Shortwave Radios

[JFW]

I am looking for a portable shortwave/world band radio, has anyone got any reccomendations.

I would prefer if it ran on 2 AA batteries, I have looked at the threads on windup radios but I'm not sure they would meet my needs - BBC world service etc.
Pocket sized solar power, wind up and battery option would be ideal but I don't think it exists.

Don't have a lot of cash available for it so would be looking under £50.

Any ideas guys?

Cheers

JFW

 

[Martyn]

The grundig mini world 100 PE.

 

[tenbears10]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39993&item=5717386378&rd=1

I got one of these from a different ebay seller with a bricks and motar shop. They sold reconditioned roberts and mine was only £40 like new. Sony make one almost identical to this but new they are £80. I've got the roberts one and my wife has the sony and you can't fault either. If you want the 2 AA one then you either get analogue or pay best part of £200.

I will try and find the reciept to let you have the number and see if they still have reconditioned ones if you like.

Bill

 

[tenbears10]

This place has some good info as well.

http://www.ogormans.co.uk/choosing.htm

Bill

 

[JFW]

Thanks Tenbears10,

Some great stuff there.
I think I might have to increase my budget though.


Cheers

JFW

 

[tenbears10]

Found the number JFW.

The shop is sight & sound in Gloucester but they do mail order and their number is 01452 503691 give them a call and see if they have any refurb. ones. I could not tell the difference from a new one. Mine is a Roberts R881 £45 all in and works great, listened to world service olympic updates in athens last week on it, fantastic.

Bill

 

[Schwert]

I only have one SW radio and it is a Sony100 something or other. Nice pocket sized unit, 2AA's but way more than 50 quid when I got it. Perfectly adequate for the BBC for me and US Naval Observatory Time. I am not much of a SW nut, but have appreciated this small unit traveling.

It is an absolute pain to program though and about as non-intuitive as anything could ever be...must have the manual. Sensitivity is OK but my requirements are low...the BBC seems to be available on about a million frequencies.

 

[Great Pebble]

Stick a bit more money to it and get a sideband capable receiver, gives you loads more scope.

 

[dtalbot]

I've got one of these:
http://www.robertsradio.co.uk/r9962.htm
Its a brill little radio, runs on 2 AA batteries which last ages and is small emough to carry anywhere. Nice sound quality as well, when it isn't travelling with us it does its duty as the everyday kitchen radio at home. But yes, if you can afford it buy an ssb capable one, lets you hear the more interesting stations!
Cheers
David

 

[JFW]

Thanks for all your help guys.
Don't think I'll rush out and buy one just yet will check out this sideband receiver first though it may be a bit excessive for my needs.

Cheers for your help and advice.

JFW

 

[Strike Team]

Single sideband (SSB), unlike AM, needs fairly precise fine tuning to get an intelligible signal. If you're thinking about an SSB radio, try it out in the shop first, to see how easily you can tune in SSB. A good place to find SSB signals at any time of day or night (shortwave propagation changes with time of day) is the 40 metre amateur/ham radio band, which covers 7.0 to 7.1 MHz.

 

[Adi007]

Thanks for the tip Strike Team ... and welcome to BCUK!

 

[dtalbot]

Single sideband (SSB), unlike AM, needs fairly precise fine tuning to get an intelligible signal. If you're thinking about an SSB radio, try it out in the shop first, to see how easily you can tune in SSB. A good place to find SSB signals at any time of day or night (shortwave propagation changes with time of day) is the 40 metre amateur/ham radio band, which covers 7.0 to 7.1 MHz.

Yep,
And it's somthing you develop an ear for understanding with a bit of practice.
http://www.flashwebhost.com/circuit/bfoceramic.php gives an easy circuit to make an ordinary radio here ssb. Might have to try it out.
Cheers
David

 

[Great Pebble]

Can't think of many modern AM only receivers that would make decent bases for a BFO project. Beyond specialist broadcast monitoring gear.
Or at least, none that would be cost effective.

 

[ANDYLASER]

Take a look at FR200 or GP4