I'm looking for some good candidates for an all around good MODERN swl receiver. I've seen similar threads but they always digress into peoples favorite old radio, or some high end radios no one can afford. with the computer age, and the dying out of many international broadcasters, one of the attractions on radio are digital communication modes, and LF i'm sure people can list more things but my point is that a modern receiver shouldn't have problems letting you explore those easily.
with all the recent advancements, pulling signals out of a tight band, pulling out week dx signals, and not being overloaded by powerful stations should be minimal expectations.
so i set up a few ground rules for listing a good modern radios for modern SWL use.
1, digital readout for frequency ,,, lets get into the 21'st century
2. easy interface to a computer for all digital modes - no major hacks needed (built in is fine too)
3. frequency coverage preferably 150khz-30mhz to include LF hobbyists.
4. no major receive issues, imd issues, imaeges, birdies, overloading, and so on with usable selectivity and sensitivity, bandwidths etc.
5. shouln't break the bank, though we would all love there are some great 5000 dollar recievers, for msot of is, its not plausible. that dosn't preclude listing high dollar receivers, just keep in mind, it should be hobbiest accessible. Champagne performance on a beer budget is a plus
6. transceivers with general coverage receive are ok to list
so in example, using a rtl-sdr dongle with a upconverter would fit except for the image issues and other artifacts and also issues with overloading. so not a device id recommend for the serious swl hobbiest as thier main receiver.
the receivers / transceivers can be new or discontinued, can be desktop tabletop, sdr, protable, dosn;t matter as long as the performance is good and it meets the above criteria.
so i will start with somthing i recently acquired, an airspyHF+
specs are out on the net. but my personal experience is its got good sensitivity and selectivity, and interfaces with most programs for the digital side. and upside and downside is that it is an SDR so, its 100 percent computer controlled. so far no bad behavior, and has yet to overload or .have any spurs etc.
What have you found that works for you, please lisit it!
with all the recent advancements, pulling signals out of a tight band, pulling out week dx signals, and not being overloaded by powerful stations should be minimal expectations.
so i set up a few ground rules for listing a good modern radios for modern SWL use.
1, digital readout for frequency ,,, lets get into the 21'st century
2. easy interface to a computer for all digital modes - no major hacks needed (built in is fine too)
3. frequency coverage preferably 150khz-30mhz to include LF hobbyists.
4. no major receive issues, imd issues, imaeges, birdies, overloading, and so on with usable selectivity and sensitivity, bandwidths etc.
5. shouln't break the bank, though we would all love there are some great 5000 dollar recievers, for msot of is, its not plausible. that dosn't preclude listing high dollar receivers, just keep in mind, it should be hobbiest accessible. Champagne performance on a beer budget is a plus
6. transceivers with general coverage receive are ok to list
so in example, using a rtl-sdr dongle with a upconverter would fit except for the image issues and other artifacts and also issues with overloading. so not a device id recommend for the serious swl hobbiest as thier main receiver.
the receivers / transceivers can be new or discontinued, can be desktop tabletop, sdr, protable, dosn;t matter as long as the performance is good and it meets the above criteria.
so i will start with somthing i recently acquired, an airspyHF+
specs are out on the net. but my personal experience is its got good sensitivity and selectivity, and interfaces with most programs for the digital side. and upside and downside is that it is an SDR so, its 100 percent computer controlled. so far no bad behavior, and has yet to overload or .have any spurs etc.
What have you found that works for you, please lisit it!
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LOL. It would go nicely with my TS-820S transceiver. They are one of the best older SW radios there is. Digital modes can be monitored via an audio connection to a computer as with any radio.
