What Is The Best Shortwave Radio (multi-band) On A Budget? (vanity)

Free Republic ^ | 2/6/21013 | Moi

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

I had a great multi-band radio a few years ago and would love to get one again. It was great listening to it at night. Loved the 'numbers stations' (and would LOVE to hear theories about them!). They were sooooooo creepy.

I like analog receivers. I know their outdated......but easier to tune.

I'm looking in the $150 range and under. Don't want to spend much as we have a lot of expenses coming up.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

TECSUN PL-380

[mylife]

I really like the Tecsun PL-600.

[Nowhere Man]

HMmm, it’s been a while since I really looked into that, I’ve been into that since I was kid in the 1970’s. I have a Grundig Aviator G6 (Buzz Aldrin edition) that is digital, size of a cigarette pack and takes two AA batteries that I got at Radio Shack on clearance in 2009 for $60. It gets SSB too although the tuning is awkward until you get used to it. I’d keep an eye out for various Eton/Grundig brands like the Grundig G5 for example.

[Zionist Conspirator]

My shortwave radio is the cheapest one that has the full shortwave spectrum. It's a Sangean that I ordered from the shortwave store.

A word of advice: if they offer you a second, analogue set for one cent more, be sure and check all the boxes. I checked one of the boxes but didn't check the one that said "add checked item to order" and I didn't get it!

[virgil283]

http://www.ccrane.com/radios/

Good product and good people— I’ve used them several time and recomend...

[steve86]

Definitely get a radio with SSB capability.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4288

Love my Degen.

[Baynative]

Interesting question since the intrusion of government is growing with their ability to monitor everyone and everything, shortwave and CB may be coming back in style as a way to communicate.

[SkyDancer]

My grand dad gave me an old Hallicrafters S-40B - loved it. I still have it and it’s in great condition. Someone told me the value of it is around $400.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

My shortwave radio is the cheapest one that has the full shortwave spectrum. It's a Sangean that I ordered from the shortwave store.

Is this it?

[mylife]

The G5 is no longer available.
I liked mine a lot until the AM and shortwave bands blew out.
Same thing happened to my Kaito 1103.
My PL-600 keeps chugging and has better ergonomics.

[Nowhere Man]

I looked around, the Grundig G3 seems to be a good one.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Well, that’s what I was thinking.

I grew up with a dad who had a CB in his truck. I miss those days. :-)

[logitech]

Analog radio will never be outdated. It is your friend.

[Nowhere Man]

I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve seen the G5 at Radio Shack for clearance from time to time.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

I have seen on YouTube that even the smallest of radios can be enhanced (reception) with an alligator clip and some wire hooked onto the tip of the aerial.

[meatloaf]

Get a used Radio Shack DX440 or the equivalent Sangean model off eBay. Check out the reviews on the internet. New it was $200+ twenty years ago. It’s still a great radio.

[Victor]

I LOVE my Grundig S-350...runs on 120vac or (4) D cells....during Hurricane Sandy the radio lasted 2 weeks on battery and the batteries were still good.

They go for about $80 brand new on Ebay.....

This radio has AM/FM/Shortwave (2 bands)

[mylife]

It was a good performer, but the FETS in the front end are real easy to blow out.

[RonboTex]

I am a ham radio operator and I’m a bit spoiled since I have two transceivers; a Yaesu FT-450, and a ICOM IC-703 with decent external antennas.

Recently however, I decided that I wanted a SHTF, battery operated, portable, SW radio to be able to listen foreign news broadcasts as well as listening in on the ham bands.

For about $70 on Amazon, the chinese made Tecsun PL-600, that another Freeper already recommended is the best bang for the buck I’ve seen. It comes with a roll up wire antenna but it is even usable with the built in whip.

If you still desire an old style, analog, SWL receiver, you can look on ebay or a ham site like QRZ.com where you can pick up a used one.