SW Radio

[AnnieOakley]

Just got back from Radio Shack to purchase a short wave radio. Upon asking one of two guys employed there to direct me to the sw radios, he sent me to what he thought were short waves but actually they were scanners. Obviously he was too involved in watching Water Boy (probably for the 100th time), or doesn't know one radio from another. The other guy came over to help and had what I wanted but not in stock. Tried to sell me the display and when I said no said they could ship it to me. I said 'no' again and thanked them and left. So a heads-up, some of these stores are not carrying stock to back up their displays.

[maduro cigar]

AnnieOakley, try: www.universal-radio.com They have tons of sw radios there. I don't know where you are located, but try to find a local ham radio club in your area. Check phone book! A radio club will give you all the info. you need to get you all, started.

[AnnieOakley]

AnnieOakley, try: www.universal-radio.com They have tons of sw radios there. I don't know where you are located, but try to find a local ham radio club in your area. Check phone book! A radio club will give you all the info. you need to get you all, started.

Thanks for the info. Was trying to find something to pay cash for and not have it shipped to the house.

[Linda]

Is a SSB and a wideband receiver the same? Thank you in advance.

[Navajo]

Look in the Market Place in this board, someone just posted about his place to buy from. I thought he did have some good prices.

[AnnieOakley]

Thanks Navajo, will check it out.

[antlers]

You will find that in most cases the clerks that work in Radio Shack stores no nothing about electronics or radio - It never used to be the case in the past - but it is now - they know how to sell cell phones and run the cash register - thats about it - sorry if I "peed" someone off but its the truth !

[Sir_Vival]

I bought a couple of Kaito radio's from Steve Quayle. Great radio and helps him stay on
the air and pay bills. Thru a sponsor of his. Was like 80 bucks and kicks A.

[KuernoDeChivo]

I bought a couple of Kaito radio's from Steve Quayle. Great radio and helps him stay on
the air and pay bills. Thru a sponsor of his. Was like 80 bucks and kicks A.

I second that. For 80 bucks you can't beat the kaito. I have put numerous product reviews on SW threads on this site about the kaito.

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Is a SSB and a wideband receiver the same? Thank you in advance.


Linda,

No it is not. A good "Wideband" receiver or a receiver that receives a wide-range of frequencies would be nice if it had SSB (Single Side Band) but just the fact that a manufacturer claims their radio is "wideband" really means nothing and certainly doesn't mean that it includes SSB unless they tell you it does.

To keep this short SSB is merly a portion of an AM signal where they have cut out 2/3rds the signal. For example if the single sideband you were listening to was the Lower Sideband (LSB) like on 160, 75 or 40 meters it means the transmitter had excluded the mirror image of the LSB which would have been the Upper Sideband (USB) as well as the "carrier" portion of the signal. Only certain radios are capable of receiving a SSB signal.

Why do it you ask? This mode is most commonly used by Ham and military. In the 70s and 80s the ham bands were so crowded and SSB takes up much less Bandwidth (approximately half) of the AM signal. That allowed more operators to share the limited bandwidth.

A second advantage is the fact that you are concentrating the "power" put into the "intelligence" of the signal instead of 2 sidebands that are mirror images of each other and then a big fat carrier to boot. It is not uncommon for CB operators running "barefoot" (legal power - no amp) to talk long distances with the 12 Watts put into a single sideband.

If you are on AM listening to a SSB signal it will sounds like Donald-Duck or all warbled. Switch to SSB and tune in the signal and it will sound crystal clear.


Does that answer your question Linda... I could go on... lol

[firebird]

Our local Radio Shack is still pretty good. They have Grundig's still in stock.

[DreadPirate]

We have one of there Grundigs. Not to bad but I'm still looking for a good price on a good SSB.

[ELBUFO]

One way comm is great just to sit and copy the mail. Why not go for the real thing. Become a ham. the entry level tests are kindergarten easy Once you have your ticket, buy a real SW. Here is the link for all the info you need:http://www.arrl.org/