The Ultimate Newbie !!!!!

[zx_spectrum]

hello
just like the title says; it doesn't get more newbie than this
I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RADIOS ....
well actually know the difference between AM and FM

i just want a table radio that can pick really distant stations
I live far from my country and.... yeah i am really homesick. i know i cant use the internet but No i want the real experience

so could you:
1- tell me what to look for (what feature should i look for when shopping for radio)
2- recommend a given model if possible. my budget is about 100-200$

the radio that i am looking for should be :
1- able to pick really distant stations
2- table top
3- analog ... and this is very important . well it is a nostalgia-thing

thank you so much for your help

 

[Tallman]

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Well first tell us where you are located and what country you want to listen too. Most countries have dropped international shortwave broadcasting in favour of internet or satellite radio and may not even have anything for you to listen to back home via radio.

 

[Riverman]

My vote is for the Kaito 1103. I have one and listen to stations all over the world using just the stock antenna. Available at Amazon for about $90.

http://www.monitoringtimes.com/mtfirstlook-kaito1103.pdf

 

[fogdog]

Go to flea bay and get an old 1940's wooden table top Short Wave Radio.

I've got a 1941 General Electric L-160 S/W Radio that im going through off and on.
These old radios check all the boxes that you wanted.

73

 

[Slowmover]

What one wants is the BLAUPUNKT Berlin.

Couldn’t afford it then or now. But sure as hell would be cool as a conversation-starter on the credenza behind one’s desk.

A 928 Porsche to go with it is obvious. Tell the old lady you’re going to check the news, and she’ll wonder she’s hearing the starting line at the Nurburgring.

 

[Slowmover]

I guess in the meantime this old thing will continue to get me by:

 

[loosecannon]

what you are looking for is going to be out of your budget.

first, no one makes an analog tuned Shortwave radio anymore, which means you'll be buying on the used market, and buying something that is over 20-30 years old.

this means that the chances of you getting a lemon, or something that will require restoration/repair quite high.

next, the shortwave radios in your price range have terrible front ends, and even worse selectivity.
what this means in laymans terms is that any big radio station near you will drown out those distant stations even if you are not on the same frequency as it.
It also means that the noise and static that is ever present because of our modern world will make it difficult if not impossible to hear weak signals.

the kind of radio you want is a table top short wave receiver like this (Kenwood R5000):

or an HF amateur radio like this(yaesu FT-840):

both of these radios can be found on the used market for 500 dollars or less.

now about the antenna.
you are going to need a lot of space to hang a very long wire across your yard.
don't bother with active or amplified antennas, as they will only amplify the noise.

any wire shorter than say 40 feet is not going to do you any good.
being new to all this you will probably buy something, and an antenna like you need will cost around 100 dollars.

if you want to actually be able to hear the distant stations, you are going to be in to the hobby 500 dollars+.

LC

 

[fogdog]

Walmart # 563410144
$50.00. 9 band radio.

• 

 

[Slowmover]

I’d go for the C. Crane Shortwave model

 

[zx_spectrum]

View attachment 27402 I’d go for the C. Crane Shortwave model

well I couldn't find the one you recommended, but I found this one brand new
what about it ?? is it o.k ??

 

[zx_spectrum]

Thank you so much guys you have been a lot of help
some of you suggested settings that are more appropriate for a hobbyist or professional and i am neither of those and honestly not intending to be one
I just want to listen to stations that are 4500 Km (2800 miles) away at max

well now I understand from you guys that i must look for:
- shortwave radio
- has external antenna input

please correct me if I am wrong
thanks

 

[Slowmover]

well I couldn't find the one you recommended, but I found this one brand new
what about it ?? is it o.k ??
View attachment 27428

On there site was a refurbished one of the model I showed. I would try for it if otherwise attractive.

 

[zx_spectrum]

On there site was a refurbished one of the model I showed. I would try for it if otherwise attractive.

actually i am looking for brand new unit

 

[StrangeBrew]

Do you know what frequencies the stations you want to receive are transmitting on?

Everyone seems to have assumed that you want to receive shortwave stations but I didn't see you actually say that, just want to make sure there are no mistakes regarding just what kind of stations you're trying to bring in.