Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

OregonMike wrote:
I'm planning to buy a new rcvr and would love some input on the current
scene.
Things that pop into my mind that are a must are


(1) SSB/CW reception
(2) Freq. read out (LCD or whatever)
(3) External antenna support
(4) High sensitiviy and selectivity

I haven't looked at SWL RCVRs in some time and don't really know much
of what's best to get with the ones I'm seeing available to buy online.
I'm not even keen on where the best place to buy on is. Any help or
input would be great!

Thanks,

OM

In addition to the several new radios mentioned you should give
consideration to buying a used receiver such as a Kenwood R-5000, Icom
R71a or one of the Japan Radios. The Kenwood R-5000 is my personal
favorite, but any of the three will provide excellent reception and
have several features that wil help extracting a signal from difficult
listening conditions.

Good luck in the search and be sure to mention the receiver you finally
choose.

Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

Rob wrote:
R8B is a big dissapointment too....as with anything made by DRAKE


"David" wrote in message
...
On 26 Nov 2005 16:33:30 -0800, wrote:

I have the R75

I am dissapointed with it's out of the box performance. It is very
distorted and sync doesn't work. I am about to send it off for audio
and sync mods. It seems to be well constructed and otherwise easy to
operate with nice big display. I hear that the mods will make it work
a lot better

I thought at one time that it might give my R8B a good run for money
with the mods, but I'm backing off from that kinda thinking. The R8B
is a damn nice piece of gear. I actually thought that I might sell the
Drake once the ICOM got back with the mods. I'll probably keep both

Go for a R8B if the price isn't a prob. Otherwise maybe R75 with the
mods would be a good choice.

73
NEO

My stock R-75 is just fine for what I use it for. I only use the AM
mode in the daytime for local broadcasts. The rest of the time I'm in
SSB mode, listen to MWDX or HFBC.

I have an R8B also, but not next to the bed.


Everything I've read tells me the Drake receivers are high performers.
In the few times I tried one I was impressed with it's performance and
with the sheer number of controls. The only thing I was less than
impressed with was it's "feel" - the controls and the display left me
unimpressed.

Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

On Sun, 27 Nov 2005 04:19:10 GMT, "David Eduardo"
wrote:


"Rob" wrote in message
...
R8B is a big dissapointment too....as with anything made by DRAKE

Yeah, it is essentially the gold standard for AM mode DX, whether MW or SW.
There is nothing even close to it in this usage, even for several time the
price.


R-390A

Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

On Sun, 27 Nov 2005 01:28:59 GMT, David wrote:

On 26 Nov 2005 17:02:17 -0800, "OregonMike"
wrote:


Thanks for the reply David. At least I recognize the Icom and Yaesu
names :) I have many amateur rigs made by them.

I don't need an "entry level" receiver per se, but if one works well
then I'm game for getting one. I started SWL in 1983'ish with an old,
analog Radio Shack RCVR and listened since the late 80's with various
HF amateur radios. So, 1983 was the last time I had a SWL specific
radio! I'm stuck using my Yaesu FT-847 as my SWL RCVR and want
something that's portable (battery powered as well as DC in).

You probably would like the Eton (they own Grundig name in some
places). Well built.

I've been trying to figure out who Eton is. They're selling what used
to be called "Grundig" radios? Seen their ads; just don't know who
they are.

bob
k5qwg

Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

I suggest picking up a used Lowe HF-150. It's very portable, very
rugged and a good performer. The E1 is way overpriced.

Best 'portable' Shortwave Receiver ? Icom IC-75 Communications Receiver -or- Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio
 

OregonMike,

Best 'portable' Shortwave Receiver ? Icom IC-75 Communications
Receiver -or- Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio
- - - Sort of Depends on what you call 'portable' ! - imho ~ RHF
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/6730
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ETON-E...o/message/1863
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/icomr75/message/10957


"IF' by being 'portable' you mean "Mobile" then the
Icom IC-R75 is reasonably small enough to tote-around
and use in a "Mobile" Mode running-off the 12 VDC Power
of your Car or Truck.
* Icom IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver
http://www.grove-ent.com/ICR75.html
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0175.html
http://www.icomamerica.com/products/receivers/r75/
http://www.icomamerica.com/brochures/ic-r75.pdf
http://www.icomamerica.com/images/product/r75.jpg
* Icom IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver - Specifications
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal.../0175spec.html
http://www.icomamerica.com/products/.../r75/specs.asp
* Optional - OPC-869 DC Fused Power Cable for 12 VDC Operation.
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...r/0175ops.html
http://www.icomamerica.com/products/.../specs.asp#acc
* Radio Netherlands 'Review" Icom IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver
http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/features/m...ers/icr75.html

* ANARC "Review" Icom IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver
http://www.anarc.org/naswa/issues/19...uip199911.html
* RigPix DataBase Icom IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver
http://www.rigpix.com/icom/icr75.htm
* eHAM "Owner's Reviews" Icom IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/427
* The Icom IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver Information Center
featuring the Icom IC-R75 Cookbook - by Dr. Phil
INFO = http://www.geocities.com/philsr75infocenter/
COOKBOOK = http://www.geocities.com/philsr75inf...r/PhilCook.pdf
* Radio Reference WIKI - IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver
http://www.radioreference.com/wiki/index.php/IC-R75
* IC-R75 AM/MW Shortwave Receiver Group on YAHOO!
GROUP = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/icomr75/


However, 'if' by being 'portable' you mean "Hand-Carrying"
then consider the Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio with the
optional XM Satellite Radio. It does in fact Run-Off
Batteries 4x"D"s and does have a fairly good average Battery
Life Cycle of about 80 Hours for AM/FM and Shortwave.
Note - The Battery Life using the 'optional' XM Satellite
Radio Tuner/Antenna is only in the range of 12-18 Hours.
It can be easily Rigged to Run-Off your Car's 12 VDC Power
with an Adapter.
* Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio
http://www.grove-ent.com/EX1M.html
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/0101.html
http://www.etoncorp.com/US/products/...tID=4&prodID=9
* Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio - Features
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal.../0101feat.html
http://www.etoncorp.com/US/products/...2&sub CatID=4
http://www.etoncorp.com/US/resources...E1XM_specs.pdf
* XM Tuner/Antenna for XM Satellite Radio
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...e/0101cnp.html
* IC Regulated Universal DC Car Converter 800mA
http://www.grove-ent.com/DCC3.html
eHAM "Owner's Reviews" Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/5353
* Eton E1 "Photo Review" - by & © HongKongRadioer
http://www.radiointel.com/review-etone1photo.htm
* Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio "Review" - by Jay Allen
http://www.radiointel.com/review-etone1.htm
* Eton E1 Radio -verses- Grundig Satellit 800 Radio
- by Dr. Phil - hosted by RadioIntel.Com
http://www.radiointel.com/phil/e1xmvssat800.pdf
* Modern Shortwave Receiver Survey
Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio
http://www.dxing.com/rx/r75.htm
* Eton E1 AM/FM Shortwave Radio Group on YAHOO !
GROUP = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ETON-E1-XM-Radio/


as always more than you wanted to know - iane ~ RHF
..
All are WELCOME and "Invited to Join" the
Shortwave Listener (SWL) Antenna eGroup on YAHOO !
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
SWL ANTENNAS GROUP = http://tinyurl.com/an6tw
.
Some Say: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever . . .
I Believe : On A Clear Night - You Can Hear Forever
- - - and Beyond, The BEYOND ! = http://tinyurl.com/an6tw
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
With a Shortwave Listener SWL Antenna of your own making.
"If You Build It {SWL Antenna} You Will Hear Them !"
SWL ANTENNAS GROUP = http://tinyurl.com/an6tw
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
.
.. .

Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

In article ,
says...
Rob wrote:
R8B is a big dissapointment too....as with anything made by DRAKE


Yeah right. That's why it was the top rated receiver for so many years.
You own one?


I have to admit, the R8 series just screamed CHEAP everytime I played
with one. It was a decent enough receiver, but I never really had the
desire to buy one. An R7/a was miles beyond an R8X, IMO.

BDK

Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

On Sun, 27 Nov 2005 14:50:36 GMT, Bob Miller
wrote:

On Sun, 27 Nov 2005 01:28:59 GMT, David wrote:

On 26 Nov 2005 17:02:17 -0800, "OregonMike"
wrote:


Thanks for the reply David. At least I recognize the Icom and Yaesu
names :) I have many amateur rigs made by them.

I don't need an "entry level" receiver per se, but if one works well
then I'm game for getting one. I started SWL in 1983'ish with an old,
analog Radio Shack RCVR and listened since the late 80's with various
HF amateur radios. So, 1983 was the last time I had a SWL specific
radio! I'm stuck using my Yaesu FT-847 as my SWL RCVR and want
something that's portable (battery powered as well as DC in).

You probably would like the Eton (they own Grundig name in some
places). Well built.

I've been trying to figure out who Eton is. They're selling what used
to be called "Grundig" radios? Seen their ads; just don't know who
they are.

bob
k5qwg

http://www.rwonline.com/reference-ro...rundig_2.shtml

Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

On 27 Nov 2005 07:33:12 -0800, wrote:

I suggest picking up a used Lowe HF-150. It's very portable, very
rugged and a good performer. The E1 is way overpriced.

The HF-150 only gets a few hours on the batteries. How do you figure
the E1 is overpriced? The SW8 cost a lot more and has fewer features.

Best SWL RCVR to buy?
 

Well, you could have an extra set of batteries in case the ones you're
using run out of steam. Wouldn't cost that much. You could buy a 150
and *several* sets of rechargeables for what you'd spend on an E1.

$500 is too much for a portable receiver. The SW77, before it was
discontinued, also cost around $500. That doesn't show that the E1
isn't overpriced, but simply that both the SW77 and E1 are/were
overpriced. Yes, the E1 has a lot of "features", but you're asking for
disappointment if you base your buying decisions on long lists of
features. (Features are relevant, of course, but they don't guarantee
good performance.) No matter how many features you tack onto the E1,
it's still only a portable receiver. A really good portable receiver,
no doubt, but if you have $500 bucks to spend, it's time to walk out of
the portable aisle--unless you have money to burn and don't care about
bang for the buck.