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AR15.COM
12/3/2010 3:52:22 PM EDT
I hope this is the right place to post this question. I want a shortwave radio. the one I have, I put some cheep batteries in it and the batteries leaked. Now the radio will power on but that is it. It is a Seangean that I bought from Radio Shack years ago, and I reall like it. It is no longer made.

Where can I get a nice SW radio, that works and will not break the bank. $200 max?
12/3/2010 4:53:01 PM EDT
[#1]
How about one of these:

http://www.ccrane.com/radios/shortwave-radios/

I do not have direct experience with the CC Radio Shortwave model, but the AM band models are great (I believe that they are manufactured by Sangean, but I could be mistaken about that).

(BTW, do you just want to listen to AM broadcasts, or would you also like to listen to ham radio SSB and other modes?)



12/3/2010 5:27:45 PM EDT
[#2]
SSB and other. I have looked and the info is quit confusing. Reading the good and the bad.
12/3/2010 5:43:48 PM EDT
[#3]
Try a Grundig G3

Retail is $150 but I've seen them in stores for $75. Great little radio, does AM/FM/SSB.
12/4/2010 5:58:29 AM EDT
[#4]
The best cheap tabletop portable receiver I have used is Sony ICF7600. I run mine with NiMH AAs and get 20-30 hours of monitoring out of it. With a wire antenna, it does a passable job of pulling in amateur SSB.
12/4/2010 7:31:27 AM EDT
[#5]
I'm interested in a getting my first SW radio also. Is there anything specific to look for or avoid?
12/4/2010 4:05:32 PM EDT
[#6]
I have several shortwave radios.



The Grundig Satellit 750 is the one I have been using the most lately.






12/8/2010 9:41:19 PM EDT
[#7]
I went to Radio Shack and bought the Grundig 350DL.
12/10/2010 5:35:29 AM EDT
[#8]
Good choice, and one I was going to recommend.  Does not have Single Sideband, but then, not every SWL'er wants to listen to the ham bands.

The sound is excellent, and if you put in some fresh D alkalines you will be very surprised at just how long the batteries last.  You can also hook up to a TV antenna or other outdoor FM antenna with an F to PAL adapter from Cell Phone Shack (part number in the manual).  You can also hook up to your stereo via the RCA jacks.  It puts out a stereo signal via the RCA jacks, even though it has only one speaker.

Anyway, an excellent radio.
12/19/2010 8:12:27 PM EDT
[#9]
Thank you. I really enjoy the radio. My rebadged Radio Shack got bad batteries installed in it and the batteries leaked. When I tried to play the radio it did nothing. I checked the batteries and acid was everywhere. Cleaned and swapped batteries and no go. Bought the Grundi and happy with it. Used some electrical contact cleaner to clean the Radio Shack unit and it works as good as ever. I like trying to see if one unit will recieve better than the other.