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#1
December 31st 04, 05:25 PM
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jwilliam wrote: On 17 Dec 2004 08:30:16 -0800, "johndobbs" wrote: ***lots of good information snipped*** Well, too much said already. My recommendation would be to try the Sony 7600GR, especially if you shop around a little and get that 130 dollar price. A very good deal and you won't be disappointed. Let us know if you get any SW radio. Good luck!! I did end up buying the 7600GR. Purchased it online today from JR.com. I imagine after I try it out I'll be asking for information on antennas, but in the meantime I'm anxious for it to come in. (In case I sent my original reply to your private email; or I replied and I sent the message to who knows where; or I'm starting to have senior moments and only thought I replied: let me try again.....) Congrats on your new radio! After it arrives, please share with us some of your thoughts and likes/dislikes about the radio. I hope it improves radio reception at your office. By the way, just as a reminder, as I'm sure you're already aware of this, but...you do know that when receiving MW signals (AM BCB), you need to swivel the radio one way or another to align the internal loopstick with the broadcasting station(?) I only mention this because you had said you used a boombox in your office, and I just didn't know if you were able to swivel the boombox (which is normally a large radio in an office enviroment) for improved reception. It's one of the advantages of using a smaller travel radio like a 7600GR or YB400 -- to swivel and/or position as needed. Anyways...let us know how it goes, and have fun! |
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#2
January 1st 05, 03:35 AM
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On 31 Dec 2004 09:25:39 -0800, "johndobbs"
wrote: jwilliam wrote: On 17 Dec 2004 08:30:16 -0800, "johndobbs" wrote: ***lots of good information snipped*** Well, too much said already. My recommendation would be to try the Sony 7600GR, especially if you shop around a little and get that 130 dollar price. A very good deal and you won't be disappointed. Let us know if you get any SW radio. Good luck!! I did end up buying the 7600GR. Purchased it online today from JR.com. I imagine after I try it out I'll be asking for information on antennas, but in the meantime I'm anxious for it to come in. (In case I sent my original reply to your private email; or I replied and I sent the message to who knows where; or I'm starting to have senior moments and only thought I replied: let me try again.....) Congrats on your new radio! After it arrives, please share with us some of your thoughts and likes/dislikes about the radio. I hope it improves radio reception at your office. By the way, just as a reminder, as I'm sure you're already aware of this, but...you do know that when receiving MW signals (AM BCB), you need to swivel the radio one way or another to align the internal loopstick with the broadcasting station(?) I only mention this because you had said you used a boombox in your office, and I just didn't know if you were able to swivel the boombox (which is normally a large radio in an office enviroment) for improved reception. It's one of the advantages of using a smaller travel radio like a 7600GR or YB400 -- to swivel and/or position as needed. Anyways...let us know how it goes, and have fun! heh, Actually I have swiveled my radio before to get better reception, not knowing why I did it, simply knowing 'something' happened that improved the quality of the signal. I'll be sure to post back when it comes in after I've fiddled with it some. Happy New Year to all. |
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#3
January 2nd 05, 10:49 AM
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They tell me the little Sony doesn't come with an AC plug-in. I'd
suggest picking up your AC adapter at Circuit City. They carry one there that is inexpensive, and versatile. They stock them right near the walkman-style CD players. Darren http://community-2.webtv.net/DEMEM/L...mes/page2.html |
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#4
December 17th 04, 05:34 PM
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You are fighting at least two problems: Noise and trying to get a
signal through a steel framed building. If you have a window office, then try what I did with a 2010. Place the radio as close to the window as possible to get away from pc and flourescent light noise. Run a thin wire around the perimeter of the window, held in place with suctioncup cupholders. Magnet wire works great and is virtually invisible. You should have similar results with a YB400PE or one of the Degen or Kaito 1103 radios. |
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#5
December 17th 04, 06:23 PM
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jwilliam wrote:
I feel like apologizing right off the bat since I know this question must be asked regularly in this group. I've searched the older posts but still had questions. I work in CT, about two hours from both NY and Boston. I'm on the lower floor and get mediocre AM/FM reception in my office from my run of the mill boom box on my desk. I was looking for a replacement radio and in the course of doing a search online found listings for WB radios. The idea of being able to receive not only the CBC news (being an refugee Canadian) but also getting the BBC and other news sources intrigued me. That of course left me with more questions than answers. What I'm looking for is a decent radio I can keep in my office. I don't travel much so it probably won't move from its spot on my desk. I'd like to keep the price below $200 if possible. I'm not sure what I can expect to hear. Might I be able to pull in stations from Europe with a radio in that price range or will I be limited to those that are getting some form of enhanced reception on the eastern US seaboard? Since I'll be at work I won't be spending much time fiddling with dials to pull in too many really esoteric stations, but getting news directly from the Middle East or Japan on my desktop would be amazing. From the research I've done I looked at the Sony 2010 (a used one, although most of the ones on Ebay appear to be pretty old models, very low serial numbers). I also saw good reviews for the Grundig YB 400PE, which I can pick up new for less than the used 2010. Any other suggestions? Also, if reception turned out to be poor, would I most likely have to run some sort of wire attenna along my wall to my window for better reception? Thanks in advance for any information. If I get responses fast enough maybe I can sneak this in as a late Christmas request. heh heh... Hi I'm also in Connecticut, and I've got some experience with setting up radios in offices. The inside of a typical commercial building isn't a good place to find the signals you're looking for. Masonry walls have rebar, wood frame office buildings often have foil lined insulation. Apparently, when they design these buildings, suitability for radio listening isn't high on the list. If you can't get decent MW reception with a good portable, don't expect much shortwave reception either, unless you do something about an antenna. The antenna is at least 90% of the answer. For lower frequencies, something like a Quantum Loop is probably your best bet for a desk top antenna. Other companies have made similar products over the years. Unless you get very lucky, they are likely to put you over budget. For an in the window antenna you can get very thin coax if you want to hide the wire, or you could choose coax that looks like a network cable if you'd rather try to have it "blend in". Hook it up to a big loop of wire that goes around the perimeter of the window. The wire for the loop can be anything from thin magnet wire to the foil tape they use for burglar alarms. If you can put up an antenna outside, you can couple your radio to it with a capacitive link so you don't need to drill a hole in the wall. It's as simple as a square of foil hooked up to your coax on one side of the window, and another hooked up to your antenna lined up on the other side of the glass. For the radio, I use an old Standard STR-428. You're not likely to find one for sale, but it's a 1970's vintage commercial marine radio. Not a lot of dials or controls, but it's quite sensitive and it's the sort of thing clients will ask about. The difference between a good inexpensive portable and a high end tabletop radio isn't likely to be nearly as significant for your office as the difference between a whip antenna on your desk and an antenna that's away from the metal shielding that seems to be hidden in the walls of just about every commercial building. Popular portables worth looking at include the Degen 1103, the Grundig YB400 and the Sony 7600gr. Good luck. |
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#6
December 18th 04, 12:54 AM
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MSH,
Three 'different' Radio Bands and two to three 'different' Antennas 1. SW - For 'improved' Shortwave {SW} High Frequency Radio Reception try a simple Random Wire Antenna . OR - Try an On-the-Window Shortwave Antenna that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Keep the Antenna Wire element about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window. READ - Three Different Bands AM/FM/SW and Three Different Antennas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1038 * On-the-Window Random Wire / Loop Antenna for 'portable' Shortwave Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/964 The Sony AN-LP1 Shortwave Antenna and the Crane {Justice} AM/MW Antenna ? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/849 * Try a Compact 'portable' Shortwave Reel {Roll-Up} Antenna for 'improved' Reception and Mobility http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1687 * Consider the Shielded & Magnetic Loop Antennas for Shortwave Reception http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1539 * Two Vertical "Drop" Antennas for Tall Building Dwellers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1535 * Thru the Window Antennas for Shortwave and Medium Wave http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/653 2. FM - For 'improved' FM Radio Reception try a simple FM Folded Dipole Antenna that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Keep the Dipole about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window. Or try placing the Dipole on the Window at a Diagonal Corner-to-Corner. + READ - FM Antenna Ideas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1053 * Out of Sight - Out of Mind - The [Hidden] FM Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/499 * External FM Antenna "Hook-Ups" for most 'portable' AM/FM/SW Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/544 * Improved FM Reception with 'portable' Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/101 3. AM - For 'improved' AM Radio Reception try a simple AM/MW Loop Antenna about 4-8 Turns that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Use very thin #30 AWG Magnet Wire that is placed on the Window about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window; with about 1/2" between the individual Loops. + READ - AM/MW Reception requires the 'right' AM/MW Radio and matching AM/MW Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1743 * GE Superadio - Think "Larger" AM/MW Loop Antenna {Two Plus Feet} http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1512 * "On-the-Wall" Loop Antenna and more . . . http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1459 * AM/MW Loop Antennas: Your best 'connection' may be NO Connection http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1174 * Passive and Active AM/MW Loop Antennas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1134 * "Long LoopStick Antenna" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1043 .. .. All are WELCOME at the Shortwave Listener (SWL) "Antenna Ashram" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/502 Some Say: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. I BELIEVE: On A Clear Night . . . You Can Hear Forever and Beyond, The BEYOND ! [ With the a SWL Antenna of your own making. ] .. .. |
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#7
December 18th 04, 02:24 PM
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This is why Satellite Radio is the wave of the future.
On 17 Dec 2004 16:54:20 -0800, "RHF" wrote: MSH, Three 'different' Radio Bands and two to three 'different' Antennas 1. SW - For 'improved' Shortwave {SW} High Frequency Radio Reception try a simple Random Wire Antenna . OR - Try an On-the-Window Shortwave Antenna that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Keep the Antenna Wire element about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window. READ - Three Different Bands AM/FM/SW and Three Different Antennas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1038 * On-the-Window Random Wire / Loop Antenna for 'portable' Shortwave Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/964 The Sony AN-LP1 Shortwave Antenna and the Crane {Justice} AM/MW Antenna ? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/849 * Try a Compact 'portable' Shortwave Reel {Roll-Up} Antenna for 'improved' Reception and Mobility http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1687 * Consider the Shielded & Magnetic Loop Antennas for Shortwave Reception http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1539 * Two Vertical "Drop" Antennas for Tall Building Dwellers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1535 * Thru the Window Antennas for Shortwave and Medium Wave http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/653 2. FM - For 'improved' FM Radio Reception try a simple FM Folded Dipole Antenna that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Keep the Dipole about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window. Or try placing the Dipole on the Window at a Diagonal Corner-to-Corner. + READ - FM Antenna Ideas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1053 * Out of Sight - Out of Mind - The [Hidden] FM Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/499 * External FM Antenna "Hook-Ups" for most 'portable' AM/FM/SW Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/544 * Improved FM Reception with 'portable' Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/101 3. AM - For 'improved' AM Radio Reception try a simple AM/MW Loop Antenna about 4-8 Turns that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Use very thin #30 AWG Magnet Wire that is placed on the Window about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window; with about 1/2" between the individual Loops. + READ - AM/MW Reception requires the 'right' AM/MW Radio and matching AM/MW Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1743 * GE Superadio - Think "Larger" AM/MW Loop Antenna {Two Plus Feet} http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1512 * "On-the-Wall" Loop Antenna and more . . . http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1459 * AM/MW Loop Antennas: Your best 'connection' may be NO Connection http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1174 * Passive and Active AM/MW Loop Antennas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1134 * "Long LoopStick Antenna" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1043 . . All are WELCOME at the Shortwave Listener (SWL) "Antenna Ashram" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/502 Some Say: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. I BELIEVE: On A Clear Night . . . You Can Hear Forever and Beyond, The BEYOND ! [ With the a SWL Antenna of your own making. ] . . |
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#8
December 18th 04, 02:45 PM
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With the fees I would pay to Subscription Radio in 2 months, I could
put together a very good antenna for office use. David wrote: This is why Satellite Radio is the wave of the future. On 17 Dec 2004 16:54:20 -0800, "RHF" wrote: MSH, Three 'different' Radio Bands and two to three 'different' Antennas 1. SW - For 'improved' Shortwave {SW} High Frequency Radio Reception try a simple Random Wire Antenna . OR - Try an On-the-Window Shortwave Antenna that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Keep the Antenna Wire element about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window. READ - Three Different Bands AM/FM/SW and Three Different Antennas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1038 * On-the-Window Random Wire / Loop Antenna for 'portable' Shortwave Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/964 The Sony AN-LP1 Shortwave Antenna and the Crane {Justice} AM/MW Antenna ? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/849 * Try a Compact 'portable' Shortwave Reel {Roll-Up} Antenna for 'improved' Reception and Mobility http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1687 * Consider the Shielded & Magnetic Loop Antennas for Shortwave Reception http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1539 * Two Vertical "Drop" Antennas for Tall Building Dwellers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1535 * Thru the Window Antennas for Shortwave and Medium Wave http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/653 2. FM - For 'improved' FM Radio Reception try a simple FM Folded Dipole Antenna that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Keep the Dipole about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window. Or try placing the Dipole on the Window at a Diagonal Corner-to-Corner. + READ - FM Antenna Ideas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1053 * Out of Sight - Out of Mind - The [Hidden] FM Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/499 * External FM Antenna "Hook-Ups" for most 'portable' AM/FM/SW Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/544 * Improved FM Reception with 'portable' Radios http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/101 3. AM - For 'improved' AM Radio Reception try a simple AM/MW Loop Antenna about 4-8 Turns that is 'taped' to an outside looking Window. Use very thin #30 AWG Magnet Wire that is placed on the Window about 3"-6" away from the Frame of the Window; with about 1/2" between the individual Loops. + READ - AM/MW Reception requires the 'right' AM/MW Radio and matching AM/MW Antenna http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1743 * GE Superadio - Think "Larger" AM/MW Loop Antenna {Two Plus Feet} http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1512 * "On-the-Wall" Loop Antenna and more . . . http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1459 * AM/MW Loop Antennas: Your best 'connection' may be NO Connection http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1174 * Passive and Active AM/MW Loop Antennas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1134 * "Long LoopStick Antenna" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1043 . . All are WELCOME at the Shortwave Listener (SWL) "Antenna Ashram" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/502 Some Say: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. I BELIEVE: On A Clear Night . . . You Can Hear Forever and Beyond, The BEYOND ! [ With the a SWL Antenna of your own making. ] . . |
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#9
December 18th 04, 02:52 PM
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David wrote: This is why Satellite Radio is the wave of the future. Guess you better grab that board, and go 'hang ten' on that wave, 'tard boy. Then you can leave the shortwave to the big boys. dxAce Michigan USA |
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#10
December 18th 04, 03:27 PM
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In this modern day of technology,why not have a shortwave radio at home
with a good antenna and control and listen to the radio at home while at work miles away in an office building? www.smarthome.com and some other stores sell devices which can be used to do similar things with computers.Or does that make any sense? OK,I am a dummy and I doubt if I could figure out how to do such things. cuhulin |
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