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« on: June 24, 2014, 1102 UTC »
I own both the Tecsun PL-660 and a Kenwood R-1000 and both a very convenient to use. However, I am at this moment limited by my antenna (I live in a huge appartment block).
A friend of mine has a Degen DE-1102, which is cheaper than the Tecsun, bus also ergonomically less convenient (it has SSB, but no USB/LSB for example). Other nice receivers are the Yaesu FRG-7700 (which is conceptually the same as the Kenwood I have), and some of the Sangean stuff (ATS-909 / 909X). A sony ICF-SW7600GR is also commonly used. Both Sangean and Sony are more expensive than the Tecsun. It all depends on how much you want to pay and the availability in your neighbourhood.
When I move in a few months to a house, I intend to install a random wire antenna with balun. This random wire antenna is simple insulated copper wire hung wherever you have space, preferably as high and as long as possible. The balun can be homemade (just check 9:1 balun on the internet). The ringcore can be scavenged from an old computer mainboard (there are typically about 4 on a computer main board and some extra on the video card). The wire of my balun is made from the wires inside an old printer cable.
If you do not have space fro an antenna, but you have access to the roof, you can try to make a PA0RDT mini-whip (check internet for that).
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