Shortwave Radio Recommendations

[WSCH851]

Although I know some are hard to come by, what are your top six (6) SWRadio's (looking to buy new)?

I had some as a kid and throughout the years, they all have finally failed.

Thanks,

WSCH851

[WSCH851]

1 hour ago, SvenMarbles said:

Visit https://belrig.by/

There are weird obstacles with making payment because some banks wont remit into Belarus because of the Russia stuff, and Belarus is a chrony state of the RF. Chase will. I've bought two and "middled" for a couple of other people who wanted one.

Do a google and youtube deep dive on the Belka DX or "Belka Radio".. It's the thing..

 

With today's exchange rate they're only $144

 

 

Thank you, I'll check into the banking and I'll watch the video.

[WSCH851]

1 hour ago, SvenMarbles said:

I’ve made this heavy oak base for mine with some silicone grippy tape in the inset. The radio sits still on my desk with the antenna coax connected and while tuning. 

Thank you, w/the War there, we will see how it goes, if it's possible and I'll still explore the other options for now but that piece of equipment look pretty sweet!

[FlatTop]

21 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

Just trying to prevent him from falling for the classic "Textbook Sad" option of wiping his ass with $100 bills and flushing them down the toilet. At least if he buys a real radio that has a receiver that will exceed that Chinese abomination in performance he'll have something to show for his investment. At the end of his day he has another option. I won't apologize for someone that gets butt hurt by someone putting another option on the table. And it's not going to hurt my feelings if he doesn't take my advice.

My hundred dollar bills are my hundred dollars bills...and I will wipe anything that I wish with my hundred dollar bills.  You seem easily butthurt...have you tried the cream or the sprays for that? 

[AmanGMRS]

On 4/26/2024 at 12:25 AM, OffRoaderX said:

Top SIX?  Geezus...

I like the Eton Elite 750, but it is a bit pricy..

Raddy just released a new, low-cost Shortwave radio that also does SSB, which most of the CCR shortwaves don't do - I heard that the Youtube Queen of GMRS will be doing a review of it soon because he's run out of new GMRS radios to talk about.. But, thats just a rumor..

I fully realize that neither of these meet the requirements of a true shortwave-dork, but, I'm not a shortwave dork.

Assuming you mean the RF919?

If so, looking forward to it.  I've never used a shortwave radio before, and was toying with the idea of getting this as a first due to the price and all the bands it can receive.  Was waiting on some reviews before making the purchase.

[WSCH851]

On 4/27/2024 at 12:52 AM, tcp2525 said:

Take the $500 you're going to flush on that crap and add $400 and get a real radio such as the Yaesu FT-710 and have a transmitter just in case you get your ham license.

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-018470

 

In regards to a antenna & power supply, I see the recommendations on the web site under the radio description but sometimes those are not real good recommendations.

Any thoughts?

Thank you,

JB

[tweiss3]

I don't listen to SW too much, but occasionally I will tune around SW on my IC7300. I have an old 1934 RCA Victor C7-6 (6 tube) "wideband" (540kHz-18.0MHz) receiver that I collected from my grandfathers estate that I need to have someone put on a varriac to see if I need a to recap the whole thing or not. I'd love to have it as a centerpiece in the shack one day. 

[WSCH851]

I also found this (link below). $$$$ but might be worth it.

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-hf7300-basic#overview 

[WSCH851]

This is one w/out the kit.

All three look promising.

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=71-002065 

 

[SteveShannon]

2 hours ago, WSCH851 said:

This is one w/out the kit.

All three look promising.

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=71-002065 

 

Both the FT-710 and the IC-7300 are SDR radios.  The IC-7300 is a few years older than the FT-710, but it's very popular.  It's pretty obvious that Yaesu had the popularity of the IC-7300 in mind when they brought out the FT-710.  In fact, a lot of people referred to the FT-710 as the IC-7300 killer. Although I lean more towards the FT-710, I don't think you could go wrong with either.

[tcp2525]

6 hours ago, WSCH851 said:

 

In regards to a antenna & power supply, I see the recommendations on the web site under the radio description but sometimes those are not real good recommendations.

Any thoughts?

Thank you,

JB

I tend to buy the items I think I need instead of what they think I need. Best to do what you're doing, asking questions and research. I see you're also looking at the IC-7300, which is a great radio too. I lean towards Icom for my station. Just stay away from package deals and get the radio you desire, a decent power supply to handle the load should you get your license. I don't know your physical situation when it comes to deploying an antenna, but a great choice would be an end-fed wire with an UN-UN. If you are unfortunate enough to be in an HOA, this is an easily concealable antenna.  Calling HRO or DX Engineering and give them an idea of what you want is one of your best options. And they will gladly help you as they are knowledgeable and willing to help. 

[WSCH851]

43 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

I tend to buy the items I think I need instead of what they think I need. Best to do what you're doing, asking questions and research. I see you're also looking at the IC-7300, which is a great radio too. I lean towards Icom for my station. Just stay away from package deals and get the radio you desire, a decent power supply to handle the load should you get your license. I don't know your physical situation when it comes to deploying an antenna, but a great choice would be an end-fed wire with an UN-UN. If you are unfortunate enough to be in an HOA, this is an easily concealable antenna.  Calling HRO or DX Engineering and give them an idea of what you want is one of your best options. And they will gladly help you as they are knowledgeable and willing to help. 

I'm pretty fit for a older man and not in a HOA thank goodness.

Appreciate the information and my General test is coming up soon but I can still listen etc.

Thanks again,

[WSCH851]

Interesting but $$$.

[tcp2525]

1 hour ago, WSCH851 said:

 

Take the $500 you're going to flush on that crap and add $400 and get a real radio such as the Yaesu FT-710 and have a transmitter just in case you get your ham license.

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-018470