wrote:
On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:59:02 -0500, "Mark S. Holden"
wrote:


Dennon wrote:


I am new to shortwave radio and found the PT-633 on a website. I
searched alot of other sites and couldn't find anything even similar
for the price.

http://www.radiolabs.com/products/receivers/pt633.php


DN

I think I'd pass on it in favor of one with a digital frequency readout.



When I had analog tuning, I lusted for a digital readout.

Then, I got a radio with digital readout....
and it really didn't matter !

During late-night listening, I "scan the band".
I've found that it really doesn't matter what the frequency is,
as long as the signal's good, and the topic's interesting.

If you "listen by schedule"
ie; a certain frequency at a certain time for a certain program,
then by all means, look for a digital readout !


rj


I suggest digitals for beginners for a few reasons.

I think the schedules you can download from a place like:

http://primetimeshortwave.com/

make it easier for a beginner to get to the point where they can
reliably find something "interesting".

Portable analog radios I've tried tended to drift.

If someone wants to get into collecting QSL cards, it's easier to be
sure of the frequency you're on with a digital.

There are at least a couple digitals with good reputations in the same
general price range as the Sangean he provided a link to.

Finally, if a radio doesn't live up to your expectations, the hobby just
won't be much fun.

"Mark S. Holden" wrote:

wrote:
On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:59:02 -0500, "Mark S. Holden"
wrote:


Dennon wrote:


I am new to shortwave radio and found the PT-633 on a website. I
searched alot of other sites and couldn't find anything even similar
for the price.

http://www.radiolabs.com/products/receivers/pt633.php


DN

I think I'd pass on it in favor of one with a digital frequency readout.



When I had analog tuning, I lusted for a digital readout.

Then, I got a radio with digital readout....
and it really didn't matter !

During late-night listening, I "scan the band".
I've found that it really doesn't matter what the frequency is,
as long as the signal's good, and the topic's interesting.

If you "listen by schedule"
ie; a certain frequency at a certain time for a certain program,
then by all means, look for a digital readout !


rj

I suggest digitals for beginners for a few reasons.

I think the schedules you can download from a place like:

http://primetimeshortwave.com/

make it easier for a beginner to get to the point where they can
reliably find something "interesting".

Portable analog radios I've tried tended to drift.

If someone wants to get into collecting QSL cards, it's easier to be
sure of the frequency you're on with a digital.

There are at least a couple digitals with good reputations in the same
general price range as the Sangean he provided a link to.

Finally, if a radio doesn't live up to your expectations, the hobby just
won't be much fun.

Yes, a digital offers 'repeatability', which is indispensable for a newcomer.

The days of 5 minutes of an interval signal so someone might find a transmission
from a particular country seem to be gone, and the 'crash start' seems to be
more the norm.

dxAce
Michigan
USA