Radio scanner/shortwave receiver recommendations

[jrmymllr]

I know very little about ham/shortwave or radio scanners (is that even the right term?) but I bet there's lots on this forum that do!

My son is a chip off the old block and loves knowing how things work. I introduced him to the WWV broadcast and he was amazed because he also loves clocks. Now, the only radio receivers I have are of the regular AM/FM variety so I had to stream it. But this gave me a gift idea.

I'm looking for a receiver that can tune to AM and FM modulated stations, across a much wider range than the traditional AM/FM radio. Tuning into interesting broadcasts like WWV and shortwave (and I really don't know what else), in addition to standard broadcast radio would be nice.

He's under 10 in age but would understand this well enough and I want it to be useful for a long time. I'm looking for a new device, about USD$100 or thereabouts. Or maybe more if that's too low?

From a guy that knows electronics but nothing about this topic.

[jonpaul]

SDRPLAY
Old tube set Hallicrafters Hammarlund Collins
j

[themadhippy]

before spending maybe have a play around on http://websdr.org/

[jasonRF]

I have a few shortwave radios.  One that is well within your budget, and that has much better sound quality than many small/cheap radios, is the Radiwow/Sihuadon R108.  It runs for about $60 on Amazon and other places.   
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XVVCP9L
I often bring it with me when I travel for work, since it is so small and sounds so good.  It comes with a  wire with a connector to use as an antenna, but the jack on my radio doesn't really work.  So I usually use a wire antenna that clips onto the antenna and then run it to a curtain rod; something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ANT-60-Short-Wave-Antenna/dp/B000023VW2
The main thing it is missing is single-sideband.  The one annoying thing is that when you run the scan feature when using headphones you get a loud 'pop' when it lands on a station.  Since the pop is not dependent on audio volume, I use an external attenuator (resistor-divider in a nice case) before the headphone then turn up the volume; now the pop us a subtle thing.  My much more expensive Eton Elite Field radio has the same problem...

If you want single-sideband, which is what a lot of the amateurs (and some pirate stations) use, then the cheapest model I know about (but have not used) is the Tecsun PL330
https://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-Digital-PL330-Worldband-Receiver/dp/B0921HN6QM
It does not come with a wire antenna, so would need one. 

I see that you are in the US.  Note that most of the domestic shortwave stations have schedules that are dominated by religious programming, and of course you will find conspiracy theorists that I won't name.  I mostly enjoy listening to stations from other continents.  There are websites to help you figure out what you are listening to (can look up by frequency/time/language), which is 'easy' when using a digital radio since you know the frequency precisely.  To be honest, for me at least half of the fun is learning how far away I am from the transmitter.  For content, I usually listen to FM, which is why I mentioned the sound quality on the first unit.  Some of the shortwave radios can sound pretty tinny; I bought (then returned) an Eton Elite Executive which was beautiful through headphones, but the sound quality through the speaker was what I would expect from  a $5 throw-away toy.

You can find reviews of both of these (as well as 100s of other radios) on Todderbert's youtube channel.  I have no connection to Todderbert, but he will go through various features.  He mostly talks about AM and FM performance, but does some shortwave as well. 

Jason

EDIT: I agree with themadhippy. 

[jrmymllr]

I have a few shortwave radios.  One that is well within your budget, and that has much better sound quality than many small/cheap radios, is the Radiwow/Sihuadon R108.  It runs for about $60 on Amazon and other places.   
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XVVCP9L
I often bring it with me when I travel for work, since it is so small and sounds so good.  It comes with a  wire with a connector to use as an antenna, but the jack on my radio doesn't really work.  So I usually use a wire antenna that clips onto the antenna and then run it to a curtain rod; something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ANT-60-Short-Wave-Antenna/dp/B000023VW2
The main thing it is missing is single-sideband.  The one annoying thing is that when you run the scan feature when using headphones you get a loud 'pop' when it lands on a station.  Since the pop is not dependent on audio volume, I use an external attenuator (resistor-divider in a nice case) before the headphone then turn up the volume; now the pop us a subtle thing.  My much more expensive Eton Elite Field radio has the same problem...

If you want single-sideband, which is what a lot of the amateurs (and some pirate stations) use, then the cheapest model I know about (but have not used) is the Tecsun PL330
https://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-Digital-PL330-Worldband-Receiver/dp/B0921HN6QM
It does not come with a wire antenna, so would need one. 

I see that you are in the US.  Note that most of the domestic shortwave stations have schedules that are dominated by religious programming, and of course you will find conspiracy theorists that I won't name.  I mostly enjoy listening to stations from other continents.  There are websites to help you figure out what you are listening to (can look up by frequency/time/language), which is 'easy' when using a digital radio since you know the frequency precisely.  To be honest, for me at least half of the fun is learning how far away I am from the transmitter.  For content, I usually listen to FM, which is why I mentioned the sound quality on the first unit.  Some of the shortwave radios can sound pretty tinny; I bought an Eton Elite Executive which was beautiful through headphones, but the sound quality through the speaker was what I would expect from  a $5 throw-away toy.

You can find reviews of both of these on Todderbert's youtube channel.  I have no connection to Todderbert, but he will go through various features.  He mostly talks about AM and FM performance, but does some shortwave as well.

Jason

EDIT: I agree with themadhippy.

Very helpful. Point taken about the conspiracy-laden religious programming  What sort of antenna would one need to receive shortwave from other countries? I suppose one that can be strung through a 2nd floor bedroom might not be sufficient. I am a couple hundred miles from Canada so maybe those will work out. Setting up an outside antenna isn't going to happen due to aesthetic reasons and me not wanting to drill holes in my house.

EDIT: I see at least one of these has what appears to be a potentiometer-based volume control. I'm going to avoid those. They seem to wear out and get scratchy unless it's a really good component.

[jasonRF]

before spending maybe have a play around on http://websdr.org/

This is a great recommendation for a bunch of reasons. In addition to potentially saving money, they have better antenna setups, and the signals aren't effected by all of the EMI in my house. 

If I want to listen to shortwave on our main living floor, I don't get very good reception unless I go around and unplug all of the devices with switching power-bricks.  Likewise, many of the CFL and LED bulbs cause interference, so lights need to be off (at least in immediate vicinity) for best results.   I get the best reception in our finished attic, since there are no appliances that need to be left plugged in.  Websdr solves this problem perfectly!

jason

[jasonRF]

You might want to reconsider that. Magnetic loop antennas can perform quite well in apartments and indoors.

I am sure you are right about this.  I just use the wire because it is easy, and when not in use occupies no space. 

edit: but even just a 15-foot wire is a significant improvement over a short, built-in whip.  Better antennas will of course help more. I have never been serious enough about it to go beyond a wire. 

jason

[themadhippy]

Setting up an outside antenna isn't going to happen due to aesthetic reasons and me not wanting to drill holes in my house.

open window,pass bit of enamelle wire salvaged from a transformer throughout window*,close window leaving a few foot in the room ,held in place by closed window ,run wire 40+ foot down the garden and nail it to a bit of wood attached to your dads shed,or at least that was my method when i was a similar age to your son
* hold one end of the wire  still wound on the  transformer and drop the transformer out the window

[jrmymllr]

Setting up an outside antenna isn't going to happen due to aesthetic reasons and me not wanting to drill holes in my house.

open window,pass bit of enamelle wire salvaged from a transformer throughout window*,close window leaving a few foot in the room ,held in place by closed window ,run wire 40+ foot down the garden and nail it to a bit of wood attached to your dads shed,or at least that was my method when i was a similar age to your son
* hold one end of the wire  still wound on the  transformer and drop the transformer out the window

True there's always that if everything else fails. At least I no longer have metal siding and the house is less like a Faraday cage.

[jasonRF]

Very helpful. Point taken about the conspiracy-laden religious programming  What sort of antenna would one need to receive shortwave from other countries? I suppose one that can be strung through a 2nd floor bedroom might not be sufficient. I am a couple hundred miles from Canada so maybe those will work out. Setting up an outside antenna isn't going to happen due to aesthetic reasons and me not wanting to drill holes in my house.

EDIT: I see at least one of these has what appears to be a potentiometer-based volume control. I'm going to avoid those. They seem to wear out and get scratchy unless it's a really good component.

Just to be clear, yes!  A wire strung through a 2nd floor bedroom can be sufficient to receive some international stations.  I live in New England and have never used a better antenna than that, yet I have received stations from Africa, South America, Asia and Europe.  I have a couple of nicer shortwave radios (closer to $200) that have longer whip antennas, and have even received stations from all of those continents just on the whips.   I suspect that EMI often limits my reception, and sniffing around my house with a tinySA has at least partially confirmed this. 

Would a better antenna help me pull in more stations?  Of course.  I suspect an outdoor antenna would help the most since it would be further from the EMI sources in my home.  I like the transformer wire idea. 

I do understand your reluctance about volume pots.  We have all been there.  Of course, rotary encoders can have the same problem, and I have seen it on the frequency control on my old DDS signal generator and the volume control on my stereo receiver.  Contact cleaner is usually a sufficient fix. 

jason

[jrmymllr]

Very helpful. Point taken about the conspiracy-laden religious programming  What sort of antenna would one need to receive shortwave from other countries? I suppose one that can be strung through a 2nd floor bedroom might not be sufficient. I am a couple hundred miles from Canada so maybe those will work out. Setting up an outside antenna isn't going to happen due to aesthetic reasons and me not wanting to drill holes in my house.

EDIT: I see at least one of these has what appears to be a potentiometer-based volume control. I'm going to avoid those. They seem to wear out and get scratchy unless it's a really good component.

Just to be clear, yes!  A wire strung through a 2nd floor bedroom can be sufficient to receive some international stations.  I live in New England and have never used a better antenna than that, yet I have received stations from Africa, South America, Asia and Europe.  I have a couple of nicer shortwave radios (closer to $200) that have longer whip antennas, and have even received stations from all of those continents just on the whips.   I suspect that EMI often limits my reception, and sniffing around my house with a tinySA has at least partially confirmed this. 

Would a better antenna help me pull in more stations?  Of course.  I suspect an outdoor antenna would help the most since it would be further from the EMI sources in my home.  I like the transformer wire idea. 

I do understand your reluctance about volume pots.  We have all been there.  Of course, rotary encoders can have the same problem, and I have seen it on the frequency control on my old DDS signal generator and the volume control on my stereo receiver.  Contact cleaner is usually a sufficient fix. 

jason

More good information thank you! True, the cheap rotary encoders can get dirty. Up/down buttons would be nice too. I forgot not everyone uses $15 optical encoders like I do in my projects 

[jrmymllr]

Has anyone used these ATS-25 receivers? They look interesting.

[golftango]

i love the little belka unit but it wouldn't be for a beginner i don't think unless that beginner is willing to tackle some advanced topics in order to use it effectively. it's barely above the size of a small matchbox and yet the receive quality is that of a radio costing 10-20x as much. i find it amazing i can stow such a capable receiver in a shirt pocket and be able to receive anywhere. their latest model covers down to the lw band and up to 30mhz.

for the scanner you'd have to specify desk/mobile/portable and trunking/non-trunking and whether you'd need any code overlays such as p25 or drm. but uniden would like be my answer for any of the above.

/guy (73 de kg5gt | wqpz784)