Shortwave radios
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Manassas Park, VA
Shortwave radios
Looking for an insight into what would be a decent shortwave radio to pick up. Not looking to spend a fortune but have thought it would be kinda interesting to have one and see what i could pick up. Have done some research and all i seem to be getting is conflicting info.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
I have had decent luck with the multiband Radioshack radios. But maybe more important than the radio is to get a good antenna. The built in antennas are barely adequate.
I have a 50 foot long wire antenna that works well, and of course you could spend quite a bit on a big clunky shortware antenna on the roof.
All my current shortwaves are out of production so don't know what to recommend as new. I think Radio Shack still sells the wire antenna, not very expensive.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I have a 50 foot long wire antenna that works well, and of course you could spend quite a bit on a big clunky shortware antenna on the roof.
All my current shortwaves are out of production so don't know what to recommend as new. I think Radio Shack still sells the wire antenna, not very expensive.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
New User
Joined: Feb 2009
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I've been listining to shortwave for over 12 years, I hate the newer digital radios. they don't have the selectivity of the old ones or a good antena. The best shortwave radio that you can get for a decent price is a old Zenith Trans-Oceanic model Royal 1000-D. I bought mine on ebay for $30, and it has never failed me. They have a big antena and great selectivity, they run on 8 D batterys that last for about 2 years with every day use. There is nothing made today that can compare.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
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From: Frequently frozen MN
I just googled around a little. The brands that I knew are mostly gone now.
I see that Grundig is still around. I've never owned one, but they've always seemed to have a good rep.
An antenna is very important, but your radio has to be up to snuff as well. Doesn't do to pull in all kinds of stations if the radio drifts or has poor selectivity.
I see that Grundig is still around. I've never owned one, but they've always seemed to have a good rep.
An antenna is very important, but your radio has to be up to snuff as well. Doesn't do to pull in all kinds of stations if the radio drifts or has poor selectivity.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
Haven't seen (or heard) a shortwave radio in decades!!!!!!!!
I built an AM/shortwave radio from a kit, back when I was a kid! (Literally!)
HeathKit Educational Series. I think EK-1 and EK-2. (???) It was AM and shortwave. 80 and 40 meter HAM frequencies, too.
I had a longwire antenna that went the entire depth of my back yard. I can't remember. . . 100 feet or so.
Sheeeeesh. I'm getting braincramps trying to remember back that far.
I built an AM/shortwave radio from a kit, back when I was a kid! (Literally!)
HeathKit Educational Series. I think EK-1 and EK-2. (???) It was AM and shortwave. 80 and 40 meter HAM frequencies, too.
I had a longwire antenna that went the entire depth of my back yard. I can't remember. . . 100 feet or so.
Sheeeeesh. I'm getting braincramps trying to remember back that far.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
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From: Chicago Area, Illinois
Find one of those classic Zenith's. I remember my grandpa had one and i enjoyed fooling around with it from time to time. Got great reception and easy to fine tune. I wonder what happened to it, hmmm.....
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 687
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The old Hallicrafters units are quite sensitive and can still be found at reasonable prices
on Ebay. Bear in mind that unless the vacuum tube units have been restored that they
will need to have their capacitors replaced for safe operation. If you use an indoor
antenna, fluorescent lamps, dimmer switches and some electronic equipment can induce
reception noise.
on Ebay. Bear in mind that unless the vacuum tube units have been restored that they
will need to have their capacitors replaced for safe operation. If you use an indoor
antenna, fluorescent lamps, dimmer switches and some electronic equipment can induce
reception noise.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Vancouver Island
The big Radio Shack communications receivers must be considerably better than nothing, and common; I saw one at a car parts swap meet a while back, at a very reasonable price. Look for a local amateur radio swap meet; a lot of the sellers are very motivated. (Searching for city or region name and "amateur radio" should locate a club.)
The big portable transistor radios are cool, and probably more collectible. I've got a Sony that has useful features like BFO and RF gain that are normally only seen on real communications receivers.
I got started with a "perf-box" Radio Shack shortwave kit. I changed bands by clipping in a different tuning coil, so it was difficult to make a good reception report when I had no idea of the exact frequency.
The big portable transistor radios are cool, and probably more collectible. I've got a Sony that has useful features like BFO and RF gain that are normally only seen on real communications receivers.
I got started with a "perf-box" Radio Shack shortwave kit. I changed bands by clipping in a different tuning coil, so it was difficult to make a good reception report when I had no idea of the exact frequency.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Manassas Park, VA
I actually lucked out and was given a old shortwave from a guy here at work. Mentioned to him one day i was looking to pick up one to mess around with and last week he brought in one that had been his uncle's. It's an old Panasonic RF 2800, from the late 70's-early 80's. Seems to work well, just need to pick up a manual for it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
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From: NE Ohio
I didn't want to spend a fortune on my first SW radio so I bought a tecsun pl-330.
I think it's a pretty nice little radio. It uses a bl-5 battery which was pretty popular back in the day for cell phones when you could actually replace them ..
It also charges via a usb port on the radio as well.
It also can have an external antennae plugged in.
I think it's a pretty nice little radio. It uses a bl-5 battery which was pretty popular back in the day for cell phones when you could actually replace them ..
It also charges via a usb port on the radio as well.
It also can have an external antennae plugged in.
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