Re: [PLUG] [OT] SW radio question

Hey, great! Thank you all for your replies.

A couple of thoughts:

-- My eyes are not the greatest anymore so I need something with a bigger screen. The Tecsun PL-386 looks cool however it seems like the display and keys are too small and hard to read for my needs.

-- I don't need solar or crank power - I have a backup for power.

-- The SWLing blog is great and I will dig into that some more.

-- I'm going to get an external antenna (or in the case of the Sangean ATS-909X2 they offer an external antenna as an accessory.)

-- I, too, pray for negative SHTF!

Thanks all,

Eric

On Wed, Oct 19, 2022 at 7:26 PM jeffv via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org> wrote:

I'd probably go for an emergency-type unit, as mentioned earlier.
That aside, a really pleasant surprise was a Grundig YB400. Not made
anymore, but can be found readily online, like ebay. Cheap, very
sensitive. I don't know its specs but it is equal to anything I've found
in pulling signals, with or without an antenna. There's an external
antenna on a tiny reel you can clip up anywhere - boffo!

Regardless, you can locate schedules online and start listening right
away. If you really want to make your head explode, check out the black
art of antennas.

Good luck and hope for negative SHTF.

On 10/19/22 14:23, Eric Lucas via plug wrote:
> I know this is off topic however there are quite a few ham radio folks here
> and I need some knowledgeable advice.
>
> I'm planning on buying a portable AM/FM/SW radio and I'm down to these two
> Sangean ATS-909X2:
> https://www.amazon.com/SANGEAN-Ultimate-Multi-Band-Radio-ATS-909X2/dp/B08MSXX6LH/ <https://www.amazon.com/SANGEAN-Ultimate-Multi-Band-Radio-ATS-909X2/dp/B08MSXX6LH/>
> The Tecsun H501:
> https://www.amazon.com/H501-Worldband-Shortwave-Longwave-Reception/dp/B007NU351Q/ <https://www.amazon.com/H501-Worldband-Shortwave-Longwave-Reception/dp/B007NU351Q/>
>
> Both seem highly rated.
> The Tecsun has the ability to play mp3s but I doubt I will need that.
> They both charge their batteries internally which is a plus.
> The Tecsun seems to have better audio & speakers but for +$100 I don't
> need it.
>
> Any recommendations, comments, or suggestions?
>
> Background: I'm interested in having a SW radio in case of a disaster.
> The rest of the time it will
> just be playing plain old FM or AM radio.
> I'll be doing some research and practice so I know how to find what I'm
> looking for when I need it.
>
> Thank you,
> Eric
>
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