hm so on this money topic, what's the difference between a $20 sony portable and those $2000 ones they have at universal radio?

(besides the obvious price difference-- you get more stations or what?)

yes. greatest thing ever.

Well, all around quality would be better. More or less, you just get more buttons.

I would stay away from the $20 ones however, their performance from personal experience is EHHHHHHHH.

The $50-$100 range makes more sense.

Check it: http://www.universal-radio.com/

Usually, the latter will be more powerful and have a better facility to fine-tune to an exact frequency. But if you can get a shortwave radio for $20 then buy as soon as possible - your $20 will not have been wasted.

You use a $20 radio?

My tiny one was about £40 ($70ish?), but a very cheap one is cool to start with. I get the impression that electrical items are much cheaper in the US than the UK, and Sony are usually decent quality.

Eton are where its at.

I've read good things about those Roberts you've got over there...

Japan Radio makes some nice models too, I've been looking at a few of them at Universal Radio.

The Roberts R862, very small (approx 14cm x 8cm x 3cm) and very good indeed:



12-band (FM/MW/LW/SW1-9) compact world radio

* Exceptional sound quality and facilities in a true pocket sized, ultra-light receiver
* Large specification in a small size
* LED tuning indicator
* Headphone socket
* Complete with soft carrying pouch
* Pocket size, ideal for listening to the cricket on LW

The bigger one:

Mine:



Eton E5.

The buttons are a little too small at times.

That looks nice.

thanks for the pictures-- how about you show some price tags too?

my reason to ask all this--for $500 i'd rather buy something that would make me money, like a nice wide angle lens for my photo camera, an anamorphic lens for my video camera, an array of storage hard drives, or all manner of software i can't seem to find in *cough cough* warez form.

so what is CHEAP, but good?

this crap any good?

and how about this crap?

(for the sake of comparison let's call it $50 crap and $30 crap?)

gracias

--

edit: oh, there is this cranky crap. in case of catastrophes?

Hmmmmm...if I were a rich man.

...you could buy me one of those!

I'll refer to my Passport to Worldband Radio book and see what kind of review those two are given.

Give me a second...

I'd still like to get one of these and I actually have the cash.
A concern: would one (say the one featured above) be able to reach from the east to west coast? (in the US)
If it would, it would be quite enjoyable. I'm sure it wouldn't reach across the Atlantic? But being able to get stations across the US could be interesting.

Well, the thing about short wave is that the signals can be bounced right around the world - so if someone in any part of the globe (say Romania) sends a signal to the US, then you'll pick it up. The downside to SW is the susceptiblity to weather interference.

So Passport tells me this about the first one pictured.

Grundig G1000A
1 3/4 rating

Pro: Clock/timer with sleep delay. Illuminated LCD has bigger digits that most models of this size. Elevation panel. FM in stereo with earbuds, included. Two "AA" batteries included. Superior carrying case. North America: Toll-free tech support.

Con: Analog-tuned with digital frequency counter, so tunes only thumbwheel, which is slightly touchy. Does not tune 120, 75, 90, 60, 15 and 11 meter segments; missing a small amount of expanded coverage of 41 and 31 meter segments. Single-coversion IF circuitry results in poor image rejection. Audio lacks bass response. Frequency drift with changes in temperature. Clock in 12-hour format, displays only when radio is off. Displays in nonstandard XX.XX/XX.XX MHz format. Play in bandswitch wiggling to slightly after frequency readout. FM overloads in presence of strong signals, remediable by shorting antenna (which also reduces weak-singal sensitivity).

Verdict: More spit and polish, and better daytime frequency coverage, than truly cheaper alternatives. It's also backed up by a solid warranty from a reputable company. The G1000A occupies a spot between 'throwaway' models that are passable performers, and more highly rated models that cost more.


The bit that is bold and underlined would give me a resounding no. Those bands have a lot to offer.

Hmm..I knew shortwaves were bounced back and forth, but it never occured to me that someone recieving them bounces them back..
I'll look on ebay.

Oh my. This one will reach stations from just about anywhere. Depending on the strength of the signal of course.