Newbie Sony IFC 2010

[timedriver]

Hi everyone...just joined.I bought a ICF 2010 Sony about 10 years ago and had a ham friend exchange or put a narrower filter in it at that time.I have hardly used it in all this time but have the bug again recently.I live in the SF bay area and went to HRO in Alameda and picked up a 20 meter diopole with a 18ft coaxfeed. I cutoff the fitting on one end and separated both conducters and soldered them to dual or stereo mini plug.Which really helps with reception.I really wanted a 40 meter diopole but 66 ft is to long where I live.The one I installed is on a straight line about 30ft and is insulated.Everyones been telling me most of the bands are pretty dead right now due to the cycle.At night I do get a lot of freqs in the 49 meter range and during the day I receive all the local airbands in fm quality.Is their a antenna tuner out there that is not discontinued that would be suitable for the Sony to give me more bandwidth? Lastly I am also considering the Eton E1 as a second radio.I talked to someone over at Universal radio and they said that the later models have had most of their defects taken care of.I'm also condidering a $600.00 to $1000.00 tabletop. And might consider selling my 2010.

Thanx in advance
David:

 

[Highlander_821]

Hi everyone...just joined.I bought a ICF 2010 Sony about 10 years ago and had a ham friend exchange or put a narrower filter in it at that time.I have hardly used it in all this time but have the bug again recently.I live in the SF bay area and went to HRO in Alameda and picked up a 20 meter diopole with a 18ft coaxfeed. I cutoff the fitting on one end and separated both conducters and soldered them to dual or stereo mini plug.Which really helps with reception.I really wanted a 40 meter diopole but 66 ft is to long where I live.The one I installed is on a straight line about 30ft and is insulated.Everyones been telling me most of the bands are pretty dead right now due to the cycle.At night I do get a lot of freqs in the 49 meter range and during the day I receive all the local airbands in fm quality.Is their a antenna tuner out there that is not discontinued that would be suitable for the Sony to give me more bandwidth? Lastly I am also considering the Eton E1 as a second radio.I talked to someone over at Universal radio and they said that the later models have had most of their defects taken care of.I'm also condidering a $600.00 to $1000.00 tabletop. And might consider selling my 2010.

Thanx in advance
David:

First, welcome to the forum. That 2010 is about as nice as they get in the portable department, I certainly wouldn't look for any other portable to outdo it.

Any of the cheaper MFJ units would probably suffice for a tuner.

I don't know a whole lot about particular desktop units. I'd suggest getting a copy of "Passport to Worldband Radio", it has lots of reviews and information on SWL and other radio equipment.

That said, I know the R-75 is a nice unit. Also, FWIW, most of the modern HF Ham sets have really decent RX in them, and they can be had for just about the same price as comparable receivers. Nothing wrong with using a Tranceiver for SWL, just don't key the mic without a ham license!

 

[W5LZ]

David,
If I understand what you are wanting, better reception, then I wouldn't bother with a tuner. I think what would help more than anything is to get your/an antenna higher. Most scanners are designed for receiving the top end of the HF band and higher in frequency. Basically, that 20 meter dipole isn't going to do real well on any of those frequencies. No -one- antenna is going to work real well on all of the bands, some better than others, but nothing 'does' everything well.
If there are particular bands that you are interested in I would use an antenna that's at least close to those frequencies in design. Then get it as high as possible. VHF/UHF bands are basically 'line of sight', if the antenna can't 'see' the other one, there's not going to be very good reception (lots of "but's" in that, but still true).
And the least palatable advice is, that if you believe everything said in antenna advertising, I can make you this fabulous deal on a boat!
Good luck.
- 'Doc

 

[Wire Weasel]

The Eton E1 XM is the best portable in the world. It would instantly become your #1 SWP and make the Sony the expendable one.

But they have been discontinued recently. Get one while you can.

For an expensive table top, consider a ham transceiver instead. Who knows, maybe one day you'll want to do some talking rather than just listening and you'll be ready to go. And the ham rigs are much easier to resale if you ever wish to later.

They both go for about the same money so.....why not get the talkie instead of just the hearie?