JohnA Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I have an interest in SWL. I've been looking at receivers and antennae with no conclusion, yet. I'm interested I. News and information from abroad, plus some music, maybe. Experience with a small portable has not been too good. Its reception is poor and noisy. "Are you experienced?" I'd prefer a table top radio under $500, but it needs to be straightforward to use. Where is a good directory/schedule of broadcasts? I've got an app for Internet listening, but it is not pick a broadcast and listen. There is always some fiddling, or the broadcast is just not there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 1 hour ago, JohnA said: I have an interest in SWL. I've been looking at receivers and antennae with no conclusion, yet. I'm interested I. News and information from abroad, plus some music, maybe. Experience with a small portable has not been too good. Its reception is poor and noisy. "Are you experienced?" I'd prefer a table top radio under $500, but it needs to be straightforward to use. Where is a good directory/schedule of broadcasts? I've got an app for Internet listening, but it is not pick a broadcast and listen. There is always some fiddling, or the broadcast is just not there. The best one with tubes was the old R-3 something military for about $3800.00 new. Yeah, I can't remember the model or manufacturer. Every Dewline site had one for emergency communication. You might be able to find a used one but too many people loved them so it might be tough. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 Don’t know how I missed this. I have decades of experience using and restoring all the amazing receivers of “days gone by”. PM me with your email and I will be glad to provide guidance. Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boom3 Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 Glad Maynard chimed in. As a SWL myself, I can share two things before you spend big bucks and are potentially disappointed: First, in current households the level of radio frequency interference (RFI, or if you prefer QRM) on shortwave bands is incredible. Computers, smart devices, Bluetooth, air cleaners, all those things we didn't have when I started SWLing as a kid in 60s. I compared my very techie household with my late mother's (she had no computers or smart devices). The RFI was less but I still got quite a bit from her younger neighbors. I made a "magnetic loop" antenna to sit on my desk when listening, and that helps to a degree. PM me for details. Secondly, the glory days of international broadcasting are over, thanks to the internet. The cost of a SW broadcast plant, antenna, power, engineers and land is so much greater than just streaming on the Web. Some broadcasters have realized that their antenna land is more valuable than the ability to broadcast and they have gone to the Web and now just stream their content. They sold the land to developers and cashed out. So, many former SW outlets are gone. Those that remain are not nearly as interesting as in Cold War I. Even the communist/socialist stations have toned down their rhetoric- no more "imperialistic running dog" diatribes from Radio Havana or Radio Peking (Beijing) Having said that, I still enjoy the thrill of the hunt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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