ in the afternoon here in Western NY. Regards, Grumpus |
Grumpus,
I have been a little shy to post this, basically because it's tough to prove, I'm SURE people's "mileage may vary," and people tend to get emotional about their choices in radios. A guy recently posted in the DX398/ATS-909 group at Yahoo that he was at a ham get-together, and his supposedly unmodified ATS-909 outperformed a Sony 7600GR "off the whip." He said everyone there was very impressed with it. I ordered both a 909 and a 7600 a few weeks ago, and my ATS-909 was very close in whip performance to the 7600GR, but I wouldn't say "better." Not needing two portables -- I chose to send the 7600 back. The 909 came from C. Crane, and is their deluxe model with the anti-chuffing mod already installed. I do not know (but I doubt if) they did any other modifications. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has gotten one of these radios in the past two months, and what their experience is. Though I hope Sangean saw fit to boost performance of American-market radios, frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if Sony toned their whip performance down, as I've seen posts that it actually does have problems with overloading in Europe. -- Stinger "grumpus" wrote in message om... (Mark) wrote in message . com... Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark Mark, I strongly suggest the Sony 7600GR for your purposes. Of all the radios for $150 or less, I think this model would give you the best shot of hauling in the BBC. It is more sensitive off the whip than either the Sangean 909 or the Grundig Yachtboy 400PE. Plus, its synchronous detector really can help in making an otherwise unintelligible signal intelligible. As another respondent stated, the Beeb comes in adequately quite often on 5975 kHz at night. I have also had reasonable success listening to the Beeb on 12095 kHZ in the afternoon here in Western NY. Regards, Grumpus |
said ---
I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. Get the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. Its synchronous detector is a VERY important feature to have for decent shortwave reception. http://universal-radio.com/catalog/portable/0360.html As others have said, any appreciable length of wire clamped to a radio's whip antenna will usually improve reception of weak signals. Also, if you're only interested in hearing BBC news, some U.S. AM/FM stations actually broadcast the BBC news a few times a day. These are typically college or NPR-type stations, or all news stations. Maybe do a Google search or call your local stations? |
"Stinger" wrote in message . ..
Grumpus, I have been a little shy to post this, basically because it's tough to prove, I'm SURE people's "mileage may vary," and people tend to get emotional about their choices in radios. A guy recently posted in the DX398/ATS-909 group at Yahoo that he was at a ham get-together, and his supposedly unmodified ATS-909 outperformed a Sony 7600GR "off the whip." He said everyone there was very impressed with it. I ordered both a 909 and a 7600 a few weeks ago, and my ATS-909 was very close in whip performance to the 7600GR, but I wouldn't say "better." Not needing two portables -- I chose to send the 7600 back. The 909 came from C. Crane, and is their deluxe model with the anti-chuffing mod already installed. I do not know (but I doubt if) they did any other modifications. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has gotten one of these radios in the past two months, and what their experience is. Though I hope Sangean saw fit to boost performance of American-market radios, frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if Sony toned their whip performance down, as I've seen posts that it actually does have problems with overloading in Europe. -- Stinger Stinger, I suppose you've got me. I was quite impressed with the performance and features of the 7600GR but I sent back the one I had because I hated using those pointy little buttons on the side and I wanted to move up to a 2010. Nonetheless, I thought it demonstrated excellent sensitivity when I used it off the whip alone. It was even better used in conjunction with Sony's AN-LP1 loop antenna (within moments of using this combo I heard Voice of the Mediterranean and a Northern African broadcaster). Subsequently, I purchased a DX-398 (Sangean 909) on closeout for $99 at RS. It seems adequate off the whip, but nothing more. When I use it for SW, I hook it up to a reel-out antenna I have strung out across the ceiling and it performs quite well then (with this set-up I QSL'd CKZN, a 1kW CBC station 1,000 miles away). My understanding is that the 909/398 is the best among all the portables in its price range in its ability to handle a serious external antenna without overloading. Is this an indication of reduced sensitivity off the whip? I don't know. I have not done any kind of head-to-head comparison of the 7600GR and the 909/398, so the impression I have formed about the relative sensitivity of these two models off their whips alone comes from just a little bit of practical experience and the net wisdom of this group and what I read in Passport. So, in truth, it is an interesting question whether my perceptions were colored by an existing bias in favor of the 7600GR, or I correctly judged the relative performance of the two radios. Regards, Grumpus "grumpus" wrote in message om... (Mark) wrote in message . com... Hey Gang, I am in need of some help in picking out a new shortwave radio. I no nothing about them, but I am looking for something for $150 or less. The SOLE PURPOSE that I need this radio for is to pull in as clearly as possible any and all radio stations from the UK. Specifically the BBC stations. I live in Minneapolis, MN if that makes any difference. I am not at all concerned with am, fm or stations from any other part of the world, ONLY the UK. My wife wants to get me one for Christmas, so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Please e-mail all responses to me at Mark Mark, I strongly suggest the Sony 7600GR for your purposes. Of all the radios for $150 or less, I think this model would give you the best shot of hauling in the BBC. It is more sensitive off the whip than either the Sangean 909 or the Grundig Yachtboy 400PE. Plus, its synchronous detector really can help in making an otherwise unintelligible signal intelligible. As another respondent stated, the Beeb comes in adequately quite often on 5975 kHz at night. I have also had reasonable success listening to the Beeb on 12095 kHZ in the afternoon here in Western NY. Regards, Grumpus |
grumpus wrote: "Stinger" wrote in message . .. Grumpus, I have been a little shy to post this, basically because it's tough to prove, I'm SURE people's "mileage may vary," and people tend to get emotional about their choices in radios. A guy recently posted in the DX398/ATS-909 group at Yahoo that he was at a ham get-together, and his supposedly unmodified ATS-909 outperformed a Sony 7600GR "off the whip." He said everyone there was very impressed with it. I ordered both a 909 and a 7600 a few weeks ago, and my ATS-909 was very close in whip performance to the 7600GR, but I wouldn't say "better." Not needing two portables -- I chose to send the 7600 back. The 909 came from C. Crane, and is their deluxe model with the anti-chuffing mod already installed. I do not know (but I doubt if) they did any other modifications. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has gotten one of these radios in the past two months, and what their experience is. Though I hope Sangean saw fit to boost performance of American-market radios, frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if Sony toned their whip performance down, as I've seen posts that it actually does have problems with overloading in Europe. -- Stinger Stinger, I suppose you've got me. I was quite impressed with the performance and features of the 7600GR but I sent back the one I had because I hated using those pointy little buttons on the side and I wanted to move up to a 2010. Nonetheless, I thought it demonstrated excellent sensitivity when I used it off the whip alone. It was even better used in conjunction with Sony's AN-LP1 loop antenna (within moments of using this combo I heard Voice of the Mediterranean and a Northern African broadcaster). Subsequently, I purchased a DX-398 (Sangean 909) on closeout for $99 at RS. It seems adequate off the whip, but nothing more. When I use it for SW, I hook it up to a reel-out antenna I have strung out across the ceiling and it performs quite well then (with this set-up I QSL'd CKZN, a 1kW CBC station 1,000 miles away). My understanding is that the 909/398 is the best among all the portables in its price range in its ability to handle a serious external antenna without overloading. Is this an indication of reduced sensitivity off the whip? I don't know. I have not done any kind of head-to-head comparison of the 7600GR and the 909/398, so the impression I have formed about the relative sensitivity of these two models off their whips alone comes from just a little bit of practical experience and the net wisdom of this group and what I read in Passport. So, in truth, it is an interesting question whether my perceptions were colored by an existing bias in favor of the 7600GR, or I correctly judged the relative performance of the two radios. Regards, Grumpus At the bototm line, the radio that just *seems* right to you in all the ways you like best *is* the right one for you. Tony ----== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 100,000 Newsgroups ---= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers - Total Privacy via Encryption =--- |
"RFCOMMSYS" wrote: | Also, if you're only interested in hearing BBC news, some U.S. AM/FM stations | actually broadcast the BBC news a few times a day. These are typically college | or NPR-type stations, or all news stations. Maybe do a Google search or call | your local stations? Yup, 91.1 in the MPLS/St Paul area broadcasts BBC from midnight 'til 6 a.m. 73, Steve Lawrence Burnsville, MN --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.542 / Virus Database: 336 - Release Date: 11/18/03 |
RS,
To carry your "Logic" forward and based upon the 'emperical evidence' (his posting here) that Mark already has a Computer and an Internet Connection. We can conclude that Mark is currently 'paying' that Bill. So by simply going to the BBC Website: Mark can Listen to the BBC for FREE ! wmcis ~ RHF .. .. = = = "Robert Sillett" = = = wrote in message ... I don't think any of the previous postings properly addressed Mark's question. Since the BBC stopped shortwave broadcasts to the USA in 2001, it's very hard to receive them. And since Mark is looking at a budget portable, the only broadcast that he could possibly listen to would be the evening broadcast on 5975 kHz. Yes, there are other broadcasts that can be received; however, none of the others are better than marginal. The only way to properly hear the BBC in the USA is via a broadband Internet connection. On the other hand, Mark's posting makes a very good point. A decent shortwave portable can cost only $100 to $200. But if Mark decides to listen to the BBC via the official line, that is via broadband Internet, then he's conservatively looking at $40 per month or $480 per year. Bob |
On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 13:06:58 -0500, Robert Sillett wrote:
I don't think any of the previous postings properly addressed Mark's question. Since the BBC stopped shortwave broadcasts to the USA in 2001, it's very hard to receive them. And since Mark is looking at a budget portable, the only broadcast that he could possibly listen to would be the evening broadcast on 5975 kHz. Yes, there are other broadcasts that can be received; however, none of the others are better than marginal. The only way to properly hear the BBC in the USA is via a broadband Internet connection. On the other hand, Mark's posting makes a very good point. A decent shortwave portable can cost only $100 to $200. But if Mark decides to listen to the BBC via the official line, that is via broadband Internet, then he's conservatively looking at $40 per month or $480 per year. Bob Here in Baltimore, MD 5975 comes in great, late nite 6135 is good and 15190 in the mornings is also pretty good. The BBC can also be found on 88.1, a local fm station 12am - 5am local time. -- clear skies, Joe GS800M ~ S/N: S8304027607 YB400PE ~ S/N: 615254 http://users.erols.com/jringer3/astro1.htm |
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