SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

OK - I've got my PMs......I've got my freeze-dried foods and water.....I've got my guns and ammo......I've got my nuke meds.........and I've hidden my rolled-up inflatable substitute wife, just in case.........

NOW..........I got to thinking - in an emergency, we might lose US TV and radio broadcasts.........and, worse, I am not sure I would trust this government at this point if they told me the sky was blue! (I would at least run out, fallout gear permitting, and check!)

SO - I was wondering - does anyone know of a really good shortwave radio to pick up broadcasts for other countries?? I used to have one 30 years ago - but haven't seen a decent one in years!

Thanks!

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

You might want to look online. I tried to find a good one locally and there wasn't much to choose from. Radio Shack and REI both had the same $30 handheld Grundig (AM/FM/7 channel SW). I ended up buying that one (the Grunding Mini 300PE). I sat on my porch and went through the bands, and to be honest, I thought it was a pretty good little radio. I like the facts that it runs on two batteries instead of four and it has an integrated extending antenna (about 36"). I wish it had a place to hook up an external, but it doesn't.

Anyway, good luck! Get to Radio Shack and get the $30 radio, then maybe start to shop around for something with more quality. Better to have something inferior "just in case" than to have nothing at all.

PS - The guy at Radio Shack recommended that I consider getting a digital scanner. He said that all emergency personnel are switching over to digital from analog.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

I have the 300PE and the 350DL. Great radios! Also thanks to SF's advice I now own a "frog" (FRG7).


Oops.... Almost forgot my DX-398:




Oops again..... forgot my TUBE driven Halicrafters S-53:

http://dr-boesch.ch/radio/radio-imag...c-s53a-col.jpg

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01...00arc-2-lg.jpg

This is the radio I picked up for myself a couple of months ago for $50. It's the Eton FR300. It can even charge cell phones. This particular model does not pick up short wave, but the FR250 model does and costs the same price. So does the FR350, but it's $10 more and I believe is water resistant.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Maybe you will have decent luck with portables, but I haven't; they just aren't durable enough.

The Drake R8 series is an excellent value since it comes loaded with filters, 100 memories, Scan functions, dual vfo, dual antenna input, notch filter, synchro detector and more. Has built in AC and terminals for DC input, can run it with a computer. Very well made and likely reasonably priced. Yaesu, Kenwood, and Icom are also still great machines to have.

I have owned several Sony portables with sideband detection and digital tuning. They will work with a long line antenna, but just don't hold up to constant use. I have a Grundig Yachtboy I bought used, seems pretty decent. Used to have a Panasonic 2028 which was a lot of fun, had digital readout, and performed pretty well. For AM dxing you can't beat the GE Superradio for value and sound.

You might consider a basic HAM transceiver, most of the recent models will do all a General Coverage Receiver can, and provide broadcast capability with 150W of power. Might need a power source depending on the model, might not.

73's

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

The only radios which can guaranteed survive the EMP of a nuclear explosion are tube sets. I have a limited collection of antique tube shortwave sets, including a one-tube regenerative set that runs off 12 volts. While keeping your emergency radio wrapped in aluminum foil might work, you might unwrap it on doomsday and find that the shielding was insufficent to keep it alive.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

This is what I just bought. I will let you all know how it works. The price was good.

http://www.ambientweather.com/kakakahacrso.html

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

I DO know from the old days that portables are not as good - but my thinking is that in this kind of situation we (I) need to think portable.........I just picked up the suggested $30 handheld Grundig (AM/FM/7 channel SW) so at least I have SOMETHING.........

But now I am looking for a really decent portable.......and reading and considering what you guys post here...........

And thanks to all of you who have posted so far!

Cheers!

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

I've also got the 398, and the little Grundig, both bought at RadioShack. The Dial on the Grundig is way too touchy though. I just about have to breath on it to get it to creep to the channel i want.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Hold half your thumb on the casing and just lightly rock your thumb while fine tuning with just your thumb tip.

Here's some pics I just took. Works with any handheld radio.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

all my ham transcievers (HF) are general coverage with alternate power, I can run 100 watts on the Ham band and the sensitivity and selectivity of the radios can not be beat. With any system, the antenna is the key and with my 80 meter dipole I can DX Central and South American Local Stations on the 120, 90 and 60 meter bands (2.5, 3.3 and 5.0 mhz). These stations run no more than a couple of hundred watts and are regional in nature, however, European and Asian broadcasters run 100Ks and are heard everywhere but propaganda stations are all over the SW bands, best news is BBC, VOA and CBC but all must be taken with a grain of salt!!! Cuba is still waiting for the invasion, yeah the touristas are coming, yeah right!

Long distance AM is something to invest in and a good long wire could provide you with some DX on the AM Band providing the AM STATION is not remotely operated. Most are not big on hometown stuff anymore and are operated by remote control with automatic feeds.

Good luck and remeber, the bigger (longer) the antenna the better the ears.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Have mentioned all this before,
but here goes again:

For AM/FM/SW I have

Portable Sony ICF 2010
Good but pricey.

Portable Sangean ATS-803A
Much better broadcast band reception than the Sony!
Only very slightly less sensitive than the Sony for SW.
I have used it everyday for years, but it sits on my
desk and never gets banged around, so I don't know
how it would hold up to abuse. Reasonable price for
a portable that works almost as good as the Sony for SW.

TIP: If an AM dx station is fading in and out, tune it in
with two receivers. Often this trick makes the difference
between "readability" and not.

For "police" scanners I have

Desktop Realistic Pro 2006 (not the year as I got it many years ago)
Great unit, reasonable price.

Portable AOR AR 1000XLT
Pricey. Never use it as it not user friendly.

Portable Radio Shack Pro 63
Cheap, has worked fine for years.
In a widespread emergency, I'll bet all public
service departments revert to analog for
compatibility. Why would small/medium size cities
need digital communication systems anyway?

Be careful not to confuse digital tuning of a receiver
with digital communication systems. They're trying to
exclude the public from listening I guess.

I bought all the above a long time ago, but equivalents
or better should be available.

dtnwn

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Is it true that you can keep electronics in the oven to avoid EMP damage?

Farraday cage effect?

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

dadidadit dadadidah dadidadit dadadidah dadidadit dadadidah


I had an FRG7, gone now, .... it was nice.

Farther back yet, about 45 years ago, I had
a used Hammarlund receiver bought from Henry Radio.
Looked like this if I remember correctly.

http://eshop1.chem.buffalo.edu/image...nd/hammar1.jpg

Any parts likely to go bad from age like resistors,
capacitors etc., can be easily replaced, no circuit boards
back then. Since it is that old, it had to use vacuum tubes.

dtnwn

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

I have two different models.

One is the Grundig Mini 100 PE. This radio is inexpensive and serves its purpose. It operates on 6 shortwave bands.

The other model I have is also a Grundig. It's the G-2000A World Receiver. This one is a better model and the one I would recommend.

But if you are looking for something inexpensive and basic, the Mini 100 PE is the way to go.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

I've owned about 15 portable shortwave radios over the years....everything from $50 to large Grundigs that would cost over $1500 if manufactured today. For reasonable quality + performance + price, you should get a Sony ICF-SW7600G. They are current production and cost about $150 - $175. Nice size and run on 4 x "AA" bat. That is all the radio you will ever need. This Sony will also cover AM and FM very well.


If you want a much more serious table/portable sized radio for serious shortwave listening, then get an Icom R75. Also current production and cost about $500 - $600....but in the same class as Drake or JRC NRD Series that both sell for $1500.

I know what I'm talking about as I listen nearly every day. The real key to good SW listening is a good antenna. A good antenna and a $100 radio will beat a $1500 radio and no antenna.

The best AM/FM radio you can buy for reasonable money is a GE / RCA Superadio....cost about $60....have a VERY LARGE (200mm / 8 in) internal ferite AM bar antenna. Fantastic AM performance. Tought to beat at even 3X that price.

These are all the "best bang for the buck" in new radio selections.


The best radio dealer I know of is www.universal-radio.com they have everything and reasonable prices. You should also get a book that comes out every year "Passport to WorldBand Radio"...cost about $25 and is very useful ...like a "TV Guide" but for shortwave. Contact Universal Radio and they will set you up with everything you need.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Well, yeah, as long as you don't turn the oven on! Actually
EMP (electro magnetic pulse) can be shielded from by any
kind of ferrous metal cage.

The EMP phenomena occurs during the detonation of a nuclear
weapon, the action of which sends out powerful radiation across
the electro magnetic spectrum...from radio waves, to visible light,
to infrared, to xrays and beyond.

The EMP damage is done by very powerful electro magnetic wavelengths
to which various electronicparts in your radio etc. happen to be a harmonic length to and will therefore resonate,
actually will heat up and fry the component.
The metal cage will prevent this broad spectrum of wavelengths
from getting at the radio or other electronic gadget.
You can buy a cheap metal box and keep an emergency radio in
it...just don't take it out till after the "big one" detonates
(if you're stioll around)!

This is a cheaper solution than finding an old vacuum tube set.
Also, vacuum tubes take alot on energy to operate, so a battery
set won't last anywhere near as long as a transistor based.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

I found it on Amazon.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

http://www.tvsdepot.com/product.php?...16&ref=froogle

http://www.google.com/search?q=Sony+...ient=firefox-a

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Looks like 7600G was replaced by 7600GR....minor improvements....

Another nice model is Sangean ATS909....I have one of these and like it as well....has some pros/cons against the Sony 7600GR....but costs about $240....which is a little bit more than the Sony....

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

A good showcase...

http://www.ticon.net/~n9ewo/old.html

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Oops again..... forgot my TUBE driven Halicrafters S-53:

http://dr-boesch.ch/radio/radio-imag...c-s53a-col.jpg

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Here is a "decent one"
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340.html

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

is it just me or do some of these seem a bit LESS than portable? :sarcasm:

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

My mistake. I just read your first post. I didn't read the whole thread where you mentioned you are looking for a portable. Try sony. They make good portables.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Right now I am considering these two........

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p>
Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with Single Side Band Reception
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Grundig G-2000A World Receiver<o:p></o:p>
</o:p>

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

I'd get the sony. Costs a little more but it's a better radio. Amazon sells it for around $150.

eham has 5 pages of reviews of that sony. From people that have actually used the radio. I haven't ever had one. I use an AOR 7030+ tabletop unit.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1534

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Actually - I was leaning towards that one myself - but watching comments here.........I have the $30 Grundig I picked up today (in case TSHTF in the next couple of weeks or so) but I think next time I get paid I will invest in something a bit better like the Sony - plus it really needs some tone controls which this does not have......and the Sony has better features.........

The best thing about this Grundig is that its small and the sound is ok, not great, but you can wear it on your belt and keep it with you if you are on the move (keeps your hands free to carry all those PMs we're SUPPOSE to have - tho, of course, we don't cause we sold them! :wink: )

POST SCRIPT- OW! Some of those reviews on the Sony are not terribly favorable.........your thoughts? Tried to find the Grundig G-2000A on that site, to compare, but was unable to.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Get the Sony 7600GR....way better than anything Grundig (Eton) has to offer. Loke I said, I've been into these little portables since 1990...owned just about all of them. I bought them, played with them and sold them to go buy another model....it was my hobby. There are really only 2 current production, reasonably small, good quality/performance/featured radios: The Sony 7600GR at about $150, and the Sangean ATS909 at about $240. 3 years ago Radio Shack had their DX396 (which was the ATS909 with a Radio Shack Name Plate)...they were on closeout for $100....a super deal....but that was thne...this is not. Either get the Sony or the Sangean. Can't beat the Sony for the Price. I like the Sangean ATS909 a little bit better due to it has a tuning knob...the Sony has up/dn buttons....

As for critical reviews....remember ....most are comparing performance to some reference radio that may cost thousands.....in relative comparison to other small, low cost portables...these two are the best.

Again, if you want a table radio, get the Icom R75....you might do this later after you have a small portable if you enjoy SW listening and want to expand into that hobby.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

A few more choices:

Any of the Grundig/Eton portables in the $120 to $160 range look pretty good as well: Eton E100, Sangean ATS606A @ $129 looks good, Eton/Grundig G4000A @ $150 gets high marks, Eton E5 /Grundig G5 @150 (new for 2007) got very hig marks.

These are all fine choices in the $100 - $150 class.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

I think most of those guys on eham are in the big leagues. The only reason that radio is even listed is because it's one the few fairly high-end portables.
A lot of those guys gave it good reviews though.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

Ok thanks, new to this stuff so I appreciate the feedback.

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

AGAIN - READING AND STUDYING ALL THESE COMMENTS.......

And, again, my thanks to each of you who responded........

Now, the Sony seems to get the most suport, followed by the Grundigs - anyone else, besides Tums (tho feel free to further comment please!), have a favorite amongst these? The problem is - when you buy online - you can't really losten to them all - so your imput here is invaluable?


Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with Single Side Band Reception<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Grundig G-2000A World Receiver<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Any of the Grundig/Eton portables in the $120 to $160 range look pretty good as well: Eton E100, <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Sangean ATS606A @ $129 looks good, <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Eton/Grundig G4000A @ $150 gets high marks, <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Eton E5 /Grundig G5 @150 (new for 2007) got very hig marks.<o:p></o:p>

Re: SHORT WAVE RADIOS???
 

If my receivers are indicators of brand's current performance-
I would go for the Sony if most of your listening will be SW, or
the Sangean if most of your listening will be broadcast band.
My first Sangean's FM went out. They replaced it quickly with a
new unit which has been trouble free for at least a dozen years.

The only Grundig I have is a cheap cranker (prolly made in China)
which works fine, but I have no experience with their higher
end stuff. In addition to a nice portable AM/FM/SW, get a cheap
cranker as well. You can take it outside when you work in the
garden and not worry about it.

dtnwn