Agree,

Look very Hard at the Icom R-75; with DSP

http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/icr75.html

" First Impressions on Tuning In

The IC-R75 is very sensitive, so much so that to quote sensitivity
specifications is meaningless.
Using an RF Systems SP-2 Signal Splitter to share a 25-metre (80 feet) vertical
wire with a Lowe HF-150 receiver/PR-150 preamplifier, the IC-R75 wins hands
down. No surprise here.

In New Jersey, USA, our first test was the antipodal Voice of Indonesia (RRI)
on 15149.8 kHz, using the USB filter. When we turned on "preamp-1" and applied
a bit of noise reduction to reduce the hiss from solar noise, the signal was
outstanding. The signal was marginally acceptable on the HF-150."
"

Very worthwhile receiver ( Yes I own one.. )

As for an active antenna;
- well, ,
IMHO, if you have room, a longwire will actually do better than an amplified
antenna


Dan


In article , Jacob Norlund
writes:

Subject: SWL: THE NEXT LEVEL
From: Jacob Norlund
Date: Thu, 08 Apr 2004 19:51:27 -0500

As a new radio, the ICOM IC-R75 is probably within your priuce range.
Ham radio rigs are a better value then shortwave receivers and
normally cover shortwave frequencies (and often higher ones). You may
want to keep an eye open for the ICOM IC-706 line of radios or the ICOM
IC746. If you get into ham radio, you'll then be set.

BCcubed wrote:

Hello all,

I have been listening for about 9 months now and finally I am starting to
feel
comfortable in my knowledge of shortwave and the propagation of
international
broadcasts. I use a portable receiver but now want to move to the next
level
with a good radio and an active SW antenna. My question is Where can I go
to
trade up to a better radio? Are there sites where SWL's have swap type
setups?
Can anyone give me advice about getting a used Drake, Kenwood, Yaesu,
Icom,
Ten-Tec?? The new radios are nice but 1500$ is a bit too steep at this
point.

73,

Neil