Hi!

Quick question for the group.

I am looking at getting back into shortwave listening, and am
considering the Yaesu FRG-7 or the Allied SX-190.

What is the recommendation from the group???

I have had and sold several receivers:

Drake SPR-4
Kenwood R-1000
Yaesu FRG-100
Ten-Tec RX-320
Realistic DX-160
Hallicrafters S-38C

TIA

Most receivers have their charm. The SX-190 is a beautifully made
receiver - but it is limited to certain short wave bands - and it is rather
dated. The FRG-7 has always had a good reputation and works well.

It used to be that the downfall of many receivers was drift, frequency
readout and selectivity. Most modern receivers have solved those problems -
even inexpensive ones. Many of the people haunting this reflector like old
tubed boatanchors, and restore them. Sort of like an old car. But, like
old cars, they are necessarily better than the new ones. Buying an older
radio is an invitation to work on them.

The SPR-4 is a real beauty - but if you want to add new frequencies, you
must buy a crystal and they are expensive. Might as well get a synthesized
radio that covers all the frequencies you want to listen to without buying
more crystals.

Colin K7FM

"gleason" wrote in message
...
Hi!

Quick question for the group.

What do you want to listen to? And do you want
something better than the best receiver that you
owned previously?

Thanks to all replied.

Just a brief history.

In the late 50¡¦s, I cut my teeth on an old RCA Victrola console radio/
phonograph combination. It had 3 bands:

A ¡V special [ police, aircraft, amateur ]
B ¡V standard AM
C ¡V SW [ 9.3 ¡V 15.00 ]

It had a tone and volume control, bandswitch, and that¡¦s about all.

I had a 100¡¦ longwire strung to a backyard tree.

I would spend hours on the floor with my ears ¡¥glued¡¦ to the speaker
and listen to all the different foreign countries. I managed to QSL a
large number of them.

Agreed that the digital readout makes DXing easier, but I enjoy
¡¥digging¡¦ them out [ what¡¦s left of them anyway¡K! ƒº ]

Hi,

What's your budget?

Not a boatanchor, but I like the Eton E5 :-)

Cheers!

I would recommend purchasing one of the books that covers radio receivers,
such as "Short Wave Receivers Past and Present" by Osterman. Then page
through it and decide what features and look you want.

I am just restoring an old Hallicrafters S-40 for a friend. It is one of
the simplest short wave receivers, but generally work fine for short wave
broadcasts.

Purchasing a short wave radio is like buying a car and is very personal.

Colin K7FM

gleason wrote:
Hi!

Quick question for the group.

I am looking at getting back into shortwave listening, and am
considering the Yaesu FRG-7 or the Allied SX-190.

What is the recommendation from the group???

Given those two choices I'd say the FRG-7 without any hesitation.

-Bill

Thanks for all the replies

I think I'll go back to the Ten-Tec RX-320.

Found one at a good price.

Plan on using Clifton Turner's software, which I had used before.

Have a SAFE & HAPPY YEAR for 2009.