Author Topic: receivers, (Read 2773 times)

7 MM · « **on:** May 23, 2009, 12:17:00 PM »

I am not a ham and I'm not sure I want to be.
It seems to be as adictive as guns and fishing gear.
I would like to have a receiver to listen to all of the bands with.
It might give the spark needed to get started as a ham.

That said what do you recomend as a good receiver?
I am not against spending the bucks if it is worth it.

7 MM

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2009, 01:00:25 PM »

hi 7mm. go to eham.com reviews and look at some receiver reviews. there are some modern receivers beimg made that are just fine. there are some vintage rigs that are still outstanding! have a look on ebay also. take care. aa5ez.

FourBee · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2009, 03:38:48 PM »

Listening to all the Bands! You'll want a Receiver that'll pull in weak and fading signals. Living close to the east or west coasts helps a bunch too.
I have a good portable(Kaito 1102), but it just makes me wish for more -RADIO-.

New Receivers Good for Base Station type listening with large Dials and View Display.

I'm not recommending these, just listing them for your convenience...

This is called a 'Communications Receiver'
ICOM IC-R75-12 ~ 6 1/2 pound ( 9.5"w x 3.7"h x 9.1"d) about $600
Full coverage from 30kHz ~ thru 6Meter Band (60MHz)

This is called a Wideband Receiver
YAESU VR-5000 ~ 4 1/2 pounds (7.1"w x 2.75"h x 8" d) less than $750
covers 100kHz ~ 2.6GHz less cellular in AM,FM-N,FM-W,LSB<USB and CW.

For dedicated listeners who want all the bells and whistles there seems to be no end price wise.

The TEN-TEC RX-340 Communications Receiver a huge 12 pound 19"w x 5.25"h x 12.5"d A $4000 rig tunable from 5kHz~30MHz.

ICOM's R8500-22 Wideband Receiver. A robust 17.7 pounds 11.3" x 4.4" x12.16" unit with a Frequency Range of 100kHz~1.9GHz Lists $2,256 ~ Retails less than $1,830

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2009, 10:43:25 AM »

those sure are nice ones 4b. my wants for the shack are a hallicrafters sx115,sx117 or maybe a 122. go figure!! an old fart liking old junk!! 73's. aa5ez

FourBee · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2009, 05:15:10 PM »

Quote

my wants for the shack are a hallicrafters sx115

ozark; You must'ave been radio bitten mighty young then, like early 1960's.
This ole Hallicrafters SX-100 sold new in 1955 for $170.00 ....Inflation wise a 15cent loaf of bread is 10x that now.

In comparison This ICOM R8500 for 2009 sells for $1,820 ...........

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 24, 2009, 06:50:21 PM »

yep 4b i got bit early. built my first reciever and transmitter when i was 11. the sx 100 you got pictured was the prized possession of one of the 2 hams we had in town then. he had it teamed up with an ht 37 transmitter. the other had a hammarlund hq150 and a dx100 heath transmitter. i was using a 6t9 tube with 475 volts on the plate. darn near had to use a claw hammer to keep the tube in the socket! they came down to look at what i had built and seen a had a "hotkey" 320 or so volts on my handkey.no doubt my signal was on the rough side!!!! for some reason they called me a crazy kid and took away my transmitter!! i will never forget my mom yelling at my dad" floyd you got to do something with that boy!!" 73's to all.aa5ez

FourBee · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2009, 04:01:39 AM »

Reminds me of a friend I grew up with. His dad had a workshop out-back, and David was always delving in some kind of project of electrical danger. If something blew up, he'd just laugh about it, and start over.

He finally settled in on aviation. He flew back here from California once, and had to land on I-40. Last time I visited him in 2000, he showed me his 2 Seater airplane project about 2/3rds completed right down to the last rivot, and ready to paint, with a beautiful built engine ready to install. He was having some difficulty with the instrument panels, but he wasn't discouraged at all.

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2009, 04:20:09 AM »

i think not getting discouraged is the secret to success in any endeavor 4b.how are you coming along with your practice test and studying? another good receiver is the yaseu frg line. they show up on ebay at reasonable prices kind of regular.you can read about them on a site called fox tango international. try to have some fun today folks. 73's.aa5ez

FourBee · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2009, 05:04:48 AM »

Study for Exam day is coming along well. My first on-line cold turkey trial exam was 63%. That is now up to 99.33% average. Fixing to go thru another series of tests today. Haven't looked into it yet, but may want to go right into studying for the General License.

4B

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2009, 06:50:04 AM »

please do study for the general 4b. i think if you pass your tech they will be glad to give the general test! that would get you hf with full privileges and a lot of bandwidth. only a couple of bands with extra only subbands.with a little study both test are a piece of cake 4b.it sounds like you got the tech class whipped 4b!!!! 73's.aa5ez

FourBee · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2009, 05:04:05 PM »

Quote

another good receiver is the yaseu frg line.

I saw the FRG's, and that FRG-7 on e-bay is a beauty. Almost bid on it. 7MM if you're still looking, for $200+ it goes off the block tomorrow the 26th.

ozark; I got to looking at the 'General Exam' qualifications and if true, a person can take the exam the same day after he passes his Techinician Exam at no extra charge. So, if I can, I'm going to try and squeeze it in. I'll have to do some 'cramming'. Got 20 days to get it all in.

Lead pot · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2009, 07:07:03 PM »

Here is one you can take where ever you go.

And if you take the cover off you can do wonders with it, but you could get your fingers slapped.

http://www.radioworld.co.uk/~radio/catalog/second-hand-yaesu-vr500-receiver-p-2376.html
http://shop.ebay.com/items/yaesu+receivers?_dmd=2&_cpr=249

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2009, 08:00:41 AM »

lordy lead pot them buttons on them things is awful small fer my old crippled fingers!! yep 4b most ve teams will be glad to test you till you fail one. the tech and the general are both a piece of cake with a little study. HEY FOGGY!!! drop a line and let us know how you are coming along!! 73's aa5ez

FourBee · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2009, 03:37:32 PM »

Quote

and the general are both a piece of cake with a little study.

I've been studying all day on this General ~ ~ I don't know !,

but it looks like a real lulu.

Will know if any of it is sticking when I get thru and take my first sample test.

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2009, 06:40:33 PM »

just stick with it 4b. the general test is just a little broader than the tech. remember help with a question is only a post or pm. away. same goes for any body starting out. foggy if you need help understanding something drop a line! 7mm if you decide to try for a ticket I'll help if i can. i ain't been overly blessed with smarts or education but if i can help i will.73's.aa5ez

FourBee · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2009, 06:55:52 AM »

I'm not giving up,

but compared to the Tech Studies, this is like taking off a blindfold in a room with 50 doors and only one exit.

And right now they all look the same to me.

All I gotta do it find the right door within 19 days.

phalanx · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2009, 08:25:51 AM »

WOW, Fourbee ,that's a real nice SX100.
For receivers i prefer the older sets , its just personal preference that's all.

FourBee · « **Reply #17 on:** May 27, 2009, 09:15:50 AM »

Quote

WOW, Fourbee ,that's a real nice SX100.

Hey phalanx; it sure is. ozark keeps me busy looking up all these old radios, so I borrowed this pic from a museum of Hallicrafters Receivers. I almost caved in when I saw this Yaesu FRG-7 below, but need to save up for a HF Transceiver later on down the line.

4B

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:26:55 AM »

jeez 4b, saving up fer a hf rig?? you got the right attitude!! keep after that general study guide! a hello to phalanx. maybe foggy will stop by later and let us know how he is doing. take care all. 73's.aa5ez

gustmouse · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2009, 09:14:21 AM »

If you can find a used Drake SW8
I found one this year for under $200,
They cover AM, FM, Shortwave Broadcast bands also Ham Bands and utility stations (marine, oversea aircraft)
It also covers the AM aircraft band used at all airports
Runs on D cells or a power supply

FourBee · « **Reply #20 on:** September 23, 2009, 11:46:46 AM »

Quote from: gustmouse on September 23, 2009, 09:14:21 AM

If you can find a used Drake SW8
I found one this year for under $200,
They cover AM, FM, Shortwave Broadcast bands also Ham Bands and utility stations (marine, oversea aircraft)
It also covers the AM aircraft band used at all airports
Runs on D cells or a power supply

That pretty well covers it all. Hey gustmouse; can you show us what it looks like?
73's KF5BRI

gustmouse · « **Reply #21 on:** October 19, 2009, 12:50:16 PM »

sorry, I haven't read the post in a while