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Author Topic: SW/MW radio recommendation?  (Read 1824 times)

Offline Treehouse SWL

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SW/MW radio recommendation?
« on: December 31, 2019, 0047 UTC »
OK, here's my scenario: I have a Eton Grundig Edition Satellit portable receiver (love that one), along with a few older radios, and I have up to $75 (U.S.) to spend on another portable.

SSB isn't necessary, but something that'a good with both shortwave and mediumwave would be great. Recommendations?
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Eric Fetters-Walp / eQSL to fettwalp@outlook.com

Radios: Eton Elite Field, Sihuadon R-108, Eton Grundig Edition Satellit
Antennas: 60-foot-long end-fed wire, MLA-30+ loop

Offline dxace1

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Re: SW/MW radio recommendation?
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2019, 0058 UTC »
Wow that is a huge question -- if you only have $75 to spend there are a zillion choices.  I would say go for a used Tecsun PL-660 or PL-680. 

Some of the older but very good portables, such as the Panasonic RF-B65 and Sony ICF-SW55 may be out of your price range.
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Dan in Potomac, MD (USA)  eQSL to:  dxace1@gmail.com

Receivers: Skanti R-8001, WJ 8718AMFP/8711A/8709/8712P, JRC NRD-630/301A/93, NRD-505/545/515, Drake R8/8B/SPR-4/R-7A, RFT EKD-515, ITT MacKay 3041A, McKay Dymek DR33-C6, AEG 1800/3, Racal RA-1792, Cubic 3280/2400, R&S EK-056/070/085/896/200, ICOM 71A/8500/8600/9000, Elad DuoR, AOR 7030, Lowe HF-250, Ten Tec RX-350, Yaesu FRG-8800/100, Collilns 51S-1

Offline Treehouse SWL

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Re: SW/MW radio recommendation?
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2019, 0104 UTC »
I was looking at the PL-660. Via Anon-Co's website, you can get that radio for $85 (+ shipping), which is close enough to my price range.
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Eric Fetters-Walp / eQSL to fettwalp@outlook.com

Radios: Eton Elite Field, Sihuadon R-108, Eton Grundig Edition Satellit
Antennas: 60-foot-long end-fed wire, MLA-30+ loop

Offline pinto vortando

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Re: SW/MW radio recommendation?
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2019, 2255 UTC »
Take a look at the PL-600... it fits your price range.
It works well on SW and...  with an inductively coupled loop or "longwire"
is also a very good MW and even LW receiver.
It also does SSB.  You say that SSB is not necessary but you won't hear
hams or utility without it. 
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Offline Josh

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Re: SW/MW radio recommendation?
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2019, 2302 UTC »
I'd be all over this fine piece of teutonic overengineering if I didn't have multiple project radios in the fire all at the same time;
https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1470772
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Offline chanito

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Re: SW/MW radio recommendation?
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2020, 0308 UTC »
I would spend it on a vintage Zenith Royal 1000 or 3000 just because.
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Offline ThaDood

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Re: SW/MW radio recommendation?
« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2020, 0829 UTC »
Can't go wrong with a Realistic DX-440, the Radio Shack version of the Sangean ATS-803A portable. An AM only Eton E10 portable is a great affordable portable as well. Both can be had cheaply at Hamfests, but if you can get the seller to turn it on to test it out before you, it would be best to do so.
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Offline arfursmiff

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Re: SW/MW radio recommendation?
« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2020, 0825 UTC »
I got an XHData D808 a couple of months ago. Battery life is excellent and it's really good on MW. I live in a area where MW is really hard to get and this radio picks it up nicely.

https://swling.com/blog/2018/04/a-detailed-review-of-the-xhdata-d-808-and-comparison-with-the-tecsun-pl-660/
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Offline moof

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Re: SW/MW radio recommendation?
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2020, 1827 UTC »
Had all but one of these.  Definitely Tecsun 600 to 880.  Ported out to large speakers is awesome.
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