Is anyone into shortwave radio?

[luvtoride]

Looking for advice on testing a radio before I sell it. I want to make sure that everything on it works. I went through all of the bands on it & the only bands that I seemed to get any signal on are FM & VHF weather radio. Wondering if this might be because I do not have it hooked to a roof antenna. I wouldn't be surprised if I am plain "not doing something right" The unit that I am looking for advice on is this one. click on this

Thanks in advance for any info. I'd really appreciate it if someone could help because I know nothing about this type of radio.

Heidi

 

[Leartech]

Interesting radio. It looks portable, and as such, should have an antenna built into it. Obviously the performance won't be the same as an external properly sized antenna mounted up high, but it should still work. It doesn't receive AM band? There are a few HF stations on the planet that come in on just about everything, same with some AM stations. I don't have their exact frequencies anymore since I haven't listened to shortwave in years. When tuning through an HF band, tune very slowly. Also, some bands in the HF range are affected so much by atmospheric conditions, I would wonder if you have tried it pretty late at night? I remember from using 40 meters with the ham radio stuff, that is in the 7 Mhz range, it was about useless during the daylight hours. So, I would tune through the bands quite slow, listening for the slightest change in tone and try it later at night if you haven't already.

If you can't get an AM station, I would think it has a problem.

Probably not much help for you though,

Bryan

 

[dwilli]

Not much info on the website you listed. An outside antenne shouldn't be needed for testing. A simple wire connected to the antenna input should work. The forgien broadcast stations in the 40 and 75 meter bands are strong enough to be heard. See if there is a mode switch. You make have it on FM which would explain why your only getting an FM signal. Look for SSB (Single Side Band) or USB (upper side band) or LSB (lower side band). Most broadcasts are one or the other. Does the AM band work? Try a local Am station. USB and LSB are a AM signal without the carrier and the opposing Side band. Think of it as three parts with the carrier in the middle and the Lower and Upper Side bands. They do away with the carrier and only broadcast the side band making the signal go farther.

 

[luvtoride]

I don't think that I tried AM. The test was in the middle of the afternoon. I will try tuning very slowly at night. I believe that this particular radio has rough tuning & also fine tuning. There is a switch to change from FM to something else. Let me see if I can find more detailed info about this guy.

It's a pretty old radio. I remember my dad having it when I was pretty young. From what I understand, it is still sought after by some trans oceanic types.

Forgot to say... it is indeed portable... & has a very long built in antenna. It also has a hookup for external antenna.

Thanks guys. Keep the suggestions coming if you got 'em. I'm going to see if I can find better info on this unit.

Heidi

 

[OhioFJR1300]

Heidi,

*Evening is the best time to listen. Try the am band at 5000, 10000 and 15000, there is a fairly strong time signal (broadcasts the time every minute, in english) there and it is a good test to see if you are picking anything up. Also if there is a knob labeled "BFO" you might want to try moving that back and forth as you tune the tuner knob. I've been a SW listener for years. Looks like you may have something that a collector would be interested in.

 

[boogahboogah]

Try 3.8-4.0 megacycles between 6:30Am and 8:30 AM (local time). If the shortwave works, you'll hear your local ham operators on 75 meters. Some (mostly the tube lovers) still broadcast in AM, all the rice boxers use single side band. To hear the SSB'ers you'll have to turn on the BFO, tune below the strongest signal, then use the BFO tuning to get an intelligible signal (takes some practice).

8:00AM est to 10:00 EST, at between 9.5 megacycles and 10.5 megacycles, is radio china (mainland) & they have a big booming signal you could probably hear with a cat's whisker & a piece of galena ore.

Good luck, I seem to recall those early radios were not too sensitive. IMHO, you'll get the best possible price on Ebay, there is a separate section for ham radio & collectible receivers.

 

[evil_henchman]

I used to be a licensed amatuer radio operator but once I discovered the internet I dropped it like a hot rock. It's been quite a few years but any radio is only as good as it's antenna and in my experience, you won't get what I would consider to be even adequate reception with a built in telescopic antenna on any radio. For value, I'd check closed auction prices on the same radio on ebay as well as just googling. Good luck.

 

[Violione]

[SIZE=12pt]Hey Heidi,[/SIZE]

Take it outside and extend the antenna. Tune the radio to one of the following frequencies:

5.000 Mhz

10.000 Mhz

15.000 Mhz

20.000 Mhz

Also 26.995 mhz which I believe in the CB channel 19 - hey good boddy! Make sure that the RF gain knob is turned all the way to the right.

These are the National Atomic Clock stations out of Fort Colins, CO. Depending on the time of day one of the frequencies you should be able to hear something. If not then there is a problem.

V

 

[luvtoride]

Evil, I've seen this same style radio go for over $300.00 on Ebay. But a very, very clean version that someone spent the time & money to have it cleaned & such. I expect that if it works, it is worth a couple of hundred easy. It's in good condition w/ only a few scratches on the outer aluminum. There is no AM on this radio... but there are several different bands. I think that I remember reading somewhere around 7 or 8. It's not supposed to be a POS. The antenna is at least 4 to 5 feet long. I remember when I was little listening to it with my dad. The folks broadcasting were not speaking english. I don't remember where the signal came from. So it used to pull radio frequencies from somewhere.

Jay, I was thinking about it... I've been trying to use it in the house near a window. I'm taking it outside to try it.

Thx for the tips everyone, Heidi