SSB recommendations
- Thread starter Jimm
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This is what I use as a SSB/shortwave/VHF backup: http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909X-World-Band-Receiver/dp/B003XU76PQ
Needs a good long-wire or trapped dipole antenna for best reception ... as does any HF radio receiver.
Needs a good long-wire or trapped dipole antenna for best reception ... as does any HF radio receiver.
There are dedicated weather receivers that will print out weather charts also.
Are you intending to do some blue water sailing?
Are you intending to do some blue water sailing?
I have used a Sony ICW-SW 7600G the past 5 years and always found it to work very well. Not sure how you intend to use it, but to listen to ssb weather broadcasts I don't think you can buy better even at a higher price. The price today is much below what I paid for mine and I still consider it well worth the cost. I have compared it side by side with other receivers like YB400 and found this works much better. It does not have dial tuning but you can use a jog button.
Bob
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICF-SW7600GR-Shortwave-Receiver-Reception/dp/B00006IS4X
Bob
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICF-SW7600GR-Shortwave-Receiver-Reception/dp/B00006IS4X
I have a friend that Bob also knows that....
.... has that radio and he has taken his Mac from Seattle to Alaska and back (not on a trailer), to the Exumas and cruised the Sea of Cortez extensively that also has that radio and loves it.
I just added it to my Amazon cart also. Thanks Bob and PM me about any new boat purchase news,
Sum
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I'm not familiar with many SWL-type receivers , but have been in amateur radio for about 15 years. The primary things I would look for are:
1. The ability to attach an external antenna
2. Some type of narrow filters - adjustable would be awesome but most are switched on or off. The filters should function in AM or SSB - different bandwidths and different filters.
3. Attenuator to reduce the level of strong signals on adjacent frequencies that bleed over and drown out the signal you're trying to rx. This combined with narrow filters can mean the difference between copying something and not.
4. Audio out for external speaker/headphones and computer soundcard connection. There are some software programs that make use of the dsp in your computer soundcard to receive and copy NOAA weather fax images and other info. Now, I've never copied any weather faxes myself, but have used the software for other modes of communications and it's very reliable and very cheap. The software is generally free and a simple interface to isolate the radio from the computer is preferred.
5. Headphones, the Howard Cosell kind that cover your ears. Not expensive Bose noise reducers, but preferably one that is designed for communications and not music. I use Heil, but mainly for the microphone.
6. Less important in a portable- external power.
If portability weren't a priority, I would suggest an older amateur radio, not a vacuum tube boat anchor, but something from at least the late 1980's. There are some fine tabletop receivers out there, but the prices are pretty high. You can find a lot of amateur transceivers with good receivers and the ability to add filters or have DSP filters. Even low-end transceivers will have many of the features like filters and attenuators or the ability to add them. Filters for specific radios are typically around $100, so it could break the budget even if you were willing to go with a larger, older rig. I found this for $300 on a site where I've purchased many used radios. This is a current model and I've actually owned one. The DSP is pretty poor, but was reliable and filters were available. I used it for digital soundcard modes and emergency backup to another rig. It usually sells for around $450-$500 used. Good luck and I hope I pointed out some things that are useful for you.
1. The ability to attach an external antenna
2. Some type of narrow filters - adjustable would be awesome but most are switched on or off. The filters should function in AM or SSB - different bandwidths and different filters.
3. Attenuator to reduce the level of strong signals on adjacent frequencies that bleed over and drown out the signal you're trying to rx. This combined with narrow filters can mean the difference between copying something and not.
4. Audio out for external speaker/headphones and computer soundcard connection. There are some software programs that make use of the dsp in your computer soundcard to receive and copy NOAA weather fax images and other info. Now, I've never copied any weather faxes myself, but have used the software for other modes of communications and it's very reliable and very cheap. The software is generally free and a simple interface to isolate the radio from the computer is preferred.
5. Headphones, the Howard Cosell kind that cover your ears. Not expensive Bose noise reducers, but preferably one that is designed for communications and not music. I use Heil, but mainly for the microphone.
6. Less important in a portable- external power.
If portability weren't a priority, I would suggest an older amateur radio, not a vacuum tube boat anchor, but something from at least the late 1980's. There are some fine tabletop receivers out there, but the prices are pretty high. You can find a lot of amateur transceivers with good receivers and the ability to add filters or have DSP filters. Even low-end transceivers will have many of the features like filters and attenuators or the ability to add them. Filters for specific radios are typically around $100, so it could break the budget even if you were willing to go with a larger, older rig. I found this for $300 on a site where I've purchased many used radios. This is a current model and I've actually owned one. The DSP is pretty poor, but was reliable and filters were available. I used it for digital soundcard modes and emergency backup to another rig. It usually sells for around $450-$500 used. Good luck and I hope I pointed out some things that are useful for you.
The Amazon link mentions an external antenna comes with the radio. But then it also states customers bought the short wave antenna. Necessary?
Ed I just ordered the radio, but no antenna because of the following that I read....
If you are interested I'll post if the antenna does indeed come with it. Only problem is I got the 'free shipping' and they aren't fast so it might not come for a couple weeks :cry:.
Thanks for the info. Some of it I understood and some I didn't. Eventually if we leave U.S. waters I'd like a full receive/transmit SSB radio like one of the Icom's, but right now I'm too lazy to figure out how to work one efficiently. I hope the Sony is somewhat easy to use and I think it might have some of the features you mentioned.
Here is one person's impression of it......
Even though we probably don't need the radio right now I ordered it after reading the last paragraph above. If they do indeed get out of the market at least I'll have it. Thanks for the info if you can decipher any of the above in layman's terms that would also help,
Sum
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our Endeavour 37[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida[/FONT]
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No a 'short wave' (trapped dipole, etc.) antenna isnt necessary, especially on this particular 909 type radio which has supreme automatic filtering, etc. For most reception all you need is a 'long wire' (supplied) and can easily receive signals that arent directly beamed to your location - and this is a distinct advantage of this particular radio over almost all other 'portable' SWL receivers. A dipole antenna will however enhance reception ... for 'any' receiver.
The Sangean 909X has rapidly become the 'benchmark' in small portable SWL receivers. Here's a review: http://vimeo.com/23718795
I actually use an older Sangean 909 and the 909x is major improvement. I use this radio primarily for WeFAX (NOAA OPC weather charts, etc. on SSB freqs.) and NAVTEX (text) download direct to my (mac) PC as well as to monitor the CarribWx (Chris Parker @ 4.045 USB etc.) and SW listening when in 'de islands' ... instead of my power hungry SSB system. I also use it for Canadian Navtex (via RTTY) when sailing in the 'Maritimes'.
FWIW - all my Wx downloading is by using a shareware program called "Multimode-Lite OSX" (mac). http://www.blackcatsystems.com/register/multimode.html
The Sangean 909X has rapidly become the 'benchmark' in small portable SWL receivers. Here's a review: http://vimeo.com/23718795
I actually use an older Sangean 909 and the 909x is major improvement. I use this radio primarily for WeFAX (NOAA OPC weather charts, etc. on SSB freqs.) and NAVTEX (text) download direct to my (mac) PC as well as to monitor the CarribWx (Chris Parker @ 4.045 USB etc.) and SW listening when in 'de islands' ... instead of my power hungry SSB system. I also use it for Canadian Navtex (via RTTY) when sailing in the 'Maritimes'.
FWIW - all my Wx downloading is by using a shareware program called "Multimode-Lite OSX" (mac). http://www.blackcatsystems.com/register/multimode.html
Thanks all for the info! I actually had the Sony on order, then withdrew. Being tech-challenged, felt I needed better guidance. While I have no immediate off-shore plans beyond the Bahamas, I do want access to good weather (eg Parker), and don't want to shoot too low in quality/features just to save a few bucks... is there a compelling reason to look beyond these, and is there a significant difference that accounts for the pricing?
Sony ICW-SW 7600G $129
Sangean ATS-909X AM/FM/LW/SW $223</SPAN>
Again - Thanks for ALL to input! Hope you all have a great new year!
Sony ICW-SW 7600G $129
Sangean ATS-909X AM/FM/LW/SW $223</SPAN>
Again - Thanks for ALL to input! Hope you all have a great new year!
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